Quote:
Originally Posted by vanwonky
Thank Bill. I was trying to avoid having a finderscope on this rig as well but maybe I do need it. Might have trouble finding a distant object from the backyard during the day. Actually did you mean the Orion Guidescope as a finderscope? Would that be OK at 80mm? ...
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Dave
Basically if you use either the Reticule EP as per my suggestion or as Peter.M suggested the Finder/Guider thus using the "bullseye" target in PHD you should be aiming to achieve the same end result - ie you'll have the target alignment star needing to be "centred" in the crosshairs/bullseye!!
This means that you've got to have either the Reticule EP or your Orion Guidescope properly aligned to the main OTA first - ie when you can see any star centred in your scope you should see that same star centred in the finderscope or the Orion Guidescope
I usually use the finder/reticule EP as well as having the guidescope with the guide camera and using PHD to double check that both are "centred" on the alignment star that I pick (yes the Orion 80mm Guidescope can be used for sure as a finder - only if there is a guider camera attached - Peter.M's method)
Alignmaster is a good piece of software to use as it shortens the time required to gain very close polar alignment of the mount - I used to drift align in the early days and this took quite a bit of time but now with Alignmaster it is just about 10mins or less! I wished his instructions are much clearer in explanation and if things don't go right but on IIS you'll be able to get a lot of help from experienced users who can help you out - in fact I got myself on track thru a PM to someone here who introduced Alignmaster to IIS members
HTH
Cheers
Bill