Tube ring wobble

[paulee]

Hi all,

I hope someone can help: I have a 10" fl 1200 Newtonian scope on an EQ6 mount. My current rings are 303mm relatively thin (where only $45 or so) & have a fair amount of flex, which is annoying when it gets mildly blowy. I haven't been able to find any on Aussie sites that look suitable, but I could be wrong. Anyone had experience with getting tube rings that don't flex???

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Paulee,

You'll most likely want a longer dovetail bar with more solid rings. I have a 12" newt on the EQ6, so have similar problems with it wobbling about and taking some time to settle after moving it.

However it's not too bad, a couple of seconds usually. Maybe up to 5 if I bump it badly.

In mild winds it can throw off my high-res imaging but I think it would probably be ok for visual? I don't know.

I got my rings from Orion Optics in the UK. They're custom made and not cheap but the longer dovetail bar definitely helps keep it more stable and solid.

[paulee]

Thanks Iceman,

I have the StarStuff Side-by-side mount kit, which are very substantial, I may need to get the longer dovetail bar though (like the side-by-side base plate dovetail) to extend the distribution. I have emailed a request to Orion Optics, they don't have any listing of tube rings as a product. Perhaps I could add one of my existing rings in the centre of the 2 replacements for added strength.

Paul