Question about the Nexstar Alignment Process

Hi there,

I had a Nexstar4 for 24 hours, and I found the alignment process inferior to
that of Meade Autostar. My grief is that you couldn't do a 2 star alignment
with stars you choose yourself (something that is very much needed in the
location I observe from).

My question: is this also true for the larger models like the 8", 9 1/2" and
11" or let they choose you the alignment stars yourself? And do they
actually slew themnselves to these stars or do you have to slew to them by
yourself?

Bernhard

go to www.nexstarsite.com and you'll get info on the alignment process. I
would also recommend you join the NexStar group on yahoogroups.



"Bernhard Rems" wrote in message
...
Hi there,

I had a Nexstar4 for 24 hours, and I found the alignment process inferior
to
that of Meade Autostar. My grief is that you couldn't do a 2 star
alignment
with stars you choose yourself (something that is very much needed in the
location I observe from).

My question: is this also true for the larger models like the 8", 9 1/2"
and
11" or let they choose you the alignment stars yourself? And do they
actually slew themnselves to these stars or do you have to slew to them by
yourself?

Bernhard

"Bernhard Rems" wrote in message
...

I had a Nexstar4 for 24 hours, and I found the alignment process inferior
to
that of Meade Autostar. My grief is that you couldn't do a 2 star
alignment
with stars you choose yourself (something that is very much needed in the
location I observe from).

My question: is this also true for the larger models like the 8", 9 1/2"
and
11" or let they choose you the alignment stars yourself? And do they
actually slew themnselves to these stars or do you have to slew to them by
yourself?

With the latest hand controller (at least for the Nexstar 4) there are three
align modes, 1) Auto align, where you level the tube and point north and it
selects the best stars depending on date, time and location, 2) Two star
align, where you level the tube and point north, and then select two stars
from a list of alignment stars (first one, then the other), 3) Quick align,
where you level the tube and point north, without aligning anything.

The beauty of #3 is that it enables the alt-az tracking, without requiring
an alignment of the GoTo. If you're in a hurry, or if you want to star-hop
and still have tracking.

Best wishes,
Stephen