Counterweights for an N11 GPS

Hi, I'm aware that Losmandy, Starizona and Milburn all make a
counterweight/bottom rail set for the N11. I already have the Losmandy top
dovetail (DC11) for piggybacking my OM-1 on. Any opinions on one
counterweight system vs. the other? Thanks ...

On Sun, 11 Jan 2004, Chuck wrote:

Hi, I'm aware that Losmandy, Starizona and Milburn all make a
counterweight/bottom rail set for the N11. I already have the Losmandy top
dovetail (DC11) for piggybacking my OM-1 on. Any opinions on one
counterweight system vs. the other? Thanks ...

I've got a very similar setup (Meade 10" on a G11, with dovetail bars on
top+bottom). I've found that the balance counterweight systems, from
whatever vendor, are ridiculously expensive.
Instead, I'm using one of the dovetail accessory clamps and put dumbbell
weights on it, the small, chrome plated ones for a nice look
Simply cut a threaded hole (1/4"-20 photo thread) into a surplus piece of
aluminium rod and attach it to the dovetail clamp where you normally have
got your camera on (or a spare one if you have it), and fixate the weight
disks with a locking ring.
A 5kg hand dumbbell with 6 chrome-plated weight disks cost me 17 euros.

Though I rarely ever need the counterweights. I've re-mounted my finder
scope onto a dovetail plate as well - I simply push it forward when I use
the heavy eyepieces. I only need the counterweight plate if I put some
heavy, long accessory at the back, like an offaxis guider/camera/autoguider.

Bye,
FrankH.

On Sun, 11 Jan 2004, Chuck wrote:

Hi, I'm aware that Losmandy, Starizona and Milburn all make a
counterweight/bottom rail set for the N11. I already have the Losmandy top
dovetail (DC11) for piggybacking my OM-1 on. Any opinions on one
counterweight system vs. the other? Thanks ...

I've got a very similar setup (Meade 10" on a G11, with dovetail bars on
top+bottom). I've found that the balance counterweight systems, from
whatever vendor, are ridiculously expensive.
Instead, I'm using one of the dovetail accessory clamps and put dumbbell
weights on it, the small, chrome plated ones for a nice look
Simply cut a threaded hole (1/4"-20 photo thread) into a surplus piece of
aluminium rod and attach it to the dovetail clamp where you normally have
got your camera on (or a spare one if you have it), and fixate the weight
disks with a locking ring.
A 5kg hand dumbbell with 6 chrome-plated weight disks cost me 17 euros.

Though I rarely ever need the counterweights. I've re-mounted my finder
scope onto a dovetail plate as well - I simply push it forward when I use
the heavy eyepieces. I only need the counterweight plate if I put some
heavy, long accessory at the back, like an offaxis guider/camera/autoguider.

Bye,
FrankH.

On Sun, 11 Jan 2004, Chuck wrote:

Hi, I'm aware that Losmandy, Starizona and Milburn all make a
counterweight/bottom rail set for the N11. I already have the Losmandy top
dovetail (DC11) for piggybacking my OM-1 on. Any opinions on one
counterweight system vs. the other? Thanks ...

I've got a very similar setup (Meade 10" on a G11, with dovetail bars on
top+bottom). I've found that the balance counterweight systems, from
whatever vendor, are ridiculously expensive.
Instead, I'm using one of the dovetail accessory clamps and put dumbbell
weights on it, the small, chrome plated ones for a nice look
Simply cut a threaded hole (1/4"-20 photo thread) into a surplus piece of
aluminium rod and attach it to the dovetail clamp where you normally have
got your camera on (or a spare one if you have it), and fixate the weight
disks with a locking ring.
A 5kg hand dumbbell with 6 chrome-plated weight disks cost me 17 euros.

Though I rarely ever need the counterweights. I've re-mounted my finder
scope onto a dovetail plate as well - I simply push it forward when I use
the heavy eyepieces. I only need the counterweight plate if I put some
heavy, long accessory at the back, like an offaxis guider/camera/autoguider.

Bye,
FrankH.

Also check out ScopeStuff's balance system at
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_baln1.htm

Jim

On Sun, 11 Jan 2004 00:22:54 GMT, "Chuck"
wrote:

Hi, I'm aware that Losmandy, Starizona and Milburn all make a
counterweight/bottom rail set for the N11. I already have the Losmandy top
dovetail (DC11) for piggybacking my OM-1 on. Any opinions on one
counterweight system vs. the other? Thanks ...

Also check out ScopeStuff's balance system at
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_baln1.htm

Jim

On Sun, 11 Jan 2004 00:22:54 GMT, "Chuck"
wrote:

Hi, I'm aware that Losmandy, Starizona and Milburn all make a
counterweight/bottom rail set for the N11. I already have the Losmandy top
dovetail (DC11) for piggybacking my OM-1 on. Any opinions on one
counterweight system vs. the other? Thanks ...

Also check out ScopeStuff's balance system at
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_baln1.htm

Jim

On Sun, 11 Jan 2004 00:22:54 GMT, "Chuck"
wrote:

Hi, I'm aware that Losmandy, Starizona and Milburn all make a
counterweight/bottom rail set for the N11. I already have the Losmandy top
dovetail (DC11) for piggybacking my OM-1 on. Any opinions on one
counterweight system vs. the other? Thanks ...

Also check out ScopeStuff's balance system at
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_baln1.htm

Jim

On Sun, 11 Jan 2004 00:22:54 GMT, "Chuck"
wrote:

Hi, I'm aware that Losmandy, Starizona and Milburn all make a
counterweight/bottom rail set for the N11. I already have the Losmandy top
dovetail (DC11) for piggybacking my OM-1 on. Any opinions on one
counterweight system vs. the other? Thanks ...

Jim Henson wrote in message . ..
Also check out ScopeStuff's balance system at
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_baln1.htm

Jim


Hi:

That's what I'm using. Works fine and the price sure is nice compared
to the alternatives.

Peace,
Rod

Jim Henson wrote in message . ..
Also check out ScopeStuff's balance system at
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_baln1.htm

Jim


Hi:

That's what I'm using. Works fine and the price sure is nice compared
to the alternatives.

Peace,
Rod