Just got my LXD

[ibanez122]

Just recieved my LXD75 SN8 and have it all put together and whatnot.  I havent had a time to train the drive and whatnot yet (but have been looking over the manual), but have a few question in regards to that.  In the manual when you train the drive it says to unlock the axis' and point it at an object...now do you have to line it up within the eye piece or no?  Im kind of confused with that!  Are there any other things I should consider when I get it outside to use for the first time? 

One other question!  Is it better to control the scope via the autostar controller, or would it be better to use my laptop..or I should as is it reasonable to use the computer to do alignment and what not (that possible if I dont plan on doing photography yet?)

Any advice will help....Thanks!!!

[DSOMAN]

To train the drives on the LXD75 you will need to point the scope at a distant terrestrial object. Center the object in the eyepiece  [use a low power eyepiece or the finder scope] and follow the procedure to recenter the object after the scope slews.

In order to use the GOTO function, each time you set-up for an observing session you will need to do a polar align [on Polaris]. There is a polar alignment scope built into the mount for this. It is really quite easy. Just be sure your scope tripod is level and the elevation adjustment is set to your latitude then follow the instructions, and diagram, in the manual.

Once the scope is polar aligned you can use the Autostar handbox to do a 3-star align. The alignment After that the scope will go to any object that you select with the handbox. You need to do this every time you set-up.

Be sure to follow the scope balancing instructions in the manual before you run the motors.

Brent

[ibanez122]

To train the drives on the LXD75 you will need to point the scope at a distant terrestrial object. Center the object in the eyepiece  [use a low power eyepiece or the finder scope] and follow the procedure to recenter the object after the scope slews.

In order to use the GOTO function, each time you set-up for an observing session you will need to do a polar align [on Polaris]. There is a polar alignment scope built into the mount for this. It is really quite easy. Just be sure your scope tripod is level and the elevation adjustment is set to your latitude then follow the instructions, and diagram, in the manual.

Once the scope is polar aligned you can use the Autostar handbox to do a 3-star align. The alignment After that the scope will go to any object that you select with the handbox. You need to do this every time you set-up.

Be sure to follow the scope balancing instructions in the manual before you run the motors.

Brent

Thanks for the response!

My dad and I had did the balancing of the scope, so thats taken care of.  When it comes to using the polar align, i'm just a tiny bit confused about on of the instructions.  Does Polaris need to be directly on the crosshair or between the 40 and 60 degree markers when I'm aligning it? 

[DSOMAN]

Polaris should be set to your local latitude. If you live in northern California like I do the latitude is about 40 degrees. Polaris would be positioned over the 40 degree mark on the viewfinder reticle. Do this by adjusting the latitude screws on the mount.

It has been my experience that the polar viewfinder is not always that accurately aligned in the mount so the
alignment can be a little off. The 3 star alignment should help the go-to accuracy however. You should calibrate the finder scope with the main scope. You can do this on a terrestrial object or a star. When you select the first alignment star it may not be in the field of view of the scope but should be in the field of view of the finder. It will be the brightest star in the eyepiece. Move the scope until the star is in the center of the field of view on the scope then press enter on the hand box. This will let the handbox processor adjust for any errors in initial alignment.

Brent

[ibanez122]

ahh ok..since I live outside Wash DC and the lat is 39..I just adjust the t-handles till Polaris is a tad under 40?!  Sorry about all the questions!  I really appreciate the responses!!

EDIT:  Also, what eyepieces would you recommend?  All i have is the one that came with the scope.

[DSOMAN]

Yes, just adjust the T-handles until Polaris is at the correct latitude.

The eyepiece that came with the scope should be fine.

This is the right place if you have any questions.

The LXD75 - 8" scope is a great scope. You will have years of viewing fun with your system and it is a great scope for photography. I have the 10" and really enjoy it. Check out my photo album to see what the scope is capable of: http://picasaweb.google.com/dsopics1

Brent

[ibanez122]

Yes, just adjust the T-handles until Polaris is at the correct latitude.

The eyepiece that came with the scope should be fine.

This is the right place if you have any questions.

The LXD75 - 8" scope is a great scope. You will have years of viewing fun with your system and it is a great scope for photography. I have the 10" and really enjoy it. Check out my photo album to see what the scope is capable of: http://picasaweb.google.com/dsopics1

Brent

Very awesome pictures.  Thats what I eventually want to get into once I get the hang of everything and get all the basics out of the way.

I know the manual stated unlocking the Dec lock and rotate the scope to 90 degrees..is this absolutely necessary, or can the alignment be achieved just by having it in the polar home position and not have to rotate the scope 90 deg?!?

[DSOMAN]

Glad you liked the photos.

You will need to rotate the scope 90 degrees otherwise the view thru the polar finder will be blocked by the shaft inside the mount.

If you get a chance try finding the Andromeda Galaxy - M31 and the Great Nebula in Orion - M42. These are faint but you should be able to see them ok if the moon is down and you have dark skies. If you have a high power eyepiece try Mars.

Globular clusters are also very interesting. Most of the galaxies and nebulae will be too faint to see visually and require photographic techniques.

Brent

[ibanez122]

Glad you liked the photos.

You will need to rotate the scope 90 degrees otherwise the view thru the polar finder will be blocked by the shaft inside the mount.

If you get a chance try finding the Andromeda Galaxy - M31 and the Great Nebula in Orion - M42. These are faint but you should be able to see them ok if the moon is down and you have dark skies. If you have a high power eyepiece try Mars.

Globular clusters are also very interesting. Most of the galaxies and nebulae will be too faint to see visually and require photographic techniques.

Brent

I will have to check those out!  One more quick question about the polar align..just want to make absolutely sure I get it aligned correctly.  It says unlock R.A as well, but doesnt really say what to do when you unlock it.  Do you use the R.A to guide the scope to Polaris then lock it in place when you have it close to where you need it then use the t-handles? Or do you have to work both at the same time?

[DSOMAN]

Move the tripod until Polaris is close to the mark in azimuth then use the T-handles to fine tune azimuth and elevation.

Ideally, if you put an object on the cross-hairs and rotate the scope in RA, the object should stay centered on the cross-hairs. If the object moves in a circular path then you can adjust the three alignment set screws to redirect the cross-hairs of the polar finder to the apparent center of this circular path. You repeat this procedure until the position of the cross-hairs does not rotate off-center when the mount is rotated in RA.

I have noticed that the polar finder is not always precisely aligned from the factory and sometimes needs calibration.

This procedure can be a little confusing and a pain in the neck with the scope attached to the mount so I would suggest that you don't adjust the polar finder until you get more familiar with the mount.

The object is to try and align the scope as close to true north as possible. Polaris is less than a degree from TN [0.75 degrees actually] and rotates around TN making a circle. Using the polar finder will get you close enough for visual work. For photography and guiding it needs to be more precise and there are other techniques for that. After you get Polaris aligned you are ready to do a star alignment.

Be sure to have the correct date, time and site location etc. entered into the handbox.

Brent