Why Level

curtismacc

We know that the Seestar uses an accelerometer to feedback to the user information when trying to level it. The Seestar then uses the level information along with the internal compass for the 2 data points it needs to find, or at least, come close to finding the sun and the moon during the day. But, why do we need to level the Seestar anyway since the accelerometer measures the Seestar's orientation relative to the horizon, level or not. Let's say the Seestar is 2 degrees out of level pitched downward. This should be sufficient information along with the internal compass data to do just as good a job of finding the sun as when the Seestar is level. After all, we do not have to point the Seestar to north for the compass reading to be used. We can point the Seestar in any direction and the compass will still figure out which way is north. I would expect the actual internal accelerometer orientation, level or not, to be sufficient to provide the second data point so that they Seestar has enough information to make a good first guess where to point to find the sun or the moon.

What am I missing?

Support@Seestar

Although the accelerometer can detect the current tilt, the initial GOTO algorithm is based on the assumption that the Seestar is level.
Any tilt detected before leveling is treated as an error, not as an actual pointing reference.
Once the Seestar is leveled, the current orientation is accepted as the valid reference frame, and only then does it use the accelerometer + compass to calculate the direction of the Sun or Moon.
Leveling tells the Seestar “this is the correct reference plane”, without that, it will not use the tilt information in the pointing model.

Lilo

Support@Seestar
What about Horizontal calibration switch?
I assume it's able to measure a tilt in AZ mode and calculate needed correction if is see stars.

curtismacc

Support@Seestar
You clearly explained how the algorithm works, but missed my point. Based upon how you explained it, the algorithm could be designed to use the actual accelerometer reading regardless of whether the Seestar is level or tilted by x degrees up or down and still add the compass data to create an accurate pointing model. There is no mathematical reason why being a 0 degrees than at -2 degrees or +2 degrees, for example, would make the pointing model any better or worse. If the algorithm were written this way it would be even simpler for the end user. Maybe ask the software guy about this?

In the end it is not difficult to level the Seestar but if I were designing the algorithm I would try to make it as simple as possible.

Support@Seestar

Lilo
We calibrate the horizontal sensor during factory production, so normally there is no need for users to recalibrate.
However, during use, if the horizontal sensor experiences a zero-point drift, calibration may become abnormal, and a horizontal sensor recalibration will be required.
In addition, due to differences in tripod stability and ground levelness, it is still necessary for the user to adjust the Seestar to be level.
Once the device is properly leveled, enabling the Horizontal Calibration function allows the algorithm to automatically compensate for any remaining horizontal errors.