Balancing scope

[DannyHarvey]

Hello everyone

This may be a totally stupid question but when I set up my mount for a know set of accessories  I put the weights in the same position every time  - I have a micrometer to measure the position of the last weight (the others  are simply pushed together at the top  of the bar i.e. in a known position). I have the position of the scope in the dovetail clamp marked out on the dovetail bar  to ensure the other axis is balanced - however this datum point is more hit and miss.   

My questions are 1: is this balancing method valid and 

2, if so is there anything on the market I can buy to act as an end stop on the dovetail bar to make balancing that axis more accurate?

r.

Danny 

[Astro Imp]

I just use masking tape to mark the position of the counterweights and on the dovetail. Seems to work well.

[Thalestris24]

Hi

Here's how to balance an eq setup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGduG2jB9ec

Louise

[Starlight 1]

Hi

Here's how to balance an eq setup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGduG2jB9ec

Louise

That only work to a point ,when you go to a Star you have to move the tube round to see any thing so its out of balance again.

[Thalestris24]

He has clips which facilitate the tube rotation. Just for observing, I don't think balance is so critical.

[Dave In Vermont]

Following the directions and advice of the Astronomy Shed video-series will put you in the happy middle-ground where all will be about as good as it gets - without having to constantly be making micro-adjustments every time you change an eyepiece, or adjust the focus. All in all, it's an excellent series for giving most anyone a good working knowledge of using telescopes in a wide variety of configurations.

Thank you for posting this one, Louise. And for anyone wishing to see all the available tutorials from the Astronomy Shed, I suggest following this link and bookmarking it:

http://www.astronomyshed.co.uk/

Clear & Steady Skies,

Dave

[DannyHarvey]

The Astronomy shed video washow I learned to balance originally. My post was essentially asking if it is ok to then mark the positions of everything for a quicker set up next time and is there anything on the market to facilitate such a technique.

r. Dan