Do I need latitude scale?

[pianorealm]

Hi. I'm a newcomer to astronomy. I've been using a Skywatcher 130p but yesterday  I picked up a used Celestron C8N on a 'newer' type CG5 mount at what I thought was a great price.

I tried it out last night...REALLY PLEASED.....had some great views of Jupiter and it's moons.

One slight issue with the CG5 mount though. The two end plastic caps that plug either side of the altitude axis are missing. One of them should have a lat scale on it. I was wondering, do I really need this?

I was thinking.....If I line up polaris in the centre of my field of view and then make a mark on the altitude axis would this work? If I was going to polar align I'd be making tiny adjustments anyway.

Regards, Howard

[Peter Drew]

Hello Howard, shouldn't be a problem, your thinking is correct. 

[Charic]

try here............ http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/175217-who-needs-celestron-cg5-gt-parts/

[Northern Soul man]

Hi Howard - nice 1, if your just doing visual work then a rough align (like you mention) is fine, I set up by leveling the CG5, with the little triangular "index" markers on both axes lined up, I then look through the finder for Polaris, centre in the main FOV with the Lat and Alt adjusters on the mount - then away I go???  Visually it works fine, you could also add an additional calibration star or two, but I find it fine with the initial alignment stars from the 2 star Auto align.  Regards   Paul.