Side by side setup on a HEQ5??

[zimzimma]

Hi

I'm just enquiring about a form of side by side setup on a HEQ5 pro mount. Im thinking because the weight is closer to the axis this might be an advantage to me. The thing is I have two telescopes(200pds/opticstar 80mm)both with losmandy dovetails, can I attach these to a Vixen tandem dovetail and does the HEQ5 allow for a vixen type dovetail to be used? This would save me buying anymore dovetails for the setup.

Also can anyone recommend someone who sells these at a reasonable price?

I also use EQMOD for my goto's, would this be a problem if mounted side by side? I presume it wouldn't due to correct polar alignment and me syncing on star(s) that are in the FOV, just making sure?

Once again, thankyou peeps.

Rt

[Merlin66]

Looking at your sig...I assume you have the 200 mounted with it's Losmandy dovetail on the HEQ5pro??

If so, then which type of saddle have you fitted to the HEQ5??

I have the ADM dual saddle which will take either the Vixen or the Losmandy dovetails.

A Dual bar (with either a Vixen or - I'd recommend - the Losmandy dovetail) fitted with Lonsmandy saddle plates will be extremely large and extremely heavy!

I have a dual bar using Vixen dovetails and this supported my 6" f3.5 Schmidt Newtonian along side the ED80 on the HEQ5.

Give it a bit more thought....

There's no added issues with GOTO etc - use the mount as normal.