Unless you are not completly polar aligned, you maybe off by several arc-seconds. Usually I just `roam" in the general area and usually find my target. I am not sure what the mag limit is for your scope (possibly mag 10-11). I do know this...my 8" mag limit is about 13-14 on a dark site. Nebulas and galaxies will look like whitish gray smudges. Exception of perhaps Orion (M42) & Dumbell (M27) they have distinctive shapes. M81,M82 galaxies are also distinctive in shape. M31 Andromeda is a large disky glow. You will not see arms or such. Many people think you see objects through a scope like a picture in a book. Not true. Exception is perhaps globular/open clusters. Always use a long focal EP first. Larger view field. 26mm is good at first. Fint the target, then use a shorter focal EP like 17mm or so.