EQ5 Horizontal Mounting

[Spad]

My first quesstion, is a request for advice on mounting!

I have seen on glootoob videos, people mounting a scope and guide kit on a vixen dovetail plate in the horizontal plane, so this leads me to ask;

Is it ok not to have the Dec azimuth not pointing at the polar axis? As per the below photos...

Thanks,
Ian

 

[Cornelius Varley]

The orientation of the dovetail plate doesn't matter. What matters is that the telescope is pointing at the NCP at the start of star alignment.

[Spad]

I had a feeling it would not, but thank you for clearing it up for me.

 

So if the telescope is, say to right of the centre line. Do I have to orientate the scope to point at the NCP?

Edited May 19, 2023 by Spad

[bosun21]

At the start of imaging you need to align your mount to the NCP with the polar scope. Your telescope should be in its home position with the telescope also pointing at the NCP(Polaris) depending upon the cone error you have on your telescope. The telescope can move to any position to attain your target but the mount will always be aligned with the NCP.