Re: Extra load on an LX200 (how much?)

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 06:31:26 GMT, "Michael Kreuzer"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>How much extra weight can I attach to an LX200 and still be in with a chance
>at taking photographs?  As a pre-emptive follow up question, is the 10"
>better suited to photography (and can it take more weighty attachments) than
>its larger brethren because it's on the same forks as a 12", or is that
>missing something?
>
>I'm envisaging a 4" guide scope (or smaller), plus cameras on the guidescope
>& the SCT.
>
>Regards,
>Michael Kreuzer
>

There is no sudden cut-off, the more weight then the more flex you
get, so the tracking gradually degrades. The 12" is indeed on the same
fork as the 10" so it's already fully loaded.. You don't need such a
large aperture (i.e., heavy) guidescope, a small refractor (60/70mm)
is adequate for guiding with a CCD autoguider. Remember that whatever
extra weight you mount on the top of the OTA will need to be balanced
with counterweights underneath it. Accurate balance is the key to
success (that, and fixing the mirror flop if you're not using an
off-axis guider). Also, if putting extra weight on the forks then
reduce the slewing speed to 4deg/sec or less. Despite the mechanical
limitations of the Meade fork mount people have used the system to get
good results.

ChrisH