I just recently purchased an Orion Skyview Pro 120 EQ refractor. I'm still learning about the scope and viewing, since I'm brand new to this wonderful hobby. I find the folks on this board amazingly friendly and helpful. Perhaps you all can advise me on something.
I find viewing incredibly uncomfortable. I've just ordered a "right angle" spotting scope to help some, but I find myself contorting into some acrobatic positions for viewing stars, especially the closer I get toward zenith. Last night I was practically laid out on the ground to view with my neck cranked in the most uncomfortable position. While in the summer in Pittsburgh this might not be too bad, come the winter, in snow, this is going to be very uncomfortable and unpleasant.
What do you all do to view items close to zenith and still remain somewhat upright? I find the steel legs on the Skyview Pro tripod only extend about 12 inches, which does little to help. Unlike my camera's tripod, the center support of this tripod does not crank up several feet to raise the whole mount and scope into more comfortable viewing.
Does anyone have suggestions how to make viewing more comfortable (and upright) for me?
On another issue, I'm still having some troubles accurately polar aligning the scope. I didn't purchase the optional polar alignment scope and now I'm wondering if I should have. Does anyone know if I should have purchsed this optional alignment scope? Any helpful hints or suggestions in accurately polar aligning my specific scope with Polaris?
Many thanks in advance.
I find viewing incredibly uncomfortable. I've just ordered a "right angle" spotting scope to help some, but I find myself contorting into some acrobatic positions for viewing stars, especially the closer I get toward zenith. Last night I was practically laid out on the ground to view with my neck cranked in the most uncomfortable position. While in the summer in Pittsburgh this might not be too bad, come the winter, in snow, this is going to be very uncomfortable and unpleasant.
What do you all do to view items close to zenith and still remain somewhat upright? I find the steel legs on the Skyview Pro tripod only extend about 12 inches, which does little to help. Unlike my camera's tripod, the center support of this tripod does not crank up several feet to raise the whole mount and scope into more comfortable viewing.
Does anyone have suggestions how to make viewing more comfortable (and upright) for me?
On another issue, I'm still having some troubles accurately polar aligning the scope. I didn't purchase the optional polar alignment scope and now I'm wondering if I should have. Does anyone know if I should have purchsed this optional alignment scope? Any helpful hints or suggestions in accurately polar aligning my specific scope with Polaris?
Many thanks in advance.
