Telescope Reviews: help with first setup with EQ6.

I'll try with some general information; if it is old news, please just read on by.

First, the hand controller GOTO technology is called SynScan. You may see SynTrek; this is the non-GOTO version.

The easiest setup for any location is to set the time to current UTC, offset = 0, and DST = NO. Of course, that means you need to know what UTC it is!

The level is hopeless on most EQ6s, as is the latitude setting for the elevation. The most accurate way to set the mechanical latitude prior to polar alignment is to use an inclinometer (the sort of thing used to check the angle of walls or shelves) and set it on the top plate without the OTA. But, as Uncle Rod observes above, level isn't critical if you use other methods for polar alignment. I try to use a level and inclinometer because my setup is quite mobile; at times, over 300 miles between setups. So, if I level and have a good inclinometer reference for elevation, I can get Polaris more easily into the polar scope. However, a 1-star alignment followed by a Polaris GOTO and then adjust the pointing with the mount mechanicals can also easily get Polaris into the polar scope.

You will need to enter your coordinates in the hand controller in hh mm for RA and dd mm for DEC. That's all the precision you can enter.

I assume you will be receiving the SynScan V3.xx firmware hand controller. When you receive it, power it up (it can be powered in a stand alone mode, without the mount) and verify you have one of the latest versions, V3.20 or newer. The source of the firmware upload software for your computer to update the hand controller, and for the latest firmware to upload, is:

Skywatcher SynScan Firmware Downloads

If you do not receive the latest user manual(s) with the kit, try:

Syscan Manuals

Download both the SynScan 3.0 and 3.11 files. In addition, you might want to download all of the firmware files, since some have version description files included. You might need all of the odds and ends to have the complete documentation.

I see you have a 10" LX-90; is this the OTA you will use? I converted my 10" LX-5 to the Atlas version of this mount. It's been fantastic for the last 2 1/2 years.

A final comment; there is a good source of EQ6 help and information on Yahoo. Check it out for a gold mine of information, and friendly, effective advice:

EQ6 Yahoo User Group

Well, there's a start. We could also raise the possibility of EQMOD. That's a fantastic resource for running the mount that opens a wide universe of possibilities, including satellite tracking.

Yahoo EQMOD Users Group

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Jim

A Bad Night With A Telescope
Beats A Good Night Doing Anything Else
Tectron 18" Truss Dob/Sky Commander DSCs, "Derrick"
Meade 10" LX-5 SCT/Atlas-G "Ol' Blue Eye"
Orion 90mm refractor,
Meade 10" Starfinder Newt/JMI NGCMax DSCs,
Celestron 10x50 Ultima Pro