Used my EQ3 for the first time.

[Mcphisto]

I bought my Mak127 and eq3 in April. Due to the light summer nights, working shifts etc, it was only the other night I used it properly since I got it. This is how it went.

I set it up, levelling it first, pointing it north, its on the correct latitude, and I have a gps on my mount. Looked through the mounts ocular to check I was on the Polaris...off by a small bit so just tweaked the tripod to the left a little till it was in the crosshairs. Then setup on the handset. I did the two star alignment and all seemed good.

After looking around and getting used to the handset, I noticed that objects were not in the centre anymore, yet they were bang on in the finder scope. Any ideas?

Also I thought images in a MAK were the correct way up? But there weren't. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm sure that's what I was told.

But regardless, got to see a double star, the Ring Nebula and a few other bits n bobs. Not bad considering it was quite light polluted and to find stuff of interest in the part of the sky that was darkest, I used my iPhone app which totally ruined my vision.

Can't wait till next time

[username]

Did you make sure that the finder scope was aligned to your telescope? Even if you did when you started you may have knocked it a little bit.

[Mcphisto]

Did you make sure that the finder scope was aligned to your telescope? Even if you did when you started you may have knocked it a little bit.

I did yes. And it was ok for X amount of time. But like you say I must have knocked it, why else would it go out like that? Do you know if the image through the Mak is supposed to be inverted? I lined the scope up to a pylon on the mountain and it was upside down. I was under the impression it would be as normal.

[glowjet]

If, as you say your targets were aligned on centre of your finder scope, but not in your main scope, then as has been suggested, there may be a miss alignment problem. Double check this during daylight by focusing on a distant tip of a TV aerial or church spire or whatever you have that is distinct, and bring this to the centre of both fields of view. If you ever come across a s/h cross hair ep like the Tal, this process is a lot easier and will give a high degree of accuracy. Well done on your first real session achievements

John.

[glowjet]

Sorry Mcphisto, I missed your response, got disturbed in the middle of typing, I think with reflectors your image is upside down and left to right

John.

[username]

I lined the scope up to a pylon on the mountain and it was upside down. I was under the impression it would be as normal.

I missed this bit earlier

Were you using a star diagonal when you were doing this or a prism or was the eyepiece straight back in the back of the scope?

If you were using a star diagonal it should be correct side up, laterally (left-right) inverted. Without a star diagonal upside down but normal left-right.

[Mcphisto]

I missed this bit earlier

Were you using a star diagonal when you were doing this or a prism or was the eyepiece straight back in the back of the scope?

If you were using a star diagonal it should be correct side up, laterally (left-right) inverted. Without a star diagonal upside down but normal left-right.

I actually tried it both ways. But its not a problem, I was just curious. Thanks for the replies

[Mcphisto]

Sorry Mcphisto, I missed your response, got disturbed in the middle of typing, I think with reflectors your image is upside down and left to right

John.

No probs mate. I often get the same problem!!