Pointless?? I would disagree if you wanted the best tracking you could achieve.? Three factors play into the alignment:
1:? Has the polar-scope been calibrated to the mount?? If not the mount is correcting for misalignment between what it sees as NCP and where the mount is actually pointing.
2: Has the cone error been corrected between the NCP and the view in the telescope? Wouldn't it be better if the telescope and the polar scope point at exactly the same point.
3: Did the mount start out at the magical CWD position?? This is a perfectly leveled mount in RA and DEC.? Are these setting repeatable each time setup is conducted?? You can mark the setting circles once this has been established not a time consuming action each time.? Also note where the leveling bubble is after these three are completed and use this position next time you set up. If the mount is not level then CWD is not repeatable.
So when you set up, if the three factors are established, just leveling the mount puts you the best tracking position.? Why make the mount correct in Dec and RA when you can just let RA do most of the work?? ?
I roll my set up out and place in the same position each time.? I level the mount, plug in the power and my 3,0 usb cable and turn on My polemaster. I then run my QHY Polemaster program to establish polar alignment and I'm off to imaging after aligning with the SkyX. I can do a bright star alignment or three on each side or have The SkyX do a T point run.? Usually after one star the mount is dead on because it builds on what it did the last time.??
IMHO.? I take leveling serious. And it doesn't take that long, and is easier when it is daylight.??
Thomas Glynn
Springfield, MO
Losmandy G11-G?
