Thanks so much for all these suggestions. I'm glad to know it's not something broken that i need to fix, and i've tried some of your suggestions that may make it better in the short term. Just knowing this makes it less frustrating and just something i have to live with.
I'm thinking when finances allow I may upgrade the mount (is the tripod itself ok? - it seems quite solid). My budget isn't huge but i'm thinking of trying this Skywatcher goto mount https://www.firstlig...unt-tripod.html (for which I'd also need a new tripod). It actually costs more than whole thing did originally! Daft idea or not?
Don't know much about that GOTO mount but I would ask myself if I really needed GOTO when what I really want is a sturdier mount. Limited budget could pay for one or the other (or both if want to spend twice as much).
I have the AZ-3 mount and it is "backlash" on the altitude that is your "problem" (as well as a scope that is too heavy for the AZ-3). However, the AZ-3 can be made to work with a little bit of extra effort. The big bolt (altitude/vertical) should be tight enough so can move the scope in altitude with a bit of effort and it will stay where it is put. Similar for the azimuth (horizontal) Macro adjustment. The slow motion controls should be put near the center each time BEFORE you move the scope to a new target or at least when close to the object, not to do Macro adjustments. The Altitude "slow motion" one could be put even further toward the low end of the range as I know I am going to have to raise the altitude after the backlash settles. There is a bit of backlash on the slow motion control as well so I just have to compensate for that by going further than necessary in altitude (1/2 telescope FOV?) and let it settle back.
In the end I moved the 6" tube to a larger AZ-5 mount (FYI The Twilight 1 mount is still just a bit too flimsy for a 6" scope like yours) and now use the AZ-3 with an old 60mm lightweigt refractor. With a lighter weight instrument it is much better but I have to keep it lightweight (including lightweight eyepieces, No using my Ethos 13mm grenade!).
Edited by Jim Haley, 27 January 2021 - 10:01 AM.