Sky Watcher EQ80 Imaging Modifications

[Xlracer]

In order to use the telescope for DSLR imaging I fitted a SW electric focusser for the ED80 telescope which needs some bracket mods undertaing, see image. I decided to use an Orion Mini Guidescope with an SBIG ST4 guidescope on my existing Vixen GP DX mount with Star 2000Go To. THhe mini guider needs an extension tube and a small amount maching off the objective focus cell to reach focus see image. The Star2000 needs "crossed" wires from astronomiser and a pin to pin RJ12 extender. The specific ST4 cable would not fit as it ws a male terminal as is the one on my particular guider. Using the miniguider used the fitted finderscope bracket, and not wishing to drill holes in the telescope to fit a Rigel red dot finder I made an extra bracket that is clamped under one edge of the existing bracket and further secured with 5 minute epoxy, see images. I fitted a long dovetail plate in order to allow balance with a camera fitted and machined this to take detachable balance weights in declination. see images. Guiding is excellent, and the telescope is jaw droppingly goodng to drill holes in the telesope I made a bracket to fit a Rigel red dot finder that is clamped under one edge of the existing bracket and further secured with 5 minute epoxy, seeimages. I fitted a long dovetail plate in order to allow balance with a camera fitted and machined this to take detachable balance weights in declination. see images. Guiding is excellent, and the telescope is jaw droppingly good.