Neil H

Looks great i get it and try it out thank you 

Brill thanks 

4 hours ago, DaveL59 said:

I've given it a go and it seems to be ok on the EQ5 mount I have, pretty sure I picked up on it from another post on here so might be better to post on this thread and solicit response from a wider audience  The polar align is in beta but seems to work, for sure better than nowt if you can't see polaris. Does a 3-star align not get you to better finding ability once done, as that should get the system pretty close to knowing its location/orientation relative to the stars I thought.

With your scope being a Dob (unless I'm mistaken?) not sure how you'd use it tho, perhaps laying it on the OTA?
Hence suggesting posting as someone else may be using it on similar gear to yours.

Not a Dob its a 200 x 1200 on the HEQ5

Orion optics VX8L 

I just re downloaded skysafari and i must have the new one   i tried celestron one and its the same programe so cant do it on that one . I will have to buy the other one that was linked to 

3 hours ago, Aramcheck said:

This posted on another thread by @Space Bat may help too:
http://astronomy.robpettengill.org/blindSmartPhonePolarAlign.html

Hi just tried it the setting are not the same on the skysafari I have so wonder if his is older or newer I will keep trying but thanks for the info

Hi and welcome .I can put my hand on my heart and say this hobby is out of this world 🌎 

you have lovely dark sky's up there I love being up there on holiday would love to live up your way 

2 minutes ago, Aramcheck said:

If you can't see Polaris (& can't change set up location to one where you can) have a look at the Synscan manual section 11.3 (p37) on "Polar Alignment without Polar Scope".

It requires doing a 2-star alignment, then hitting "Menu"->"Alignment"->"Polar Alignment" & following the instructions to adjust the altitude & azimuth bolts. It's an iterative process, so you'll probably end up doing a couple of 2-star alignments & mount adjustments.

Cheers
Ivor

Ok Ivor  that's good will have a read up on it , do you think this is my problem with it being a long way off , I spent a good hour lining the spotter to the telescope so it's 100% on target still trying to get used to the upside down view

8 hours ago, DaveL59 said:

have you tried out the app that can help you polar align by laying the phone on the mount? 

Polar Aligner Pro - it has a mode where you can do the align in daylight hours which can be handy if you're wanting to set up early and leave things to cool down ready for the nights fun

Thanks Davel59 I will get this app do you use it ? . If I get stuck trying to work out how it works can I email you please 

Ok guys I need some more help with synscan , as you know I can't see Polaris so I have to judge it , so after I boot up synscan app on my phone I copy all detail off the screen onto hand set , when it gets to Polaris position ( p scope ) and (hour angle) don't match what's on the hand set screen  i can't change it to match up ,so I just carry on then when I do star alignment when this is done if I ask if to go to a named star it can end up a long way off ?

Hi Geoff, welcome to SGL I have not been on here long but the bumpy road is a little smoother now 

Hi All I just got CraigT82 focuser to replace my OC1 on my Orion Optics VX8L does any one know if I will still need extensions to focus it ? And what's the chance of it fitting in the OC1 bolt holes ?

Hi I got mine off eBay was not to bad price  the Celestron fits as well as they are the same 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Celestron-Astromaster-Motor-Drive-93514-UK-Stock/333160718295?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Hi guys thanks for info , it was the rates to low think they were 2 so popped them up 8 for now , I managed to get telescope spotted scope all lined up so I can do the alignment better I do have the synscan  app on my phone it's a life and time saved

So on my list of what to learn is

Constellations that going to take a while 

How to polar align when there is a house in the way ?

How to set home on the HEQ5 ?

Mods are micro focuser, we're to get a lead to plug in to mirror fan can't find it on Orion Optics shop site? I don't even what it looks like ?

Flocking , power pack , 25mm extension tube 

2 minutes ago, NGC 1502 said:

 

Perhaps you could take the scope somewhere there’s a distant view ?

Ed.

Hi Ed I can't at the moment got to get the power pack was not expecting to get this scope but it was a bargain the invoice said £1300 it's not been used Sat in a cupboard for years I got it for £600 

Hi Geoff thank you so much I will try that I am going to try and get full set up today in the day light so I am ready for tonight I am already impressed with the scope I could see one star (don't ask me what one I still learning) but was at the bottom of a group of stars when I look in the eyepiece there was more than one star but you could not see them just looking up

17 minutes ago, Geoff Barnes said:

@Neil H Make sure your slew speed on the handset is not on zero, put it up to 2 or 3 for final aligning.

Thank you I just read that , I am finding it hard going at the moment due to not be able to see Polaris to align properly . Then not getting focus so I can set up finder scope I the day time , I won't give up 

Could it be rate to low 

Morning God this is a big learning curve . Last night got telescope set up I put all the info in to the hand set this goes smoothly 

Now it goes in to star alignment I tell it what star it slews round stop and bleeps then says use direction buttons to align star , this is where the problem is it does not move no matter what direction buttons I use ? What am I doing wrong ?

50 minutes ago, dweller25 said:

I also had the VX8L.

To align the finder during the day on a church spire around 1/4 mile away I had to use all the extension tubes in the focuser.

Once under the stars I had to remove one extension tube to get focus.

I also moved the primary to it’s furthest setting from the secondary.

 

So I need to buy the extension so I can get scope set up , but may not need it to look at planets etc  

1 hour ago, Space Hopper said:

I'd upgrade the focuser asap. The scope deserves something better.

See if you can get hold of a moonlite.

You don't say what size the scope is ? It looks an 8" or 10"

If it is a 10, i have a Moonlite fitting kit for it (the base plate & spacers)

They are normally around £30-£40 i think. You can have it for nothing if you want it.

36 minutes ago, NGC 1502 said:

 

Nice folk on here........👍

 

Thank you mind is the VX8L 

Your all nice folk on here it's the best forum by far 

2 hours ago, dweller25 said:

@Neil H

You will not need the extension tube when you focus on astronomical targets

Well it does seem to focus so may be I don't need one , so how can I set up the spotter scope in the day time unless I can find something miles away 

I may pop out and try it if there are no clouds

1 minute ago, dweller25 said:

You will not need the extension tube when you focus on astronomical targets

I did wonder this I wanted to test it tonight but the clouds came in 

The first time I found it would not focus the chimney was about 1/4 of a mile 

Do you guys that have Orion Optics do you know if there is a micro focuser kit I can fit to the OC1

I was trying a chimney as I needed to set up the spotted scope that's how I find out if would not focus