One of the things that has bothered me about the whole rig for a long time is aiming in declination. Currently, I am using a steel mounting block that came with the SkyGuider. It is pretty secure, but the thumbscrew locking method frequently results in it moving after carefully aiming it. Also, if the particular right ascension position has it leaning very much, then this mounting block can be difficult to secure because of the way the the mounting block thumbscrews want to seat in a groove, but the whole assembly is trying to wedge out of said groove.

This has been a bother since day one. So much so, that three and a half years ago, I ordered a Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer declination bracket. This is designed to fit, perhaps obviously, the SkyWatcher Star Adventurer. Importantly, it has a rotating platform for the rig to mount to.

While this picture is obviously intended to spotlight the rotating platform, it is technically upside down. 🙂

Sadly, I could not figure out a way to attach this whole assembly to my SkyGuider. I recently decided that the best way would be some kind of right angle bracket. I shopped for some suitable sort of commercial bracket, to no avail. I realized that I should just make one.

The four screws attach the bracket to the top of the iOptron dec bracket.

Then the rotator is attached to the top of the bracket.

Note the clutch ring. Loosen the clutch and your can freely rotate the rig. Tighten the clutch, then the knob on the side turns a wormscrew to fine adjust the position.

This assembly was completed just last night. Weather permitting, I hope to try it out tonight.

For the moment, I have it clamped into a 1/4-20 hole on the bottom of the dovetail rail. Happily, there is a hole very near the balance point, but I would still rather have it in a dovetail clamp.

Of course, I have a dovetail clamp of a sort. This one is made to attach to the bottom of the ASIAir Plus and connect it to a Vixen dovetail plate. It has crossed slots in it. The 1/4-20 stud on the turntable isn’t long enough to reach through the slots to a nut. I ordered one that has a suitable threaded hole, but I am prepared to modify this one if that doesn’t work out.