Balancing a Takahashi FET-200 Telescope on a one metric ton Takahashi EM-3500 Mount: “When a little is too Much” - Problem Solving by Frederick Garcia

Balancing a Takahashi FET-200 Telescope on a one metric ton Takahashi EM-3500 Mount “When a little is too Much” - Problem Solving by Frederick Garcia In 2001, a client bought a Takahashi FET-200 f/10 telescope with FS-102 Guide scope on an EM-3500 mount system installed state side. He asked that we substitute his FS-128 for the standard FS-102 guide scope. The system was installed by Takahashi team in an ObservaDome upgraded with dome slewing and tracking automation. Dr. Takao Doi with a second Takahashi team arrived at the client’s observatory, and moved the FET-200 forward to the point that the guide scope brackets were up against the tube holder being the tail end was too heavy with the FS-128 guide scope balance in DEC axis. Takahashi designed a ring weight for the dew shield, which in turn required a third RA weight for a final system balance.