Celestron AVX Bubble Level

[Ed217]

I needed a better way to level the Celestron AVX mount. Some searching yielded a 3D printable device that fits over the existing mount. Found a local guy from the rocket club who had a printer. Sent him the specs, he printed it, and this was what resulted.

The orange part is a simple level from Lowes with pre-drilled holes. The black part was 3D printed with matching holes. Screwed the two together and put on the scope. Works great!

[seigell]

You still perform full Polar Alignment, right??

"Level and North" are just the 1st Step in Polar Alignment (and given the Alt and AZ Adjusters - neither is too essential).
"Level and North" are stressed in the setup because most Visual Users are in for "shortcuts" like Planetary or 1-Star Alignments...

But... That Bubble Level definitely looks like it Belongs!! Even approximates the Celestron Orange!!

[Ed217]

You still perform full Polar Alignment, right??

Yes, absolutely. Before my only option was to level only the tripod before mount and scope were added. Now I can level more accurately before the real work starts.

Ed

[Lowjiber]

That is very clever! Thanks for sharing the pic.

Clear Skies & Stay Safe

[Ed217]

Starzona sells a similar device for about $25 delivered, so the idea is to their credit. Being an engineer, the idea of making one seemed natural.

The bubble level part from Lowes (and other similar stores) seemed bigger and easier to use., and costs $4.08. My rocket friends already had shown rocket fins and other things they made with 3D printers. A simple query to the rocket club Facebook page yielded a member who wanted to test his new device more. The design specs were already online at Thingiverse. A couple of days later the device showed up here in the mail. The bright orange color makes it stand out some in the night.

When it stops raining and the skies clear some, I’ll find out how well it works in the real world.

[Greenman]

Great stuff Ed, you don’t happen to have the printer files do you? I have a buddy who could run off one for me. Currently I am using a round one that just fits in to the hole where the tripod screw Attaches the mount. But post build like this would be a real bonus.

[Ed217]

Great stuff Ed, you don’t happen to have the printer files do you? I have a buddy who could run off one for me. Currently I am using a round one that just fits in to the hole where the tripod screw Attaches the mount. But post build like this would be a real bonus.

Here is where I got the files:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3062413

A google of :Thingiverse avx bubble

will get a few hits of similar versions

[Greenman]

Great stuff Ed, you don’t happen to have the printer files do you? I have a buddy who could run off one for me. Currently I am using a round one that just fits in to the hole where the tripod screw Attaches the mount. But post build like this would be a real bonus.

Here is where I got the files:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3062413

A google of :Thingiverse avx bubble

will get a few hits of similar versions

That’s so cool cheers Ed.