Balancing a C8 SCT

[John]

With a 2inch diagonal fitted and my 38mm 2 inch eyepiece in place I'm finding that my fork mounted C8 has gone from slightly back heavy (managable) to very back heavy (rather awkward at times). Obviously if I add some weight to the front end of the tube it would counteract this - I am interested to find out what measures other members who use SCT scopes have taken to deal with this. I have a flexible dew shield which adds some weight but nowhere near enough.

Thanks.

John.

[CELESCOPE]

have a word with Martin b he has added front weight to his gps 8

Rog

[Kai]

Anthony @ Adm does a counterweight system for a C8

[Kai]

http://www.astro.premcom.com/ADM/ADM%20Products/Mini%20Dovetail%20System.htm

But i think Rother Valley can supply it as well

[John]

Thanks for the suggestions folks - 3 replies in 7 minutes - SGL at it's best :D

John

[MartinB]

Arthur at Ambermile sorted me out although I need to get a lighter weight from him. Of course you can always make your own weight by mixing some sand and epoxy in an old sock and securing it all with velcro - save yourself £100!

[GazOC]

Scopestuff make a decent, cheap set of weightt and bars.

[Stardust]

I've got the ADM system, only because it was a good price on ebay, not sure I'd have bought it new.

[Macavity]

I resorted to buying extra pairs of tube rings and using ONE "in reverse" to attach a bit o' slide-able(!) ballast. Although (maybe?) "discontinued", BC&F / AstroEngineering "AC113 Additional Weights" (do a web search): Set of 3 x 1lb for ~ £15, are rather convenient. Bang some dowell into the central holes and drill e.g. M6, Whitworth etc. clearance...

[John]

Thanks for all the ideas folks - I like the low budget ideas as this is only a serious issue when I'm using the 2 inch diagonal and 2 inch eyepiece combination, which is not all the time.

I did wonder about a single tube ring with a weight attached to it - I'll probably look into that.

John

[Helen]

John,

Found this while looking for something else... useful?? http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/AstroDesigns/CW_System/CWtext.html

Helen

[John]

Wow ! - thanks Helen, loads of ideas using the links from that site.

Thanks for passing that on

John.