On Sat, Dec 28, 2024 at 05:35 PM, Kevin Hannon wrote:

So it’s three years later(3 winters 2021-2023). The Telegizmo 365 covers worked as advertised. Setup is currently indoors being modernized with power box/usb hub, micro router, and mini pc. Let’s see if the added gear can hold up under winter/telegizmo 365 cover. The added gear is on two carbon fiber dovetail clamps, so can be easily removed if desired.

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Red rails are made of aluminum. Aluminum rails, carbon fiber dovetail clamps and carbon fiber rings are from Rouz Astro. ?I used Stellarvue metal risers. Had to replace the Stellarvue riser long bolts with 90mm bolts from Amazon to get the Stellarvue risers and Rouz Astro rings/lower aluminum rail to securely join.?

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Hi Kevin,

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That's a wild looking setup.? In my experience you'll get better more consistent tracking results by reducing your mount's payload in the saddle as much as possible.? Do whatever it takes to eliminate the need to use ring risers, they give leverage and additional polar moment to everything mounted on the scope and increases your counterweight requirements.?

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The stuff that remains should be located and made as compact as you can make it and as close to the saddle clamp as possible.? Locate the largest heaviest gear as close as possible to the saddle clamp. On other words move the guide scope closer to the imaging tube and move the other gear down or possibly side mount it to the rings or behind the guide scope.??

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You will have much better Wi-Fi range if the router is stationary.? Move the router to the tray (tray is better) or if necessary clamp it to a tripod leg and position the antenne oriented vertically.? This also reduces the number of cables that run to the moving part of the rig if you are using Ethernet to control the Gemini 2.??

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Okay.? I managed to get a closer look at your equipment and the cable jungle.? From what I see there is no reason to use the risers.? Go back to directly mounting the tube rings on a longer dovetail, you may need the additional length for best balance, relocate the router to the tripod tray.? For the USB/power box and mini-PC you can 3D print mounts that fasten to the dovetail on opposite sides of the optical tube. Remove the guide scope mount and fasten the adjustable rings directly to the upper dovetail.??

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With this configuration and the shortest cables tidied up that will reach all the parts of the rig you should only have a power cord going to the USB/power box, a power cord going to the mini-PC and an Ethernet cable going to the router on the tray.?

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Most electronics will be more reliable with their own power supply.? This is why I reccome d two power cords to the mount and a seperate power cord to the Gemini-2. You will also need an Ethernet cable from the router on the try to the Gemini 2.? And the Gemini 2 will have its own small power cord.?

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I would strongly suggest you put a plastic bag over the entire electronic and ota gear as I've had water get through the stitched telegizmos seams during heavy rains. The telegizmos keeps most rain out but my gear had small dribble marks. The plastic bag should be open at the bottom to allow condensed vapor to evaporate. Alternately, you can seal the seams but the silver stuff inside doesn't allow anything to stick. My two cents

Chuck

Will address cable jungle in the future ?.

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Agree that using risers was over thinking but would prefer to try to keep them as is and or move something to lower rail to create more space empty space on upper rail, or purchase carbon fiber risers to lessen the weight. Using 3 carbon fiber dovetail clamps on upper rail so upper rail space is maybe too tight. Thus the consideration of risers.

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The total weight is determined and is within the capacity of the mount. Also balanced the system.

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Before modernization, had outstanding guiding outcomes with a heavy clamshell around the scope. When I add the 8” RC to the GM-8, I am approaching the limits of the GM-8 and the balance must be great to avoid oblong stars. Pretty sure that I will purchase a G11 by end of summer.?

There is logic to my arrangement. Power box/router, mini pc and guider are on carbon fiber dovetail clamps so I can easily use the power box/router and mini pc on a 8 inch RC scope using the same mount.?

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I truly appreciate your comments. Keep sending them. ?Collaboration always lead to a better outcome.?

Kevin

Rings are also made of carbon fiber.?

Kevin