How many telescopes can you fit on a single mounting!?

Max Vondel (Peter) · #1 01-10-2010, 12:10 PM

Hi all, I've noticed that many observers out there try to mount as many scopes as possible onto ONE mounting. There are a number of possible explanations for this behaviour.

The obvious one is that it looks are more important than practical issues.
It looks "sexy" to have battery of 3 or 4 scopes pointing skyward like some gun emplacement on the DeathStar! (check out the Takahashi website for mega over the top mounting schemes!)

Some may say that it is easy to have them all mounted at the same time as no further setups are involved. This is well true for those observers with mounts that can carry 50kg's or more. But the rest of use are not in that league and still the temptation is there.

I think that it's best to mount as little as possible and that mounts perform better with less weight. Now I change those guide scopes and have set up a special solar rig to exchange with night time imaging.
Just change the dovetail rather then carry all that extra weight.

Smokey at Bintel has noticed a similiar effect with cables hanging off peoples scopes.

What does everyone think? Is it sexy good looks or other factors,
that determine how many scopes people mount at once?
And how about some images of over the top mounting scheme's
PB

higginsdj · #2 02-10-2010, 01:05 AM

How often will you change scopes/cameras on a remote setup? A mount will work well with any amount of weight within it parameters. The weight impacts bearings and slew speeds so as long as the setup is correctly balanced - it doesn't matter.

Also note that if one is using library calibration frames (and I do) then it is best NOT to move/adjust equipment once the calibration frame have been captured.

Dovetales and Rings are all well and good but I bet you can't align 2 side by side scopes, remove one then put it back again and have the exact same alignment without the need to make adjustments!

Cheers

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #3 02-10-2010, 01:17 AM

Looks Sexy????
Who's going to see them in the dark?

Sounds like too many people are becoming too nit-picky and judgemental, or pedantic.

Pictures being paintings if 'anything' is done to them, now the amount of scopes determining ego sexiness.

I say each to their own

It's your gear, you do what you want with it.
It's your image, use whatever filter you want to and process the hell out of it.

Remember, variety is the spice of life

asimov (John) · #4 02-10-2010, 01:23 AM

If I want sexy, I'll look apon a woman, thanks! I mount mine one at at time but I do this because I shoot planets & (DSO's on occasion). my mount would handle both no problem but it takes 2 mins. to swap 'em out so why bother.

asimov (John) · #5 02-10-2010, 01:26 AM

Hey Ken, I'm gonna mount 5 scopes on! *GRUNT GRUNT* Insert inflated chest smilie here

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #6 02-10-2010, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

Hey Ken, I'm gonna mount 5 scopes on! *GRUNT GRUNT* Insert inflated chest smilie here

Oooooo, 5 scopes! So sexy!

that_guy (Tony) · #7 02-10-2010, 12:37 PM

what does this mean? i dont have a scope to mount on my mount yet

leon · #8 02-10-2010, 05:38 PM

Depends, if they, the scopes and the guiding scopes all work together and you have a decent mount , like a G11 and it all dose the job.

However one needs to have a permanent set up, like there own Observatory.

My Takahashi set up worked like a dream.

Leon

DavidU (Dave) · #9 02-10-2010, 05:53 PM

:d

Terry B · #10 02-10-2010, 07:59 PM

It depends what you are trying to achieve.
This is the ASAS array of scopes with multiple cameras and lenseson each mount.
http://www.astrouw.edu.pl/asas/gfx/asas3_view0.gif

leon · #11 02-10-2010, 08:34 PM

So there you go Peter, it makes no difference mate as long as the mount can handle it.

Leon

Alchemy (Clive) · #12 02-10-2010, 08:51 PM

Be nice to have a couple of scopes side by side one capturing rgb, whilst the other gets the lum channel . In fact the way the weathers been it's almost becoming mandatory.

Sadly I don't think my mount will cope with another 5 inch apo. Nor will my budget

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #13 02-10-2010, 09:16 PM

I had this setup running on my G-11 for a while. Both cameras were guided and were able to capture the same object at different focal lengths. This gave me two stacks to merge with Registar. Theory was that I could enhance the core of the wider field by mask-overlaying it with the narrow. Worked quite well. Not sure I'd call it "sexy" though...

Max Vondel (Peter) · #14 03-10-2010, 10:54 AM

Nice setups.......And I like the cables with yours Leon!...No just kidding..

Just realised that not having a permanent observatory changes a few things. Like weight lifting 10+ kg at 4am. And there is something phallic about a nice OTA.... ...........mmmmmm..........

I remember taking pictures of the pregnant wife in front of a nice refractor some years ago ........... that seemed sexy .............

Maybe I need therapy?