new swaro balance rail (1 Viewer)

• it supports the telescope in two positions, making for a more stable mounting (especially noticeable when the dSLR mirror flaps),
• works for both the ATS/STS and ATM/STM telescope ranges,
• has a quick-release locking lever for rapid position adjustment (and removal). when locked, it will not come loose
• telescope cannot rotate on rail (a problem with my old rail)
• the rail support can be slid off the rail and used independently as a support base on a table, tree, bench, etc.

Dale Forbes said:

a while ago I got to see and play with a new prototype balance rail that swaro was developing for digiscopers. I have just found a picture of it on a swaro micro site (for the new magnesium telescopes).

I am not sure if they had intended to show it because I have not seen any official announcement from swaro about it (besides this site) and it does not seem to be on their website anywhere else. funny.

but I was rather impressed by it. some things that stood out to me included:

• it supports the telescope in two positions, making for a more stable mounting (especially noticeable when the dSLR mirror flaps),
• works for both the ATS/STS and ATM/STM telescope ranges,
• has a quick-release locking lever for rapid position adjustment (and removal). when locked, it will not come loose
• telescope cannot rotate on rail (a problem with my old rail)
• the rail support can be slid off the rail and used independently as a support base on a table, tree, bench, etc.

I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but I just searched for it and found it for sale online already. I must have been sleeping when they released it.

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Baron Birder said:

Sounds good but will it fit the older scopes eg AT80HD?

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Dale Forbes said:

I don't think so - which is rather unfortunate. The shape of the under-the-eyepiece-part-of-the-scope-main-body (I am sure there is a nice, fancy word for that) is different. Having said that, something has just occured to me: The balance rail supports the tripod in two places, in the front with a slot for the scope foot (and a screw) and at the back with a little removable block that supports the rounded under-the-eyepiece-part-of-the-scope-main-body it might be possible to hand-craft a little block that replaces the rounded one and which supports the squared base of the AT series. It might not be a perfect solution, but at least it is an option.

Happy birding

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