[marki]

Gday

I also live in Perth and use a HEQ5 pro for visual use. I have found that it is not really necessary to have perfect polar alignment if you just want to do a bit of star gazing. Although my mount is not an EQ6 they both use the same hand controller and are a least similar in construction bar the odd difference. This is what I do which gives me good pointing accuracy for visual use.

1. Setup and level the tripod using a spirit level. The leg with N on it should face due south (use a compass).
2. Mount the head and set the latitude just short of 32 degrees (Perth is about 31 degrees, 55' depending on where you are).
3. Add scope, weights, diagonal, eyepiece etc.
4. Balance the scope in the RA axis first using the weights, then dec axis by moving the scope in the rings until it all balances.
5. Set the Ra and Dec axes to zero so the head is straight up and down and the front of the scope is pointing directly south.
6. Plug in all your bits and pieces and do a three star alignment.

You should now be good to go for visual use with most targets falling in the field of view of a 20 - 30mm eyepiece and reasonable tracking.

If you want to take pictures you will need to be far more accurate then this. The magnetic declination for Perth is 1 degree 44' west moving 0 degrees,2' E each year. If you use a compass, get one with a rotating bezel and this should allow you to make the minor adjustments needed e.g. the head should point 1 degree 44' east of due south (180 degrees). It also pays to use google earth or a map to get your exact location (latitude). Use an electronic level to set the exact lattitude (much better then the scale on the scope) and if alls well you should be pretty close to the pole. As you cannot use your polarscope (they are rubbish anyway) you will need to drift align the scope to get proper alignment which is always best to do even if the polarscope is useful. The South celestial pole is very dim and very difficult to spot from the city through a polarscope anyway. If you want to try to remove the polarscope I know the one on the HEQ5 simply unscrews when turned anti clockwise. Not too sure about the EQ6 though.

Good luck