HALF HITCH FTX V2 W/ AVALON T POD 130 for SALE
It has been a while since I saw a good FTX v2 for sale last time so just want to share it with the group (I'm not the seller):
ConditionExcellent
LocationSan Francisco Bay Area
Link to the AD:?
Selling one of the most beautiful pieces of equipment I have owned, my Half Hitch FTX V2. I bought this new from Charles Riddel and it comes with:*Folding Bracket sized to fit the Nexus DSC without having to use Velcro to secure it.*Folding Bracket for a Dew Buster*Retracting Handle for easy control of your scope*Half Hitch Dovetail Bar*Removable Finder Bracket*TRIPOD QUICK RELEASE..(TQR). Essential extra for the FTX V2. Install or remove the unit from the tripod in seconds.Designed for the TEC 140,C11 or 100 mm Binoculars, the FTX V2 weighs just 9.4ibs. 20.000 Step encoders inside machined Aluminum housing ensure super accuracy for the Nexus DSC. Does not need counterweights for larger scopes...the two axis balancing system remains constant.Condition of the FTX V2 is PRISTINE.The T POD 130 is made of anodized Aluminum w/ stainless steel hardware. It weighs 17lbs and collapses to 39". 220 lb weight capacity. Comes with the Avalon Carry Bag.Condition is ExcellentHALF HITCH FTX V2. $1,800AVALON T POD 130. $950BOTH FOR. $2,700I will split shipping and PayPal costs with Buyer. Please let me know if you would like more photos..I just ran out of MB. Thanks!**Note** I am showing the TEC 140, NEXUS DSC & DEW BUSTER to illustrate how they work with the FTX V2. They are NOT part of the sale**
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
Thanks for the info Rich.. I just ordered the ADM Dovetail for my FTX V2..Clear (and Smokeless) Skies!
Alan I?just purchased an ADM adapter saddle for my FTX and it works fine. Width of the dovetail bar from ADM is identical to the original equipment from Half Hitch. The Vixen dovetail bar is about 44 mm wide and the Half?Hitch bar is about 53 mm.?
You are correct that a Vixen bar will not work in the native FTX, though I recall some discussion back in the old Half Hitch thread about changing the machine screw lengths.?
Rich.? On Friday, August 13, 2021, 11:01 AM, eklaab@... wrote:
I'm a bit confused.? I thought the ADM HH dovetails were made specifically to fit on the Half Hitch mounts.? I'm using a ADM dovetail bar (the dual HH)? on my Nova Hitch mount.
Ron
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
Alan I?just purchased an ADM adapter saddle for my FTX and it works fine. Width of the dovetail bar from ADM is identical to the original equipment from Half Hitch. The Vixen dovetail bar is about 44 mm wide and the Half?Hitch bar is about 53 mm.?
You are correct that a Vixen bar will not work in the native FTX, though I recall some discussion back in the old Half Hitch thread about changing the machine screw lengths.?
On Friday, August 13, 2021, 11:01 AM, eklaab@... wrote:
I'm a bit confused.? I thought the ADM HH dovetails were made specifically to fit on the Half Hitch mounts.? I'm using a ADM dovetail bar (the dual HH)? on my Nova Hitch mount.
Ron
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
The width of the ADM-machined dovetail bar for?Half Hitch mounts?is 53mm - just a bit over 2”. I have?both the FTX v.1 and v.2 saddles and it fits in both. ?I’d call Anthony at ADM as he is very helpful.?
Best regards
On Friday, August 13, 2021, 12:08 PM, Alan Powell <sfbluenote@...> wrote:
On Fri, Aug 13, 2021 at 9:01 AM < eklaab@...> wrote:
I'm a bit confused.? I thought the ADM HH dovetails were made specifically to fit on the Half Hitch mounts.? I'm using a ADM dovetail bar (the dual HH)? on my Nova Hitch mount.
Ron
? Hi Ron…It is confusing I agree. I think Charles may have altered the saddle on the FTX V2. He increased the no. retaining screws fro 3 to 5 and increased the width of the dovetail bar to just over 2”. The Adm dovetail is 1 3/4” and is to narrow for the screws to reach even when they are screwed down to their max length. Looks like I might have to have a bar custom made.? Alan
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
Ron…..This is fantastic!? I thought that if I used longer screws it might become possible for them to crack or break from the extra torque or load they would be subjected to, but obviously this is not the case.? This will save me a bunch of money! Having an 18” dovetail bar custom made would have been $$. ? Many thanks! I owe you a drink! ? ? Best, ? Alan
On Fri, Aug 13, 2021 at 12:19 PM < eklaab@...> wrote:
Alan,
OK, I figured out your issue. You have the short version of the 5 clamping screws. Charles had them available in two different lengths. I vaguely recalled when I ordered by FTX V2, I specified the longer screws.
The shorter screws do work with the Half Hitch's Nova plate.? ?The longer screws work with the ADM HH dovetail bars and Half Hitch's Nova plate.?
Attached is a photo of the ADM dual HH in the saddle of my FTX V2 with the long screws, and they do reach.
I think it would be easier for you to find longer replacement of your 5 clamping screws.?
Ron
On Fri, Aug 13, 2021 at 9:01 AM < eklaab@...> wrote:
I'm a bit confused.? I thought the ADM HH dovetails were made specifically to fit on the Half Hitch mounts.? I'm using a ADM dovetail bar (the dual HH)? on my Nova Hitch mount.
Ron
? Hi Ron…It is confusing I agree. I think Charles may have altered the saddle on the FTX V2. He increased the no. retaining screws fro 3 to 5 and increased the width of the dovetail bar to just over 2”. The Adm dovetail is 1 3/4” and is to narrow for the screws
to reach even when they are screwed down to their max length. Looks like I might have to have a bar custom made.?
Alan
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
Alan,
OK, I figured out your issue. You have the short version of the 5 clamping screws. Charles had them available in two different lengths. I vaguely recalled when I ordered by FTX V2, I specified the longer screws.
The shorter screws do work with the Half Hitch's Nova plate.? ?The longer screws work with the ADM HH dovetail bars and Half Hitch's Nova plate.?
Attached is a photo of the ADM dual HH in the saddle of my FTX V2 with the long screws, and they do reach.
I think it would be easier for you to find longer replacement of your 5 clamping screws.?
Ron
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On Fri, Aug 13, 2021 at 9:01 AM < eklaab@...> wrote:
I'm a bit confused.? I thought the ADM HH dovetails were made specifically to fit on the Half Hitch mounts.? I'm using a ADM dovetail bar (the dual HH)? on my Nova Hitch mount.
Ron
? Hi Ron…It is confusing I agree. I think Charles may have altered the saddle on the FTX V2. He increased the no. retaining screws fro 3 to 5 and increased the width of the dovetail bar to just over 2”. The Adm dovetail is 1 3/4” and is to narrow for the screws
to reach even when they are screwed down to their max length. Looks like I might have to have a bar custom made.?
Alan
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
On Fri, Aug 13, 2021 at 9:01 AM < eklaab@...> wrote:
I'm a bit confused.? I thought the ADM HH dovetails were made specifically to fit on the Half Hitch mounts.? I'm using a ADM dovetail bar (the dual HH)? on my Nova Hitch mount.
Ron
? Hi Ron…It is confusing I agree. I think Charles may have altered the saddle on the FTX V2. He increased the no. retaining screws fro 3 to 5 and increased the width of the dovetail bar to just over 2”. The Adm dovetail is 1 3/4” and is to narrow for the screws to reach even when they are screwed down to their max length. Looks like I might have to have a bar custom made.? Alan
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
I'm a bit confused.? I thought the ADM HH dovetails were made specifically to fit on the Half Hitch mounts.? I'm using a ADM dovetail bar (the dual HH)? on my Nova Hitch mount.
Ron
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
Thanks Howard...? I think I may have to do as you suggest and either get one made or try and find a workaround. I thought?about removing the 5 retaining screws and replacing them with longer ones to enable them to reach the thinner bar but that might put too much pressure on the screws themselves.......Ongoing..I will let you know what I come up with for future reference in case any other members have the same problem ?Regards, ? Alan
On Fri, Aug 13, 2021 at 7:58 AM Howard Gao < gaozhenyu@...> wrote: Hi Alan
To my knowledge ADM is the only company makes dovetail bars for FTX now. If it doesn’t work you may have to consider custom made bars. I have a friend in China who made standard FTX dovetail bars for me before and its quality is same as those sold by Charles. You will need to provide exact measurements though. Maybe you can also find some people to make it for you in the US. ? Hi There.... Thanks for your help...I thought that was the answer too!? But it turns out that bar is the same width as a vixen type and is not wide enough. I just called ADM and thats all they have so I might have a problem here.. On Thu, Aug 12, 2021 at 7:24 PM < eklaab@...> wrote:
Alan,
I think this Dovetail bar made by ADM will fit your needs. ?
Ron
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HH-C11- Half Hitch Series Dovetail Bar for C11 SCT Telescope. Fits all Celestron 11" OTA's including CPC and HD models.
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Greetings Howard! ? I just got a C11 HD and I am having a heck of a time finding a dovetail bar for the C11 so I can use it with my FTX V2 Classic...The bar needs to be just over 2" wide in order for the mounting screws to reach the dovetail...Any
ideas that might help?
? ?Thanks for your time....Cheers, ?Alan Powell
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
Hi Alan
To my knowledge ADM is the only company makes dovetail bars for FTX now. If it doesn’t work you may have to consider custom made bars. I have a friend in China who made standard FTX dovetail bars for me before and its quality is same as those sold by Charles. You will need to provide exact measurements though. Maybe you can also find some people to make it for you in the US.
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On Aug 13, 2021, at 22:42, Alan Powell <sfbluenote@...> wrote:
? Hi There.... Thanks for your help...I thought that was the answer too!? But it turns out that bar is the same width as a vixen type and is not wide enough. I just called ADM and thats all they have so I might have a problem here.. On Thu, Aug 12, 2021 at 7:24 PM < eklaab@...> wrote:
Alan,
I think this Dovetail bar made by ADM will fit your needs. ?
Ron
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HH-C11- Half Hitch Series Dovetail Bar for C11 SCT Telescope. Fits all Celestron 11" OTA's including CPC and HD models.
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Greetings Howard! ? I just got a C11 HD and I am having a heck of a time finding a dovetail bar for the C11 so I can use it with my FTX V2 Classic...The bar needs to be just over 2" wide in order for the mounting screws to reach the dovetail...Any
ideas that might help?
? ?Thanks for your time....Cheers, ?Alan Powell
_._,_?
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
Hi There.... Thanks for your help...I thought that was the answer too!? But it turns out that bar is the same width as a vixen type and is not wide enough. I just called ADM and thats all they have so I might have a problem here..
On Thu, Aug 12, 2021 at 7:24 PM < eklaab@...> wrote:
Alan,
I think this Dovetail bar made by ADM will fit your needs. ?
Ron
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HH-C11- Half Hitch Series Dovetail Bar for C11 SCT Telescope. Fits all Celestron 11" OTA's including CPC and HD models.
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Greetings Howard! ? I just got a C11 HD and I am having a heck of a time finding a dovetail bar for the C11 so I can use it with my FTX V2 Classic...The bar needs to be just over 2" wide in order for the mounting screws to reach the dovetail...Any
ideas that might help?
? ?Thanks for your time....Cheers, ?Alan Powell
_._,_?
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Re: Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
Alan,
I think this Dovetail bar made by ADM will fit your needs. ?
Ron
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HH-C11- Half Hitch Series Dovetail Bar for C11 SCT Telescope. Fits all Celestron 11" OTA's including CPC and HD models.
www.admaccessories.com
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Greetings Howard! ? I just got a C11 HD and I am having a heck of a time finding a dovetail bar for the C11 so I can use it with my FTX V2 Classic...The bar needs to be just over 2" wide in order for the mounting screws to reach the dovetail...Any
ideas that might help?
? ?Thanks for your time....Cheers, ?Alan Powell
_._,_?
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Dovetail bar for FTX V2 CLASSIC
Greetings Howard! ? I just got a C11 HD and I am having a heck of a time finding a dovetail bar for the C11 so I can use it with my FTX V2 Classic...The bar needs to be just over 2" wide in order for the mounting screws to reach the dovetail...Any ideas that might help? ? ?Thanks for your time....Cheers, ?Alan Powell
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Re: How do I do a 2 axis balance on my FTX V2?
Hi Howard...Thanks so much for the info!? Much appreciated.? Great work with the website btw...Regards, ? Alan
On Wed, Jul 28, 2021 at 6:13 PM Howard Gao < gaozhenyu@...> wrote: Hi Alan
You can refer to user notes under file section of this group. I uploaded almost all documents from Charles there. For reference FTX v2 can support scopes like TEC 140 or Celestron C11.
Howard
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Re: How do I do a 2 axis balance on my FTX V2?
Hi Alan
You can refer to user notes under file section of this group. I uploaded almost all documents from Charles there. For reference FTX v2 can support scopes like TEC 140 or Celestron C11.
Howard
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How do I do a 2 axis balance on my FTX V2?
If someone would refresh my memory on doing a two axis balance on my FTX V2 I would greatly appreciate it! ? ? ?Also, will the FTX V2 support a 35lb scope?
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Mini Hitch lightweight alt-az mount for sale on Astromart
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Re: FTX broken encoder wire.
Steve, thank you for your?note.? When I first started thinking about a "fix" for my encoder problem I did read about Serge at Astro Devices (maybe on Cloudy Nights) helping by building new encoder covers, wires and connectors.? I sent a couple of e-mails?asking them for help, BUT no response, ever.? My main problem was being hesitant?to screw stuff up by taking things apart.? Mainly getting the damn encoder covers off!? Well,? after I decided I'd have to live with damaging something I just grabbed / got a good grip on the cover and started to "work" it off the encoder.? With the encoder off, the connector was easy?to pop off the encoder pins.? I did try to solder the broken wire back in place, but I could not get it to fit.? So, I called Victor at Sky Commander.? He assured me that all 5 pin connectors were the same and that the connectors he uses would fit.? I ordered a new harness with the connectors.? FIXED!
I believe that the Astro Devices "fix" was a 5-pin connector with a short wire to a RJ11? female plug for each axis.? A new harness with a RJ45? plug for the DSC and RJ11? male plugs for each axis.? IMO a much more sensible?connection. Don Sannes
On Sat, Jun 26, 2021 at 7:56 PM Steven W. Santos < swsantos@...> wrote: Something like that happened to me and I was able to solder the wire back together and that worked for a while then I was able to get Serge from Astro Devices to custom make me new encoder housings and connectors for my Nova Hitch so for anyone else out there with encoder wire issues there are a variety of potential fixes. ? Charles always said he hated to solder and was the first to admit that electrical work was not his forte. ? Steve ? ? While testing my mount after purchasing it used on the internet, the Alt axis numbers displayed on the Sky Commander screen looked like numbers were being skipped.? The wire leading from the SC to the Alt Axis encoder looked taunt.? I could not understand how the encoder covers were fastened over the encoders, but I could see that one wire looked suspect.? There is one bolt that holds the cover in place.? I removed it , but the cover seemed firmly fixed to the encoder / shaft.? I finally just grabbed the cover and found that I could "work" it off the encoder.? (Just a tight fit.)? With the cover off it was evident that one wire was not well secured in the encoder connector.? I tried to fit the wire in place, but no luck.? I contacted Victor at Skyengr.com and he offered to make a new custom? harness with the proper end plug for the SC on one end and longer wires for each encoder with new 5 pin connectors on each end.? Everything fit,? Works properly, an easy fix.? Thank you, Victor.? ?(My main problem was trying to figure out how to remove the encoder cover.)? And so it goes.
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Re: FTX broken encoder wire.
Something like that happened to me and I was able to solder the wire back together and that worked for a while then I was able to get Serge from Astro Devices to custom make me new encoder housings and connectors for my Nova Hitch so for anyone else out there with encoder wire issues there are a variety of potential fixes. ? Charles always said he hated to solder and was the first to admit that electrical work was not his forte. ? Steve ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Donald Sannes Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2021 3:46 PM To: [email protected]Subject: [halfhitchtelescope] FTX broken encoder wire. ? While testing my mount after purchasing it used on the internet, the Alt axis numbers displayed on the Sky Commander screen looked like numbers were being skipped.? The wire leading from the SC to the Alt Axis encoder looked taunt.? I could not understand how the encoder covers were fastened over the encoders, but I could see that one wire looked suspect.? There is one bolt that holds the cover in place.? I removed it , but the cover seemed firmly fixed to the encoder / shaft.? I finally just grabbed the cover and found that I could "work" it off the encoder.? (Just a tight fit.)? With the cover off it was evident that one wire was not well secured in the encoder connector.? I tried to fit the wire in place, but no luck.? I contacted Victor at Skyengr.com and he offered to make a new custom? harness with the proper end plug for the SC on one end and longer wires for each encoder with new 5 pin connectors on each end.? Everything fit,? Works properly, an easy fix.? Thank you, Victor.? ?(My main problem was trying to figure out how to remove the encoder cover.)? And so it goes.
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FTX Encoder problem.
While testing my mount after purchasing it used on the internet, the Alt axis numbers displayed on the Sky Commander screen looked like numbers were being skipped.? The wire leading from the SC to the Alt Axis encoder looked taunt.? I could not understand how the encoder covers were fastened over the encoders, but I could see that one wire looked suspect.? There is one bolt that holds the cover in place.? I removed it , but the cover seemed firmly fixed to the encoder / shaft.? I finally just grabbed the cover and found that I could "work" it off the encoder.? (Just a tight fit.)? With the cover off it was evident that one wire was not well secured in the encoder connector.? I tried to fit the wire in place, but no luck.? I contacted Victor at Skyengr.com and he offered to make a new custom? harness with the proper end plug for the SC on one end and longer wires for each encoder with new 5 pin connectors on each end.? Everything fit,? Works properly, an easy fix.? Thank you, Victor.? ?(My main problem was trying to figure out how to remove the encoder cover.)? And so it goes.
Don Sannes
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Howard Gao
Donald Sannes