Advice on setup combination involving EQ6, Equinox scopes and dovetails

[shahgazer (Shah)]

Hi Guys,

I need some advice from the gurus here.

Currently I'm using HEQ5 Pro with Equinox 80ED for visual and some simple Mallincam imaging. Never into DSLR.

Decided to setup a permanent setup at my house.

With the budget I have now, I decided to get the following

Mount : EQ6
Main imaging scope: Equinox 120ED (got a good offer for this one)
Robotic Focuser: RoboFocus

Guide Scope: my existing Equinox 80ED
Guide Camera: Mallincam or Webcam (whichever suits)
GPUSB

CCD : QHY9 Mono

Will control all the imaging work from my living room.

Questions:
1. Will the EQ6 be able to carry both the Equinox 120ED and 80ED nicely?
2. I can't find any example photos of Robofocus on an Equinox scope. Is the installation easy?

3. This is regarding the dovetail systems I'm planning to get.

i. Change the EQ6 vixen style dovetail with ADM EQG saddle conversion (http://www.skiesunlimited.net/index.php?ProductID=5029)
ii. Losmandy D Series SBS (http://www.admaccessories.com/D_Series_SBS.htm)

Since the dovetail has the left and right sadle in Losmandy size style, I'm planning to

i. Use the existing 120ED tube rings and dovetail and hook it up with the right sadle (in this case, do I need a converter? I guess the 120ED comes with the Vixen size dovetail)

ii. For my Equinox 80ED, I need to buy the proper guide ring, since I need to re-align with the 120ED. Is this guide ring 125mm ring size (http://www.admaccessories.com/Ring_Sizing_Chart.htm) the correct one for this scope?

Also, when I look at this page http://www.admaccessories.com/D_Series_DUP_Rings.htm? , from what I can see, if I buy this, the guide rings comes together with the dovetail plate. Will this be a the one to buy?


Appreciate for the help. I don't have anyone setting up similar rig as mine here back home. So the only information I get is via the internet.

Don't want to end up buying the wrong combination!

Thanks

[leinad (Dan)]

1. Yes
2. Unsure
3. Your selection could be tweaked.. I got the Dual saddle with puck replacement, which allows fitting of Vixen dovetails and Losmandy D dovetails.

http://www.admaccessories.com/D_Series_Dual_Saddles.htm

You may want to mount piggyback where youll need solid clamp rings for your ED120 where you can mount a Losmandy D bar on top so you can use these to mount your ED80 on top and have the ability to move it up or down the ED120 to get the correct balance needed.

http://www.admaccessories.com/D_Seri...able_Rings.htm

You could get a set of Parallax rings for your ED120 which are solid and well made, and allow you to mount to a Losmandy D bar on bottom and top so you can use this adjustable ring set for the top scope.

This will give you a solid scope setup.

Side by Side setups are nice; but you'll be tackling balance issues and flexure unless you get it just right.

Piggyback setups are easy to balance out, but you will need to counter with the right weight on the counterweight bar.

Hope that helps.

Dont be afraid to email Anthony at ADM directly. Nice guy and very helpful. He often deal with Joseph from Parallax and will know what threads to use for the Dovetail and rings sets.

[shahgazer (Shah)]

Hi leinad

Thanks for the tips.

Just picked up my SW Equinox 120ED and EQ6 yesterday.

Fun days ahead!