Slo-Mo RA and DEC knobs and star hopping

[Fraunhoffer]

Ive been trying to improve my star hopping and finding the EQ5 setting circles a bit course. Then it occurred to me to put some markers on the slow-mo knobs
My mount has 144 turns per revolution on each axis which amounts to 10' per knob turn for RA and 2,5 degrees knob turn for Dec.
I found a bit of old drain pipe which push fitted on the knobs and some tape to make 5 markers each revolution, so now by turning the knob one marker, I can move just 10' RA or 1/2 deg Dec.

E.g. If I an centred in Sirius and want to go to M41 (approx. 4 degrees)  I just undo the clutch, rotate the Dec knob and count 8 marks and should find it near the centre of view.

Think I might make some 3d printed replacement knobs with the markers on next.

 

[michael8554]

That is very clever, well done !

Michael