When I started using the compass tonight it was a little off. I had to recalibrate (takes about 30 seconds). This entails pressing the menu button once, pressing enter, spinning the base of the scope one full revolution, then repressing menu. I took off the suction cups of the compass and drilled it into the base to make it nice and tight. I also tightened the adjustment screw on swivel/tilt so that it basically can't move out of it's horizontal position. This also allows me to press the buttons without fear of knocking the compass out of it's holder. Your supposed to keep the compass (made for your car) in the same place w/in your car, thus I want to keep it in the same position on my scope.

Which brings me to one of the questions above: Did I

... the answer is no.

Again, I screwed the plastic compass holder into the base (the compass itself can be removed from the holder but I don't move it). On the contrary, I keep it nice and tight on the holder at a horizontal position with the base for most accuracy.

Before viewing I simply calibratrate, make sure magnetic declination is set, and then generally keep the bottom base in place as I slew the scope. I do occassionally move the entire telescope unit around the house from one window to another) and it doesn't seem to affect results. How it works outside I don't know yet. Maybe I'll test it this weekend if the weather permits. For now it seems to be working in my home. I'm finding things very quickly.

Generally the target objects (using starry night & skycharts software) are found within the FOV of my 32mm eyepiece. Once in a while they are slightly off and it takes a nudge on the AZ setting to get it in the FOV. Usually this happens because the AZ coordinate lies almost directly between two 1 degree increments (e.g. 87.467 degrees) - add that to the rounded off declination and you may be off about 1.5 degree total at times. All in all I can live with that. I'm happy with it thus far. I'll keep you posted and report any problems.

FYI - the backlight can stay on up to 3 minutes and when the backlight goes off, the unit stays on a bit longer before the auto shut off kicks in. The compass is plastic. I think this little unit is ideal for my situation because I don't have to fuss w/ Polaris or anything -which is good for me since I can't see it from my window.