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Hi all, I have an FTQ mount I acquired directly from Charles about 8 years ago and I've really enjoyed using it. It's pure simplicity - no encoders (I think only a few were built without), no slow motion, just pure alt/az. Today, I received my second HH engineering mount - a decked out Quarter Hitch! Unlike my FTQ, this one has all the bells and whistles - slow motion, encoders, upgraded knobs, counterbalance with extension, finder bracket - it's really dolled up! I'm looking forward to first light with it but have a few questions for owners of this type of mount: 1.) There were three nylon screws in the base of the mount. They prevented it from being screwed onto my tripod, so I removed them. Does anyone know what they are there for? 2.) The slow motion controls appear to be driven by steel rods riding directly on anodized aluminum. My mount arrived in like-new condition, and I hope to maintain it as such. Does anyone have a lot of hours on their mounts that can report on the durability of this mating? I'm a little concerned that the steel rod will eventually damage the aluminum race. I'm wondering if putting some heat-shrink tubing around the rod would maintain the function and provide a replaceable sacrificial surface in between the steel and aluminum. 3.) Does anyone know the encoder resolution? I set Sky Safari to automatically read it but would like to confirm. Thanks! -Jeremy
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Quarter Hitch Mount w/ Binocular Bracket for Sale on AM
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https://astromart.com/classifieds/astromart-classifieds/mounts-alt-az/show/quarter-hitch-mount-w-binocular-bracket
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Half Hitch FTX and TQR for sale on AM
https://astromart.com/classifieds/astromart-classifieds/mounts-alt-az/show/rare-half-hitch-ftx-ftq-plus-extras
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FTQ for sale on CN
https://www.cloudynights.com/classifieds/item/326751-halfhitch-ftq-skymax102-astrodevices-beti/
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Lightspeed Wagon mount with encoders & drive
Just saw this on AM: https://astromart.com/classifieds/astromart-classifieds/mounts-alt-az/show/lightspeed-wagon-mount-with-encoders-drive
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Hi Howard, I have a Quarter Hitch mount that I am thinking of selling. It comes with integral encoders and the folding computer shelf. Includes the Hitch issued dovetail plate and offset binocular (?) mount. Note: this is for the head only – no tripod. The only nit is that the previous owner somehow has managed to score the Alt axis sector and has worn through the anodizing. It does not impair the use of the mount but yhe ALT axis sometimes can feel a bit ‘grainy’.. Otherwise, it is in as new condition. I gave it a fling, but have decided I’m going back into telescope building.. There is not much purchase history to go on, but I would be looking at somewhere around $750USD incl. shipping. Please see pics recently posted at the bottom of this page. Thanks Malcolm Bird Canada
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TQR
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Hello, does anyone have a TQR they would like to part with. I have been looking for quite a while now, with want ads on CN and Am, with no luck. Would really like to get my hands on one. I have tried to get in touch with Jake but no luck with return communication. Thanks, Bryan Ross
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FTX v2 for sale on CN
https://www.cloudynights.com/classifieds/item/306115-half-hitch-ftx-v2-mount/'%20title='Half%20Hitch%20FTX%20v2%20Mount
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Parts for Hitch mounts
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Is there any company or individual making parts for the Hitch series of mounts?
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User manual for quarter hitch mounts
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Hi All, New Guy here. I have a Quarter Hitch inbound and I am trying to find information on this mount. Can anyone point me towards a downloadable user manual for this mount (assuming Charles ever published such a thing) Thanks Malcolm Bird
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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: https://www.cloudynights.com/classifieds/item/295006-half-hitch-ftx-v2-w-avalon-t-pod-130/ 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 Excellent HALF HITCH FTX V2. $1,800 AVALON T POD 130. $950 BOTH FOR. $2,700 I 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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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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How do I do a 2 axis balance on my FTX V2?
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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
https://astromart.com/classifieds/astromart-classifieds/mounts-alt-az/show/mini-hitch-lightwieght-alt-az-mount-rare
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FTX broken encoder wire.
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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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FT-X V.2 for sale on CloudyNights
This showed up on the 15th and I didn't notice until now. https://www.cloudynights.com/classifieds/item/259026-for-sale-half-hitch-ftx-v2-mount-w-berlebach-uni-24-tripod/ Good luck!
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FTQ for trade on AM
https://astromart.com/classifieds/astromart-classifieds/mounts-alt-az/show/trade-my-purist-ftqcash-for-your-ftqencoders
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FTX v2 for sale in New Zealand
https://www.cloudynights.com/classifieds/item/249690-half-hitch-ftx-v2-mount/'%20title='Half%20Hitch%20FTX%20V.2%20mount
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FTX Assy / Dis-Assy Instructions
Does anyone know of of have access to FTX assy details, dwgs, etc. It would be good to have access to. I had an issue recently where a few bolts had backed out and it was not the easiest to resolve without some partial disassy. I rectified it with with an allen wrench but did so without disassembling it as much as I would have liked to ensure the wrench was completely square to the screw. I love my FTX but would appreciate assy instructions so that if i ever do need to disassemble I can be sure not to do anything untoward.
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New file for the files section
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Howard, I just found this file from Charles explaining the setup and use of the FT-Q and didn't see it in the files section. I started to upload it, but when I navigated away to find the file, my upload popup disappeared and I couldn't get it back. This may be a good reference for people when the mounts change hands.
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