EQ Mount level'd on grass

[mrjonathanbrown]

Hi guy's I just have one question tonight and I have been pondering over it for awhile. Now for you astrophotographers, have anyone of you set up on a pitch of grass? Right now i'm in the phase of practising in the back garden were I have a concrete floor but in the future I hope to get out to Galloway.. So what's it like setting up in the grass? Does your mount eventually level off or do some of you need a piece of wooden board when you? 

[baggywrinkle]

I set up on grass quite often and have not had a problem.

When you set up the tripod give it a push so the legs are firmly in the ground rather than just letting it stand on the surface, this should prevent it sinking when you load up the mount.

[Coastliner]

I've not done this myself, but might it be a good idea to make three wooden discs with an in dentation in the middle to stand the tripod on? This would spread the load snowshoe style and prevent the legs from slight sinking into softer ground.

Neil.

[D4N]

I use anti vibration pads which work dual purpose for this as it is annoying when your polar alignment gets wrecked by the mount shifting.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/misc/celestron-vibration-suppression-pads.html

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[Astro Imp]

When I set up on grass I stand each tripod leg on a spare tile I had left over from a kitchen refit. 

BTW I put the shiny side down so the tripod sits on the rough side and doesn't slip.

[Feral Rabbit]

The only problem I've encountered on grass, especially this time of year, is that I get an awful lot of dew settling on the equipment after a couple of hours viewing, and within 3 hours it's on the objective lens. And that's with a dew shield. No problems with shifting or vibration though.

[Ouroboros]

I set up on three heavy paving stones set into the ground now. But before this I used three sturdy wooden coasters, one under each leg. Worked a treat. Three small paving stones would do the trick nicely too.

I used to set up on an old ground sheet too. It was nicer to kneel on than damp grass for polar aligning.

PS when is someone going to design a polar alignment that doesn't require you to be a double jointed contortionist?

[Astrosurf]

I use anti vibration pads which work dual purpose for this as it is annoying when your polar alignment gets wrecked by the mount shifting.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/misc/celestron-vibration-suppression-pads.html

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I nearly swallowed my tongue at the price!  Would washing machine ant-vibration pads do the same?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_14?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=anti%20vibration%20pads&sprefix=anti+vibration%2Caps%2C256

Alexxx

[Scott]

Slightly off track, but when setting up on concrete, be sure to put something soft under the scope (not the legs) as a safety net for dropped e.p's etc

[D4N]

No idea but I bought mine in Canada where they are half the price. Pesky European taxes and duties.

TSED70Q, iOptron Smart EQ pro, ASI-120MM, Finepix S5 pro.

[Astrosurf]

There are these:

http://www.365astronomy.com/365astronomy-vibration-suppression-pads-vsp-for-tripods-p-3990.html

[tingting44]

ive never had problem setting up on grass with 10 min subs

I use anti vibration pads which work dual purpose for this as it is annoying when your polar alignment gets wrecked by the mount shifting.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/misc/celestron-vibration-suppression-pads.html


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holy misfit! how much....

[mrjonathanbrown]

Yeah the vibration pads are really steep in price not sure I'd pay £55 for vibration suppression pads. The ones from 365 Astronomy are £30 which is a bit better. How highly are they recommended? Would these be perfect for setting up in the grass? 

[Skipper Billy]

I always set up on grass and I use terracotta plant pot saucers of about 6" diameter under each leg - they spread the load and have a hole in the middle to stop the leg slipping and they were about 75p each !!  

[Scott]

When I set up on grass I giggle alot..Sorry, When I set up on grass, providing it's not a bog, then I don't use anything for the legs. In fact, I think gently forcing the legs into the grass makes it less likely to incure vibrations. I always assumed the pads were for setting up on concrete?

[tingting44]

i got these - 8 down and 4 across for £3

http://www.astroboot.co.uk/AstroBoot

never used them on grass tho but they are perfect for not marking my carpet where the mount lives in my living room

[mrjonathanbrown]

tingting44 that link didn't send me to anything just the home page. auspom Yeah I had the same thought too. Skipper Billy I'l look into that as well can't argue with 75p. 

Cheers for all the thoughts guys 

[tingting44]

tingting44 that link didn't send me to anything just the home page. auspom Yeah I had the same thought too. Skipper Billy I'l look into that as well can't argue with 75p. 

Cheers for all the thoughts guys 

thats where all the items are listed on the home page

just scroll down

[D4N]

Well they are expensive but they also work.

Try setting up your mount for a long exposure then walk past it - star trails.

Now with the pads - no star trails.

I guess on very soft ground the vibrations won't travel so well and plant pots will be quite satisfactory

The pads are also supposed to reduce the vibration time from when you touch the scope (focusing etc) but I haven't really noticed that since my scope is so little it doesn't wobble much anyway.

TSED70Q, iOptron Smart EQ pro, ASI-120MM, Finepix S5 pro.

[Uplooker]

The only time I really setup on grass is when I go to star parties. I solved this problem by getting three blocks of scrap wood that are 6 x 6 x 1 inch and drilled a 20 or 25mm hole in the centre of each one so that it was large enough to take the foot of my NEQ6. Stops the tripod sinking into the ground and ruining the polar alignment. I can leave everything setup for the duration of the star party. I have not even managed to get round to varnishing them.

Ian

[Astrosurf]

Has anyone tried washing machine ant-vibration pads??

I'd like to have a go but time is so precious with our awful weather that I don't want to try and fail!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electrolux-50291828007-Washing-Machine-Vibration/dp/B00EO4R9IY

[Shibby]

I use 3 bricks. The grooves accept the tripod feet nicely

[lensman57]

Hi guy's I just have one question tonight and I have been pondering over it for awhile. Now for you astrophotographers, have anyone of you set up on a pitch of grass? Right now i'm in the phase of practising in the back garden were I have a concrete floor but in the future I hope to get out to Galloway.. So what's it like setting up in the grass? Does your mount eventually level off or do some of you need a piece of wooden board when you? 

Just put 3 pieces of thick plywood under the feet about 6" square . The pointed rubber end of the EQ tripods are not suitable for grass as they sink particularly during these damp evenings.

A.G

[tingting44]

i setup in the forest where i have no choice but to setup on grass, i never use anything, just plonk my HEQ5 down, level and thats it, the mount seems happy and spits out 600sec subs all night

[S.A.M]

When I set up on grass, never had a real problem with tripod slipping.  If the grass is that soft (by the feel from my feet) I would probably go for a solid standing, if possible?

Hope this helps?

Peter