Big old telescope needs some help

[mike.brightmore]

This is the telescope belonging to Cleethorpes and District A.S. It is DIY (bet you would never have guessed that) and getting on for 40 years old. It is a 16 inch Cassegrain but can be used as a Newtonian by switching the secondary for a plane mirror. The optics are good but with the increase in light pollution around it it's now very difficult to find DSOs. Unfortunately it does not have setting circles but I was wondering if there was some other possible way of using RA and Dec co-ordinates. I know that Dob users are successfully using Wixeys for Alt. and can use a type of digital compass for azimuth readings, but can these be used or adapted for an equatorially mounted scope? Or does anyone know of another solution.

[Merlin66]

You can get digital setting circles (DSC) like the Argo Navis, and others which are very good.

Wildcard Innovations - Home of the Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer

Google DSC's I'm sure there are many good units available.

The telescope will get another lease of life ( for another 40 years!) with these fitted...

Ken

[mike.brightmore]

Many thanks Ken. Will certainly do some research on DSC's.