PolarAlign

Front ballast

Problem solved, please go to the "Make your own page".

Lighter counterweight

With that same small telescope and camera, it falls into a no-mans-land of balance. The counterweight bar by itself is too light and a single Paramount weight is too heavy.  A weight of 1/4 to 1/2 the standard weight would be helpful.

Solution:

Rather than fabricate a smaller counterweight, I added weight to the mount.  It is described in the "Make your own page".

Movement platform

Sometimes there's a need to move a Paramount ME but there isn't room for enormous packaging. The ME should be moved with the RA and DEC gears disengaged.  This means when the mount is moved either the freely moving head rests against the internal stops or it must be supported.  The best way to transport the mount is in original packaging or a double walled plastic shipping container.  For the person going to a star party in a car or minivan, space requirements may not allow this type of packaging.  There's a temptation to transport the mount  "loose".  Since the mount is top heavy and since the two axis rotate freely, this isn't satisfactory. 

I've made a transportation platform, a reinforced plywood base with bolts corresponding to the pattern of the Paramount's mounting bolts.  The platform has a cushioned support for mobile parts of the mount.  The platform has handles for easy transportation by two people. It can be anchored to support structures within a vehicle and it can be equipped with wheels and wheelbarrow type handles for easy movement by one person. Standard hardware is used to secure the Paramount, the Paramount's own bolts sit in their own holes to preserve their finish.

The prototype currently provides no other protection for the mount but only gives it a stable base and support while it  minimizes size. 

Ideally it should provide protection for the entire mount, should be light and compact, should have space for counterweights and bar, should have space for other mount components, and perhaps space for an extension cord. It should be strong, attractive, and cheap.  Components should be reconfigurable for the widest variety of vehicles. Finally it should fold flat for storage.