Silv, I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with this and it is extremely commendable you are persisting with this. Most newcomers would have packed it in by now
I'd like to make a couple of points however:
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Originally Posted by MattT
Invest in a laser...I did made it all so quick and simple... GSO very good very simple to use very cheap ( sort of).
Matt
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Originally Posted by silv
nah, Matt, I'd rather not spend money on something I will only use once in a while and for something I can do without buying stuff.
Luckily, I have the time to practice everything...
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Seriously consider what Matt has suggested. Invest in a good laser collination tool. If your going to own newts the they are a wise investment. Please don't consider them as simply another gadget.
Having said that, you mention 'pinpoint' when observing stars? Then i would suggest that collimation is adequate and focussing can be achieved. Im sill suspicious that either you're still not actually looking at Saturn.
You've mentioned you have GOTO facility. Have you actually looked at some other bright and easily locatable objects? I'm not taking faint galaxies or nebula. I'm talking bright, easily defined clusters! Please look at NGC4755 - The Jewel Box Cluster in Crux and NGC5139 - Omega Centauri. Have you been on a tour with the GOTO? Are you finding other beaut objects? If not, do it and see what the results are using youre 40mm eyepiece and forget Saturn for a while. If you are locating these bright objects and (with the two suggestions provided) seeing nice pinpoint stars then focus and collimation are definately not your problem and either (a) the GOTO is sending you to the wrong object, or (b) you're expectation of Saturn is too high.
You also mentioned you bought this scope from another amateur. Have you approached them for an explanation? Are they close by? If they are decent enough they will offer some assistance also.
Finally don't be discouraged but if you want to go down the long and expensive learning curve that is imaging you will need to get a grasp of visual observing.
In the end I think you need to get yourself to a local astro group when you can.
Stephen