[philipheaven (Philip)]

I'm having some trouble polar aligning my EQ5 Skywatcher mount (stainless steel tripod). I can't get my compass close enough to the mount in order to align it true south without the metal on the mount interfering with my compass and giving me a false reading.

This was never a problem for me with my EQ3 mount, as I can place my compass right up against the tripod in order to accurately position it, before placing the actual equatorial head on.

I've taken to placing a length of wood against the two opposing back tripod legs to form a right angle with the front facing tripod leg (which is aiming due south), but it is still not an optimum reading, especially as I enjoy using the DEC and RA setting circles, and any minor misalignment becomes more accentuated the longer I'm out observing for.

Does anyone have any tips on how I can overcome this problem?