Quick tips checklist for trouble-free slewing...

1. Make sure you are running the most current Autostar software.

2. Calibrate your motors each time you power up.

3. Properly train your drives at a 45 degree angle using the laser-pointer method described below.

4. Spend a few minutes to level your tripod.

5. Make sure you have accurate time, date, and location information when you start Autostar.

6. Align using the 2 star method and 'true north' (see below).

1. Use Current Autostar Software.

I cannot stress enough the importance of running the most current version of the Autostar software. Meade is constantly revising the software version to fix bugs (there are many) that exist in the Autostar code. To update your software, you will need to go to the Meade site and download the updater. You will also need the connector cable which you can purchase from your telescope dealer, or you can make yourself. If you are having problems with Autostar, this is the place to start.

2. Calibrate your motors.

This is especially important to do when you are using battery power, or changing between power sources. Calibration basically adjusts the Autostar information to the level of power the motors are receiving - the level of power changes as your batteries wear down, or when you switch the power source. This information drastically affects Autostar performance. To be on the safe side, I calibrate every time I start up Autostar (before aligning).

3. Training your drives - the laser-pointer method.

95% of all tracking and goto problems are the result of improper motor training. Training your motors properly is VERY important, and you should take care when doing so. Meade recommends that you train with your scope at a 45 degree angle. The reason for this is that you are putting the -median- amount of strain on the motors at this angle. For accurate training you can do at anytime (day or night), you can use an inexpensive laser-pointer.

Laser training is vey simple, and should be performed indoors on a wall at least 15 feet away from your telescope. Simply tape the laser-pointer to the end of your telescope so that it points in the same direction as your objective lens (in other words, so that the pointer is 'pointing' where your telescope is). Put the telescope at a 45 degree angle. Make a 'bullseye' on a piece of paper, and tape it to the wall where your laser pointer is 'pointing.' Start the 'train motors' function in Autostar. When Autostar asks you to center on an object, center the red dot from the pointer on the bullseye target and train as usual. The only difference is that you will not be looking through the telescope, but instead at the laser dot and bullseye. This method works great for both the alt. and az. axis, and has proved to be very accurate.

4. Level your tripod.

Although Autostar will work even if your tripod is not level, I have found that precise leveling greatly improves the Autostar accuracy. I use the same cheap bubble level that I use to level the OTA during alignment. I simply put the level on the top of each tripod leg, and make height adjustments to the legs until they are all level.

5. Enter accurate information into Autostar.

A very simple, but often overlooked piece of advice. I have had Autostar goto 180 degrees in the wrong direction - only to realize that I had entered 'a.m.' instead of 'p.m.'! Always double check that you have entered the date, time, location (site), and telescope model (another often overlooked one) correctly into Autostar when troubleshooting.

6. Alignment procedure - true North and 2 star method.

When aligning, I always choose the '2-star' alignment method. To use this, you must have at least a basic idea of where some major stars are located. If you don't know where any stars are, use the 'easy alignment' method - I prefer the 2-star as there are parts of the sky in my backyard that are blocked by trees - and of course, these areas are always where Autostar wants to align from in the 'easy alignment' method!

Make sure that you put the telescope in proper home position. True north is -not- magnetic north, so don't use your compass to figure out home position. To put the telescope in the home position, aim it directly at Polaris (the 'North Star'). Once you get Polaris in the eyepiece, level the tube using a simple bubble-level. Your telescope is now in 'home position.' Now align, and you are ready for viewing.

Additional tips...

Using the "Re-Center Object" feature.

Use this feature with care - it will ruin your alignment. If you are only going to be tracking one object, it is good to use this feature - just be aware that it will make your subsequent goto's inaccurate.

Using "High-Precision" mode.

This feature can drastically help your goto's. If you are still having problems, or if your alignment get's off - try this feature - you will be glad you did. Basically, this feature requires you to perform an extra step when goto-ing. It first slews to a nearby star and asks you to center it (similar to alignment). Once you have centered the object, it then slews to the target object. I have found this feature to be EXTREMELY accurate - usually placing the object in the center of the FOV - even when my alignment was off.