"Magician's Apprentice @attbi.com" DSCWebmasterremove wrote in message
...
I have the Celestron 8i with the GPS. After a GPS alignment and
just before the time verification the telescope is not pointing
north or is not level. Is this normal or should the scope be
positioned level and north at this point before it
continues?
This is normal.
Basically, (for example), the 'level' detection, does not involve finding
'level', but the point at which a small detector 'switches'. This will
differ from scope to scope. Once the detector is calibrated, the scope knows
where the 'real' level is, compared to it's sensor, and will know how much
adjustment to make to find the stars. The same process is involved with the
compass sensor.
So the accuracy with which stars will be placed will depend on how precise
the measurement is of this error. The scope has options to calibrate the
level, and calibrate the compass, which should be performed after getting an
aligment as accurately as you can manage. It'll then know how far off the
detectors are.

Best Wishes