You can actually get some advantages from not being perfectly polar aligned. You can cover backlash in Dec, for example, by deliberately mis-aligning so that the mount is always pushing the Dec in one

I have never really tried to level the AP mount prior to polar aligning. I'll have to see if that makes a difference. I took literally the advice that leveling wasn't "necessary," but perhaps it is

Perhaps, but I learned this technique with my old Vixen GP + SS2000+ Tak FS-102. This mount is much more flexible than a 600<g>. It worked great then as long as the mount was level which was easy to

The 1200 is also just plain better for polar aligning than the 600 GTO mount. There isn't much flexure in the 1200, while the 600 has enough to cause some trouble during polar alignment. I suppose the

Thanks for the tip Ray. You know the ortho check talks about moving halfway as does one of the polar alignment methods IIRC. My manuals are in the mount case so I can't refer to them right now. But I

They are not online so far as I can ascertain. When discussing things here it would be handy to refer to a PDF manual. Alas I know not of one. And like a good boy scout, I keep my mount manuals with

Hi Ron, Usually the 1/2 way won't work well if the mount is not very level. In that case, you will get one axis affecting the other. Otherwise it has always worked quite well for me (30+ times with

It's not always the case that half-way will work for you, and I wondered why. I have a theory, of course <g>. The basis of my theory is this (untested) assumption, but I think it's true: because the

Hi Jeff, To cut down on the iterations when polar aligning your scope for each iteration you should only adjust the altitude and azimuth adjustments to move Polaris half-way to the center of your

three (the north one of then put in "adapter block" occures. Yes, I could do the same but if I'm going to get a plate made it may as well be a custom pier adapter leaving the AP plate for use on

I want a copy also.

In a message dated 7/3/00 1:04:38 PM EST, ray@... writes: << Usually the 1/2 way won't work well if the mount is not very level. In that case, you will get one axis affecting the other.

To S. Reilley: Prior to the arrival of my 600EGTO, I called AstroPhysics and asked for a manual to study. They sent me one right away no charge. Mike Roth

I am doing the same thing and ran into the same problem. I am using three 5/8" bolts 120 apart, coming out of the pier. One of my bolts (the north most) and their place for a bolt clashed. My

As I await patiently for a call on the AP900GTO's I thought that being able to read over a manual would be a great help. Anyone have a 900 manual online anywhere? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I have an AP1200 on order and intend to mount it on a concrete pier in my observatory. AP sent me the sheet detailing the holes to be used for mounting it to your own pier. Unfortunately the position

maroth@... You mean a production defect? Or you are using something with the mount that is making it 'non-ortho'. Just how bad are we talking? My 400 GTO mount, when it slewed all the way from

"Michael A. Roth" wrote: Michael, I need to do this b/c the dp on my C11 is crooked. Could you send me your procedure? Regards, Bob K.

I would like to see your daylight procedure for correcting orthoganol alignment. Thanks...Terry Johnson