Peterson Engineering - EZ Balance™ On-Axis Counterweight

Some SCTs are very nose heavy when equipped with a dew shield, and this
is the situation that the EZ Balance is designed to correct.  This
simple but unique 3.3 pound counterweight has a thin flange that fits
between the telescope backplate and the EyeOpener (or the
manufacturer’s supplied visual back).  It fits all 10” through 14”
Meade and Celestron SCTs, from early models to current versions.  It
does not fit the LX400 series scopes.

The unique feature of this counterweight is that it is on-axis. 
(Centered on a line that runs through the center of the tube).  As
long as you do not have any heavy accessories (such as a large
secondary telescope)  attached to the top of the optical tube the
scope will stay in balance regardless of the  orientation of the tube,
and regardless of whether it is mounted on an Alt-Az or Polar type of
mount.  

Do you need this counterweight”  Loosen your declination clutch.  If
your scope is nose heavy you can roughly simulate the effect of the EZ
Balance by hanging a 3.3 pound weight from a string wrapped around the
scope’s visual back.  You may still have a slight imbalance, but if
this reduces the overall amount of unbalance in your system you’ll
want the EZ Balance.  

The counterweight has a protective covering on the back of the casting
to prevent scratching of your telescope’s backplate.  The counterweight
is easy-on easy-off, so it can be readily removed to keep weight to a
minimum when carrying your ’scope.  No screws or rail systems are
required.

Why balance your scope”  The drive motors and drive gears used in
these telescopes are quite small.  An unbalanced scope will lead to
excessive wear on the drive train with early life failure of  motors
and gears.