How Do You ???

[Jeffkop (Jeff)]

Hi All

I have been considering methods of doing this and of course its not rocket science, however before committing any cardinal sins I thought I would throw it out to the community, its always helped in the past.

I have a TAK and I employ the clamshell type of mount that TAK supplied with this scope. To balance the scope fore and aft is fine with my camera setup at the moment. However, I intend to use, from time to time, a focal reducer and also at some stage to employ the A08 I purchased with the SBIG camera. OK, problem I have is this. I have about 1/2" MAX of travel left in pushing the scope forward enough in the clamshell mount to balance the setup. When I add the focal reducer or the A08 not only am I adding weight to the aft end of the setup ... I'm also pushing the weight further aft and I'm going to require MORE than the 1/2" of movement thats available to balance it all again. So the answer obviously is somehow place some weight in front of the clamshell mount.

So if anyone knows what method is the preferred one to achieve this then I would be interested. You know, I could tape on a bag of sinkers or the like but that may not be a great cure given the movement that it may cause in the process of guiding an image.

Thanks for any replies

[RB (Andrew)]

Jeff I don't know about the TSA102S but on my TOA 130 I have a counterweight ring which came with the scope that I can move up or down along the OTA (it's also used for attaching accessories).

Maybe check out the TAK accessories available for the TSA and get one for your scope.

I'll see if there's anything on the web.

[Jeffkop (Jeff)]

Thanks Andrew, I knew someone would know of an approved method to do this, and its really simple when you think about it isnt it. I will go looking, but cant say that Ive ever seen any, but I wasnt looking.

[TrevorW]

You could always change the clamshell to rings as I did with my Stellarvue the rings have numerous holes along the top which I've used to attached counterwieghts or a counterwieght bar with sliding counterwieght.

Cheers