Merlin66

Yes, 15v is a good solution. I power both my HEQ5 and the NEQ6 with car convertor 12v to 15v, 120 watt. no issues, no drama.

Mikey, I think we all probably know that....but the original question was what were the scales, and what where were used for......

Hmmm, Don’t know what to say..... The usual reticule shows the surrounding constellations etc.

Probably easier..... Check out Astro Baby's site: http://www.astro-baby.com/astrobaby/help/polar-aligning-the-skywatcher-heq5orion-sirius-mount/

This circle allows you to re-orientate the internal graticule to get alignment with the polar stars... Covered in the SW manual, under "Procedure for Precise Polar alignment", p13 in my copy.

Mark, Hmmm OK If your mount is connected, and unparked try the EQMod direction arrows and a rate of say 3 - does the mount respond and move around?

Just confirm that you're correctly installing the EQMod under CdC. After selecting HEQ5/6 Eqmod then click properties - should bring up the EQmod screen as shown....... Is this what you see?

John, There are no exemptions for Astro clubs etc. down here in Victoria.

Just to add.... Here in Victoria, Australia you need a police permit to have and use a laser pointer. It cost me $ 180 to renew for three years. As you know, they can be dangerous, take care.

Coronado don’t seem to sell the SMIII external etalon as a separate part.....

Nojus,

Frank, the free version V2.9 allows PA alignment as well.

+1 for the boot polish. Prevention is better than the cure......

Blob of BlueTac on the wire???

PM sent.

James, To save space, I went for a sliding door ........

Looking at the contents listing.....Secchi and his solar work appears to be mentioned but nothing (???) on Sir William Huggins???

To be honest the easiest way is a small strip of Gaffa tape over the bubble tube - and ignore it. Don’t worry too much it’s not critical......

Hmmmm Not the same mount, but I use the NEQ6Pro.. For the past ten years I've successfully powered it from a couple of Gel Cell batteries and a car voltage converter 12v to 15v at 120watt. No issue no drama it just works 100% I would NOT recommend increasing the voltage beyond the Skywatchers recommended 15v.

The Canon 1300D appears to have 4.3 micron pixels http://www.everyothershot.com/pixel-pitch-canon-dslrs/

I notice that Synscan V4 has the option of camera control (See Sect 11.4 of the manual). If your mount ( a newer AltAz or EQ8 version) has the SNAP port the camera cable can be routed from the SNAP port and controlled by the hand controller. Using an older mount (HEQ5 or NEQ6 etc) the camera can be wired to the hand controller and used that way...... Has anyone used this feature?? If so which actual cable and connections were used.

Introduced last year the SolarMax III was supposed to be "the latest and greatest" I haven't heard much, well nothing really about this series. Does anyone have any practical experience with the SolarMax III

Anthony, the black blocks which have the front clips at the mirror surface, usually also gently touch the side of the mirror to prevent it sliding within the cell. I don’t know your particular telescope, but I hope another user can comment.

Sounds like the radial (edge) supports are not restraining the mirror. Are there any adjustable stops around the edge of the mirror cell??

Anthony, No. The clips are there to stop an unfortunate accident happening. They prevent the mirror from falling out. The mirror should be resting on the rear supports and gently held by the edge supports - only. (Don't turn the telescope up side down!)