Peterson Engineering's Mounting Assistant

I was really nervous about getting my new 12″ LX90 onto the tripod. For all the money I’ve spent on this project, I invested 80 bucks for Peterson’s Mounting Assistant. I couldn’t lift the 12″ myself, so I had a friend do it – someone who’s never put a scope on a tripod in his life. While he had it in the air, I guided the base onto the oversize plate, then pulled it back to the stops, and ‘clang’ – the mounting bolt slid right up into the hole. With no further adjustment necessary, the bolt and spreader bar came up into the perfect position.  If I had known this thing was this slick, I’d have put one on my old 8″. Heck, I might do it yet to add some resale value and ‘assurance’ for the buyer.

Just received my Mounting Assistant and I am amazed. Each time I placed my 10″ Meade LX200GPS on its tripod, holding it precariously with one hand and trying to screw in the mounting bolt with the other, I would worry that it would fall. After just a few short days of struggling with my new scope, I decided I needed a good mounting plate. I looked at your competitor, but I didn’t like the idea of leaving my eyepieces out in the open to collect dew, dust and bugs. Your plate was just what I was looking for. I can now attach and remove my scope in seconds with less worry of it falling.  Thanks again for a great product.”

“My Mounting Assistant arrived this afternoon, and it’s G R E A T ! ! It makes assembling the scope to the tripod as simple as “falling off a log”.  This is something Meade should have thought about as standard equipment.  Good work!!”

“This is just a short note to thank you for your prompt assistance, ultra fast delivery and WONDERFUL products. The Mounting Assistant changed what used to be a long string of four letter expletives and half an hour or more into a frustration free instantaneous exercise.  Not being the sort of person that you would describe as ‘handy’, I was very wary of touching any internals to the scope; However the very clear instructions and solid engineering instilled me with the confidence to try.  And boy am I glad that I did.  It was an extremely straightforward process, well supported by the documentation.  The new focuser is a joy to use and is truly a level above the standard unit.  I can never go back.  The quality workmanship of your products is something that you should (and undoubtedly do) take great pride in, and I wish you continuing success with them.”

“Hey Pete, I received my plate today. Zowie it’s great. I had tried once to place the 10” up by myself and said, “the hell with this, I’ll wait until my Peterson Plate comes.’  And I did and I’m happy.  One other thought.  My dad was a toolmaker for 40 years, and I know he’d be proud. Beautiful work.  Thanks again ,and I’ll be ordering more stuff soon.”

“Shortly after taking the scope out of the box and attempting to place it on the tripod (in broad daylight), I realized that this was not going to be a pleasant experience in the dark. The next day I called Pete and ordered the mounting plate. Exactly three days later it arrived. It took me 10 minutes to install the plate. I mounted the scope on the first try! Wow what a difference. I did it two more times, just to make sure the first time wasn’t a fluke. Same results. Thanks, Pete!”

“I had to swap out my new LX200 GPS 8 ” two times at OPT. My threaded rod actually froze while trying to screw it in without the tripod attached. With the tripod attached it just did not feel right, I had to really struggle to get it to screw in.  We tried it with no tripod and it just got stuck.  Also the tripod seemed not to be level with all legs fully collapsed and sitting on a level driveway.  After my two swap outs I purchased a Peterson Mounting Assistant…..  End of problem.  Pete Peterson has mastered all these issues and then some.  With his Mounting Assistant and “helpful hints” I now mount my scope properly 100% of the time and I am able to level the tripod with his very easy to use wing nut system.  The scope just fits on the mounting assistant very very easily.”

I bought a mounting assistant from you back in November while waiting for delivery of my 10″ LX200R, had a very nice conversation with you and got a lot of good advice. After what seemed like an endless wait I got the scope the first week of February.  I frankly don’t know how I would have secured the beast to the tripod without the mounting assistant and the handy-dandy wing nut to seat the legs on the spreader.

Hi Pete, One word: WOW!!!!!  Just mounted my 8 inch LX200 GPS. Followed your instructions and then mounted the scope in one easy step. For the first time I could get the rod completely screwed in……..I never managed to do this before!!!  Thank you for saving my back and my scope (before I also almost dropped it, and many times almost damaged the rod).