Colin,
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Originally Posted by Luddite
Let me clarify for my two brain cells what you are saying here. ... I can then loosen a different set of screws that will then allow me to move the actual numbered dials until they reflect the true location of Saturn. Relock these same screws and the scope will then accurately reflect RA and Dec.?
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I don't have an EQ1, but that roughly describes what I can do on my CG5 or G11, except they don't need lock screws. They rely on the friction between the dial and the mount to keep them in place.
Quote:
Sorry if I sound pedantic but I am what my nick implies.
Can I not buy a scope that has onboard GPS and that will then calibrate itself to my exact location automagically? Are these sorts of things expensive?
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It depends on what you mean by expensive. An EQ5Pro SynScan mount plus SynScan GPS would set you back around $1050 at Andrews.
Most mounts with dual axis motorised drives have a hand control which can be used to set the date/time/location. If they are a GEM, you still have to do the physical polar alignment. Some have builtin GPS (eg Celestron CPC series). Some have a port to plug in a GPS (eg Celestron CG5, CGEM, CGEPro mounts; Losmandy Gemini). Most support some style of computer interface which can be used to set the date/time/location. You can plug a GPS into the computer and have it program the mount.
Andrew