Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerg
I don't understand what the GPS gives the LX200 that the classic doesn't have, other than gimmic.  |
Yeah - we digress, but the GPS gives the machine a precise, and I mean precise, latitude to within 5m. Time is derived from the almanac exchange with the GPS satellites and is accurate to atomic time standards. That's a LOT better than what an on-board clock can maintain I guess. Combine the two and overall accuracy is far better - if your scope is moved around a lot. It's not as though GPS technology is overly expensive - so why not use it? I don't think it's a gimmick on these scopes - it's just good to have - you don't have to go feeding in the latitude every time it starts up. If you're in a new area (unlikely for you since I guess you're on a permanent mount) you don't have to go looking up latitudes either. Makes star parties and travel a bit easier.
You still have to do an alignment - even after it's found north and levelled itself.