Utility Features

•DEC Switch - This is the declination switch error value set when Utilities / Calibrate Mount / DEC Switch - Cone is carried out.

•RA Switch - This is the R.A. switch error value set when Utilities / Calibrate Mount / R.A. Switch is carried out.

Scrolling through the MENU (9) options will also provide access to several advanced utility functions within the CGE such as; Mount Calibration, Periodic Error Correction, Hibernate as well as many others.

Calibrate Mount - In order to optimize the performance and pointing accuracy of the CGE mount, the CGE has built-in calibration routines allowing it to compensate for mechanical variation inherent in every German equatorial mount. Each calibration is completely automatic and in most cases only needs to be performed once. It is highly recommended that you take a few minutes to go through the mount calibration procedures.

•Dec Switch / Cone Calibration – this procedure simultaneously records the offset error when the declination switch is found at start-up and compensates for "cone" error due to slight misalignments of the optical tube and declination axis. For more information on calibrating the Dec switch and cone error, see the box called "Calibrating the CGE Mount" in the Startup Procedure section earlier in this chapter.

•R.A. Switch Calibration - this procedure records the offset error when the right ascension switch is found at start-up. Calibrating the R.A. switch will improve the accuracy of your initial star alignments when aligning the telescope.

•GoTo Calibration – Goto Calibration is a useful tool when attaching heavy visual or photographic accessories to the telescope. Goto Calibration calculates the amount of distance and time it takes for the mount to complete its final slow goto when slewing to an object. Changing the balance of the telescope can prolong the time it takes to complete the final slew. Goto Calibration takes into account any slight imbalances and changes the final goto distance to compensate.

Move to Switch – Slews the telescope to locate either its R.A. or declination switches.

UTILITIES

CALIBRATE MOUNT

DEC SWITCH / CONE

R.A. SWITCH

GOTO

MOVE TO SWITCH

R.A. TO SWITCH

DEC TO SWITCH

HOME POSTION

GOTO

SET

POLAR ALIGN

PEC

PLAYBACK

RECORD

LIGHT CONTROL

FACTORY SETTING

PRESS UNDO

PRESS "0"

VERSION

GET ALT-AZ

GOTO ATL-AZ

HIBERNATE

TURN ON/OFF RTC

TURN ON/OFF GPS

Home Position – The telescopes "home" position is a user-definable position that is used to store the telescope when not in use. The home position is useful when storing the CGE telescope in a permanent observatory facility and especially when using the Hibernate feature to maintain a star align over many observing sessions.

Polar Align- The CGE has a polar alignment function that will help you polar align your telescope for increased tracking precision and astrophotography. After performing an Auto Two-Star Alignment, the telescope will slew to where Polaris should be. By using the equatorial head to center Polaris in the eyepiece, the mount will then be pointed towards the actual North Celestial Pole. Once Polar Align is complete, you must re-align your telescope again using any of the alignment methods described earlier. To polar align the CGE mount in the Northern Hemisphere: