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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Baader Planetarium Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA
Baader Planetarium Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA
Baader Planetarium Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA
Baader Planetarium Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA
Baader Planetarium Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA
Baader Planetarium Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA

Baader Planetarium Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA

by Baader Planetarium
SKU BAA-2951450
$425.00 - $425.00
$425.00
$425.00 - $425.00
$425.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Precision balancing for Direct Drive mounts
  • Rear-mounted design avoids optical path obstruction
  • Protects OTA stability and collimation
  • Mounts directly to standard Planewave OTA screw connections
  • Enables multi-axis balancing for both AZ and EQ setups
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA

    The Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA is an essential accessory for imagers using high-precision direct drive mounts. Unlike traditional worm-gear systems, direct drive mounts require near-perfect balance in multiple axes to track accurately, and this set provides a secure, rear-mounted solution that preserves your telescope's optical alignment and performance.

    The Critical Balance Demands of Direct Drive Mounts

    Direct drive mounts offer exceptional tracking and slewing, but their performance is directly tied to the telescope's balance. An imbalance that a worm-drive could handle will cause tracking errors or motor strain on a direct drive. This weight set is engineered to achieve the meticulous, multi-axis balance required, accommodating both horizontal and vertical adjustments for azimuthal setups and the additional axis needed for equatorial configurations.

    Rear-Mounted Weights Preserve Your Planewave's Optical Integrity

    Placing counterweights on the front of a telescope near the secondary mirror spider is a common but flawed solution. This practice can induce mechanical stress, shift collimation, and even cause vignetting or unwanted reflections in your images. By mounting weights at the rear of the OTA, this set completely avoids the optical path, ensuring your Planewave's stability and image quality are not compromised.

    Direct-Fit Design for All Common Planewave Telescopes

    Designed specifically for the Planewave ecosystem, this balancing set attaches directly to the standard factory screw connections on the rear of the OTA. The mounting block ensures a rigid, secure fit without any modification. The weights can be positioned at the top or bottom and used together or separately, giving you the flexibility to dial in perfect balance regardless of your imaging payload.

  • Why is the Balancing Weight Set for Planewave OTA so important for a direct drive mount?

    Direct drive mounts lack the gear friction of worm-drives that can mask minor imbalances. To prevent motor strain and ensure precise tracking, they require the telescope to be balanced almost perfectly. This weight set provides the means to achieve that high degree of balance, which is essential for the mount to perform as designed.

    What are the risks of balancing my Planewave scope with weights on the front?

    Attaching weights to the front truss or secondary spider assembly can have several negative effects:

    • Collimation Shift: The added weight can flex the telescope structure, compromising optical alignment.
    • Vignetting: Weights or brackets can physically block a portion of the light path, darkening the edges of your images.
    • Reflections: Stray light can reflect off the surfaces of the weights and into the optical path, reducing contrast.

    This rear-mounted set avoids all these issues.

    How does this Balancing Weight Set attach to my Planewave telescope?

    The set includes a mounting block that attaches directly to the standard screw connection points found on the rear cell of all common Planewave telescopes. No drilling or custom modification is required, ensuring a secure, factory-intended fit.

    Can I use this weight set to balance my Planewave OTA on an equatorial mount?

    Yes. An equatorially mounted telescope requires balance in an additional axis compared to an alt-azimuth setup. The flexibility of this system, allowing the two weights to be used separately and positioned at different points on the rear of the OTA, makes it possible to achieve the fine-tuned, multi-axis balance needed for equatorial tracking.

    How do I achieve vertical balance with the Planewave OTA Balancing Weight Set?

    The system is designed so the weights can be attached to the mounting block in either a "top" or "bottom" position relative to the OTA's horizontal orientation. By moving the weights to these positions, you can counteract top-heavy or bottom-heavy loads (like a large camera and filter wheel) to achieve perfect balance when the telescope is pointed vertically.

    Can the two weights in the set be used independently?

    Yes, the weights can be used separately. This is useful for making very fine adjustments or for balancing lighter accessory loads where the full weight of the set is not required.

  • Compatible Brands Planewave
  • Baader Planetarium Warranty