Confused: A couple of questions regarding the HEQ5Pro

NCRAW · #1 08-01-2009, 02:45 PM

Hi all

So today I had the first look at the Heq5Pro mount. I followed the instructions and all was good till i got the Alignment of the Polar scope. A couple of things I was wondering if you guys can help me with (mind u i dont have a scope yet so i'm just getting myself familiarised with the mount).

1) When rotating the mount in RA 180 degrees, it says that is equal to 12 hours, which makes sense, however, in order to show the 12 hours on the scale, you have to remove the setscrew!! so what do i do with the setscrew? do i remove it? or should i set the time then tighten it (i did but it felt like the RA was struggling as the screw was runbbing onto the metal of the indicator)? or should i put it in the hole where it indicates zero time (12am)??

2) second one is due to my ignorance hehe. From the images, the RA indicator ad the longitude index marker looks like being in alignment while mine wasnt. Little that i knew that the marker moves with the RA so i loosened the lil screw and aligned it!! ofcourse when i moved the RA, all gone wrong. Did i stuff up some kind of find alignment done in the factory?

What i did after that is align the weight bar with one of the tripod legs and then used a bubble level to make sure the RA was straight then realigned the index with the RA index by setting the time and the date to zero. Is this suffiecient?

Finally this is a lil harder than i thought but im a determined person and not giving up this easily. I will put an order on a scope shortly, meanwhile i'll continue tinkering with the mount in order to learn more about it.

Im also wondering is there a step by step guid written by anyone detailing how to set up the mount for shouthern hem?

Many thanks

mbaddah (Mo) · #2 08-01-2009, 04:50 PM

I'm on the same boat as you! Just got hold of my HEQ5Pro the thing needs a degree to work out

Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks.

NCRAW · #3 08-01-2009, 07:45 PM

I feel the same about the degree!! seems like i need to go back to university for this one

. Most of the info online is for the northern hem and it says in the manual that Octans is hard to see in the city!! well thats just great

RobF (Rob) · #4 08-01-2009, 08:43 PM

I'd suggest doing a search here for threads on polar alignment guys. Not many people here both too much with the polar scope. I used mine a handful of times to prove I could do it, but ultimately you need to drift align (or use a webcam) to get it good enough for astrophotography.

For routine visual use, good enough to be able to get a decent successful alignment, you really just need to make sure the mount is level and pointing true south (level and compass allowing for magnetic error at your location). Again, you'll find a number of different tricks here people have used to achieve this (digital inclinometers, wooden templates, marking the tripod legs on the ground once alignment achieved).

For HEQ5Pro where you'll be using GOTO almost every time, I don't think many people bother doing the "setting circles" thing.

PS - the manual is very ordinary and cryptic in the alignment section - I can relate totally! Definitely don't need to be beating yourself up for not following it!

NCRAW · #5 08-01-2009, 09:19 PM

I found this which may help many beginners like me

http://www.adur-astronomical.com/HEQ5/HEQ5-1.htm

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #6 09-01-2009, 10:33 AM

I got the big brother of your mount a few days ago, and yes it is a little confusing, Lucky i have had heaps of exp with other telescope setups, though in saying that i had to call in the back up of another noob thats a few months ahead of the learning curve than i am

In another post i stated its like throwing a ball left handed when your naturally Right handed :S.

Getting used to the 2 axis of movement isn't easy though learnable.

One thing to go and buy yourself from bunnings is a digital Inclometer 30 odd bucks worth. this is INVALUABLE beats a level every time and can get level within 0.1 degree. you can then move to the head unit and set the dec to your area mine is 32d15s something like that so you just whack it up and away you go, the last part of my setup i use a compass (this actually is the first step) to get true south - magnetic deviation which for perth is 5.3d west.

I don't bother with the polar scope though i would like to have a go at spotting octanis just to clarify my polar alignment and drift once i get into astro photography.

One last thing that i will be doing is making a set of vibration pads for the eq feet, this does 2 things. Protects the bottom from getting scratched up. and suppress's vibrations or limits them at least.

Lets hope i can get my rings befor the weekend.

that way i can give it a good run!

NCRAW · #7 09-01-2009, 10:33 PM

Ok im off to Bunnings tom anyways so i'll pick one up plus i got a good quality Silva compass.

I really wanna gove the polar scope a go though just to feel i covered everything in the manual.

Wish i could catch up with someone here in Melb or maybe one of the more experienced members can arrange a night out where he/she can show the begginers like me what to do hands on. I'm more than happy to supply some soft drinks/light beer and some nibbles!!

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #8 12-01-2009, 10:28 AM

Well my rings didn't arrive in time for the weekend so i wasn't going to go without for the weekend OFF TO BUNNINGS though i got out cheap at $22.35 and whipped up some temp mounting rings. 30x70 Dress pine, thredded rod few nuts bolts and washers. a hours worth of rooting around and heypresto

I wouldn't say they are the "best rings" but i could happily use them for visual without a doubt. Lets hope this week i get the rings and get it all sorted out. hazzar

damo_Melbourne (Damian) · #9 12-01-2009, 10:47 AM

Hi NCRAW,

Please count me in on a catch up in Melbourne if one can be organised..... Ive noticed a few Melbournians here.
Im new to all this too although been lurking here for a while and learning from the great posts of this group. Its invaluable.

Be great to get some hands on knowledge from those in the know.

cheers

NCRAW · #10 12-01-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damo_Melbourne

Hi NCRAW,

Please count me in on a catch up in Melbourne if one can be organised..... Ive noticed a few Melbournians here.
Im new to all this too although been lurking here for a while and learning from the great posts of this group. Its invaluable.

Be great to get some hands on knowledge from those in the know.

cheers

Sure mate. I dont have a scope yet as i mentioned before but the Eq mount is giving me enough challenges for now

and even if we just get one mount and one scope to somewhere where we can all gather and have a look then that would be great. I'm happy to use my mount and if someone else supplies a scope plus power supply (i only got mains) then we can arrange something for next month. I'll try to finalise the scope purchase and im sure there will be a few senior people interested as I believe no one has an Astro Tech 90 Triplet here in Aus and would be great to see what they think about the view and quality.