Kev M

A permanent pier may be a better bet....Google...."permanent telescope pier in garden" Look at "images" Lots of different ideas on same theme.

You should be bble to obtain a rubber O ring from B&Q or plumbers merchant, just a case of finding correct size

Lens tripod adapters that clamp around the lens are available allowing it to be fixed directly to a camera tripod ( anything that takes a similar bolt --- tube ring etc ) are readily available. The camera should be threaded with T2 threads ( 42mm x 0.75mm ), the lens is M42 ( 42mm x 1.0mm ) , adapters from T2 to M42 again are readily available. Spacers may be required, both M42 & T2 type are again available and the tripod adapter could alternatively be clamped to this.

Is it just a tension screw loose or tight , can it be repaired ? Try placing an Ad in the wanted section, someone may reply

The 15kg is the weight including the fork mount, the OTA on its own is a lot less ( probably 6.4kg as stated ).

Has anybody used eqmod with a usb hub local to the mount and then an active usb 10M cable to laptop? Are you using USB2 or USB3 ( not the laptop ports...the equipment USB ports) as this will make a huge difference to the reliability of longer USB cables ? What total equipment do you have connected to USB ? I have very poor wifi in the garden so the laptop will not be able to connect to the home network so what do you use for gps when using for example stellarium on a remote laptop? You wont need GPS at home as you can input co-ordinates manually .... or have I missed the point ? Kev

The speed of light is defined as a physical constant. Therefore it cannot be measured ...it is the measuring stick ! From the original argument then it has to be the same in both directions. All other measurements , length , time, mass etc "adapt" so that this constant remains the same. However length, time, mass etc are all relative to the observer who is measuring them. My head hurts when trying to understand this outcome....

I have my power supply situated where I can see the big red light on it to let me know that it is still on. Might be an idea to connect a small red light to the outside of the observatory to indicate power is on ( hindsight is always too late ). Best wishes Kev

I am near Gainsborough ....very near to Donny... This is mine on an HEQ5 Ian, Its probably that dodgy Apo that you are using....do you want to swap it for an ST80 ?

My PHD settings are almost identical ( obviously 400mm focal length )

What do you mean by rotator ? ( Its OK I googled it,,,,)

You could just extend the RJ9 ( normally called RJ10 in the UK ) using a very light lead ( its just a 4P4C connector the same as used on telephone handsets ). Example below https://www.bcedirect.co.uk/products/rj9-rj10-rj22-extension-cable-male-to-female-1m-20m-lengths-white?_pos=1&_sid=fd75c716f&_ss=r

Not familiar with the mount but is it something like this you are after Ioptron Telescope Control Cable USB RS232 RJ9

Maybe you could use the base ring from a trampoline.......cheap and readily available ?

I work in Hull but live in Lincs.

O3 is right in the middle of the visible spectrum so if bright enough objects emitting/reflecting this would be visible to a human eye. Probably look Green in colour.

Definitely needs the grub screws adjusting, its probably stiff when you move the belt cog but the gear ratio is so much in your favour its not noticeable. Adjust them again to get it rotating freely but not wobbling, probably need to restart entirely with it completely loose and them work into it ,one side at a time so its central.

Ian, that's midnight until 2am Donny time. Kev

Wow...that's good

Nice polite understatement....lol

You only need to move the main mirror. The focal length will remain the same. To achieve focus with eyepieces you may need to fit an extension tube, extremely easy just screws in and very cheap.

Does this help Shows the basic setup as well as more advanced stuff.

Threaded rod into the concrete will always give the most stable platform. ( make sure they are bent ) Resin anchors are for when the concrete is already in situ.

It can be done...but it will cause a lot of heartache and frustration. Get the 450D or better.

From what I have learnt on this forum. ( and what most people seem to be saying ) Mount - Skywatcher EQ5 GOTO --- HEQ5 is much better long term investment, if weight is not an issue. Scope - Sky-Watcher Explorer 130P-DS --- Excellent Guide Scope - Skywatcher Evoguide ED50 --- Standard 50mm guider is much better value, unlikely you would notice the difference. Guide Camera - ZWO ASI120MM Mini --- Excellent DSLR - Canon 350D ---450D has live view and takes SD cards , having used both there is no comparison. The one item that would make the biggest difference to your enjoyment would be changing the 350D for a 450D or better. You could sell the 350D and buy a 450D for pennies difference. Kev