Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600
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George
Woody,
<G> It’ll make your life easier. Only tiny teaks will be necessary on mount.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
George,
Thank you. That looks like a very helpful document. It’s not the same procedure I’ve used in the past, but I’ll give it a try the next time I setup my side-by-side solar scopes.
Woody
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of George
Guys,
Balance side-to-side setups with a dowel rod on a table and save yourselves the headaches. https://www.astro-physics.info/tech_support/accessories/mounting_plates/balancing-side-by-side.pdf
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Jack,
I forgot that you have a side-by-side setup. Those are a bear to balance. As I recall, it took me nearly an hour to get my side-by-side solar setup properly balanced in all directions and axis the first time. And your scopes are so much larger and heavier.
But at least the meter is helping.
All that said, if I could justify the cost, I’d sure like to get the AP gear-release retrofit kit their “new” mounts have.
Woody
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Woody,
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George
Rolando,
I thought everyone carried a dowel rod in their pen protector…oh, wait…I guess that’s a pencil. <G>
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Woops, you beat me to it, George. I call it the pencil balance (i don't always have a dowel rod laying around).
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: George <george@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2021 1:00 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Guys,
Balance side-to-side setups with a dowel rod on a table and save yourselves the headaches.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Jack,
I forgot that you have a side-by-side setup. Those are a bear to balance. As I recall, it took me nearly an hour to get my side-by-side solar setup properly balanced in all directions and axis the first time. And your scopes are so much larger and heavier.
But at least the meter is helping.
All that said, if I could justify the cost, I’d sure like to get the AP gear-release retrofit kit their “new” mounts have.
Woody
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Woody,
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George
Oops, I guess the word is “tweak”, not “teak”. Although teak would make a nice dowel rod.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of George
Woody,
<G> It’ll make your life easier. Only tiny teaks will be necessary on mount.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
George,
Thank you. That looks like a very helpful document. It’s not the same procedure I’ve used in the past, but I’ll give it a try the next time I setup my side-by-side solar scopes.
Woody
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of George
Guys,
Balance side-to-side setups with a dowel rod on a table and save yourselves the headaches. https://www.astro-physics.info/tech_support/accessories/mounting_plates/balancing-side-by-side.pdf
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Jack,
I forgot that you have a side-by-side setup. Those are a bear to balance. As I recall, it took me nearly an hour to get my side-by-side solar setup properly balanced in all directions and axis the first time. And your scopes are so much larger and heavier.
But at least the meter is helping.
All that said, if I could justify the cost, I’d sure like to get the AP gear-release retrofit kit their “new” mounts have.
Woody
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Woody,
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Roland Christen
A "teak" is a tiny tweak. A "tiny teak" is a micro-tweak. Let's get these definishions schraightened out!
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: George <george@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2021 1:48 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Oops, I guess the word is “tweak”, not “teak”. Although teak would make a nice dowel rod.
Regards,
George
George Whitney
Astro-Physics, Inc.
Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line)
Phone: 815-282-1513 (office)
Email:
george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of George
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2021 1:43 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Woody,
<G> It’ll make your life easier. Only tiny teaks will be necessary on mount.
Regards,
George
George Whitney
Astro-Physics, Inc.
Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line)
Phone: 815-282-1513 (office)
Email:
george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2021 1:14 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 George,
Thank you. That looks like a very helpful document. It’s not the same procedure I’ve used in the past, but I’ll give it a try the next time I setup my side-by-side solar scopes.
Woody
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of George
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2021 11:01 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Guys,
Balance side-to-side setups with a dowel rod on a table and save yourselves the headaches.
Regards,
George
George Whitney
Astro-Physics, Inc.
Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line)
Phone: 815-282-1513 (office)
Email:
george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2021 12:55 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Jack,
I forgot that you have a side-by-side setup. Those are a bear to balance. As I recall, it took me nearly an hour to get my side-by-side solar setup properly balanced in all directions and axis
the first time. And your scopes are so much larger and heavier.
But at least the meter is helping.
All that said, if I could justify the cost, I’d sure like to get the AP gear-release retrofit kit their “new” mounts have.
Woody
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2021 5:53 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Woody,
I installed the PowerWerx meter in line with the power supply yesterday and tested balance. Al was fine in RA with equal current draw while moving the mount slowly. However, when I set the scopes parallel to the ground and moved the mount North-South, the current draw to elevate the scopes was higher than that to lower the scopes. So I need to correct the balance on the OTAs riding on the mount. And since I have parallel OTAs, I not only need to check balance on the scopes in the North-South direction, I also have to adjust the parallel dovetail East-West to make sure all imbalance is accounted for. Thanks for reminding me about the meter. Jack Huerkamp -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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The discussion about side to side systems has me wondering - Which has less flexure; side to side or piggyback ?
Mike
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Woody Schlom
Mike,
I don’t have a definitive answer to that question, but my very heavy (12 lbs. I think) Losmandy side-by-side saddle seems quite solid and rigid for the small but heavy refractors I put on it.
I’m sure others will correct me if I’m wrong, but I suspect that the lower scope position (closer to the mount’s pivot points) of a side-by-side setup potentially make tracking and guiding slightly more accurate. But that’s a wild guess.
Woody
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of M Hambrick
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2021 12:09 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600
The discussion about side to side systems has me wondering - Which has less flexure; side to side or piggyback ?
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Keith Olsen
I switched from a piggyback setup to a side by side setup and I found that it did help with flexure. But I have a permanent OBS so I only had to balance it once. It did take longer to get the right balance but it was easier that I thought it would be.
A problem with a side by side setup is more declination pier restrictions than with a piggyback setup.
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Pen protectors! Wow that goes back a long ways. i used to wear one every day when I was a TV Technician! Back then I thought they were cool. Don Anderson
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, 12:43:08 p.m. MST, George <george@...> wrote:
Rolando,
I thought everyone carried a dowel rod in their pen protector…oh, wait…I guess that’s a pencil. <G>
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Woops, you beat me to it, George. I call it the pencil balance (i don't always have a dowel rod laying around).
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: George <george@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2021 1:00 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Guys,
Balance side-to-side setups with a dowel rod on a table and save yourselves the headaches.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Jack,
I forgot that you have a side-by-side setup. Those are a bear to balance. As I recall, it took me nearly an hour to get my side-by-side solar setup properly balanced in all directions and axis the first time. And your scopes are so much larger and heavier.
But at least the meter is helping.
All that said, if I could justify the cost, I’d sure like to get the AP gear-release retrofit kit their “new” mounts have.
Woody
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Woody,
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Not to be picky, but they are called pocket protectors, and only the slide rule ranks higher in the engineer's kit.
Mike
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Had one of those too. Still Have it.Ha Ha. Requires no batteries. Never needs to be rebooted! Don Anderson
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, 05:33:45 p.m. MST, M Hambrick <mhambrick563@...> wrote:
Not to be picky, but they are called pocket protectors, and only the slide rule ranks higher in the engineer's kit. Mike
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Roland, will this be a simple swap out for current AP1600 owners. I assume that the existing worm gear would be retained and moved to the new housing for the quick release system. Any estimate on price and is there a waiting list for this retrofit?
Jack Huerkamp
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George,
Thanks for posting the link. Jack Huerkamp
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George
Don,
They were only cool if they were full. <G> …but real cool was the slide rule slung from your belt in its case! Talk about a chick magnet…ah, the old days!
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Don Anderson via groups.io
Pen protectors! Wow that goes back a long ways. i used to wear one every day when I was a TV Technician! Back then I thought they were cool.
Don Anderson
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, 12:43:08 p.m. MST, George <george@...> wrote:
Rolando,
I thought everyone carried a dowel rod in their pen protector…oh, wait…I guess that’s a pencil. <G>
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Woops, you beat me to it, George. I call it the pencil balance (i don't always have a dowel rod laying around).
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: George <george@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2021 1:00 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Guys,
Balance side-to-side setups with a dowel rod on a table and save yourselves the headaches.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Jack,
I forgot that you have a side-by-side setup. Those are a bear to balance. As I recall, it took me nearly an hour to get my side-by-side solar setup properly balanced in all directions and axis the first time. And your scopes are so much larger and heavier.
But at least the meter is helping.
All that said, if I could justify the cost, I’d sure like to get the AP gear-release retrofit kit their “new” mounts have.
Woody
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Woody,
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thefamily90 Phillips
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of George <george@...>
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2021 10:00:40 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Don,
They were only cool if they were full. <G> …but real cool was the slide rule slung from your belt in its case! Talk about a chick magnet…ah, the old days!
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Don Anderson via groups.io
Pen protectors! Wow that goes back a long ways. i used to wear one every day when I was a TV Technician! Back then I thought they were cool.
Don Anderson
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, 12:43:08 p.m. MST, George <george@...> wrote:
Rolando,
I thought everyone carried a dowel rod in their pen protector…oh, wait…I guess that’s a pencil. <G>
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Woops, you beat me to it, George. I call it the pencil balance (i don't always have a dowel rod laying around).
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: George <george@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2021 1:00 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Guys,
Balance side-to-side setups with a dowel rod on a table and save yourselves the headaches.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Jack,
I forgot that you have a side-by-side setup. Those are a bear to balance. As I recall, it took me nearly an hour to get my side-by-side solar setup properly balanced in all directions and axis the first time. And your scopes are so much larger and heavier.
But at least the meter is helping.
All that said, if I could justify the cost, I’d sure like to get the AP gear-release retrofit kit their “new” mounts have.
Woody
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Woody,
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George
Jack,
You’re most welcome. Enjoy!
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
George,
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R Botero
I would like to know also; as a new owner of a 1600GTO with original gearboxes, I'm interested.
Thank you Roberto
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Jack and all,
The swap out is not an easy one, which is one of the reasons that we have not offered it yet. Yes, many of the components can be reused (motor assembly, worm gear, spur gears), which will reduce the cost. However, it is likely that the mounts will need to return here in order to swap out the components and to ensure accurate assembly.
Clear Skies,
Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Rd Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Roland, will this be a simple swap out for current AP1600 owners. I assume that the existing worm gear would be retained and moved to the new housing for the quick release system. Any estimate on price and is there a waiting list for
this retrofit?
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You mean like this? Don Anderson
On Friday, March 12, 2021, 07:57:25 a.m. MST, George <george@...> wrote:
Don,
They were only cool if they were full. <G> …but real cool was the slide rule slung from your belt in its case! Talk about a chick magnet…ah, the old days!
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Don Anderson via groups.io
Pen protectors! Wow that goes back a long ways. i used to wear one every day when I was a TV Technician! Back then I thought they were cool.
Don Anderson
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, 12:43:08 p.m. MST, George <george@...> wrote:
Rolando,
I thought everyone carried a dowel rod in their pen protector…oh, wait…I guess that’s a pencil. <G>
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Woops, you beat me to it, George. I call it the pencil balance (i don't always have a dowel rod laying around).
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: George <george@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2021 1:00 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Guys,
Balance side-to-side setups with a dowel rod on a table and save yourselves the headaches.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Jack,
I forgot that you have a side-by-side setup. Those are a bear to balance. As I recall, it took me nearly an hour to get my side-by-side solar setup properly balanced in all directions and axis the first time. And your scopes are so much larger and heavier.
But at least the meter is helping.
All that said, if I could justify the cost, I’d sure like to get the AP gear-release retrofit kit their “new” mounts have.
Woody
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Woody,
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George
Don,
<G> I am VERY impressed. Oh the memories…just like the one that I had. Sigh…
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Don Anderson via groups.io
You mean like this?
Don Anderson
On Friday, March 12, 2021, 07:57:25 a.m. MST, George <george@...> wrote:
Don,
They were only cool if they were full. <G> …but real cool was the slide rule slung from your belt in its case! Talk about a chick magnet…ah, the old days!
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Don Anderson via groups.io
Pen protectors! Wow that goes back a long ways. i used to wear one every day when I was a TV Technician! Back then I thought they were cool.
Don Anderson
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, 12:43:08 p.m. MST, George <george@...> wrote:
Rolando,
I thought everyone carried a dowel rod in their pen protector…oh, wait…I guess that’s a pencil. <G>
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Woops, you beat me to it, George. I call it the pencil balance (i don't always have a dowel rod laying around).
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: George <george@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2021 1:00 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Quick Release Gearbox Modification for Older AP1600 Guys,
Balance side-to-side setups with a dowel rod on a table and save yourselves the headaches.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Woody Schlom
Jack,
I forgot that you have a side-by-side setup. Those are a bear to balance. As I recall, it took me nearly an hour to get my side-by-side solar setup properly balanced in all directions and axis the first time. And your scopes are so much larger and heavier.
But at least the meter is helping.
All that said, if I could justify the cost, I’d sure like to get the AP gear-release retrofit kit their “new” mounts have.
Woody
From:
main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Jack Huerkamp
Woody,
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Bob
Marj... I think most of us realize it wont be a cookie cutter mod, but well worth the effort and cost. Opposed to the cost of a new mount and of course the biggest advantage... a very accurate balance which would alleviate an aweful lot of headaches!...Ive been asking for several years about this possible mod.... sign me up as well.... pleeeeaaassseee!...lol
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
On Mar 12, 2021, at 10:15 AM, Marj Christen <marj@...> wrote:
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