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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

iOptron CEM70 compatibility status

  • Posts: 163
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Counter Weights.
The (three) black masses on the bar.
Yes, I just use this little black ring as a reference to slide the counter weights against and it's always in balance, once adjusted. Dec is in balance and has a reference position on the Losmandy dovetail plate to slide against.
2 years 3 weeks ago #80996

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Indeed... You rock, Bart! If you have any more tinkering like these, feel free to share them with me, please. I should receive my mount in one month or so, so if I have life-sweetening ideas of this kind, I'll be the happiest guy from my block. :-)
2 years 3 weeks ago #81000

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Bart,

You said:

>>> Dec is in balance and has a reference position on the Losmandy dovetail plate to slide against.

How can you be sure that your OTA is in the right position on the dovetail plate? On my present mount, I never manage to put the OTA at the same position, so I must balance each and every time I use it. Do you mean that the iOpton mount has a reference position, or do you mean that you manage somehow to always put the OTA at the same position. If so, how?
2 years 3 weeks ago #81001

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Like so:


And you know, just have fun figuring out your setup, everyone's different and that's really nice I think. Lots of creative solutions to comparable 'problems'.
Enjoy the mount!
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2 years 3 weeks ago #81002
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So, you just have two washers which prevent the OTA to put itself in a bad position in DEC. Wonderful! But did you drill them + screw them or is it enough to stick them with a powerful glue?

Guy, that must be so much cool to be always balanced...

So now, I'm considering something like this for my OTA. I guess the eyepiece holder shall be aligned with the CW bar, right? I have a finder which is at the right of the eyepiece holder, which tends to put the tube in an unstable position. Do you have any idea of something of the same weight as the finder that I could attach to the left of the eyepiece holder to rebalance the tube? If so, how could I attach it with? Velcro fastener maybe?
2 years 3 weeks ago #81004

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I have the feeling you have many more questions, which I don't have the time for answering them all.
Good luck with your setup, enjoy!
2 years 3 weeks ago #81007

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No worries, thanks again for all!
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2 years 3 weeks ago #81013

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Counter Weight. They put a collar on the counterweight bar in the correct spot so that they could just slap the CWs on and know that the mount would be balanced.

+1 on the CEM70, by the way. I love my A-model ("basic"). I do also have the occasional issue with those darned USB-B connectors coming loose, though.
2 years 3 weeks ago #81018

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The collar I've designed and 3D printed. Would be great if this was a standard item with each mount.

Here's my solution to the USB connector issue:
The collar I've designed and 3D printed. Would be great if this was a standard item with each mount.

Here's my solution to the USB connector issue:
  
2 years 3 weeks ago #81061
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BTW the clips used to hold "standard" (not Olympic) barbell weights on the bar might work as a counterweight stop. They're designed for a 25.4mm bar but many of them would clamp OK on the CEM70's 28mm, especially since you don't need it to carry a load -- just serve as a marker against which to slide the weight.

Also, re the  USB connector, I actually don't have trouble with the one for the mount proper, it's the one at the base of RA axis that's the b****-kitty. I have to pull that cap anyway in order to run an autofocuser cable up through the saddle, I'll see if that's built in similar fashion.
Last edit: 2 years 3 weeks ago by Rick Wayne.
2 years 3 weeks ago #81064

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Ugh, the software seems  to have eaten my other post. It looks as if that's a solder-free connection to a pin-socket header on the main board, is that correct? My (de)soldering skills aren't exactly top-notch and I'd be leery of attacking my main board with them But attaching some wires to a pin header and plugging  it in, yeah, I can do that!
Last edit: 2 years 3 weeks ago by Rick Wayne.
2 years 3 weeks ago #81065

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These are the standard 0,1" spaced connectors. I've used angled ones as you see...
The cable routing is a breeze: remove the cap with the connector for the iPolar and just push the wires through. One of the advantages of the mount as well. :)
2 years 3 weeks ago #81067

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