Help needed with GOTO set up

[Mad Taff]

Hi

I have a new Celestron Advanced VX goto mount that uses the Nexstar + handset.

Last night was so frustrating as I just could not get my telescope to align.  I use the two star align approach. When it slewed to the target star it was well off.

When I used it last week it worked fine. So the only difference I can think of is the clocks going back last weekend. It could be that I'm not using the parameters correctly. The set up asks for the following:

Location - I entered London as my nearest city.

Time - I entered actual time e.g 20.45

I then entered Standard Time (as the clocks have gone back) instead of Daylight Savings Time.

I then entered Universal Time which I believe means GMT.

I then enter the date the 10:27:14

I would be grateful if I could be advised if these parameters are correct.

Just another thought. How important is getting the tripod level for aligning. It might be that the levelling went out when I added the counterweights and the telescope. The lawn was a bit soggy and very soft last night with all the dew etc.

Would love some advice on all this.

Many thank, Phil

[sbooder]

Level of tripod is quite important but Polar aligning is most important and make sure your scope is in the home position so you can see Polaris on the telescope view (it should appear near the edge of the view).  Also check your balance in both RA and Dec.

[Mad Taff]

Thanks Simon. I will try that out next time. Thanks for your help.

[ronin]

I do not get:

Time - I entered actual time e.g 20.45

I then entered Standard Time (as the clocks have gone back) instead of Daylight Savings Time.

I then entered Universal Time which I believe means GMT.

You enter the actual time, then say DST is Off or No or whatever the goto expects.

What are Standard Time and Universal Time ?

Never met a mount/goto the expects 2 options for time.

[Mad Taff]

it's a bit awkward to explain really. This handset doesn't allow me to say yes or no to DST. Instead it asks me to accept either DST or Standard Time ( which I assume is no to DST). I assume Universal Time is GMT as the other options are Zone 1, Zone 2 etc... The only time it asks me to enter is actual time which is what I do.

Thanks for your input. I need to play around with it a bit more I think. 

[Thalestris24]

Hi

Don't forget to turn on the RTC (real-time clock) from the Utilities Menu! It's also better to enter lat/long under 'Custom Site' rather than selecting City/London, especially as you're not very near it!

Louise

[Mad Taff]

Thanks Louise. I wasn't aware of the RTC facility so will check that out. I'll input next time my exact location under the custom site. Hopefully I'll have more success next time.

[jambouk]

Sounds stupid, but are you sure the stars it wanted you to go to in the alignment procedure were the correct stars which matched the names?

James