Maxed out Skytee Mounts

[Hex]

I am debating (again) buying one of these and putting a 200P on one side and my ED100 on the other. Whats the most have you put on yours, i.e. two scopes and how did it handle them. Has anyone gone down the frac/newt combo route on a skytee?

[Odd Thomas]

It seems like a good idea, but you would be faced with differing eyepiece heights.

[johninderby]

The problem with two bigger OTAs on a Skytee 2 is that it can be difficult to balance too heavy an OTA mounted in the top saddle. The counterweight shaft is quite short and you can't mount big weights on it as they would hit the mount. I think you might get away with the ED100 in the top saddle and the 200P in the side saddle though.

I solved the problem by adding a saddle to the other end of the mount. That way I could probably mount a 15 Kg OTA on each side with no problems. The Stellarvue version of the Skytee 2 has a saddle at each end so there's no reason SkyWatcher couldn't do it that way on the first place.

It's not a difficult mod. The "blank" end unscrews (has three grub screws around the edge that need unscrewing first) and then drill and tap two mounting holes for the new saddle. BTW I fitted ADM saddles. Much more secure than the standard ones.

Here's a few photos showing a Meade 10" SNT (16 Kg), a 6" refractor (12 Kg), A 4" f/11 and f/13 and a 3" refractor on the mount.

Of course my Skytee 2 has had a few mods as can be seen in the photos.

John

[Stardust]

wow that's a hell of a set up, I did like refractors and you've got lots of 'em.

[John]

I had a Meade 6" F/8 refractor on one side of a Skytee II - thats a 25 lb OTA. The mount, when counter weighted, seemed OK with the tube but the standard issue dovetail clamp was not up to it. The clamps need to be upgraded, as John has on his much modded Skytee II.

[Hex]

Ok chaps, thanks for that, I think this concept is dead in the water...nice idea though.