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Originally Posted by PRejto
Would you kindly elaborate on your statement about changing the DEC rate intentionally to diagnose tracking issues.
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The DEC tracking rate is normally zero. Setting it to a non-zero value simulates offsetting your polar alignment in Azimuth without actually disturbing your real polar alignment. You'll then get diagonally trailed stars that will make it easier to see what sort of tracking errors you're getting.
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How much do you change the rate, and what is it you look for in the resulting image?
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The rate you want to change is Telescope->Tools->Bisque TCS->Parameters->Advanced->User defined->Track Rate (% Sidereal)->DEC. You can set it to from 1 to 100. Set it back to 0 to undo the change. If I remember correctly, I had to save to flash and reboot the mount for the change to take effect. My memory could be bad. YMMV. How high you set it depends on how long your exposure is going to be. Setting it to 100 will cause long very diagonal star trails, probably right off the chip in no time flat. So start with 50 and take a few shots with different values and different exposures.
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Is there a way that I can find out if my PMX is tracking at the correct rate?
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Take the worm cover off and time the worm cycle?
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If you look at the T-Point run I posted, and look at the polar alignment, is there any other reason why I should see so much trailing? If PE (which I have not measured yet due to my CCDSoft frustrations) is the cause would not my error be huge to do this in such a short interval (45 sec)?
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Alas, I'm not an expert at this sort of thing, so I don't know what's causing the problem.