[syousef]

Sorry to reply to such an old thread, but I'm wondering what people's long term experience has been with the digital inclinometers. I'm particularly worried that it will be impractical to use if it turns itself off.

I have thought of a reasonable alignment procedure. You still need a spirit level to level out the base of the scope (I'm thinking of a Dobsonian here) but should be able to get within a degree or less of accuracy. Simply point to a star of known altitude. (Looking it up with software seems to me to be the best way to get that known altitude). Then zero the inclinometer while pointed at the star. Move the telescope to the negative value of that altitude and zero again. I wonder how well this would compare to just using a spirit level to zero.

I'm just getting back into things now but in the past I've been able to get within +/- 3 degrees on a 10" dob with nothing more than home made paper setting circles. Tape marked at 5 degree intervals on the base, and a photocopy of a proptractor with some contact over the top at the pivot. My main problem with this approach is that I like to keep my scope portable and that means on wheels. I need to find a better way of securing the bottom of the base once I've moved my scope. Then I can use the same kind of alignment technique of finding a star with a known azimuth and moving the base to suit. Better would be a solution involving a compass and keeping a mental note of the difference between true north compass readings and the azimuth compared to a known star.

I am NOT spending $600 on setting circles that have the same issues, even if they are more accurate. I think it's ridiculous that people will grind their own mirrors but won't put 1/10th of that effort into making sure you can point the scope with some accuracy. I thought about latching on a Celestron SkyScout but not only is that more expensive (especially in Aus, what's with Celestron charging 3x the US RRP in AUS?) but I've read they have their problems (not compatible with latest Windows, GPS module failures, GPS takes time to align and doesn't remember last position), and are thrown off by metal tubes.