Terran, this has been very frustrating for you, but I'm sure you will get there. If the Bintel guys have gone over the scope, I'm sure it can be made to work. A Bintel 12" dob is a great instrument. As Ken says, what you really need is a helpful IISer to drop round and work on it with you. Alternatively, can you pack it all up and go to the next observing night up your way?
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=26002
If you send a personal message to some of those attending, I'm sure they could arrange to help you set up, collimate and get the very best out of your scope that evening.
I'm suspecting that you have fairly bright skies where you are trying to set up to observe and that won't be helping - I suspect your eyes are not dark adapting if you have this lighting all around and that makes it hard to pick up the images of nebula (eg. Orion) that the scope is trying to deliver.
Keep going. It is worth it.
Eric
