Useful observing ideas.

[cotterless45]

Just a few ideas that have made setting up easier,

mark the Newt rings and ota to give a comfortable eye position for sky directions. 

 

Mark your mount , dovetails and home position to get started quickly.

mark your observing area and tripod extensions, to give a level and polar aligned set up.This is handy for solar as well.

Cables can be a pain in the dark, guide them or wrap them around the tripod legs to power source. Ensure they're not too long. Change those pesky grub screws for old Barlow screws on the polar scope. Adjusting this will make your tracking a dream.Note the huge ep tray. Make one out of heavy ply. Attach with double sided stuff, make sure it's not so big that the ota hits it.

A taxi roof magnet and an old weight make easy Dob counterweights, use Velcro if you have an Aluminium ota,

Use a LAN extension cable and connector to give extra useful length to the handset cable.

A bit of paint on step edges will allow your night visitors to arrive safely,

just a big thank you to you all for following and posting , especially those who have shared time at star parties, to mark several thousand posts !

Clear skies,

Nick.

[YKSE]

Very useful tips  Nick. Looks like you're more interested in using it than dressing it for pictures

[Tzitzis]

Tips from a veteran! Always welcome. Thanks Nick for sharing your wisdom

[cotterless45]

Shane went too far marking out his tripod position,

[Stu]

Great tips Nick, and congrats on 5000 high quality posts!! A fitting way to mark the occasion indeed ??

[estwing]

great tips Nicko.....anything on avoiding caravans in Scotland!?