Astromaster 130EQ mount clutches

[idbvideo]

This may seem stupid, but not having anything to go on, I need to ask.

When I tighten the locks on the RA or DEC clutches shoudl I still be able to move the scope? When I tighten them, I can still move the scope allbeit less easily.

Cheers n beers

Ian

[idbvideo]

OK to rephrase the question. If you lock the RA and DEC axis can you still move your OTA about these axis?

[Dazza121]

i can on mine just not as easily as with them loose.

[idbvideo]

Thanks, I thought I had a duff one

I am looking for any excuse to get a better mount already and I only bought the scope just before Christmas

[Dazza121]

lol well i bought mine for my 8 yr old son for christmas and ive just taken delivery of a CG5-GT Advanced GOTO mount to make it easier for "him" and im sticking to that excuse

[idbvideo]

Just been outside with my 130 and the session was spoilt by the finder and the fact that I dont know my way around the sky. Fantastic seeing too.

[themos]

The answer is no, I think. When you lock the clutches you should only be able to move the tube with the slow motion controls, to track the object. When you want to go to another target , you loosen the clutches and then you can move the tube freely. Take care that the scope is balanced otherwise once the clutches are loose, gravity takes over.

[earth titan]

It should lock them in place. They will move, with brute force, but effectively they should be secure.

[Dazza121]

I think the biggest problem with them is the rather naff handles in the bolts not being easy to grip to tighten properly - the cg5 clutch locks are a hell of a lot easier to tighten

[JamesF]

I don't know which mount this is, but certainly the clutch locks on my EQ1 were far from great. One day when I have nothing better to do (hah!) I might take it apart to see if things can be improved.

James

[themos]

Some mounts, like the TAL one, rely on friction so you can move them by hand if you have to otherwise the motor will turn them. But if there is a clutch knob it should be tight and you shouldn't then force a turn.

[idbvideo]

Stripped the mount down, the areas where the locks clamp onto were covered in grease so I cleaned these areas up and that improved the situation, now the scope stays put and does not move if I breathe on it like it almost was doing before.

Thanks for the inputs folks, much appreciated.

Incedentaly the mount is the Celestron EQ3 mount that comes with the OTA. I fully intend to upgrade to the Skywatcher EQ5 mount.