Do you find the LNT helpful or not?

Recently I purchased a used LX90 with LNT and the SmartFinder. In response to one of my forum posts, one individual claims that the LNT and SmartFinder are so inaccurate that he doesn't even use them - he says he manually sets the scope to level and north and uses a two star alignment. I would appreciate a consensus of opinions on this question: do you use the LNT and SmartFinder and do you find it accurate - yes or no? Thanks....Mike

Mike, I had an LX90 a few years ago, the non LNT version, It only takes a few minutes to point the scope north and level it your self. I dont think I would get this option in a scope now, it just seems like another meade option than can bug out on you. Nothing like a good compas and a bubble level. I only used the built in bubble level on the scope as a rough level. I had 2 small bubble levels I would level the tripod with and then once the scope was on the tripod I would put one on the OTA to get it level.

James

My LNT has worked fine until I worked on the scope this week. When I fired the unit up, It did not work and the time wouldn't keep up. I discovered that the battery had become dislodged in the lnt. Once I straightened it out, it worked fine. It does, however , always end up with the first alignment star slightly out of the viewfinder field of view. When I center and go to the second star on automatic alignment, it is usually closer. I think a lot of problems come from the unit because the batteries don't make good contact.