EQ6 polar scope

[matt]

Anyone got a diagram showing how all the screws and bits and pieces on the (SkyWatcher) EQ6 polar alignment scope work?

I've decided to have a go at using it, if the clouds ever clear.

But it needs a bit of adjusting/tweaking.

There are numerous parts which screw/unscrew and I don't know what I'm adjusting:shrug:

[h0ughy]

go to the skywatcher web site and download the manual

[matt]

I have the manual, David.

It's rubbish, and doesn't show in detail what the various bits and pieces do:rolleyes:

[Dennis]

Hi Matt

Never seen an EQ6 PAS, but if the mount’s assembly and operating instructions are similar to the Vixen mounts, then the PAS should already be "accurately aligned" at the factory.

So, are you saying you need to align the reticule rather than the actual PAS body in the RA axis?

I once (unintentionally) took my reticule out when re-greasing the mount, thus screwing up the reticule position, hence alignment. All I had to do was re-align the reticule by sighting on a fixed terrestrial object (a pole 2 km away) such that the pole was centred with the OTA on the left. Then, I rotated the RA axis 180 degrees to place the OTA on the right to check that the (terrestrial) pole was slap bang in the middle of the PAS.

It wasn’t, so I had to adjust three very small grub screws that moved the reticule (not the PAS) until after a couple of iterations, the wooden pole always returned to the same spot in the reticule. These are tiny grub screws with an Allen key head, and only required a small tweak to cause the reticule to move a reasonable distance.

If the EQ6 is like the GPDX, be careful as there is a real danger of stripping threads or mashing the socket where the Allen key fits/locates the grub screw.

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

Thanks Dennis.

Knew I could count on you:thumbsup:

I committed the usual sin of removing and tinkering to see how stuff works... before knowing how stuff works:whistle::lol:

I'm sure my PAS is now completely out of alignment and the reticle all over the shop.

At least I'm lucky in that I know how to drift align, which is more accurate anyway.

I think I'll get my mount bang-on polar aligned and then adjust the PAS to bring it back into alignment.

[Dennis]

Here are the Vixen GPDX instructions - just be careful with the 3 grub screws. Too tight and you damage the reticule. Too loose, and the reticule may slip out of position.

Only adjust one grub screw at a time and then only up to say 1/4 turn max to see what effect it has on the reticule.

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

From memory, the body of the PAS simply screwed into the RA axis, so there was nothing to adjust there on the Vixen mount. The 3 grub screws that hold and adjust the PAS reticule are towards the eyepiece end of the PAS, flush with the PAS body.

I think I came undone because I tweaked one of these grub screws mistakenly, loosening the reticule which then slipped out and became loose (rattled) in the PAS body.

I think I had to unscrew the eyepiece of the PAS to relocate the reticule between the grub screws, then assemble the PAS and do the reticule alignment as per the scanned instructions.

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

:thumbsup:

[allan gould]

Take the time to accurately align the PAS with you scope's axis. Mine was off initially but after carefully tweeking the alignment I can now use the PAS to get very good polar alignment with minimal fuss. I did change the LED in my scope to one from Dick Sm...th's which blinks about once per second. Makes seeing the stars easier on the eye and was slightly dimmer. Best $1.25 I ever spent.

[matt]

Hmmmmm

I wonder if my PAS is lit when the power's on to my mount?

That's it!!! I'm setting up tonight. Cloud or no cloud:lol::P

[Astroman]

It should be matt, I know mine is way too bright, why did they ever stop putting the polar scope LED dimmer control on it :(

[KG8]

If anyone else is looking for this information, here is a good link with pictures. Took me 3 goes to find the right set of screws before I saw this.
http://lonewolf-online.net/astronomy/tutorial/polar_alignment_on_a_heq5_mount/