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(I had to calculate my FOV.. It is listed as 0.1 x 0.07 degrees, so 6 arcminutes..)

This may include an extra step or so, as I was always told not to align on the first star.. Anywho, this is what I just did.. Maybe it’ll work for you!

My settings are correct.. I have a new battery, I reset CWD. I did a cold start.. My clock runs very fast, so I use my cellphone and set it to the second and hit the SET button when appropriate.. I do this on every powerup.. I live in Morgan Hill, CA and this was around 8:30 PM.. aka a little while ago..

I did a goto to Arcturus. Laser should it as it normally is, which is HALF a moon diameter away, almost entirely in RA.. (I use the tactile buttons on the back on the hand controller.. Coiled cord points away from me.. The button is what I need to center the target.. Also takes just a touch north in Dec.. I mention this for the “Stops Short” idea.. )..

Anywho, I centered Arcturus, and SYNCHED..

GOTO Antares, Center.. SYNCH.. ALIGN..

GOTO Arcturus.. Centered it, as it was off towards the top left, and ALIGNED..

GOTO Vindemiatrix and it is nowhere to be found and I didn’t try! I did a Goto to Arcturus.. On the way, I saw Vindemiatrix flash by.. *Importantly* Arcturus was in the same top left corner it was previously, so I went to MENU / ALIGN / UNDO LAST ALIGNMENT.. This time I centered Arcturus, SYNCH, then ALIGN..

GOTO Vindemiatrix, Center SYNCH, then ALIGN..

Arcturus to Vindemiatrix is around 20 degrees.. Arcturus to Antares is ~ 56 degees.. Antares to Vindemiatrix is ~ 62 degrees.. Not the best choices, but good enough.. Now I have three stars in a model on the West. And regardless of which order I went to them via GOTO, they were all quite close to being centered in my little 6 arcminute FOV.. My guess is they were all within 2 arcminutes of being perfect..

I used a camera and changed the Region of interest.. If you use eyepieces, like I used to do, start out widefield until you locate the target, then increase the power – i.e take the time to be exact as possible before adding them to the model.. and remember, SYNCH, then ALIGN.. The “New” thing for me was to try and go back to previous stars to make sure they were correct before adding another one, as if it is wrong in any way, you can “UNDO LAST ALIGNMENT”..

I parked it at CWD and will do a WARM RESTART and see how it works next time out.. :-))

Derek

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Put the Counterweight bar horizontal , use the clutch knob as needed, and level with a torpedo level.. Spin the RA dial and set it to something like 18 hours.. Loosen clutch and lower the Counterweight bar and set it at 0 hours.. Lock the clutch.. Loosen the other clutch and adjust the scope until the level on the dovetail is centered.. Tighten clutch.. Your visual, so do this “well” but do not obsess with it.. I have a solution for you to try.. Just worked perfectly for me.. First time and I am quite pleased about it!

See next email.. It’ll take a minute..

Derek

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Agreed about “should.”? ?

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What is the best method for making sure I have CWD a good as possible?

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Mark,