Counterweights for an AltAz Refractor?

Hello all,

I have a Tak FS 102 mounted to a TV Gibraltar mount with skytour. Its a perfect quick grab setup for casual visual work. The trouble is the scope gets so unbalanced when I change eyepieces or try to view an object in a different altitude in the sky that it is a major pain the rear to deal with. My question is has anyone seen or developed themselves a counterweight system for the tube of a refractor that can help to offset this balance issue seemingly inherent in refractor AltAz set-ups? Or is my 102 just plain to heavy for this mount.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kyle

I use a sliding weight made from Velcro straps and a pouch of Bird shot of about 10 oz. I strap it to the tube and slide it from the mount cradle to the upper ring, depending on which EP is in use. This makes it not necessary to reposition the tube when I change from a light to heavy EP.

Kyle
You might look into the TV Equilizer. It is a bronze 1.25"/2" adapter. Use your normal adapter with the heavier eyepieces and have your lighter ones in the Equilizer. I never have to rebalance my Gibraltar with NP101 when going from a 2" 26T5 to any 1.25" eyepiece and Equilizer. I have a 31T5 on the way so this may change.
Hope this helps
Buck