mounting rings and balance

Does anyone have any experience of how well mounting rings really work?
I am wondering about forking out for the BCF rail for my LX200 in which
to put a 5" Celestron (firstscope) to use as a guidescope for the CCD.
Is this likely to work, or do I then find a new set of problems?

Lawrence Harris

Lawrence,

I use the Losmandy mounting plate and rings atop my LX200 where I mount an
ETX90 which I use a guidescope. The big problem I have found is balancing
the telescope, DEC is relatively easy, but its RA which is giving me
problems. I am using the BCF 3D rails which helps, but I have found the best
way is to use the wrap around weights which you use for exercise and I wrap
them around the fork.

If you use an ETX as a guider it is of course colour coordinated with your
telescope!

Lilian