CGEM Tripod Improvement & Pier Extension 2
Вставка
- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- In this video I show some ways to improve the CGEM tripod for use in astrophotography and modifications that will improve the mount's overall stability for better tracking and visual work.
- Навчання та стиль
Brilliant video. At some point I'll be "brave" enough to carry out the same upgrade on my mount extension. Looks like you've lots of other interesting videos. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Andy. I've developed another method to do a pier upgrade using PVC. You might find it interesting if not useful: ua-cam.com/video/YsprCjuN2UE/v-deo.html
Clear Skies!
Great video. At 29.40 and on you describe the rod you made which I have done before on a different mount. What I noticed was the tripod like all other tripods is much more stable is it has weight to it. So I use a metal coupler that thread onto the bottom of the rod and I attach a key hole bolt onto the bottom of the coupler. Then I used a stainless steel dog tie down which looks like a large cork screw and screw that into the ground directly below the center of the tripod, and then I used a ratchet strap between the dog tie down and key hole bolt. After cranking the ratchet some I had several pounds of added down pressure on the tripod, so much that if I bumped into the tripod it want move. Others us a bag of rocks or a weight to hand from the tripod, but that may swing if there's a wind. So I can use a lighter tripod that's still very stable using this approach. JUST my 2 cents after going out in the field so many times before, and now I in an observatory on a permanent pier.
Thanks for the tip! I've since extended the tripod using another method that is even better than the one you buy. ua-cam.com/video/YsprCjuN2UE/v-deo.html Gotta love that observatory I bet. :)
I have had nothing but trouble with the pier extension. Thank you so much for posting your mods - I will be doing all of these for sure. Many thanks.
Jim
You're welcome, Jim.
Thank you for sharing,
I had already implemented the long threaded rod on my setup but the way you fixed the adapter plate to the tripod will be a good improvement. I run into the predicament of of having to drill the four threads to allow the longer bar to go through and I felt uncomfortable with such a permanent mod to the tripod.
I decided to skim the thread from the bar itself and I did it with a bench grinder. It took some time but the final result was more than good. I bought a stainless steel bar on line for the job.
I hope it help others as an alternative to drill the threads.
Cheers from Melbourne Australia.
I agree. Skimming the threads off the bolt with a bench grinder is a better way to go. This was also the way another poster here approached it. I didn't like the idea of drilling out the threads either. I have a heavy duty commercial bench grinder, Made in USA, that would have easily done the job. But I didn't think of it at the time. Glad you saw a better way. Thanks for posting! Dakota
Brilliant, I applied these fixes to my EQ6-R, thank you for posting this. Clear skies, Tony
Cool! BTW, I've got an updated video on the Pier Extension. ua-cam.com/video/YsprCjuN2UE/v-deo.html
Clear Skies!
I just wanted to thank you for your extremely thorough walk through and for your great ideas! I followed your guide and was able to get my pier to finally be rock solid. The only difference I had was that I decided to use my old mead field tripod since it has built in leg spreaders and has a wider stance. All that I have left is to find a m12 1.75 coupler like you did for the weights. Thanks a ton!!
Glad to be of service. Clear Skies.
VERY NICE SUPER DEMO. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU.
Thanks Donald. I've got an updated version of the pier extension you might find useful: ua-cam.com/video/YsprCjuN2UE/v-deo.html Clear skies!
Thanks for the idea. I have an Orion Atlas Pro which needs this modification. I'll be brave now that I see it how it is done. I have had good luck so far but It top adapter has come loose but it still imaged well for that night however the next night it was way loose so I had to take everything off. Also I just got a scopebuggy and the wheeling things around also may lead to things loosening so this fix is great. I don't know why the manufacturer didn't design it this way in the first place. - Thanks
PS: Looks like the only thing I am ruining is the bottom and top adapters. Drilling out the threads on the tripod only means the original bar won't hang independently on the tripod, it can still be used to hold the mount without the extender.
I have the Orion EQ-G Atlas, and Great video. I’ve been thinking of getting that pier extension but was a little apprehensive and not sure how it worked or was mounted, you sure did clear that up nicely. Thank you and now I think I’ll get that extension
Well, looks like we're on the same page... I just pick up an Orion Atlas Pro AZ/EQ-G and will probably do this mod to it as well. :-)
Great idea thanks! Look forward to other similar idea's.
Love it. I never like the high tripods where people stand to access the eyepiece. sitting on a stool is more comfortable for longer periods of time. these great tripods spread the legs wide, then add weight and they are pier-like they moveable. Thanks for the details Den in NH
I agree, sitting on a stool a guy can see more details and study what you're looking at; especially on the Moon. Thanks for posting.
Great stuff. I don't like the idea of drilling out everything, so I think I'll get a local machine shop to skim the threads off the new long threaded studding where it goes through the pieces you drilled out. Then I think just the threads at the top for the EQ head, and at the bottom where the handscrew is - that way I think the studding will float freely in the extension. Does that sound like a slightly modified solution? Thanks for the video - great food for thought!
Having the rod modified to allow it to pass through the pieces I drilled out would be a better approach. I don't see any reason why that wouldn't work. Thanks for posting.
added the bottom spreader to my CGEM and it makes a difference. Looking to ad some weight to mine like you did
Way to go! That combo has been a real winner for me. It's like getting the stability of the CGEM/DX tripod but it's lower to the ground. I've noticed some guys wishing the DX tripod wasn't so high. I've seen a couple of them and there are big. The EQ head is the same as the CGEM except for a thicker counter weight bar. Clear Skies! Dakota
Great video, I need to do this for my CG-5 and this really helped. thanks.
You're welcome. Dakota
tom pettit
FYI I added the Orion Pier to my Celestron CG-5 ST Advanced and the results were absolutely amazing. Also the added weight was exactly what it needed for astrophotography.
Dakota Starry Nights
How can one add a pier to Celestron Advanced VX for the counterweight to clear the tripod at low latitude? The Azimuth peg is is towards the edge and there seem to be nothing in the market that fits. Or can you suggest one. Thanks
Sorry, but I don't have a VX to experiment on. Perhaps a section of schedule 40 PVC pipe can be modified to work. Or maybe some one here will post a solution.
Rather than cart around deadweight when away from home with a bit of effort you could use your battery as the extra weight.
Instead of that plastic strapping placed around the pier cover, one could use metal or rubber washers at the screw holes.
Thanks for posting. Dakota
good stuff
U B Smart
Very useful. Thank you.
Instead of the Bar Weight Dashpot, if you regularly Observe or Image at a Remote Site and you wish to retain decent Portability in your CGEM Tripod, cut a circular piece of 1/2in Plywood about 18in diameter (sized to slip between the legs on top of the TPI Spreader) and place your Field Battery on top of the plywood on top of the TPI Spreader.
Why not do a video on that? Sounds like a good idea!
Which Orion Pier is that? Do you have a link?
+Rony Aguirre This one: www.telescope.com/Mounts-Tripods/Mount-Tripod-Accessories/Orion-Atlas-Telescope-Mount-Extension/pc/-1/c/2/sc/38/p/7394.uts
Clear Skies, Dakota
+Dakota Starry Nights Thank you. yeah that's the only one I found. Just wanted to be sure. Awesome tips by the way. Thank you for sharing.
For me,
The total height is TOO high.
CGEM DX tripod
CGEM DX mount
- 10" Reflector
- The reflectors' eyepiece now sits 7+ feet in the air.
Which means "another" piece of equipment to bring -0 stepladder.
--- I want to "lower the tripod etc.
This updated version might help as you can chose the height of your liking.
ua-cam.com/video/YsprCjuN2UE/v-deo.html
Very informative video, will try this on my new CGEM. May I suggest that instead of a piece of plastic, you can use "slippery tape", which is low friction, and very durable. It's inexpensive, and has many other uses. Can be found a Lee Valley Tools www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32182&cat=1,110,43466,32182
I'll look into that. Thanks for posting. Clear skies, Dakota