Attaching something to the OTA

[Dobbs (Anthony)]

G'day,


I bought a lightbridge because of the modding capabilities but quickly realised i'm terrified to go near it with a tool in my hand. I know my way around tools (kind of) but i've never DIY a scope before.

I recently purchased a samsung galaxy s3, then discovered skeye and then discovered its push-to capabilities.

So.........I'd like to have galaxy at the scope but am unsure the best way to attach it to the OTA.

So i am considering 2 options;

1. An additional dovetail bracket similiar to the existing one where my finderscope currently resides.

2. Attach some sort of tube clamp over the aluminium truss similiar to this

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...umber/4958730/


Option 1 seems the most feasible and the least amount of faffing around but i have no idea what to do after the plate is on the OTA......?

I understand the steel in the OTA will cause interference and it seems a 100mm is a safe distance for the phone to sit from the OTA. So i need a non ferrous bracket to fit my dovetail plate - does such a thing exist?

I thought perhaps using an old phone car kit but am concerned there is to much give in the bendable arm.

Option 2

Seems more complicated, maybe

Thanks

Ant

[silv (Annette)]

Interesting

I found this page on the SkEye site which you probably already know?
http://lavadip.com/3081_skeye__ideas...ne_mounts.html

And the link to the App documentation: http://lavadip.com/skeye/documentation.html

[Dobbs (Anthony)]

Yeah the wood one seems most like what i am trying to achieve but i'd like it a little more discrete.

[astro_nutt]

How about making a band from Aluminium, (you can buy various sizes and thicknesses available from Bunnings for a few dollars for a metre length), use a drum to shape the band and tighten with a bolt/wingnut. Attach a bar to hold your phone-holder. If you use some self adhesive foam draught tape on the inside of the band to protect the scope's paintwork.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!

[kustard (Simon)]

This is what I have done to my Orion, it's a truss system similar to the lightbridge. I found the "stalk" from Jaycar, it's an antenna extension and cost about $25 IIRC. The clamping system is from RAM in the US and if you order directly from them you can get the stuff within a week usually.

PS: The brown dog is the cat's toy, she's chewed off almost all of the limbs...

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

I use a double sided velcro band that I get from Bunnings in a box that holds 5 meters if I remember correctly.
Cut pieces to the length I need, it does everything I need.
Keeps cables tidy around tripod legs.
Even holds my Telrad securely on my small Vixen VMC110L
I keep some spare in my eyepiece case for emergencies.

A very inexpensive and very effective way of securing 'stuff' !

Cheers

Chris

[scopemankit (Chris)]

I use two "Y" shaped fittings on my tube anbd mount other scopes on it with bungee chord. I can change a telescope in 30 seconds! Contact screws allows for quick adjusting the alignment.