[RB (Andrew)]

Mike unfortunately I don't have any experience with the EQ6 so can't help you with replacing the longitude/azimuth, latitude adjustment knobs.
Or where to get suitable rings apart from contacting OPT corp in the USA.
I'd highly recommend changing over to rings though as they will hold the OTA and reduce any movement.

Originally Posted by iceman

Has anyone replaced the collimation screws on the 12" newts with something that can be done by hand? If so, what/where/how much?

Spudrick says that "Bob's Knobs" will fit so give Don a call from Bintel, I've got them on the LX200 and they're fantastic.

Originally Posted by iceman

- Why was it drifting when pointing at 168°? If it helps, I think it was drifting in DEC (I had to press "up" on the hand controller to get it back to centre).

Once you get the mount roughly pointing South (inc deviation) you then need to go on to do drift alignment, which takes a while at first but gets easier with practice.
Here's another link to a tutorial:
http://www.andysshotglass.com/DriftAlignment.html

Originally Posted by iceman

- Would a barlow work with the illuminated reticle? The 12.5mm is probably not accurate enough for the long focal length I need.

Yes give the barlow a go, should work fine.

Originally Posted by iceman

- Can you get a longer (or not curly) cord between the mount and the hand controller? It doesn't stretch far enough (easily) and wants to keep slinging back when I rest it on the table next to the laptop.

- Can you get a longer (or not curly) cord between the Orion Accufocus unit and the hand controller? It's no-where near long enough when the top of the scope is 2.5m off the ground and the laptop table is 1m off the ground.

Can you give me the details of the connectors for each and I'll see what I can do Mike.
Is the Orion Accufocus unit just a stereo 3.5mm plug at either end?
Should be easy to make one up to the length you want.

Originally Posted by iceman

- I need new rings, that more easily allow me to rotate the OTA while maintaining balance. The straps are ok, but I reckon they're too dangerous. The eyepiece and RA finder were almost pointing down at times, and made it incredible difficult to get Saturn back in the FOV. Can anyone recommend where I can source some rings that suit a 12" newt? (I can measure the OD tonight unless someone knows it).

Like I said OPT in the USA carry high quality rings of all sizes but it gets expensive.
Again you can try Bintel, I'm sure they can help.

As has been stated, use a good quality spirit level to level the tripod and then put the head on it.

Then use your inclinometer to adjust to the latitude. Put this on the mount before you put your OTA on. This will get you in the "ball park" then drift alignment will get you spot on after that.

And don't forget to call me with the cable details.