FairviewSteve

This is great, I'm planning to have a garden pier/observatory at some point in the next 5...10...15 years. but doesn;t stop me thinking about it and planning the garden around it. Never realised just how much concrete would be required for the scope to sit on (and then I'd need the floor for the obs too).

Great guide, would be good to see a picture of it all put together with the scope on top.

This is a very intereting thread, great tips on the build and gives me lots of ideas for my own future build (far future, need a kitched extension first). I plan to knock down and re-build the garage in the back garden to incorporate a tool shed and an observatory, just have to be careful of the planning permissions etc. I'm in two minds as to whether to have a propper dome or a roll off roof similar to what you have done in your garden. The dome has the cool wow factor but I guess the roll-off roof will be far cheaper!

Originally contained two bottles of wine that werebrought back from an abroad holiday. It's looking as though it's reached its capacity though.

Jake's done a great job here and put up perfect instructions. Given that the instructions that come with the kit are completely inadequate, is it possible that Admin couls make Jake's walkthrough a sticky??....they are obviously helping a good few members.

Seconded!

Excellent guide, got my upgrade kit fixed to the mount now and all seems well! Have to wait though until the skies clear to check out the go-to capability!!

This is a great thread which I will keep an eye on because as soon as I can afford it I will be buying the uprade kit for my EQ5, though mine is white so the black plastic covers will look odd against it. I'll probably have to print this off to follow it.

Can someone answer me a question though, does this kit have a RS232 (i think it is) serial port? I'm interested in driving it from SkySafari and it needs this port to work. Also can an autoguider be plugged in?

I hope the motors are strong, I have a 8kg scope and both counterweights on it, the salesman assured me it would take the weight though.

Steve.