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Old 22-06-2015, 04:41 PM
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Polar FINDER scope

This is interesting...

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...sp?id=MAS-017D
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Old 22-06-2015, 05:18 PM
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And expensive.. Price: $249.00
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Old 22-06-2015, 07:45 PM
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Looks good Lewis I have just returned from dingo patrol,looking forward to getting back into observatory .But how would I get it to slide into the dovetail on Vixen refractor?

Also when are you going to Allan's again I need you to come and do a complete service on my Vixen GPD2 mount i.e strip the whole lot down and tune it all up for AG'ing.

How much and when can you call in.Can find you a red deer,likely only a doe,bring esky and .308

Thanks Chris
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Old 22-06-2015, 08:01 PM
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Looks interesting Lewis. You could do a real thorough polar alignment with your normal means then align this to perfection. Next time you simply line it up. Awesome.

Well worth the money if its rigidly and accurately mounted.

Greg.
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Old 22-06-2015, 08:08 PM
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If you look closely you can see that it's from Explore Scientific. See in this video http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astro...-at-neaf-2011/
I had one a few years ago that I ordered from North Group in China. Very nice little unit
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Old 22-06-2015, 08:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley View Post
Looks interesting Lewis. You could do a real thorough polar alignment with your normal means then align this to perfection. Next time you simply line it up. Awesome.

Well worth the money if its rigidly and accurately mounted.

Greg.

Yes Greg would have to be well mounted,I am not sure about how to put it on my refractor,but keen on getting one.
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Old 22-06-2015, 08:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotspur View Post
Also when are you going to Allan's again I need you to come and do a complete service on my Vixen GPD2 mount i.e strip the whole lot down and tune it all up for AG'ing.

How much and when can you call in.Can find you a red deer,likely only a doe,bring esky and .308

Thanks Chris
Chris, don't you think this sort of question is best sent via PM?
Honestly.

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Old 22-06-2015, 09:44 PM
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Mounting is easy Chris - use a standard Vixen/Synta/GSO finder bracket. Just ditch the Prostar/Northgroup thing.

I can definitely tune the GPD2. I tuned my GPD2 a few weeks back but yet to use it. I put the Tak FSQ-106Ed on it today to balance - quite an experience putting an all-up 9.3kg scope, guide setup and CCD on a 10kg limited mount. Took 4 counterweights on the standard bar. I ran Dec and RA for most of their travel, and no discernable ramp up lag nor any grind or bind.

Might be best to leave the GPD2 head with Allan and I can collect it soon. Or post it down - they are light enough. I have a tripod with pier I can fit it on to check etc.

I have not fiddled with an SS2K unit much (though have a complete SS2K here in a box!), so will have a good read of the instruction manual. One thing to note with the GPD2 is the propensity of the RA worm to loosen over time - more so than the Dec worm it seems. An easy way is to adjust it right and flow in some Loctite into the 3 screws (2x pull, 1 x push/tension). Also adjusting the RA rotational stiffness is vital - also makes balancing easier. A simple job.
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Old 22-06-2015, 09:45 PM
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PS: I don't hunt, so as kind as the offer is, that is not me. I shoot, but I only shoot paper and other inanimate targets.
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Old 23-06-2015, 07:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LewisM View Post
Mounting is easy Chris - use a standard Vixen/Synta/GSO finder bracket. Just ditch the Prostar/Northgroup thing.

I can definitely tune the GPD2. I tuned my GPD2 a few weeks back but yet to use it. I put the Tak FSQ-106Ed on it today to balance - quite an experience putting an all-up 9.3kg scope, guide setup and CCD on a 10kg limited mount. Took 4 counterweights on the standard bar. I ran Dec and RA for most of their travel, and no discernable ramp up lag nor any grind or bind.

Might be best to leave the GPD2 head with Allan and I can collect it soon. Or post it down - they are light enough. I have a tripod with pier I can fit it on to check etc.

I have not fiddled with an SS2K unit much (though have a complete SS2K here in a box!), so will have a good read of the instruction manual. One thing to note with the GPD2 is the propensity of the RA worm to loosen over time - more so than the Dec worm it seems. An easy way is to adjust it right and flow in some Loctite into the 3 screws (2x pull, 1 x push/tension). Also adjusting the RA rotational stiffness is vital - also makes balancing easier. A simple job.
Thanks,seem to be having most of the issues with Dec once set up and going,things go ok,but after about an hour or so the guiding goes out the window with Dec.Unsure if the the older SS2K gear and motors are just getting on a bit.Or the mount needs a good tune up/service.I have the head on single pier in observatory.

If you come through one day let us know,and you could call in,I knew you were keen on shooting bit,there is a make shift range 5 minutes from home.

But can get head to Allan's.Will work something out,I think you mentioned these GPD2's need a good service and tune up from factory,and you mentioned sometime ago its something that has to been done fairly regularly to these GPD2's
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Old 23-06-2015, 08:16 AM
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Seems I need to readjust every year. Seems par for the course with MOST EQ mounts regardless of make. Grease goes hard or saponifies, tensions slack or tighten (depending on their nature). I find the RA locking nut tigthens MORE over time despite the 3 locking grub screws. It is one reason I flowed some Loctite onto the RA shaft threads to held stop this natural tendency to tighten with use.

Dec backlash is the main culprit. It's merely the 2 push screws coming loose from the worm carrier, or the tensioner pull screw loosening. Loctite again keeps this in check after adjustment. I used "medium" loctite last rebuild, but if I find the results acceptable, will use permanent Loctite on them all, just applied via capillary action onto the thread in situ.

I have been thinking of a way to utilise springs to alleviate this phenomenon, and think I have a solution. I am also considering belt driving it using a kit from Rowan Engineering (who also make a wide range of firearm parts and accessories incidentally - seem they too have understood the right hobbies ). They don't make a specific kit, so I will just use the parts from their HEQ5 kit and engineer the mounting plates myself.

Anyway, I might have another package inbound to Allan this week, so will need to make a run out to collect it. Will let you know.
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  #12  
Old 23-06-2015, 08:51 AM
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Ok Lewis,thanks.

Will keep in touch,approx how long would you need the head,I can come down to collect when you finished,if you not coming back up?

I think I would like to avoid A.P on this job.

Cheers.
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