Markinaboat

HI Brian, Contempalting buying a used LS8 Lightswitch ACF so have been researching and amongst others, came across your post. Did you get the issue resolved and if so, has it been reliable since? Many thanks

Thanks Phil, will give it a go at the next clear sky.

I've never needed to set RA/DEC before and wasn't aware that they could be input? Assumed (incorrectly) that the user defined object would have been set from where it was pointing. Will have a play with this although not sure how much 'comet' time is left other than C/2020 F8 (Swan).

Will give it a go before next session. Thanks

I wouldn't have a clue Peter. But I would've thought ALT/AZ coordinates were pretty straightforward and at least put the scope within say a 30 degree window.

Hi and thanks for your reply. Makes sense re RA/DEC. I did lookup the ALT/AZ coordinates but when I set the scope to them, it was in a completely different part of the sky. The scope was well aligned so nothing to do with that.

Thanks for your response. I did replace the battery. If I do a factory reset, would that wipe out the object database?

Hi, My XT8I controller is driving me nuts as I need to use a torch/phone to illuminate the panel when using. The screen is so dim that I can;t see it other than the buttons on the extreme right. This is not just when it's cold though (I stick a hand warmer on it which helps keep it working). Additionally, after aligning, if I go to select 'Planets', it cones up with the date screen and of course easy to inadvertently change the date. The only way around it is to hit enter a few times to confirm ddmmyy and then search for a database object. This does not happen if I select 'Messier', 'NGC' etc for lookups. So, is my controller knackered? Can't justify the $200 price tag on Orions USA's website!

Hi, Firstly, I hope this isn't the wrong place to ask. Was out with my Orion XT8i on Weds night and was determined to find C/2017 T2 Panstaars. (and then C/2019 Atlas thereafter). My scope has Orion's push-to system which I've used successfully on several occasions. This time however, I got the RA & DEC from Stellarium for the comet and set the hand controller to RA/DEC mode. If you're not familiar with this, once the setup is aligned, it displays the RA & DEC (supposedly) to wherever it is pointed. But, I found it impossible to get both coordinates (RA & DEC) displayed simultaneously as any adjustment to one through the other out. I must have been playing with this for a good hour but to no avail. Can anyone shed any light on this? Maybe there's something up with the controller. I should add that the encoders work correctly without spinning and the push-to cordinates work well when searching the database. And after several hours, I still did not find any of the three comets in CAM. I scanned the skies meticulously with my ES 30mm and Nagler 22mm ep's to no avail. Thanks in advance for taking an interest in this post and hope everyone is safe and well if not entirely sane! 🙂

🙂

Thy're good. Had one with my last CPC setup.

Good idea. will build a box eventually pre-wired.

Reply from Celestron - "When both motors are going it is using 1.5ah" Have got my spare car battery and bought a cigarette lighter socket with croc clips for now ... sorted!

thanks guys!

Thanks. Will search on the one I put the link in for.

Yeah, I saw that as well but not a hope in hell's chance of finding out the power requirements for the scope!

Thanks Geoff, The url wouldn't work if inserted as a url (security issue?) so I just pasted. If you copy the url and paste into your browser, it'll work. I was also considering a simple SLA (sealed lead acid), maybe a motorcycle battery but jus wondered if this one would suffice?

Hi, Just wondered if anyone would know if this would power a 127SLT (considering buying used as a 2nd travel scope for my boat) for maybe 2/3 hours? Seems good for the price and of course safer than a life-po battery. http://www.spycameracctv.com/spycamera/12v-dc-rechargeable-li-on-lithium-6800mah-battery-for-security-cameras?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIybGcnqjD4wIVSLTtCh02CQywEAQYASABEgJadvD_BwE Thanks