Question for EQ1/2/3 Mount owners

[ColHut (Colin)]

Dear All,
For those of you with EQ1/2/3 mounts who have added a motor drive -simple box type or with hand controler, how do you make fine adjustments to RA? I understand normally you slew the mount by unlocking the RA lock, slew, re-tighten and then use the fine adjust cable to bring the target in view. As I read the manuals for both the simple and box types, the motors replace the manual fine adjust cable, and even though there is the following refernce in the eq2 motor manual.

The metal tab attached to the equatorial mount (above the
mounting shaft) acts as a clutch to engage and disengage the
motor drive. Push the tab down to disengage motor. Lift tab
up to engage motor. Be sure to disengage motor before using
the R.A. fine-adjust cable.

I am especially confused for those with just a simple fixed rate motor drive - do you lose all control of fine RA adjustment?

[dannat (Daniel)]

EQ1 are a pain to deal with, an you leave the fine adjust on one end and put the box motor on the other end - that way you can disengage the motor and turn by hand

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

I think i had a case of "office rage" with the drive that i had on my eq1.... because not only does it "slide" if not tightend enough, it stops the mount from moving properly all the way, (the mount hits and sticks) so even though i have a GEM i use it like a dob... only a little bit more complicated.!

[ColHut (Colin)]

Gosh, only 2 people on IIS admit to using or having used these little mounts
Now come on no one will laugh or point the finger

cheers

[dazastar]

Yes
I'd liken owning an eq1 and 2 to having a ride on a 50cc moped. Fun to play around with as long as your friends don't see you.

Yeah OK I have both, we all had to start somewhere. And yes, it nearly killed my interest in astronomy.