Alignment software

[Sarge]

Beginners question re alignment.

I am using my NEQ6 with Eqmod and SCP aligning with Alignmaster. This gets me very close, but I still have to centre the object in the eyepiece after slewing. More so the further from SCP I slew, practice may fix this issue.
Synscan also has a scope alignment, but of course can't do that when connected to EQmod.
So should I scope align with Synscan, then connect up EQmod and run Alignmaster or the reverse or not worry about Synscan aligning and just keep practicing my SCP aligning.

Clear skies

Rod
:D:D

[Poita]

I'd give the latest synscan firmware a go, it has a new polar alignment routine.

http://www.skywatcher.com/swtsupport/Firmwares/SynScan%20EQ%20GOTO%20Polar%20Re-alignment.zip

http://www.skywatcher.com/swtinc/customer_support.php?id=124&class1=1&class2=101

[bmitchell82]

Considering I can pull my alignment to under approximately one arc min in 2 iterations with alignmaster+eqmod+maxim+ccd camera i wouldn't bother.

Now if something like i left my lappy at home, and all i had was the mount my guide camera and the like, it would be a great thing to use software assisted polar alignment.

The other benifit of having maxim intergrated into the whole system would be you focus your camera too. While its cooling down your taking shots aligning your mount. quicker to get to your imaging :D

[whzzz28]

Are you running PHD by chance?
If so, throw your guide camera (if you have one) onto your main scope and drift align with PHD.
This is what i do and it works wonders.
http://njstargazer.org/PolarAlignment.asp

After aligning with PHD, this is my PHD graph:
http://core-au.net/astro/phd.png

[bmitchell82]

that graph is almost like statistics my friend you can make it say what ever you want! :)

A. What are you using for your guide scope
B. What is your main imaging scope

For instance I guide at 1200mm FL and sit within 1 second of arc error considering my arc seconds per pixel is approximately .93 my error is just over that. as for drift aligning, how long does it take for you to be bang on?

[stevous67]

Simplicity is Alignmaster. Imaging at 2500mm is now very simple after two iterations of the process. 15mins and it's done, and before you can see the Octans.

Steve

[swannies1983]

Alignmaster doesn't work with my mount (no suitable ASCOM drivers) so I use EQAlign (http://eqalign.net/e_downloads.html). Takes a bit more time compared to Alignmaster as it's suggested that you wait 10mins so that drift can be calculated. The software then tells you how much you need to change the position of the mount. I'm happy with it and it's pretty much the only software I can use other than PHD to drift align.

[middy]

I'll second EQAlign. It's great, and easy to use once you get the hang of it. Plus it's free. :D

[stevous67]

Rod has EQMOD, so he has ASCOM. Alignmaster has a free trial period, so if you can see your Southern horizon okay, down to about 20-30 degrees, you've got an excellent chance of success. It's only about $20 to buy?! For an excellent alignment in 10-15 mins, it's worth it.

However, if your southern horizon is not visible at any of your viewing locations, forget it.

Steve

[mswhin63]

I third EQAlign,
I can't use alignmaster as there are house blocking mostly southern part of my skyview.

Moving house soon so may try Alignmaster again, take shorter time to align. EQAlign though is very very accurate at least for me.

[Sarge]

Thanks guys. I will have a look at EQalign.

I am comfortable using Alignmaster even though southern horizon is a little obstructed by the house - just use "better or good" stars. I am aligning with SCP, but the EQmod goto is still out. Will try 3 star sync with EQmod see if that improves the goto.

Clear skies

Rod
:D:D