meridian flip problem

[leelee970]

Help….. I’ve a Heq5 pro on a solid concrete pillar. I’ve checked and double checked its all level, and polar alignment seems spot on. But when I do a meridian flip the accuracy seems way off (just about able to see object at edge of a 32mm EP), when I return back to other side its spot on again. Thanks for any help. Lee

[Stephen]

Is the mount properly balanced? I have no idea if this is barking up the wrong tree, but when it flips maybe a balancing issue pulls it away?

[Starlight 1]

My HEQ5 is very free on the left side as it the side I use alot but start to stick the more it go over to the right. So may be yours is the same.

[leelee970]

My thoughts as well Stephen, thanks. The balance is not great. I think I need a longer weight bar, or less junk (I do like my gadgets).

[Scott]

this link might help you.

[ollypenrice]

'Level' is not necessary and has no bearing on polar alignment. If the PA is good it's good.

Quite honestly, a flip which keeps the object in the EP seems like a pretty good flip to me! It's very hard on budget mounts to get much better than that. After the flip I'd just centre and re-confirm the alignment so as to initialize it for that side of the mount and be happy.

Olly

[leelee970]

Thanks auspom, nice little video - i'll be out with the drill later, lol.

Thanks ollypenrice - seeing as I've only got the Heq5 I've nothing to compare it too, I've never had a problem with a meridian flip with my Dob, lol

I'll take onboard everything that's been said, cheers

Lee

[Etoille]

But when I do a meridian flip the accuracy seems way off (just about able to see object at edge of a 32mm EP), when I return back to other side its spot on again.

Could this just be a matter of parallax?

[leelee970]

Well just to let you kind people know it was just as auspom suggested - cone error.

With a little drilling and adjustment now all sorted.

Many thanks.