wookie1965

As you know I never got my kit out as forecast was bad and you saw the sky well look what happened took through my Galaxy S10 and a pair of solar glasses.

Total cloud cover here

Well that forecast has changed I note Clear Outside hasn't.

Woke up to this let's hope it holds

John I said exactly the same I have blue skies here I cannot believe its going to change so much in 24 hours.

Mine is the 5" but I have responded.

I was lucky I saw the 1999 eclipse it was one of the best days of my life. Forecast is 100% cloud here Thursday.

I apologise I have just checked if I start with the motor up it will rotate all the way around. I am a idiot only just noticed this. 20210608_000545.mp4

When you rotate the RA axis the motor catches on the body.

No Stu it's my fault I've lost the polar cap so stuff falls down, a nice gentleman on here has 3d printed one and is sending it out to me. Paul

First time I did it it took 4hours I had to leave it over night that was on a 150p (6") 3/4 years later I stripped a 200p down flocked it did another little mod using a thin washer and a circle cut out of a milk carton. Put it back together collimated it in about an hour that was only because had to use two pieces of flocking. Now I can collimate in 5 minutes or less and that's both mirrors its like riding a bike once you have done it a few times it's easy.

Yes I can do that but need to take the reticule out which means loosening the three grub screws or knobs like I have to aid calibration. Once you have done this you then need to do what astronomy shed shows or any number of video tutorials which involves taking the motor off.

You cannot rotate 360° with the motor on. It catches on the body.

A warm welcome to SGL

The problem is my view is somewhat distorted and second I paid £75 for the mount to be overhauled and set up. I can easily take the reticule out clean it and put it back and then calibrate it I've done that before. The one thing putting me off is taking the motor off then replacing it after, as good as it is now no backlash nothing. The hair goes right through the Cross hairs so needs something doing. I wanted to know if there was a way around it as it looks like there isn't I will just have to take the plunge tomorrow and go for it. Thank you all for your Imput much appreciated.

But when I put it back I'm going have to calibrate it again with moving the grub screws.

Setting it on axis I'm not bothered about orientation. I have had trouble seeing both the cross hairs and the aerial I use to calibrate it.

Thanks no it's to calibrate the polar scope I have undone the focuser section but the dust and hairs are behind that as I have collimation knobs in instead of the Allen key bolts it is easier. I have tried the East and West trick but I still have nothing low enough to see I normally do it on an aerial accross the road it's just a faff.

Well forecast is about the same as yesterday see if it changes tomorrow.

Is there a easier way to calibrate a polar scope on a EQ5 than taking the motor off and the plate holding the front altitude bolt. Sent my mount off to a Astronomy shop to have it overhauled and paid a fair price. My polar scope has hairs and spots of dust in it how I have not got a clue it needs cleaning and I have to take it all out which means calibration thanks.

Is that a Ioptron AZ Pro I have two fracs a Tal 100rs and a Meade LXD55 127 emc F10 and F9. 3 do you think the mount will hold them separately obviously thanks.

Well when I am 9n my feet properly again I have been invited to 3 different places two bortle 4 one even better so I cannot wait to take the Tal out. Great Report Stu really enjoyed the read.

I certainly hope so Peter I really do it's the reason I bought the Herschel wedge back well I've have everything crossed.

This is the forecast from clear outside and the met office