WTB: Dual Arm Astro Slew

[jermng]

Wow!

Anyway, yup, the dovetail adapter on my C8 can move sideways for Altitude adjustment in the case of the AstroSlew cos it's mounted sideways. But more importantly, I'll be mounting the Megrez using a Finderstyle 3 point system so I can align it with the C8 like a larger finder. I figure I need to get the C8 plate adjusted once ( I suspect it;ll be ok putting it straight) then the rest of the time I'll just need to do minimal alignment on the Meg.
Another point to note is the WO80 is a widefield scope so alignment doesn't need to be absolutely pin point. Objects slightly off the centre will do just fine.

[VinSnr]

Wow!

Anyway, yup, the dovetail adapter on my C8 can move sideways for Altitude adjustment in the case of the AstroSlew cos it's mounted sideways. But more importantly, I'll be mounting the Megrez using a Finderstyle 3 point system so I can align it with the C8 like a larger finder. I figure I need to get the C8 plate adjusted once ( I suspect it;ll be ok putting it straight) then the rest of the time I'll just need to do minimal alignment on the Meg.
Another point to note is the WO80 is a widefield scope so alignment doesn't need to be absolutely pin point. Objects slightly off the centre will do just fine.

but remember that if u want two person to view it side by side, centering the object is important because people tend to nudge the scope to see the object in the center. Once a person nudge the scope, it will affect the other guy.

[jermng]

No prob. Like I said, I'll be using a finder style 3 point system so it shouldn't be a big problem.
Anyway, in astro equipment, no problem is too big - one simply has to be creative in finding the solution. That's half the fun, before we actually go out and observe.
Lot's of people in SingAstro and CloudyNights have used mounts in dual arm mode (AstroSlew here; Giro, EZ-touch etc on CN) with little/no problems.

From limited experience, so far, people (family/friends/acquintances in local parties) have yet to push the scopes themselves. Once the object moves out of view they normally ask me to find it for them again. I might get a different experience in future, but that's all part of the fun once again!
Another good thing for dual arm is when the other scope is being used by someone else, I can look through the other scope and act as a manual guider (slowly of course) but more importantly at the same time communicate with the observer what he/she is viewing. That way they can learn more (I hope)

VinSnr, you sound like you're trying to dissuade me from getting the dual arm version ... HAHA ...

Cheers!

[VinSnr]

No prob. Like I said, I'll be using a finder style 3 point system so it shouldn't be a big problem.
Anyway, in astro equipment, no problem is too big - one simply has to be creative in finding the solution. That's half the fun, before we actually go out and observe.
Lot's of people in SingAstro and CloudyNights have used mounts in dual arm mode (AstroSlew here; Giro, EZ-touch etc on CN) with little/no problems.

From limited experience, so far, people (family/friends/acquintances in local parties) have yet to push the scopes themselves. Once the object moves out of view they normally ask me to find it for them again. I might get a different experience in future, but that's all part of the fun once again!
Another good thing for dual arm is when the other scope is being used by someone else, I can look through the other scope and act as a manual guider (slowly of course) but more importantly at the same time communicate with the observer what he/she is viewing. That way they can learn more (I hope)

VinSnr, you sound like you're trying to dissuade me from getting the dual arm version ... HAHA ...

Cheers!

No..not discouraging you...why should I do that. But u need to be prepared of all the issues you will face before you think of that configuration. Just like to u say, you can act as a manual guider, but that's assuming his object is centered well too. And you also need to think of the dynamics between the two person when viewing.

I once saw a custom made dual arm when I was in US few year back. The distance between the arm is shorter than most ordinary dual arms. I am not sure why it was design that way. Anyway, this guy mounted two ten inch SCT on both arms. Very impressive. The only problem is, there is very little space in between the two scopes and hence the eyepieces of each scope has to be rotated to the sides (like viewing a newtonian). Obviously not a very comfortable position and in the end, no one actually wanted to use the scopes. Some initial thinking at the start would have avoided such problems.

[jermng]

HAHA ... yeah I get what you mean.

Anyway, on the bright side, even IF the dual scopes don't work, I;m already thinking of using the other arm for a sliding weight system when I use it for one scope. For use when I change EPs (2" to tiny 1.25" ortho).

And for myself, the 80mm would be a great finder and wide field scope if no one else wants to look through it.

[VinSnr]

HAHA ... yeah I get what you mean.

Anyway, on the bright side, even IF the dual scopes don't work, I;m already thinking of using the other arm for a sliding weight system when I use it for one scope. For use when I change EPs (2" to tiny 1.25" ortho).

And for myself, the 80mm would be a great finder and wide field scope if no one else wants to look through it.

Actually it is a good setup, provided you can get them align. I am sure you will get it done.

[rlow]

No prob. Like I said, I'll be using a finder style 3 point system so it shouldn't be a big problem.

Jeremy, what exactly do you have for this?

[jermng]

Not the best, but it works ... I don;t have it yet, but it'll be on order when I get the mount. I'll attach it to a dovetail instead of a rail as in the picture above.
How are you aligning your 80FD with your Mewlon?

[rlow]

That should work, if you have enough space for adjustments.

Another point to note is the WO80 is a widefield scope so alignment doesn't need to be absolutely pin point. Objects slightly off the centre will do just fine.

Without any 2-axis adjustments, this may not work properly even with 5 deg TFOV for the 80mm scope and 1 deg TFOV on the bigger scope.

[jermng]

What do you mean?