Setting up synscan Dobs

[cyborg421]

Hi,

I was just experimenting with my new DOB.

My lat and long Coords are

52 35.9" N

1 4.4" W

What numbers should I enter into the keypad?

I chose 52 36" N

and 1 4" W

Is this correct?

Also it tell me to start the scope pointing North to set up tracking. Does this need to be accurate or vaguely in a northerly direction. I would do it outside but I see no stars!

Simon

[Cornelius Varley]

Hi,

I was just experimenting with my new DOB.

My lat and long Coords are

52 35.9" N

1 4.4" W

What numbers should I enter into the keypad?

I chose 52 36" N

and 1 4" W

Is this correct?

Also it tell me to start the scope pointing North to set up tracking. Does this need to be accurate or vaguely in a northerly direction. I would do it outside but I see no stars!

Simon

Your coordinates should be entered in the following order 001 04 W 52 36 N

Peter

[cyborg421]

Thanks Peter.

Can anyone help with aligning to North question?

Simon

[sixela]

The better you point it North (and have the scope base actually well leveled), the closer it's going to move to the first aligment star on its own. Assuming, of course, that you have the coordinates and the local time, time zone and daylight saving time set up correctly (personally, I prefer to simply use Universal Time to avoid all that time zone and DST trouble, even though some Meade Autostars won't let me!)

But it can tolerate very large errors in initial position before the accuracy after alignment is affected, at least assuming that the firmware is recent.