HELP !! Mount problems...

autoguiding is what most people have to do

Thanks Jed, it looks like this is where I'll have to go, it was probably inevitable anyway, even a great mount will only go for so long unguided..
[/quote] its worth checking your mounts level using a second spirit level to see where its at.

good idea as well ! Maybe it will clear up tonight, that's another one to do..

Can I ask how accurate are the GOTOs, if these are out then this will affect traking for a given object.

I find my goto bang on, careful polar alignment, followed by an accurate 3 star alignment will slew to ant target very closely, even under a moderately hmedium to high power view I find that the tracking of any object using goto is excellent, even after many minutes of viewing

Thanks lads,
Keith..

The 3 star align probabily is compensating for a not so accurate polar alignment which is why your gotos are working, in which case the scope might be unsuccessfully trying to make slight dec. corrections while tracking, this might be the problem.

Thanks Dave, now that's give me encouragement, the 3 star align works very well when tracking, it's may be due to that, lately I have'nt done this as I thought it would not be needed, just accurate polar alignment would do - or so I thought, but it looks like it will be clear for me tonight, i'll do the following:

1. check the mount is level with an additional level
2. disconnect the dec port cable and shoot
3. if unsuccessful, do 3 star align, and shoot again..

Hope any of the above works....
Keith..

Ok guys, I'm just in after the fog got me, I done what I said i would do..

1. check the mount is level with an additional level
2. disconnect the dec port cable and shoot
3. if unsuccessful, do 3 star align, and shoot again..

No successs, all my shots were streaking top left to bottom right, regardless of direction the scope was pointed in.

Then after the 3 star alignment, I took a shot with the dec motor disconnected, and yes - I found my problem, only the RA motor was running, and stars were streaking form top left to botom right - so this one is the culprit :x Should have guessed it, it is the only drive that I have'nt regreased yet, but i'll do that this weekend.

At least now I know what the problem is :idea:

Thanks very much lads for your help, I was gonna give up
Keith..

Nice one Keith - glad you hung in there. Hope the regreasing goes well for you.

Dave

Thanks Dave, it was last chance saloon there, but I hope the regreasing will work, i'll let you know....

Keith..