Hello all,
I am looking to defork an RCX400 which is on a specially made pier mount made for our latitude.
I am hoping to replace the pier with a different one and place the assembly on an iOptron CEM120 mount. It has a payload capacity of 115lbs which I believe will be more than enough for the RCX400 16" OTA, a feathertouch focuser, a Meade Series 5000 ED80 guide scope, and a camera (feel free to check my math).
I was curious about how feasible you all think this will be. I am hoping to make this scope be able to accurately guide to take long-exposure astrophotography (5-minute images or longer) and possibly variable star research. I want this scope to be very easy for anyone to learn on and fall in love with the hobby.
I am not with the scope, it is 70 miles away currently. How do I attach a dovetail to it? I recall there being one to hold the guide scope, but not any other ones. It has been a while since I've seen this scope.
How does focusing work? It is currently an electric focuser, that you focus with the Autostar II handbox. Although I have an external one, I use both to be able to easily focus between eyepiece and camera settings.
Thanks guys! I am very new and hope to not break anything or waste money.
JT