Portable Pier Post ?

[johnb]

Hi

So now I have moved I can look at an observatory (well nearly), I don't have space for the typical roll off roof and shed etc, what I do have is around 15 foot of patio at the rear and with good views S,E and W. I have used by kit there and its a good spot, what I'm thinking is a pier with my EQ6 mounted on the top and a hole in the patio that I can pop the pier into when using the scope etc, then when done I remove the pier and cover the hole - has anyone done anything similar ?

Regards

John B

[triton1]

You would have to have a tube sliding into a bigger tube both with flanges on then a series of bolts screwed from the top flange into the bottom.Trouble is the tolerance of the sleeve,too tight it won,t come out,too loose polar alignment might be out a tad.Mind you once alighted you could drill and ream three holes and tap in machined pegs so it went in accurately each time.Still might struggle getting it out again though.Mmmmm tough one to call

Regards Jonn

[triton1]

Sorry machined dowels not peg available in engineering supply shops,I used to use them at work for accurate location

[johnb]

Taking this further, how about the eq6 being mounted on top of some sort of telescopic thing so cover over and wind it up or pull it up and lock in position ?

Regards

John B

[Bizibilder]

There are many people who simply use the supplied tripod.  To ensure reasonable re-positioning they just make (or mark) three points on the patio so that the tripod legs can be set in the same place every time.  This is certainly good enough for visual work and lunar/planetary photography.  But you will need better alignment (ie polar align) for long exposure DSO photography.

[johnb]

Roger point noted, i want it for Astro Photography and thought something may exist or be possible, I could have a traditional pier above ground but would need to cover it when not in use, it would just be ideal if it could be retractable down into the ground

John B