Observing
Tip!
Helpful
Hint!
button, go with the higher value for positive, but use a lower value for negative. CGE will remember these values and use them each time it is turned on until they are changed.
Filter Limits – When an alignment is complete, the CGE automatically knows which celestial objects are above the horizon. As a result, when scrolling through the database lists (or selecting the Tour function), the CGE hand control will display only those objects that are known to be above the horizon when you are observing. You can customize the object database by selecting altitude limits that are appropriate for your location and situation. For example, if you are observing from a mountainous location where the horizon is partially obscured, you can set your minimum altitude limit to read +20º. This will make sure that the hand control only displays objects that are higher in altitude than 20º.
If you want to explore the entire object database, set the maximum altitude limit to 90º and the minimum limit to
Direction Buttons
Goto Approach - lets the user define the direction that the telescope will approach when slewing to an object. This allows the user the ability to minimize the affects of backlash when slewing from object to object. Just like with Direction Buttons, setting GoTo Approach to positive will make the telescope approach an object from the same direction as tracking (west) for azimuth and counterclockwise in declination. Declination Goto approach will only apply while the telescope tube is on one side of the Meridian. Once the tube passes over to the other side of the Meridian, the Goto approach will need to be reversed.
To change the Goto approach direction, simply choose Goto Approach from the Scope Setup menu, select either Altitude or Azimuth approach, choose positive or negative and press ENTER.
In order to minimize the affect of gear backlash on pointing accuracy, the settings for Button Direction should ideally match the settings for GoTo Approach. By default, using the up and right direction buttons to center alignment stars will automatically eliminate much of the backlash in the gears. If you change the Goto approach of your telescope it is not necessary to change the Button Direction as well. Simply take notice of the direction the telescope moves when completing it final goto approach. If the telescope approaches its alignment star from the west (negative azimuth) and clockwise (negative altitude) than make sure that the buttons used to center the alignment stars also move the telescope in the same directions.
Autoguide Rate – Allows the user to set an autoguide rate as a percentage of sidereal rate. This is helpful when calibrating your telescope to a CCD autoguider for long exposure photography.
Mount Settings- Once the mount setting have been calibrated (see Utilities section below) the values are stored and displayed in the hand control. It is not recommended that the calibration values be changed, however each setting can be changed if necessary to improve the performance of the telescope.
•Cone Value – This is the cone error value set when Utilities / Calibrate Mount / DEC Switch - Cone is carried out.
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