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Old 03-12-2008, 11:11 PM
Zuts
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: sydney
Posts: 1,837
Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry B View Post
The problem with this is that the mount needs at least a 1 star alignment before it will track to do a drift align.
Hi,

This is not the case. Just go into the tracking menu and select sidereal. This will turn tracking on. Then you can do a quick drift align. Whether or not the mount is aligned does not affect tracking. It will track perfectly; just around the wrong axis.

The problem with not doing a quick drift align is that you can be many degrees out if you only use a rough compass heading and rely on the dec markings. A few degrees is a fair patch of sky.

I have an EQ6 and drift align for taking photos so it takes me about 40 minutes. If i just wanted to set up for visual 10 minutes or less would be enough. The EQ6 has a polar scope built in but unfortunately in Sydney i can't use it as there is too much light pollution.

Cheers
Paul
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