Just re-did the counterweight system on the 16" Meade. Got some brackets welded that "stand off" the regular Meade sliding weights. The result is better balance and less mass. Note the "extra" weights near the middle. They are WAY cheaper than the Meade weights.
Charlie
Charlie
Attached Image:
Fort Lewis Observatory: (37.238, -108.052) ~2360m (7744 ft.) elevation.
Darkness - typically 6.5+
Scope - Meade 16" LX200; f6.3 focal reducer
Focus - JMI Smart focus
Camera - SBIG ST-10XE; (~.5"/pixel)
Guiding - AO-8 and/or Meade 5"/DSI/PHD
http://www.fortlewis.edu/observatory
