I love the mount Joe & some handy tips about balancing as I've been struggling a bit with the RASA on my mount, I don't have a 3D printer but I have fitted some very short cables to my rig which has helped out with cable management which has improved things.
Definitely one of my favorite features of the iOptron mount... the "search home position". Because I setup every single time, I'm always manually moving things around... making sure things move freely... no cables get caught or pull... etc. Having that nice single click button to get me back to home position every time is great. Of course, this brings up the one issue I have with it... whenever I click the "search home" button, I then have to go into mount settings and manually reset them. They _look_ right, but they aren't. It's a known issue with the commander software and my CEM40. I don't _think_ it affects the 120, but it's super easy to test. Right after you click the search home button, click the mount settings. Look at the "degrees past meridian" value. Let's say it shows you 10. Change that to something else... say 12. Click apply. Then, click the mount settings again. On mine, it's back to 10. The value of 12 I put in does not take. I have to do it again. Now when I apply and go back, I see the 12.
Thanks Jonny and super interesting about the search home bug! I am going to test it tomorrow when I'm home and see if it does the same for me. I'll let you know man.
Thanks John, I feel like getting a good balance is an important as getting a good polar alignment. It can really help especially if doing unguided subs.
Well done Joe and very useful. I noticed the 2600 is about 1 lb heavier than the 294, Nita big deal for your mount though. It may be for the Skyguider Pro though. Cheers
Thanks Kurt! The first night when I wasn’t balanced I was struggling to get below .6 and after balancing the next night I was at .3 - .4, but who knows how much the “seeing” had to do with it from one night to the next.
Hey Joe very useful video. It's funny I recently found out about what you call the 3rd axis whilst watching Chris on Astro La Vista and noticed him doing it. You're right it really does help nail balance. Clear skies!
Thanks Ollie! It’s funny you mentioned Chad, I just found his channel the other day, but hadn’t seen that video on balancing, but he had a really cool video on an all sky camera I’d like to build.
Great video Joe 👍 Your mount looks So fluid, that’s brilliant how easy it moves! Mine is getting a bit sticky now! Might have to follow your previous vid and do open heart surgery 😮 And I must get myself some of those 3D printed weights knobs😀
Thanks Nick! I remember the nights of setting up every night and I actually had marks where everything was supposed to go to try and help speed up the process, but still having to take the time to get it right.
As I understand, the CEM mounts should be made very slightly "East" heavy in order to minimize gear play. I have performed the east heavy routine with good results so far.
Thanks Mark! I've heard that before as well, but in my testing it seems to perform better completely balanced, but it may just be with my current gear. When I swap telescopes I'll try it out again and if it guides better, I'll let you know.
When you say "east heavy" doesn't that depend on which side of the meridian you are imaging? Do you mean counterwieght heavy or scope heavy? I'f I'm imaging something rising in the east then the counterwieghts are on the east side. If it's past the meridian then the scope is now on the east side. Balancing one way or the other is going to mess things up once you do an unattended meridian flip in the middle of the night, right?
@@gregmckay666 Make the mount slightly heavy in one direction or the other. The object of the game is to introduce a small amount of friction on the gear assembly in order to reduce play (backlash).
I recently found out the EQ6R can be adjusted to balance without the striction that it comes with from 2 other channels. So maybe I can try that 3rd axis too. I don't know what's up with the weather but its been windy in Oklahoma too for about 2 or 3 weeks. It's driving me crazy.
Thanks Christopher! I've never used a CEM60 but it's my understanding that it has a feature similar that will go to the zero position set from the factory or that you can manually set. I think it's a little different from the CEM120 which uses a sensor, but I'm not positive on this.
My CEM 70G is a bit harder to get balanced because the IGuide camera is built in to the left side of the saddle which causes it to be imbalanced in that direction from the get go.
Hi Rashmi, I love my Celestron OAG! It has a huge prism but doesn't normally interfere with the camera sensor and in combination with a 174MM Mini, I always have plenty of stars to guide on.
I think I’m balanced in RA but when I try to balance in DEC it keeps slowly falling to the left. I’ve got my C8 Edge pushed extremely far forward on the saddle. I’m trying to balance the 2600 on it as well…what would you suggest?
Hi Jessica, I had to get a DEC counter weight for my setup. They have some that connect to the front and the sides. Another option is to get a longer Losmandy bar, but that’s going to be expensive. I have a link to the DEC counter weight I use in one of my other EdgeHD videos, but you can find a bunch if you search for them on your favorite online dealer.
Hahaha thanks Chris! I guess the white mic on black shirt does look like that, I didn't even think about that. Let there be light! So that we can have the fun and frustration of trying to capture it! lol
I had no idea. I have the CEM26 and have been struggling with balance recently. Intend on giving this a try.
I love the mount Joe & some handy tips about balancing as I've been struggling a bit with the RASA on my mount, I don't have a 3D printer but I have fitted some very short cables to my rig which has helped out with cable management which has improved things.
Thanks DDO, I desperately need to get some shorter cables.
Nice video Joe.
It's been super windy for us too. Hopefully we get some CS - wind soon.
Thanks James! The wind is really starting to wear me out.
Very useful video Joe. It’s very easy to forget about the “3rd axis” when balancing the scope. Gotta love the CEM120 👍🏼
Thanks Logan! I’m really loving this mount.
Definitely one of my favorite features of the iOptron mount... the "search home position". Because I setup every single time, I'm always manually moving things around... making sure things move freely... no cables get caught or pull... etc. Having that nice single click button to get me back to home position every time is great.
Of course, this brings up the one issue I have with it... whenever I click the "search home" button, I then have to go into mount settings and manually reset them. They _look_ right, but they aren't. It's a known issue with the commander software and my CEM40. I don't _think_ it affects the 120, but it's super easy to test. Right after you click the search home button, click the mount settings. Look at the "degrees past meridian" value. Let's say it shows you 10. Change that to something else... say 12. Click apply. Then, click the mount settings again. On mine, it's back to 10. The value of 12 I put in does not take. I have to do it again. Now when I apply and go back, I see the 12.
Thanks Jonny and super interesting about the search home bug! I am going to test it tomorrow when I'm home and see if it does the same for me. I'll let you know man.
Interesting video Joe, this is something I need to pay more attention to.
Thanks John, I feel like getting a good balance is an important as getting a good polar alignment. It can really help especially if doing unguided subs.
Well done Joe and very useful. I noticed the 2600 is about 1 lb heavier than the 294, Nita big deal for your mount though. It may be for the Skyguider Pro though. Cheers
Thanks Kurt! The first night when I wasn’t balanced I was struggling to get below .6 and after balancing the next night I was at .3 - .4, but who knows how much the “seeing” had to do with it from one night to the next.
Hey Joe very useful video. It's funny I recently found out about what you call the 3rd axis whilst watching Chris on Astro La Vista and noticed him doing it. You're right it really does help nail balance. Clear skies!
Thanks Ollie! It’s funny you mentioned Chad, I just found his channel the other day, but hadn’t seen that video on balancing, but he had a really cool video on an all sky camera I’d like to build.
Great video Joe 👍 Your mount looks So fluid, that’s brilliant how easy it moves! Mine is getting a bit sticky now! Might have to follow your previous vid and do open heart surgery 😮 And I must get myself some of those 3D printed weights knobs😀
Thanks Simon! I'm very delighted at the almost frictionless movement of the CEM120. Those weight knobs are very nice.
One day I will observe with one of these telescopes 😊
Thanks Ana! I hope you get the chance, it's really a great scope.
cool！i will try this later
Thanks Charles!
Impossible to accurately balance my AVX due to stiction and bearings and lack of bearings in DEC. Considering a CEM40. Thanks
knowledgeable video, thank you for sharing. Keep uploading more and more videos. Clear Skies :)31
Thanks so much Manish!
Nice. It’s really frustrating with my 70 though as I have to setup every night and as you show even a tiny imbalance can cause issues.
Thanks Nick! I remember the nights of setting up every night and I actually had marks where everything was supposed to go to try and help speed up the process, but still having to take the time to get it right.
As I understand, the CEM mounts should be made very slightly "East" heavy in order to minimize gear play. I have performed the east heavy routine with good results so far.
Thanks Mark! I've heard that before as well, but in my testing it seems to perform better completely balanced, but it may just be with my current gear. When I swap telescopes I'll try it out again and if it guides better, I'll let you know.
When you say "east heavy" doesn't that depend on which side of the meridian you are imaging? Do you mean counterwieght heavy or scope heavy? I'f I'm imaging something rising in the east then the counterwieghts are on the east side. If it's past the meridian then the scope is now on the east side. Balancing one way or the other is going to mess things up once you do an unattended meridian flip in the middle of the night, right?
@@gregmckay666 Make the mount slightly heavy in one direction or the other. The object of the game is to introduce a small amount of friction on the gear assembly in order to reduce play (backlash).
I recently found out the EQ6R can be adjusted to balance without the striction that it comes with from 2 other channels. So maybe I can try that 3rd axis too. I don't know what's up with the weather but its been windy in Oklahoma too for about 2 or 3 weeks. It's driving me crazy.
Thanks Michael! I also balance the 3rd axis on my EQ6. I’m with you on the wind. I can hardly wait for it to go away.
Thanks Joe, does the CEM 60 have this "Search home position"?
Thanks Christopher! I've never used a CEM60 but it's my understanding that it has a feature similar that will go to the zero position set from the factory or that you can manually set. I think it's a little different from the CEM120 which uses a sensor, but I'm not positive on this.
My CEM 70G is a bit harder to get balanced because the IGuide camera is built in to the left side of the saddle which causes it to be imbalanced in that direction from the get go.
Thanks for that info Tom! What do you think of the Iguide if you don’t mind me asking? Seems like a cool feature, but hard to tell without testing.
Hi
How is your oag working out?
I have ordered 8"edge.
Are you seeing stars on all the targets?
Thanks
Hi Rashmi, I love my Celestron OAG! It has a huge prism but doesn't normally interfere with the camera sensor and in combination with a 174MM Mini, I always have plenty of stars to guide on.
I think I’m balanced in RA but when I try to balance in DEC it keeps slowly falling to the left. I’ve got my C8 Edge pushed extremely far forward on the saddle. I’m trying to balance the 2600 on it as well…what would you suggest?
Hi Jessica, I had to get a DEC counter weight for my setup. They have some that connect to the front and the sides. Another option is to get a longer Losmandy bar, but that’s going to be expensive. I have a link to the DEC counter weight I use in one of my other EdgeHD videos, but you can find a bunch if you search for them on your favorite online dealer.
I can’t say why I suddenly remind me this grocer of my childhood, weighting potatoes…
Hehehe thanks JB! Basically just like weighing potatoes except these potatoes are about $1,000 per pound haha.
@@JoesAstrophoto you fully deserve those luxury ones...
You should've introduced yourself as "Pastor Joe" for this one.
Hahaha thanks Chris! I guess the white mic on black shirt does look like that, I didn't even think about that. Let there be light! So that we can have the fun and frustration of trying to capture it! lol