CG5 C11 help tips advice please

[AztecastroMcJ]

hoping someone can help with following

the saddle on cg5 has two screws to hold ota in place

when indexed marks are aligned the smaller safety screw is diagonally downwards, and above other main screw

i've just read a review that suggests rotating 180degrees and ignoring indexed marks so safety screw is pointed diagonally upwards,

is this right ?

would i be better doing above or changing saddle maybe ? or leave as is ?

also seen this bayonet dovetail system, and scope rings

does anyone know where u can purchase these ?

http://www.intint.com/andy/build.html

can i change puck and saddle on cg5 for something more substantial,if so what would u reccomend ?

where can i get them from ?

can i change dovetail mounting bar, again for something superior to one i have, again what would u recommend ?

and lastly i've been advised a longer countershaft bar might help aswell,

i've had mount working a few times and it seems pretty rock solid

but just looking for ideas to improve and help when mounting ota

thinking i could suspend weight to tripod on windy nights

and add some suppression pads for tripod

any advice, tips on above or other ideas appreciated

James

[rawhead]

Have you seen this James?

Astronomy Boy: CG-5 Mount Improvements

[AztecastroMcJ]

hi Jon, (and fellow cg5 user)

yeh i came across that link with my googling recently, has a few other handy links aswell

i'm not looking to do anytpe of hypertuning of mount, mainly as i'm terrible at DIY

have u done any mods to mount urself ?

also are u using orig saddle that comes with cg5(one main screw and small safety screw)

if so do u use it in indexed marked position as told or 180degrees out ?

i will prob change saddle at some point in future, dont think its great esp as safety screw is apparently upside down:eek:,

also screws mark dovetail so will prob go for something like this,

http://www.deepspaceproducts.com/d-series-dual-saddle-and-adapter-for-cg5_8_4234_8892.html

the same company also sells the hypertuning kit for DIY

http://www.deepspaceproducts.com/hypertune-do-it-yourself-kit-for-the-cg-5_8_4227_8641.html

im also considering adding wider dovetail maybe to C11 OTA aswell and some rings, only site i've come across is following,

http://www.kendauzat.net/rings.htm

still not sure exactly what to go for but theres large choice

would like to get something similar to excellent bayonet one that i put link for in my original post (that guy made his some how lovl)

James

[AztecastroMcJ]

the instructions that come with mount are quite good

but something important they didn't mention and i found out through trawling web

when connecting mount to alignment peg on tripod mount (esp with large scope like C11),

u should make sure peg is over a tripod leg rather than inbetween tripod legs

which is the way it was originally

it is easy to remove and reposition as theres already hole waiting

doing this has made mounting OTA much safer

so thats my tip no1 for people with cg5

[Merlin66]

I'm about to use a C11 on a NEQ6 mount. I've upgraded the original Vixen type dovetail for the more substantial ADM "Losmandy" wider dovetail.

I'll also fit a safety angle on the dovetail (as I use on the C9.25) -this allows you to lift and hang the OTA onto the mount while you tighten up the holding screws on the puck.

[AztecastroMcJ]

I'm about to use a C11 on a NEQ6 mount. I've upgraded the original Vixen type dovetail for the more substantial ADM "Losmandy" wider dovetail.

I'll also fit a safety angle on the dovetail (as I use on the C9.25) -this allows you to lift and hang the OTA onto the mount while you tighten up the holding screws on the puck.

yep thats exactly what im looking for aswell

sorry for questions

can u buy safety angle ? or would u need to make one ?

also just out of interest where did u purchase dovetail from ?

many thx James

[Merlin66]

I got the ADM "Losmandy" dovetail from First Light Optics. The safety angle is just a 100mm wide cut of a 50 x 50 x 3mm aluminium angle bolted onto the dovetail at the balance position. You'll need to drill the required mounting holes through the dovetail.

Very good and makes it much, much easier to safely mount the OTA.

[m.tweedy]

i use this

First Light Optics - ADM Dual Saddle upgrade for HEq5 and EQ6 series mounts

and am still waiting for this that is on back order

First Light Optics - ADM Losmandy-type Dovetail for Optical Tubes

and will be ordering this

M3 Losmandy Dovetail Safety Clamp -Astrodevelopments

By the way I use a C11

[Merlin66]

That safety clamp looks good!

Much more elegant than my aluminium angle.

[m.tweedy]

I thought of all of the money sitting on top of the mount and thought it was small change in the total scheme of things (£28.99)

[AztecastroMcJ]

Thx for links Michael that safety clamp looks great cheers

yeh another C11 user,

is there C11 group on here BTW ?

what mount are u using with ur C11 ?

James

[m.tweedy]

Thx for links Michael that safety clamp looks great cheers

yeh another C11 user,

is there C11 group on here BTW ?

what mount are u using with ur C11 ?

James

NEQ6 PRO

Do not know of a C11 group

[ncjunk]

Eq6 with mine, just about to start taking a few pics with it. I have the AMD losmandy dovetail fitted to the eq6 as well. Don't the new eq6s come with this type as standard now?

[rawhead]

hi Jon, (and fellow cg5 user)

have u done any mods to mount urself ?

also are u using orig saddle that comes with cg5(one main screw and small safety screw)

if so do u use it in indexed marked position as told or 180degrees out ?

James

As yourself I'm a hopeless DIYer

No I have not risked completely ******** up my mount

I am using the original saddle. Not really thought about it not being up to the job unitil I read this thread (Thanks for that )

I use index positions as said in the book.

I did move the puck on the tripod but i'm now using my own pier...

When are we going to see some planet pics!!!

Cheers

[beamish]

NEQ6 PRO

Do not know of a C11 group

we could start one

[m.tweedy]

we could start one

Have you got yours yet.

BTW remember Derwent Tomorrow. I think I will start a new thread for the starbque instead of hijacking this one

[ChrisEdu]

the instructions that come with mount are quite good

but something important they didn't mention and i found out through trawling web

when connecting mount to alignment peg on tripod mount (esp with large scope like C11),

u should make sure peg is over a tripod leg rather than inbetween tripod legs

which is the way it was originally

it is easy to remove and reposition as theres already hole waiting

doing this has made mounting OTA much safer

so thats my tip no1 for people with cg5

I've just followed that hint - having found that the tripod wants to fall over when trying to mount the OTA otherwise.

[ChrisEdu]

M3 Losmandy Dovetail Safety Clamp -Astrodevelopments

By the way I use a C11

So, would I be right in thinking you literally just attach this to the dovetail to stop it sliding through the mount?

[Merlin66]

Yes, as simple as that!

Just initially find the "balance point" and then slide the clamp to the edge of the puck.