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Hi Leon
I cannot speak specifically on the LX200, but here is how the two GoTo systems I have used operate (Vixen Skysensor 2000 and Takahashi Temma2).
Once I have initialised the system and performed my first alignment by synchronising on a reference star, the mount “knows where it is pointing to”. If I use the motor movement keys on the hand controller, the mount continues to update its position and will still know where it is pointing to, because it computes which button(s) you pressed and for what duration and so can calculate the new position.
If however, I move the ‘scope manually by disengaging the mount’s clutches, the controller has no way of computing this manual movement, so it loses alignment and you have to start over.
Once I am aligned, if I GoTo (slew) to another star and it is not bang in the middle of the FOV, I use the hand controller to centre the star (usually in a high powered eyepiece) and then re-sync the ‘scope on that star and this usually makes subsequent GoTo’s more accurate.
Generally, my GoTo’s are accurate in the same region of the sky. If I slew across the Meridian from say, Canopus in the SE to Fomalhaut in the W, that GoTo is usually not spot on and requires me to re-centre the star and then sync. Once I have done that however, slewing around that new local region is usually accurate.
So in summary, undoing the clutches and moving the mount manually will void any alignment and you will have to start all over again. The system can only measure movements via the hand controller.
Cheers
Dennis
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