Re: [APML] Setting up GP-DX mount

["Bert Katzung" <katzung1@attbi.com>]

Hi Leo:
To expand slightly on some of the other responses you've gotten:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Leo S." <l.stachowicz@btinternet.com>
To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Monday, August 05, 2002 12:12 PM
Subject: [APML] Setting up GP-DX mount


>
> I just got my first mount,and have been trying to set it up but am a
little
> confused by the instructions - after having attached the motor drives,the
> instructions go on to describe how to attach the "Manual Operation Clutch"
> ...but i can't seem to find the parts needed!
                      Call your supplier and ask for an instruction manual
>
> Is manual operation an optional extra? I'm guessing that its used to make
> the fine adjustments needed for long exposure guiding ...so would it be
> useful at all for short exposures with short/normal FL 35mm lenses?
                      I don't know anything about the GP-DX, but in fine
adjustments for most motorized mounts
                     (during guiding) are made by adjusting the speed or
stopping the motors.
>
> I'm also wondering if i should have got a counterweight. For 2-3 35mm
> cameras mounted on the GP-DX,would it be necessary/recommended?
                     The lighter the mount, the more important is good
balance. I assume the GP-DX is
                     relatively light weight. If the camera is light also,
you might be able to get away with
                     a single camera and short lens with no counterweight,
but two cameras --- not likely.
>
> And one final question... the base of the mount which attaches to the
tripod
> has the "altitude adjustment screws" and "azimuth adjustment knobs",but i
> can't understand how these can affect altitude/azimuth since each
> screw/knob pushes against its opposite counterpart. Does it have to be
> attached to something else(ie part of the tripod)to make changes in
> altitude/azimuth? I've looked at the top plate on my tripod(a Gitzo G1235)
> and it looks like i will need a connector/adapter to attach the DX to my
> tripod legs. Can anyone advise more specifically what i would need?
                    Yes, these opposing screws press against some fixed part
of the tripod, so that the head moves
                    relative to the earth when you tighten one screw and
loosen the opposing one. Altitude is usually adjusted with
                    just a single screw, since it's always oppsed by
gravity, but azimuth usually has 2 screws, with the one that needs
                    be loosened acting as a lock when the "pushing" screw
has moved the azimuth enough.
                    If your current setup permits the two screws to meet in
the middle, you're missing
                    the fixed, tripod-mounted peg or block, which should be
sticking up between the two screws.

           Hope this helps....

Bert

Bert Katzung
katzung1@attbi.com
www.astronomy-images.com

>
> Sorry for the long post. Any help/tips greatly appreciated!!!
> Thanks,
> Leo
>
>
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