FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Sentinel Zip

[Jeff Hopkins <phxjeff@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The mighty mighty Neville!
:-)

For the cost of the accessories you could cover a significant part of 
a nice permanent backyard roll-off roof observatory. And you would 
get much more use out of the telescope.

Jeff

At 12:22 -0700 12/1/05, Neville Cole wrote:

>I also have a 12" LX200GPS, but mine is portable.  It took a few accessories
>and modifications to get it that way though.  Warning: it isn't cheap to do
>this.
>
>1) Pete Peterson's Get-A-Grip handles are a must.  They make a huge
>difference.
>
>2) Get a mounting assistant type tray to park on top of the Meade Giant
>Field Tripod.  Mine is rectangular and is approx 12" x 18".  It has some
>nylon bumpers to help with aligning to scope base on top of the tripod, a
>pair of bubble levels, and holes for various eyepieces.  Got it from OPT in
>Oceanside, CA.
>
>3) The mounting table has thickness to it, making the long bolt you thread
>up from underneath a tad short on some scopes.  I got a longer one from
>http://www.scopestuff.com
>
>4) Get a JMI carrying case to store it and transport it.  JMI = Jim's Mobile
>Inc.
>
>Although it's pricey, the JMI case helps immensely because it has big ballon
>tires and folding wheelbarrow style handles.  I've got my techniques worked
>out so I can completely move everything and setup by myself.  I can load up
>my equipment at home, unload it at the star party, set everything up, and do
>it all in reverse.  When lifting the scope's OTA, there's the "clean-jerk"
>from the JMI case, a 180 degree turn, two steps, and then I place it on top
>of the mounting table between the pegs, and then I can safely let go.  Takes
>less than 10 seconds.  The Get-A-Grip handles and the mounting table are
>essential for this part.
>
>The hardest thing is that damn tripod.  It's big, heavy, and awkward.  The
>mounting table on top of it makes it even worse, but it's a necessary evil.
>I'm considering getting the kit from Peterson Engineering and chopping it
>down.  That, and making a cradle of some sort to help schlep it around.
>
>It was interesting getting the handles and the case to work together,
>because they were not compatible.  The lid wouldn't fit with the handles
>installed.  After much bugging, I talked JMI into modifying their case and
>eventually got one of their new ones that is now compatible with Pete's
>handles.
>
>Couple more notes.  I don't setup my scope if my back is feeling tweaked, or
>something else is bothering me.  Even with my techniques, it would be too
>much to do and I wouldn't want to drop it.  And finally, it still depends on
>the individual whether or not they can handle this scope, even with all
>these tricks.
>
>Neville

-- 
Jeff Hopkins
HPO SOFT
http://www.hposoft.com/Astro/astro.html
Hopkins Phoenix Observatory
7812 West Clayton Drive
  Phoenix, Arizona 85033-2439 U.S.A.
www.hposoft.com
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