jambouk

Yes, I've got a 20m ethernet lead so I can sit in my garage and control the mount from there It needs to be a "patch" type lead though - I'd never realised there were different types. James

I think the drying out option is a good idea. If you know what you are doing and not worried about voiding any warrenty which ay still exist on it, take the back off, there are four screws, and just leave it open to dry in a warm place for a day or so. My handset had one button which used to get trapped under the plastic fascia, and effectly trick the mount to think I'd get my finger stuck down on it (I think it was the zero button). Now I know to just make sure I don't apply force at an angle to the keys and push straight down and it no longer gets trapped. Power is the likely error. Does you mount have an LED to suggest when the power is on or not. Watch the LED and fiddle with the mount and leads and see if it flickers; I suspect it will do. There are various fixes, but the cheapest and easiest is to tape the power lead at a couple of non-moving places to remove any slack so the power socket doesn't wiggle in the mount. If that solves the issue, get something like this to clamp onto the lead to remove the slack: http://images.cableorganizer.com//panduit/high-bond-adhesive-cord-clip/heat-stabilized-nylon-cord-clip_sm.jpg James

Cheers. FLO have already shipped it James

Cheers. FLO are checking the NEQ6 one fits the AZEQ6; i'm sure it will. James

Has anyone used one of these for an equatorial mount: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq6-extension-tube.html How is the stability when using the extension tube? Thanks. James

Managed to take it apart and look at the play. Going to esquire how easy / expensive it would be to get a really snug barrel machined to replace the original with.

There is lots of play of the altitude adjuster in its housing, the machining is pretty precise. We are trying to work out how to remove the barrel the bolt goes through to see if we could get a new one machined. James IMG_4964.MOV

Yes I broke my RA lever, but am using the replacement FLO sent me. I like ht eidesa about the leather washers and will get some. Agree totally about the elevation adjustment, far too course (and stiff), but on the whole I do love it. James

What a wonderful story! A quick Google search shows that Ramon Lane contributed an article to the 1976 Yearbook of Astronomy (below) as well as appearing with various other hits for solar and other astrophotographs. James

It depends how accurately you eant/need it. For visual, then 30 arc minutes is probably good enough; i've had it much worse. For unguided imaging as accurate as possible. A friend and i did the polar align routine on the skywatcher handset the other night and managed to get one down to 45 arc seconds and the other down (alledegely) to 2 arc seconds. We were only taking 60 second subs at a focal length of 1200ml, but it seems ok, and we were quite poorly balanced in RA as he needs another counter weight. I had struggled with the PA routine on the handset before, but now i've reduced my cone error and tightened up the back lash, i actually find it works like a treat with a reticle eye piece. Very happy with it. Jd

That's what i thought, i was just making sure they were the same things. Sorry. That is good news then for him. Now all he needs to do is find a second hand NEQ6, losmandy bar, battery, second set of rings to rotate the scope, nose piece for webcam.... Haha Thanks agin, really helpful. Jd

But can they be used to provide a medium to attach the rings to a flat losmandy bar? Jd

Thanks gordon. That again is really useful. My mate has sent me pictures of his rings and i think it looks like there are flat bits: Dark images sorry. Jd

It's f/4.7 Thanks. He thinks his rings already have a flat bit on. He is going to look later (and hopefully sign up to SGL so he can contribute himself). Thanks for the encouraging replies. I think he is drawn towards the NEQ6. Jd

A friend is thinking about mounting his VX10 on an equatorial mount, mostly for goto, tracking and solar system imaging. Are the rings which are already on his scope suitable for mounting to a dovetail? Is this too much weight / length for an HEQ5? Thanks for any replies. James