EQ Tracking Platform for Dob: Which One???

Hi All,

After just missing out on a deal for a Johnsonian Type V on Astromart,
I've decided to take the plunge. I'm considering the Johnsonian
(US$895) http://www.johnsonian.com/; another is the "Affordable EQ
Platform" at http://www.eqplatforms.com/ at US$590, plus US$44 for the
auto-reset option. Both have features that I want, in a price range
that's in reach. What are your thoughts on these? Are there others
that I should consider? I'll be using it with my 13.1" f4.5 truss
dob.

Cheers,

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chair
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

On Sun, 04 Jan 2004 17:37:33 GMT, Craig Levine
wrote:

Both have features that I want, in a price range
that's in reach. What are your thoughts on these?

Those are the two I'm aware of in the low price end, other than
building your own. I'm sure there are plans on the web if you wanted
to go that route.

In the higher price range, Tom O makes what I consider a superior line
of products.

http://astronomy-mall.com/regular/pr...rms/index.html


Paul Below
Battle Point Astronomical Association
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
http://bainbridgeisland.org/ritchieobs/

On Sun, 04 Jan 2004 17:37:33 GMT, Craig Levine
wrote:

Both have features that I want, in a price range
that's in reach. What are your thoughts on these?

Those are the two I'm aware of in the low price end, other than
building your own. I'm sure there are plans on the web if you wanted
to go that route.

In the higher price range, Tom O makes what I consider a superior line
of products.

http://astronomy-mall.com/regular/pr...rms/index.html


Paul Below
Battle Point Astronomical Association
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
http://bainbridgeisland.org/ritchieobs/

On Sun, 04 Jan 2004 17:37:33 GMT, Craig Levine
wrote:

Both have features that I want, in a price range
that's in reach. What are your thoughts on these?

Those are the two I'm aware of in the low price end, other than
building your own. I'm sure there are plans on the web if you wanted
to go that route.

In the higher price range, Tom O makes what I consider a superior line
of products.

http://astronomy-mall.com/regular/pr...rms/index.html


Paul Below
Battle Point Astronomical Association
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
http://bainbridgeisland.org/ritchieobs/

Craig,

Like anything else, the better ones cost more but may be more than what you
need. The top end Equatorial Platform offers a super-smooth drive,
dual-axis slewing and autoguiding support. Just about anything will do for
a casual visual drive.

Don't get all worked up about not having a built-in adjustment for latitude.
Any platform can be easily tilted north or south by a few degrees with
shims. One has to do this anyway unless the ground is perfectly level.

Del Johnson




"Craig Levine" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

After just missing out on a deal for a Johnsonian Type V on Astromart,
I've decided to take the plunge. I'm considering the Johnsonian
(US$895) http://www.johnsonian.com/; another is the "Affordable EQ
Platform" at http://www.eqplatforms.com/ at US$590, plus US$44 for the
auto-reset option. Both have features that I want, in a price range
that's in reach. What are your thoughts on these? Are there others
that I should consider? I'll be using it with my 13.1" f4.5 truss
dob.

Cheers,

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chair
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

Craig,

Like anything else, the better ones cost more but may be more than what you
need. The top end Equatorial Platform offers a super-smooth drive,
dual-axis slewing and autoguiding support. Just about anything will do for
a casual visual drive.

Don't get all worked up about not having a built-in adjustment for latitude.
Any platform can be easily tilted north or south by a few degrees with
shims. One has to do this anyway unless the ground is perfectly level.

Del Johnson




"Craig Levine" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

After just missing out on a deal for a Johnsonian Type V on Astromart,
I've decided to take the plunge. I'm considering the Johnsonian
(US$895) http://www.johnsonian.com/; another is the "Affordable EQ
Platform" at http://www.eqplatforms.com/ at US$590, plus US$44 for the
auto-reset option. Both have features that I want, in a price range
that's in reach. What are your thoughts on these? Are there others
that I should consider? I'll be using it with my 13.1" f4.5 truss
dob.

Cheers,

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chair
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

Craig,

Like anything else, the better ones cost more but may be more than what you
need. The top end Equatorial Platform offers a super-smooth drive,
dual-axis slewing and autoguiding support. Just about anything will do for
a casual visual drive.

Don't get all worked up about not having a built-in adjustment for latitude.
Any platform can be easily tilted north or south by a few degrees with
shims. One has to do this anyway unless the ground is perfectly level.

Del Johnson




"Craig Levine" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

After just missing out on a deal for a Johnsonian Type V on Astromart,
I've decided to take the plunge. I'm considering the Johnsonian
(US$895) http://www.johnsonian.com/; another is the "Affordable EQ
Platform" at http://www.eqplatforms.com/ at US$590, plus US$44 for the
auto-reset option. Both have features that I want, in a price range
that's in reach. What are your thoughts on these? Are there others
that I should consider? I'll be using it with my 13.1" f4.5 truss
dob.

Cheers,

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chair
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

On Mon, 5 Jan 2004 11:24:17 -0800, "Del Johnson" delastro@{right star
in Orion's belt}.sdsu.edu wrote:

Craig,

Like anything else, the better ones cost more but may be more than what you
need. The top end Equatorial Platform offers a super-smooth drive,
dual-axis slewing and autoguiding support. Just about anything will do for
a casual visual drive.

Don't get all worked up about not having a built-in adjustment for latitude.
Any platform can be easily tilted north or south by a few degrees with
shims. One has to do this anyway unless the ground is perfectly level.

Del Johnson


Thanks Del, Paul,

At this point, my needs are purely tracking for visual purposes. I
have an AP 102mm refractor on a motorized EQ mount should I want to
try photography. I appreciate the tip on shims! The area of tracking
platforms for dobs is still new to me, and I'm trying to find the
right fit between needs and budget. From what I know are my needs,
decent tracking will do. From what I've seen on the used market, as
long as I care for my platform, I should be able to recoup a
reasonable portion of my investment should I decide to upgrade at a
future time.

Cheers!

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chair
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

On Mon, 5 Jan 2004 11:24:17 -0800, "Del Johnson" delastro@{right star
in Orion's belt}.sdsu.edu wrote:

Craig,

Like anything else, the better ones cost more but may be more than what you
need. The top end Equatorial Platform offers a super-smooth drive,
dual-axis slewing and autoguiding support. Just about anything will do for
a casual visual drive.

Don't get all worked up about not having a built-in adjustment for latitude.
Any platform can be easily tilted north or south by a few degrees with
shims. One has to do this anyway unless the ground is perfectly level.

Del Johnson


Thanks Del, Paul,

At this point, my needs are purely tracking for visual purposes. I
have an AP 102mm refractor on a motorized EQ mount should I want to
try photography. I appreciate the tip on shims! The area of tracking
platforms for dobs is still new to me, and I'm trying to find the
right fit between needs and budget. From what I know are my needs,
decent tracking will do. From what I've seen on the used market, as
long as I care for my platform, I should be able to recoup a
reasonable portion of my investment should I decide to upgrade at a
future time.

Cheers!

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chair
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca

On Mon, 5 Jan 2004 11:24:17 -0800, "Del Johnson" delastro@{right star
in Orion's belt}.sdsu.edu wrote:

Craig,

Like anything else, the better ones cost more but may be more than what you
need. The top end Equatorial Platform offers a super-smooth drive,
dual-axis slewing and autoguiding support. Just about anything will do for
a casual visual drive.

Don't get all worked up about not having a built-in adjustment for latitude.
Any platform can be easily tilted north or south by a few degrees with
shims. One has to do this anyway unless the ground is perfectly level.

Del Johnson


Thanks Del, Paul,

At this point, my needs are purely tracking for visual purposes. I
have an AP 102mm refractor on a motorized EQ mount should I want to
try photography. I appreciate the tip on shims! The area of tracking
platforms for dobs is still new to me, and I'm trying to find the
right fit between needs and budget. From what I know are my needs,
decent tracking will do. From what I've seen on the used market, as
long as I care for my platform, I should be able to recoup a
reasonable portion of my investment should I decide to upgrade at a
future time.

Cheers!

- Craig

Craig Levine
Observing Chair
RASC, Halifax Centre
www.halifax.rasc.ca