[AZ-Observing] Re: Nexstar Telescopes

Ken,
I've used Autostar (both the 494 and the 497) on my ETX 60 and can't
complain. I've figured out when the GOTO doesn't "Go to" it's usually
something I can trace back to the space between my ears.

Here's my alignment procedure:

1.      Level the scope. I use a bubble level to ensure the scope is level
in all directions.
2.      BEFORE turning it on, as Twilight allows Sight Polaris and lock the
Az axis.
3.      Lower the scope in elevation and again level the tube. I use a small
carpenters level for this) and lock the Altitude Axis. This puts the scope
in the "Home Position" the alignment procedure will ask for.
4.      Decide on my alignment stars. I use a freeware utility call best
pair for this ( <http://www.ilanga.com/bestpair/>
http://www.ilanga.com/bestpair/).
5.      Turn the scope on and set the time as accurately as possible.
6.      Select two star alignment.
7.      Select the alignment star that will give the most movement in
Altitude.
8.      Select the second star.
9.      Once the Scope confirms it is a good alignment, go to a bright
Messier object in the general area I'm going to observe. If my alignment is
good it will be in the FOV. I'll center and Synch
10.     Next move to another object about 40-50 degree away. Center & synch.
Go back to the original object and see if it is centered. (It usually is).If
it is in the center 3rd of the FOV Synch again and I'm good till the
batteries run down.

The whole process takes maybe 5 minutes if that.
 
I've used this procedure for quite a while and found it to work quite well.
I've run a Messier marathon with it. remember this is a Costco ETX 60, the
bottom of the line. I'd expect attention to details in setup would go along
way towards making the higher end models align better.
 
That being said, I think we all know that lately, at Least< Meade seems to
be having QC issues and the associated problems that go with that. 
 
ON another note as for the Autostar menu structure, I don't seem to have an
issue with that either. I figure if my 12 year old daughter can figure it
out it really can't be that bad ;). 
 
My 0.0954000 Ukrainian Hryvnia worth

Rick Tejera
Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
saguaroastro@xxxxxxx
www.saguaroastro.org





-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [
<mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ken Sikes
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 16:36
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: Nexstar Telescopes

Dan, Steve, Paul,

Thank all of you for your replies, but now it seems that the main topic is
all about how good the goto systems work. Maybe a general discussion on how
to use the different methods is in order. My main scope is a 10" SCT on an
Orion Atlas EQG mount and works very well, depending on the alignment stars
used. As of late I use the three star alignment and all objects around the
sky will be in the field of view using an 18mm Radian eyepiece. The hand
controller is the original with the 2.4 firmware version. Others have the
updatable controller, I just have not spent the $400.00 or so to upgrade. As
Steve has mentioned  the Synta hand controller's command structure is easy
to remember and use.

My ETX 125 PE on the other hand has never aligned correctly or had very many
successful goto's. I have sent it back to Meade for repairs, but the scope
is still the same. Yes I know about all the training of the drives, setting
the backlash and every thing else.

Why is it that with all the software in use that one has to go through a
long round about difficult way to make the darn things work ?  It may be
worth the time and effort if those that are  successful with alignments
could put together a step by step method that works just about all the time.
This way a proven method would sort out the defective units. I know the ETX
that Beevo has is a good one and has good goto's. I use the same method as
he does and get nothing.

Any taker's on this Idea?

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