Socket Mobile GTOCP2 - Manual (Page 15)

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3. Position the R.A. axis so that the counterweights are in their "lowest" position i.e. the declination axis assembly is
in the meridian (this is the usual way that German equatorials are depicted, as shown in diagram 2.)
4. Loosen the tube mounting rings and slide the tube up and down for balancing. This is best done with the tube in
the horizontal position.
5. The scope is balanced when it stays put (does not move) with the clutches loose and movement back and forth
about the declination axis has the same feel in both directions.
6. Now, tighten the declination axis clutch knobs and position the telescope horizontal and the declination axis
horizontal. The center of the counterweights is now the same height as the middle of the tube.
7. Loosen the R.A. clutch knobs (again be careful, because if your scope is significantly out of balance, it may swing
rapidly in the out of balance direction).
8. Move the counterweight(s) up or down to achieve the correct balance in R.A. Again, movement back and forth
about the R.A. axis should have the same feel in both directions.
9. Try to anticipate any balance problems due to the extra weight of diagonals, heavy eyepieces, finders, solar filters,
etc. If the scope moves by itself, when the clutches are loose, then the scope is not counterbalanced adequately.
If you are doing astrophotography or imaging, a small amount of imbalance (more weight on the east side of the
mount) is permissible and indeed desirable.