Mounting a 12" Newt on an EQ6?

[Matty P (Matt)]

I am a little bit curious about how an EQ6 will cope with a 12" Newt mounted on it. I know that Mike (iceman) has one on an EQ6 but I not sure if it is too heavy for it. I am hoping to doing some astrophotography with it aswell as some planetary imaging.

I would like to know if the 12" newt is too heavy to mount it on top of a EQ6 without doing any damage to it.

Thanks.

[matt]

Hi Matt.

I think the 12" is getting up toward the upper limit of the EQ6's load capacity...but as you know Mike (and others) seem to find the mount copes OK.

I wouldn't go hanging much more off the OTA than the camera and filter wheel.

Also, I think the stability would be more suited to planetary imaging than DSO, certainly in anything other than steady conditions. You wouldn't want too much of a breeze about!!!

Cheers.

[AlexN]

for planetary you'll be sweet.. but for dso's.. From what I understand (and a 12" on my EQ6 is my future plan, so I've done some reading on it) The 12" ota on its own is pretty much the payload limit. then add rings, dovebar, camera, 5x powermate finderscope etc. etc. you're pushing it.

If you were to be adding a dslr, guidescope, guide cam etc. I think you should look towards a G11.. I've seen G11's holding a 12" newt, 4" refractor as a guide scope, dslr, guide cam, 2 finderscopes (one on each ota)

The g11 is a pricey unit however... You could offset the cost by selling the EQ6... but its still a 1400 expense that I for one cant justify... YET

Edit: You'd get away with a 10" + dslr + light guide scope (something like an orion ST80 @ 370g) and a guide cam... but still a slight wind would end your night I think.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Thanks for the replies.

I think if I am going to purchase a a 12" Newt it will be put toward planetary imaging and general observing until I upgrade my mount.

Just a question. Because of the total weight of all the equipment including counterweights will be getting fairly close to the payload limit. Will the mount still be able to move all the equipment around without putting a huge strain on the motors?

[AlexN]

Mike is the person to answer that question... I've seen photos of his setup and he's got some serious counterweight action going on...

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

Mike is the person to answer that question... I've seen photos of his setup and he's got some serious counterweight action going on...

Me too. I'm starting to have second thoughts about loading that much weight on my EQ6.

We will have to wait and see what Mike has to say.

[iceman (Mike)]

There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said.

For planetary imaging it's fine, but unless you get the balance just right, for DSO imaging it'll be very difficult. Paul Mayo had his 12" on an EQ6 for a while but now he's got a G-11.

Clive has his 12" on a G-11.

I guess that tells you something.

For DSO imaging you'll need a guidescope mounted on the 12", as well moving the mirror up the tube to enable the DSLR to reach focus.

There's not too many that use the same scope in dual roles, and do each very well. Decide what you want to focus on and get the right scope and mount for the job.

Or, get a good mount, and use 2 scopes. One for planetary and one for DSO's.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by iceman

There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said.

For planetary imaging it's fine, but unless you get the balance just right, for DSO imaging it'll be very difficult. Paul Mayo had his 12" on an EQ6 for a while but now he's got a G-11.

Clive has his 12" on a G-11.

I guess that tells you something.

For DSO imaging you'll need a guidescope mounted on the 12", as well moving the mirror up the tube to enable the DSLR to reach focus.

There's not too many that use the same scope in dual roles, and do each very well. Decide what you want to focus on and get the right scope and mount for the job.

Or, get a good mount, and use 2 scopes. One for planetary and one for DSO's.

Thanks for your reply Mike,

Just a question, Do you find when slewing your EQ6 around with the 12" Newt on top, are the gears straining or struggling in anyway?

[iceman (Mike)]

I don't know, it seems fine to me. It's been slewing a 12" around on top for about 3 years now and still going fine for planetary imaging.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by iceman

I don't know, it seems fine to me. It's been slewing a 12" around on top for about 3 years now and still going fine for planetary imaging.

Just what I wanted to know.

Mike, where did you purchase the rings for your 12" Newt?

Thanks

[iceman (Mike)]

Orion Optics in the UK.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by iceman

Orion Optics in the UK.

Thanks Mike.

I can't seem to find it on their website. Do you have a link?

[iceman (Mike)]

The site seems to be updated, I can't find it now either.

But it's like these: http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/SPX/spx300f4.html

Just send them an email.

[Matty P (Matt)]

What is the OD of the 12" OTA?

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by Matty P

Thanks Mike.

I can't seem to find it on their website. Do you have a link?

They do custom rings - it's not on their site , you need to email them with a request for a quote providing the OD of your OTA to the nearest mm.

I got rings from them for my 10" (my OTA ( is 6mm wall-thickness plastic storm water pipe ) has a OD of 316mm).

[Tandum (Robin)]

Ken Dauzat might have some. He makes that sort of stuff, but posting lumps of metal around the globe won't be cheap. Surely someone here makes them.

[AlexN]

interesting site Robin... "bookmarked."

[Chippy (Nick)]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

I got rings from them for my 10" (my OTA ( is 6mm wall-thickness plastic storm water pipe ) has a OD of 316mm).

Hi Ian,

How do you find the plastic pipe as your OTA? I was thinking about that option the other day... any downsides?

Nick.

[AlexN]

depending on the aperture of the scope and the wall thickness of the plastic pipe you may encounter some flexture, but at 6mm for 12" I'd say that'd be sweet...

Also, getting the inside of the tube evenly course enough so that it doesn't have stray light issues can be difficult at lower apertures.. again, at 12" i think you'd be sweet...

[Matty P (Matt)]

Thanks for the link Robin,

Orion Optics just replied to my email and they do stock 12" rings.

Are there any local dealers that stock them or will I have to purchase one for overseas?