There are several things you need to have right, or at least almost right, with an equatorial mount. A GPS either built in or attached simplifies much of it.
- If you are using a tripod one leg must be pointed towards the pole and the counterweight shaft will be above it.
- Do not trust any levels built in to the mount, at least not without testing them with a real spirit level. It doesn't have to be perfectly level but close helps.
- You need to know your latitude and longitude. You can get it off many smartphones if you don't have a GPS. Make sure you get the signs right for both lat and long.
- You need to know the time. Again your phone will do if you don't have a GPS (exact time is critical for mobile phones to work). When entering the time make sure you get the UTC offset correct for your location. Don't forget DST. I set my mounts to UTC and ignore local time.
- The polar axis has to be running north/south. You can get close with a compass and the correct magnetic variation but this can be completely bollixed by any iron objects nearby. The Solar Noon method is more reliable. I found that the pavers around the pool run almost exactly N/S and E/W so the joins get me close enough.
- The polar axis has to point at the pole. The scale engraved on the mount should get you close. I have a digital level that I sit on the dovetail.
Once you've got that down pat the scope's alignment routines should get you up and running reasonable quickly.