Setting up new PC with Stellarium and EQMOD

[LisaB (Lisa)]

Hi all,
I am looking for some help with an issue I am having with my new mini PC set up.
I have copied over all of my settings for Stellarium and EQMOD from my old computer but there seems to be an issue when I slew to a target the scope is out by quite a large margin. I cant work out where I am going wrong.
The time, location and elevation is correct and matching on the PC, Stellarium and EQMOD.
I haven't been able to polar align yet as I have a new camera and was hoping to focus on the moon or a bright star first.
Has anyone else had a similar issue?
TIA,
Lisa

[The_bluester (Paul)]

Hi Lisa, if your polar alignment is well off it will impact goto accuracy from the beginning.

You might be able to sync it to a star via Stellarium but until you have your polar alignment sorted it wont work right. And if you polar align after syncing to a star you will need to redo the sync.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Like Paul advised you have to polar align pretty tight (under a arc minute ) before you attempt EQMOD and Stellarium for your Goto and navigation
Once polar aligned, EQMOD and Stellarium are very accurate in finding targets
I wrote some procedures for EQMOD and Stellarium back in November for folk who use Skywatcher mounts ( both with the older handcontroller port and the some current models with the new USB2B port). I wanted to prove the latest version of Stellarium 0.20.3 which is now Ascom supported and therefore you no longer require the old 3rd party driver StellariumScope
Happy to share if your interested, I just need your mount details and what version of Stellarium your using
Cheers
Martin

[LisaB (Lisa)]

Thanks Paul.

That does make sense. I'm just not used to the scope being out by so much on start up...but perhaps I've forgotten what it was like when I started.

I'll try to polar align as soon as its a bit darker.

[LisaB (Lisa)]

Originally Posted by Startrek

Like Paul advised you have to polar align pretty tight (under a arc minute ) before you attempt EQMOD and Stellarium for your Goto and navigation
Once polar aligned, EQMOD and Stellarium are very accurate in finding targets
I wrote some procedures for EQMOD and Stellarium back in November for folk who use Skywatcher mounts ( both with the older handcontroller port and the some current models with the new USB2B port). I wanted to prove the latest version of Stellarium 0.20.3 which is now Ascom supported and therefore you no longer require the old 3rd party driver StellariumScope
Happy to share if your interested, I just need your mount details and what version of Stellarium your using
Cheers
Martin

Thanks Martin.
I have had a good look at the instructions - much appreciated for newbies like me!
As soon as it gets a bit darker I'll try to polar align and see how I go from there.
Thanks,
Lisa