What even is an EQ platform?!

Equatorial platforms are things that you can put telescopes on which allow a limited amount on equatorial tracking. You level them, point them north and they can give a fairly accurate bit of tracking.
The model I've got is the larger one that David Lukehurst offers in the UK - www.dobsonians...

[@JenhamsAstro]

Thanks Rob for the very clear and useful video. I’ve got a 10 inch Dob and I’m toying with the idea of EAA for which I need to track. I’m not sure whether to use one of my smaller scopes on my existing equatorial or to spend more money and buy a platform and try use the Dob. Food for thought. Cheers, Graham

[@StargazerRob]

Thank you, glad to hear this was useful!

[@AdirondackAstronomy]

Great video, Rob. Before I got my dob I had plans to get an EQ platform at some point, and I still might, but I've actually had fun nudging the scope to center the object. That looks like a great quality EQ platform too!

[@StargazerRob]

Thanks Mike! My experience has been that the platform fits in really well with the manual dob fun. Will work great for sketching too

[@AdirondackAstronomy]

@@StargazerRob I'm sure it would make sketching a lot easier that is the one thing that makes me want one.

[@LP-ju2fi]

Has anyone made a wedge for large dobsonian's with go-to capabilities? Can anyone tell me why it can't be done?

[@t3avelos]

hi, so when the tracking time of one hour or so is over, do you need to manually lift it with the telescope still on top of it and put it back to its starting position?

[@StargazerRob]

Hi! With this model that’s pretty much what’s necessary I think. Only have to lift it off the driven wheel though, so you don’t have to take the full weight necessarily, the other side freely rotates, and the top plate itself helps like a lever, doesn’t feel like lifting 40kg+

[@terrystroth3493]

Rob, what motor is being used and how is the speed control hooked up?

[@twenty-fifth420]

4:05 I want to make a homemade dob with a 24” mirror. Are there mounts out for this size or do I have to build an equatorial mount too? Totally new to telescope stuff. Love this video anyway. 💕

[@StargazerRob]

I think making a mount for that size of scope might be possible, fork mount perhaps, I think that’s standard for such heavy setups, but yeah, an EQ platform might be easier. Thanks, glad you like the video!

[@blackie75]

I have a question Rob, if I have an 8" Dob and someone has given me a suitably weighted equatorial mount, am I able to simply switch the telescope onto the equatorial mount, given I have the parts needed? Cheers 😁

[@nocturnalmayhem0]

yes i did the same with a 12inch dob but be ready to use a step ladder lol

[@dimitartodorov1352]

Can you tell me If this platform works for long exposure for astrophotography?

[@StargazerRob]

Hi Dimitar, I have not managed to have success with long exposure photography with this platform, this might be down to my particular platform, or my use of it, or something. I wouldn't say that it's impossible, I've seen other people make it work for them

[@citizengkar7824]

The statement you made about the planets' tracking anomalies would believe me to think there is a drivetrain issue, as, in theory, it should track at an even rate. Either that, or there is some issue with the design/manufacture, or the telescope's balance. Has the platform been built to suit your exact latitude? Or is it a generalised, to within about 5 degrees? Even if the platform was not latitude ideal, it would result in loss of object centering, instead of any visual tracking jitter I built one, using a basic Celestron Logic drive, connecting to a friction gear. I never noticed any tracking irregularities. Though, I only really do visual observation, even though I built a crude webcam. The main reason is it is just too imprecise, with its manual speed tracking adjustment (potentiometer). I am thinking of converting it to a digital one, to see if that improves tracking accuracy. Also, I could store the different tracking rates (ie. sidereal, planetary, lunar, etc.) so I am not spending precious viewing time regularly recalibrating it's tracking. Nice video. I do like the platform's basic design concept. My platform uses a rear bearing, instead of a pivot.

[@StargazerRob]

Thanks for your reply, I think you’re correct that it’s the drivetrain. The platform is generalised, I’m within 2° of what it’s made for. Sounds like you’ve got some great sills!

[@tjzambonischwartz]

Building an equatorial platform is on my project list after building a new mount and OTA around my 6" dob's optics. It's an old late nineties commercial dob but it's got USA-Made optics figured by Terry Ostahowski and the mirrors are perfect. Unfortunately it's mechanically crude and required a lot of kluge-job retrofits to get it really working well. It performs like a much more expensive scope now, but I want to rebuild it incorporating everything I've learned from modifying it over the last 23 years. After that, I intend to build an equatorial platform for it and it'll be really something at that point.

[@StargazerRob]

Sounds like an awesome project! I admire your abilities of making stuff

[@jonathanhansen3709]

Thanks for this post. I’ve been looking for someone building these as I don’t have a shop anymore to make one myself. Looking at his website, his platform prices are very reasonable.

[@StargazerRob]

Thank you! Yeah he seem really skilled!

[@pompeymonkey3271]

I did actually build one about 6 years ago and it worked surprisingly well. It is a vertical north segment (VNS) design just like yours. The idea behind it's operation is very simple...until you try to make one! Good 3D CAD software saved me the horrible maths! \o/ Funnily enough, my design is remarkably similar to yours, but not as nicely finished. :)

[@kevingumfory]

Ha ! Bro grats. Keep with it ! I think you will be surprised at just how deep your dob is gonna take you. I'd bet a paycheck on it. Now I gotta go watch more of your vids. I wont be surprised if you're already getting some nebulas !

[@AlpineWarren]

That looks great!

[@stevehanson5556]

very nice production

[@StargazerRob]

Thank you!

[@N3RDITE]

"Why would you get one?" Of course I won't! I'd make my own!

[@TeslaRebuilders]

Just what I was looking for Rob, I just got a Celestron 10 Dob and looking to do some AstroPhoto as well, Thanks!

[@StargazerRob]

Cool, thank you, glad it was useful! How are you enjoying this 10” dob?

[@TeslaRebuilders]

@@StargazerRob Way better than my old 60$ Mead refractor 60mm the moon was about all I could look at Saturn and Jupiter was a pixel. Got this view of Saturn yesterday night under poor conditions! media.discordapp.net/attachments/995498127496839288/1009523894509649980/20220815_221155.jpg

[@StargazerRob]

Awesome!!

[@JosiahsAstrophotography]

How do you get one??

[@Tomsgate101]

Hi, I own an Asterion Ecliptica pro 50 which is very similar to yours in design. Been very happy with it so far, after some fiddling around I can do 30'' image captures without star trailing. I'd not go any longer though, at least on mine. For obs it's fantastic. 400£, worth every single one of them!

[@StargazerRob]

Thanks Tom, interesting to hear your experience!

[@patindaytona]

So it is possible to do some astrophotography of DSO's?

[@Tomsgate101]

@@patindaytona Yes, although some other alternatives might work better. As said, my setup maxes out at 30ish seconds per image: if you stack them up and have a good camera, it works fine.

[@patindaytona]

@@Tomsgate101 Going to order a tracking device but have to wait till end of Jan. before it's delievered. I would think the higher the magnification, the less exposure time before trailing occurs.

[@Tomsgate101]

@@patindaytona Correct. Perfect polar alignment is also key, and that can be a challenge on EQ tables. Trial and error...

[@stephenfoster3745]

Great video!

[@StargazerRob]

Thank you very much!

[@ronm6585]

Thanks.

[@Harutjun]

good video man

[@StargazerRob]

Many thanks!

[@adventuresofanamateurastro804]

There is a difference in magnetic North and true North. My latitude is 32° so my true North is 357°

[@StargazerRob]

Yeah absolutely, just doesn't matter too much with my use given the approximate alignment I'm working with

[@raueugen9047]

Bla-bla much talking, nothing about how allign; nevervending story, cutting fodder, leaves to dogs, talk better about parmezan, thank's you not get asleep.