Man, I read this article about old ship navigation. They used knots on a rope and the stars. Got them across whole oceans. Now we've got GPS that needs satellites and constant updates. Sometimes the old way just worked. It's wild how we add layers of tech that can just break. Makes you question every "upgrade".

Hold up, you're only thinking about what YOU can cut. What about your buddy? If he's the one tangled and panicking, you need to get to that line FAST. A dedicated cutter on your shoulder strap is right there, no fumbling. A knife on your leg is useless if you're trying to reach past him. It's about saving HIS life, not just yours.

Seen it, but doesn't that risk overworking the surface?

That whole struggle sounds self-inflicted. You said you had a manual mount that worked fine. Swapping to a complicated motorized one was the problem. The old way of just pointing and looking is still right there. All that tech just gets in the way of actually seeing the stars. The hobby is about looking up, not fighting with a level and old videos. You made it hard on yourself.

Honestly, "stuck in execution mode" is such a harsh way to put it. Tbh I'd be upset if my boss called me out like that in front of everyone.