SynScan GOTO accuracy?

[Roy@Aldermaston]

Thanks Glider,

That's made things much clearer. I've summarised the steps in a check list to print out and use tonight, assuming that the OTA doesn't act like a sail in a gale (unintentional rhyme).

Regards,

Roy

[RogerTheDodger]

Polar alignment is purely mechanical, it doesn't need to be switched on.

[Digz]

Polar alignment is purely mechanical, it doesn't need to be switched on.

Very true, but I need my mount switched on so I can take advantage of the polaris transit time and clock time given by the handset

[Glider]

And also the polar scope illuminator.

[malc-c]

Spot on Malc assuming step 3 is done manually by releasing the clamps and not the motors.

Should of made that clearer, have now edited the post accordingly

[RogerTheDodger]

Very true, but I need my mount switched on so I can take advantage of the polaris transit time and clock time given by the handset

Actually, you don't

[Digz]

Actually, you don't

And how does that work then?

[Glider]

Yeah, how do you get the info without having it turned on.

[RogerTheDodger]

Have a go at this Great Bear's polar alignment I've tested it to destruction and cannot find fault with it

[Digz]

Yeah this is the traditional way to Polar align. My problem is I couldn't get the bloomin' thing to work for me to I took the easy, tech route out

[RogerTheDodger]

Works fine for me day or night, just stick the date/time on and it agrees with polarfinder or any other method of predicting the position of polaris

[chrisshillito]

....Guiding/EQMOD already running in background and interfering with setup.

No one using EQMOD would be mucking around with the synscan for mount setup :-)

Actually, given that a synscan would have to be in PC-Direct mode for EQMOD to be "running in the background" this really shouldn't be an issue.

Chris.

[Glider]

Yeah, my mistake, I meant PHD/Celestron ASCOM driver, via the handset, and not in PC-Direct mode will most certainly interfere.

[Gina]

I think I'm beginning to understand this - just need a clear night to put it into practice! Or at least have another try.

[Mr Spock]

What's this using the handset nonsense?

Rotating the Dec/RA and then adjusting azimuth/altitude to get Polaris in the small circle takes less than 30 seconds. It really is that simple. Don't complicate things...

[Glider]

It is as long as you understand not to use the handset. It took me about that long myself tonight.

[Digz]

What's this using the handset nonsense?

Rotating the Dec/RA and then adjusting azimuth/altitude to get Polaris in the small circle takes less than 30 seconds. It really is that simple. Don't complicate things...

The handset merely present a simple way to know when Polaris is when you are setting up, i.e. it gives you the transit and clock time. Providing you RA scale is calibrated then polar alignment is quick. I only use this method as the more 'traditional' method didnt work for me

[Chris E]

I've got similar probs, but gonna start a new thread so I can find it easier (((