Any suggestions for a sturdy mount?

[Daveskywill (David)]

Hello:

I'm the guy with the Meade LX200 10" F10 GPS mounted on a wedge, it's on the Meade tripod and all on a Scopebuggy.

But my practice is to use the Scopebuggy (it even has pneumatic wheels) and I guess this is where my weak spot is in my telescopic setup. That is because when I go to touch (medium hardness) the telescope, it will shake and rock a little. That's enough so that when I'm looking through the optics on medium power, and a wind blows it will make my image move too.

So I'm thinking for something better for astrophotography, I'll need a pier mount. I was hoping for a real observatory in our backyard. And my dad actually said I could have a concrete pad close to where I wanted it. But neither of my parents have said we could have a pier or hole drilled for a post, and having a small shed-like observatory was what my mom suggested.

But it seems that neither of my parents agree on a design. Plus we can't really afford much in either concrete or dome or roll-off-roof. Furthermore, I've moved away from my parents and only go there for astronomy or to stay a night or so.

So I'm thinking that I like the art of astronomy and astrophotography, but when I talk to my mom about stuff I think I need (for the art of it) she says that I have much more of a telescope than some people have: which I do, but then she payed for it (as a gift).

Sorry if I'm sort of rambling, but the bottom line is: should I go and try to get a job to support my astronomical likings, or should I just I just be patient and save a little money and hope that it will get better?

Thank you all for all of your suggestions in advance.

David

[Louwai (Bryan)]

Take your scope off the buggy dude...... Will make a huge difference.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Louwai

Take your scope off the buggy dude...... Will make a huge difference.

Or sit the frame on some bricks/timber blocks so the wheels don't touch the ground.

The mount has to be as firmly fixed as you can make it. That is why piers tend to be attached to a cubic meter or so of concrete.

[rcheshire (Rowland)]

Yep! Just get the wheels of the ground. The rest of the frame should be rigid enough.

[floyd_2 (Dean)]

You might be able to drill three leveling bolts through the scope buggy base if it doesnt already have provision for them. You just need a firm observing pad to roll your scope buggy onto so that the bolts can screw down onto a firm surface.

I have a home made scope buggy sort of setup for my LX200GPS (10") with leveling bolts and it works a treat. What's more, with leveling bolts, you can level your tripod quite accurately.

Dean

[Daveskywill (David)]

But what should I do about moving the scope around? I'd need to get the scope out of the weather. I don't want to risk the electronics getting rained on. If the post that I'm going to set it on is too high, I can't lift the scope that high. It's pretty heavy. (maybe 40 some or 50 pounds). But I'm a short guy anyway and need a shorter post and setup. Like as it is I have to get on a short step ladder for when the scope is up at the highest.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

We aren't suggesting you leave the gear out. Once you roll the trolley out you raise it off the wheels until you have finished for the night.

If there is enough space under the buggy you could use a scissor jack like you find in many cars to lift it far enough to put bricks under. Jack one corner at a time. You could use a length of timber/lumber as a lever but you would probably need two people.

Levelling bolts you wind down when you start and up when you finish. A suitable size ratchet spanner and neither the weight nor having room to swing it should not be a problem.

[Daveskywill (David)]

But also I was putting the Scopebuggy in the grass and not on my parent's concrete driveway. I was doing this partly because I was and am still afraid of dropping my eyepiece on the ground when I'm using it. I guess you can't have everything and putting the scope at least on the more solid concrete would be an advantage to imaging.

But there are still a couple of problems. One is that the Scopebuggy isn't made so sturdy enough. That is because I've only got 1/4-20 bolts for lowering feet and they become unsturdy past enough to get the wheels up a little bit. And I of course need to get them totally off the ground.

Also the driveway that I'd be trying to use is off of level and is lower as you go out toward the road. So what I'm thinking is that more of a real observatory would be a nice addition. And the backyard is tempting because it being away from the traffic in the front (road) it would be better. PS: I think that this observing site could be used as a dark site. You can see stars in the Milky Way pretty easily on some nights. And it's better than some of course. But what I'm hoping for is a real observatory. My mom said she would accept that on her property and he only agreed to a concrete pad. But they are kind of elderly (my dad will be 90 this Sept.) and that means that neither of them are really for staying in the country where the upkeep is even harder than in an apartment.

PPS: do they make clamp on levelers that can be added to the Scopebuggy?

Thanks. David

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Daveskywill

But also I was putting the Scopebuggy in the grass and not on my parent's concrete driveway.
...
But there are still a couple of problems. One is that the Scopebuggy isn't made so sturdy enough. That is because I've only got 1/4-20 bolts for lowering feet and they become unsturdy past enough to get the wheels up a little bit. And I of course need to get them totally off the ground.
...
My mom said she would accept that on her property and he only agreed to a concrete pad.

If you can get agreement for a concrete pad, that would be a good start. Pick the best location taking regard for buildings, trees and lights. If the neighbours have outside lights, (eg motion/heat detect security lights), consider them too.

On the grass works, but only if the mount points are through the grass and in firm contact with the soil. If you can cut out some squares in the grass where the mount points would go, and put a paving blocks in them to be level with the grass that would be more solid.

As for the bolts, 1/4" should work, as long as you make the distance they stick out as short as possible. Put bricks/pavers/timber under the bolts to shorted the unsupported length.

PPS: do they make clamp on levelers that can be added to the Scopebuggy?

No idea, but you could probably find some clamps and heavier bolts at the local hardware which you could attach.