|
In your earlier post you mentioned "I guess I would be getting a goto & tracking dob, and never having used one, I was wondering if there is an advantage in fixing the base location".
If the goto you get has a park position and it remembers the setting from your last session when starting up then there are considerable savings in set up time for each session. In this situation, set up simply involves placing the Dob in exactly the same fixed position form the previous observing session, turning on and one is then ready to go to your first target for the night. Fixed ground marks make this easy.
I have an Ioptron Minitower Pro (that remembers its alignment setting when placed in the Park position before tuning off) that I attach to a fixed outside pier with a quick release dovetail clamp for. The dovetail allows me to easily attach the mount in exactly the same position each time on the pier. When the mount is turned on, it remembers the settings from the previous session and is instantly ready for use without the need for a fresh alignment routine. This makes set up very quick and easy.
Cheers
Steve.
|