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Old 03-12-2008, 10:20 PM
Dennis
Dazzled by the Cosmos.

Dennis is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 11,811
Quote:
Originally Posted by montewilson View Post
Are you using the compass a long way from the scope/mount/metal objects et al?

If not you will get goofy readings from the compass. I do the aligning at least 6 feet from the mount to be sure.
Hi Monty

Good point re iron and magnetic compass. The Tak tripod head is aluminium and the only iron in the vicinity are the quick release catches, the tray and a few fasteners.

The compass is on a beam reasonably well away from these and of course, the Tak EM200 head is not yet fitted when I do the azimuth set up, as the azimuth beam sits on the tripod head.

So far, every time I have used this daylight setting up method, I have been very pleased to discover that I am within 1 to 1 ½ degrees of correct polar alignment, when I later on use the Polar Alignment ‘Scope after twilight has ended.

Cheers

Dennis
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