15 replies to this topic

[stargeezer2006]

I just unpacked my new 10" LX200GPS. In trying to mount the fork to the tripod, I found that the tripod doesn't stand entirely correctly; it's not level. I don't think that's so much a problem, because I can extend a leg or two to more closely level it. The problem is that the spreader doesn't contact the legs evenly and that prevents me from getting very much of the hold-down bolt threads into the fork base. I can file down a spreader leg or two, but before I do that I'd like to know if anyone else had had this problem and found a simpler solution.

Thanks, all, for the help.

Paul

[jrcrilly]

the spreader doesn't contact the legs evenly

There's the clue.

If the legs are properly positioned the spreader will contact the legs evenly. Move them around until they are 120 degrees apart and all will be well.

[NeoDinian]

Mine was the same way.. You just need to work the legs out one at a time... Make sure you have them fully extened and straight... When mine is set up, the spreader still misses one leg partially, but when I start to tighten it down, it all evens out...

A trick I learned... Do this WITHOUT the c-clip... Get a washer and wing nut to fit the bolt.. Then tighten the tripod without the scope... This will help center the spreader and legs...

[Jeff J]

Paul, I'm fairly new too and had posted a similar question on the LX200 subforum here in CN. Here's what works for me.

1) Setup the tripod and pull up on the spreader until it contacts all 3 legs. Do this while pulling it slightly off the ground. That will position the legs each to 120 degrees. It establishes a reference point so that each leg will contact the spreader when you tighten it in a few minutes.

2) Get a small (or big level). I use a 6" long level. Put the level on the top with and have it lined up with one of the legs. Adjust that leg as needed. If that leg is low, raise the other 2 legs a hair. Then do this procedure with the other 2 legs, getting each to a level position. Then tighten the leg settings.

3) Then I pull back up on the spreader and do a quick level check on each leg. I also press down on the top and ensure it is snug. This is a double check to ensure the legs don't slip. Now it is level, and properly spread out.

4) Put the OTA assembly on. Since the tripod is level, it is pretty easy. Also it should thread very easily with just a minor jiggling of the OTA.

This all sounds like a long procedure. But in practice it takes about 5 minutes. When I setup out in the yard I also put 6" squares of 3/4" plywood under each leg to prevent them from digging in.

Overall I feel the LX200 is a good telescope. But the tripod is not engineered to match. It should have some type of engineering where the tripod is rigid, and you place the OTA rig on top and it snaps in place. The fact that we are threading the OTA on it each time will eventually wear out the threads. I have put a small amount of lube on the threads to reduce this eventual wear.

I hope the explanation above helps.

[stargeezer2006]

Thank you all. I just got back indoors from my first night out with the beast. I'll try these approaches tomorrow night. Meanwhile, I'm going to figure out why the auto alignment isn't quite right. Stay tuned...

Paul

[NeoDinian]

Hehhe.. First time use...

1: Power up, Calibrate home, Turn off scope...
2: Power up, Calibrate sensors, Turn off scope...
3: Power up, follow normal auto alignment procedures...

Step 2 should be done durring the daytime pointing at a Stationary object FAR AWAY. You can do step 1 and 2 in any order... But this will help a LOT with goto accuracy.

One tip though.. If you have the serial connectors for the computer, update the firmware before you do those steps.. You'll just need to do them again.

[stargeezer2006]

Jeff, thanks. Guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow... I was getting REALLY frustrated after the fourth alignment scenario including a polar alignment. I never could get an object in the FOV even using a 40 mil eyepiece. The Meade manual is pretty sparce on this kind of info. This forum is a godsend.

Paul

[NeoDinian]

I went through (and still going through) the same problems...

I'm waiting on a Reticle EP so I can do precise calibration...

[stargeezer2006]

Jeff, I did the "calibrate home" routine as in step 1. In my manual, "calibrate sensors" ends up as an alignment on Polaris. I think what you descibe in step 2 is called "train the drive" in my manual. Anyway, I did do all three; so wish me luck when I auto align later tonight....

Paul

[NeoDinian]

Ahhh... Train drives... Yeah that..

Sorry.. Calibrate Home is for permenent mounted scopes

Calibrate sensors is for centering Polaris.. Yes...

Train drives takes care of Backlash in the gears.. It don't remove backlash, but it learns what it is, and compensates for it... This (and calibrate sensors) needs to be done on any new LX200...

[stargeezer2006]

So the rain let up and the clouds cleared for a couple hours here in Silicon Valley, enought time to do one more Calibrate Sensors, shut down and the power up and Auto Align. I had leveled the tripod with a small bubble level.

Net, net, the goto worked flawlessly! Objects were centered in my 40 mil FOV within 1/8 to 1/16 diameter off dead center for a complete "guided tour." I'm impressed with the scope's accuracy.

Paul

[stargeezer2006]

For what it's worth, I moved my cars about 60 feet away from the scope before booting up. I had read that some suspected the GPS could be thrown off by proximity to a car. I'm not sure but I think it's more likely that the sensors detecting magnetic north could be thrown off by the metallic mass of a car close by. Are you setting up away from vehicles?

Paul

[Rusty]

BTW, I do this on all my tripods - snug up the spreader, then "bounce" the tripod, snugging up the spreader more with each "bounce". This prevents the spreader from exerting so much force on the leg tubes that it'll deform them...

[jrcrilly]

For what it's worth, I moved my cars about 60 feet away from the scope before booting up. I had read that some suspected the GPS could be thrown off by proximity to a car. I'm not sure but I think it's more likely that the sensors detecting magnetic north could be thrown off by the metallic mass of a car close by.

In my experience GPS pretty much either works or it doesn't; there's no easy way for it be "thrown off" in terms of giving incorrect time/location info. If something in the area is interfering it will just fail to lock and you'll have to enter the information manually. Magnetic interference with the compass, on the other hand, is not uncommon.

[Nocturnal]

For what it's worth, I moved my cars about 60 feet away from the scope before booting up. I had read that some suspected the GPS could be thrown off by proximity to a car. I'm not sure but I think it's more likely that the sensors detecting magnetic north could be thrown off by the metallic mass of a car close by.

In my experience GPS pretty much either works or it doesn't; there's no easy way for it be "thrown off" in terms of giving incorrect time/location info. If something in the area is interfering it will just fail to lock and you'll have to enter the information manually. Magnetic interference with the compass, on the other hand, is not uncommon.

Agreed. If cars interfered with GPS then we'd have a bit of an issue with nav systems. Most dash mounted compases need to be trained to deal with the magnetic field added by a car. Some classic compasses have tiny magnets in their base that you turn to compensate. Electronic ones do it with software.

[NeoDinian]

I do notice problems in proximity of power lines..

I was setting up in my back yard near the corner of my home.. I had many problmes. North was always off (By about 10 degrees!).. GPS would get a reading, but for some reason when I look it up, it puts me about 20 miles north-east from where I really am!

Anyways.. What I found out was where I was setting up was DIRECTLY ABOVE the burried powerlines for my home! When pointing to magnetic north, the scope was pointing to the Main Power inlet to my house (Right at the corner where I set up!)... I would assume this messed up the GPS reading also.

Next time I set up, I was about 30-40 feet from there, and north was pointing where it was supposed to point. Forgot to check on the GPS location it had me at though...