Hi,
Everybody interested in the Askar FMA230 had to see threaded holes on each of the four sides of the rings. I decided to use them all.
All my scopes have the ZWO EAF attached, so I ordered the Deep Sky Dad's kit for the EAF as well. It's placed on one side. The FMA230 can be easily rotated in its rings, but not with the EAF attached. There is 120:1 gearing in the EAF, so rotating its axis is impossible. Therefore, if you rotate the scope, you change focus. It shouldn't be a big change, but rotating the scope 90 degrees means rotating the focuser ring 90 degrees in the opposite direction.
After some experience with framing, I found that the best result (for me) is if the DSO fits the frame with the horizontal or vertical orientation of the camera. Here is the place for the extra dovetails. My ASIair Plus, home-made smart dew heater controller and also SW Evoguide 50ED are equipped with dedicated ZWO Vixen-style clamps. All my scopes have extra dovetails for ease of attaching the accessories. I figured out that if I screw the FMA230 on the saddle using the side dovetail, I can get the vertical composition and I'm still able to attach my accessories around. Yes, I know, that's crazy, but I'm... lazy...
To be able to screw the two extra dovetails you need some M6 and M5 bolts. Additionally, the side opposite the EAF requires a few mm thick spacers, because a timing belt pulley from the EAF kit makes the screwing impossible. I designed and printed the relevant spacer, so after applying it, everything is OK.
*
I'm hugely impressed by the EAF kit. I have a big experience with 3D modelling and prototyping, so I can appreciate the cleverness of the solution. The kit moves together with the focusing ring. I thought I can do it and safe £129, but not, I wouldn't do it so well with a significantly lower cost. Thus, well done, Deep Sky Dad!
There is something to do with the EAF kit, but first I have to do it and then will write about it. Deep Sky Dad should take it into account.
Everybody interested in the Askar FMA230 had to see threaded holes on each of the four sides of the rings. I decided to use them all.
All my scopes have the ZWO EAF attached, so I ordered the Deep Sky Dad's kit for the EAF as well. It's placed on one side. The FMA230 can be easily rotated in its rings, but not with the EAF attached. There is 120:1 gearing in the EAF, so rotating its axis is impossible. Therefore, if you rotate the scope, you change focus. It shouldn't be a big change, but rotating the scope 90 degrees means rotating the focuser ring 90 degrees in the opposite direction.
After some experience with framing, I found that the best result (for me) is if the DSO fits the frame with the horizontal or vertical orientation of the camera. Here is the place for the extra dovetails. My ASIair Plus, home-made smart dew heater controller and also SW Evoguide 50ED are equipped with dedicated ZWO Vixen-style clamps. All my scopes have extra dovetails for ease of attaching the accessories. I figured out that if I screw the FMA230 on the saddle using the side dovetail, I can get the vertical composition and I'm still able to attach my accessories around. Yes, I know, that's crazy, but I'm... lazy...
To be able to screw the two extra dovetails you need some M6 and M5 bolts. Additionally, the side opposite the EAF requires a few mm thick spacers, because a timing belt pulley from the EAF kit makes the screwing impossible. I designed and printed the relevant spacer, so after applying it, everything is OK.
*
I'm hugely impressed by the EAF kit. I have a big experience with 3D modelling and prototyping, so I can appreciate the cleverness of the solution. The kit moves together with the focusing ring. I thought I can do it and safe £129, but not, I wouldn't do it so well with a significantly lower cost. Thus, well done, Deep Sky Dad!
There is something to do with the EAF kit, but first I have to do it and then will write about it. Deep Sky Dad should take it into account.
