Is there a best position to park an equatorial mount?

[jnb]

Exactly as it says in the title. If you have a german equatorial mount is there a best position in which to park it? Is there a general rule? does it vary by scope and mount or, assuming that it's all well balanced, does it no matter?

 

[barkis]

I think most would park in the home position, which is scope facing North with the weights pointing down.
My telescope has to be positioned horizontal,, as the RoR  prevents  the traditional position.
On the whole, It doesn't matter I don't believe. With Eqmod, you can programme your own park preference.

[triton1]

I always point scope North weights down it just makes it easier to remove/assemble scope.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Same here: Scope north, weights down

[DeepSkyMan]

Depends on the make of GEM.  Home position for the Vixen Sphinx, is due west, with the counterweights pointing down.

[SonnyE]

I already park mine at Polaris. (Park and Polaris both start with a P )

I have a Celestron AVX mount. And alignment always begins with my mount set to both index marks. I also set this "neutral" position as my Home Position.

[ollypenrice]

Whatever you prefer. The only key thing is to load/unload the scope onto/off with the CW at their lowest position. If you don''t, they are likely to swing there rather violently!

Olly

[Owmuchonomy]

Atacama, Chile. ???

[roblegion]

Chris you just beat me to it, I was thinking "somewhere dark"