SW ST80 balancing problem.

[Coastliner]

Hi all,

My wife has added the tabletop EQ1 ST80 to my arsenal over Christmas

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/startravel/skywatcher-startravel-80-tabletop-telescope.html

I'm very pleased with it, but I'm wondering if anyone has a neat solution to the fact that the scope will not balance on the dec axis with a DSLR attached? The OTA cannot be moved forward to achieve balance, so is there a good way to attach some sort of counterweight to the front of the tube?

Happy new year to all!

Neil.

[The storm fisherman]

Hi Coastliner

 tie a loop around dew shield at the  front and clip on  1 or 2 fishing weights to balance up the scope. i have read on here about taping 2 pence's to the front of the dew shield.

paul 

[Skipper Billy]

Velcro fastening ankle/wrist weights from any sports shop will sort the issue.

[happy-kat]

You have lots of different mounts why not just use one of the others.

[RichM63]

Not a neat solution, but why even bother. You are not going to be taking anything longer than a few seconds exposure, and focusing the ST80 with DSLR is a challenge to say the least.

[happy-kat]

It is possible though and sticking a clothes peg or similar on the focuser wheel enables fine turning.

[Coastliner]

I can achieve focus with the DSLR easily (how accurately is yet to be seen!). I like the clothes peg idea. I also have the motor drive for the RA, so slightly longer exposures may be possible. As for using one of my other tripods, the only other EQ I have is a bit heavy for a quick mobile setup. (Note how cleverly I have avoided the horrible "grab n' go" expression).

I realise the setup is not ideal for AP, but it is giving me good practice with an EQ - I haven't had chance to use the big one yet.

Fishing weights reminded me that I have a bag of lead shot, 700g worth, and this balances the ota. I just need to fix it securely, possibly Velcro. I may have a look at the ankle weights solution as well.

Thanks all!

[happy-kat]

Could you look out for a better tripod base (legs) and stick the eq1 head on it? Thinking about it I am barking up the wrong tree as it is balance and not wobbles the issue.

[Coastliner]

Don't worry H-K, I started to reply, forgetting what my original problem was!

[RichM63]

Have a go at using your ST80 as a daytime photography lens. Nothing to do with balance, but it will help you get a feel for fine focusing. I added an empty barlow tube into the line in order to increase the amount of focus travel available.

Rich

[Dave In Vermont]

I've added a 2" extension-tube, also 2", to my ST80. And as can be seen in the image, a longer bar to mount it on.  Now it focuses and balances fine. It did need extra-length to get it to focus with my cameras attached.

Good luck -

Dave