Skywatcher AZ GTi mount in Australia.

[octebra]

Hi, I have a Skywatcher AZ GTi mount and I can't any definite information on initial setup in Australia. Do I point it north or south, do I mount it on the left or right and do I level it ?. If anyone could help that would be great. Skywatcher tells me to point it south and looking level it but does not tell which side. Motor firmware Ver 3.40.A5. REgards John.

[michael8554]

Generally speaking a mount in the northern hemisphere starts off pointing north, and points south in the southern hemisphere.

Towards the celestial pole for that hemisphere.

An Alt/Az mount should be levelled.

I have seen that the left or right attachment is important, but I don't know whether the hemisphere affects that choice.

Michael

[PhilB61]

I understand that mounting left or right side is dependent on which firmware version. Left side is normal unless you have updated to a firmware version which allows EQ and Alt/Az modes, in which case you must mount on the right side. You can tell if you have the EQ firmware version as you are asked to select which mode to use at startup.