EQ Platform Upgrade

[COLOR="Purple"]To kick off some discussion about platforms, I thought I'd throw out my soon-to-be platform upgrade.

Thanks to a very fortunate purchase (Thanks Steve!) here on Astromart, I will soon be the third (or 4th?) owner of a Tom O compact aluminum platform. I've lusted after a Tom O platform of any kind ever since he started making them. Hopefully I will pick up the platform next Monday.

The Tom O platform will replace a decent E.T. platform that I've had for many years, also purchased used through Astromart. The E.T. platform is very solidly constructed out of good grade plywood and it works pretty well. It has a raised south bearing and weighs about 30 pounds. Those two facts and the relatively large size make it a little hard to transport in my PT Cruiser named "Scope Hauler". No, I didn't name the platform...or my scope.

The Tom O platform is a "flat" design so there is no south bearing sticking up. It's also more "minimalist" than the E.T. platform so should be a little smaller. The Tom O platform is also only about 18 pounds! That's an incredible feat in my opinion.

I'll do a side by side comparison between the two platforms before I sell the E.T. platform. I'll post some pics next week, weather permitting.

Any users of Tom O platforms? Care to comment on anything I should know about the aluminum compact platform specifically?
Happy Holidays!
Bill[/COLOR]

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Bill,

As I mentioned in the thread on the Equipment forum, I also have a Tom O. platform, but mine is the wooden model. Back when I ordered mine, I was all set to buy a Round Table Platform due to the great reviews and the price. One night I observed with a friend that had a Starmaster V8 on a Tom O. platform, and the next day I ordered mine.

The platform is a joy to use, and is ultra stable with my 10" f/6 dob. I get absolutely no jitters or jiggles when using the dob on this platform. My only real grip is that I still haven't quite figured out the whole "platform reset" in my Sky Commander so that it actually syncs with resetting the platform. I guess reading the manual would help though.

I had mentioned earlier that I was going to sell my platform due to the fact that I need to use a step in order to reach the eyepiece when the 10" is on the platform, however, I believe that I have changed my mind. I figure I am already using a step to reach the eyepiece on my 16" f.4.3, so what the heck?

Here's what I like about using a dob on a platform as opposed to using the Sky Tracker on my Starmaster, or the ServoCat...Using a dob on a platform is very similar to using a telescope on a Losmandy mount with those wonderful slip clutches. In other words, you move the scope, let go, and it tracks.

I have included a not so great photo of my platform.

Doug
Midway, FL

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