diff --git a/slic/devices/endstations/alvra_prime.py b/slic/devices/endstations/alvra_prime.py
index 6eaef1aab..30a96a94d 100644
--- a/slic/devices/endstations/alvra_prime.py
+++ b/slic/devices/endstations/alvra_prime.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import sys
 sys.path.append("..")
 from ..general.motors import MotorRecord
+from ..general.smaract import SmarActRecord
 from epics import PV
 
 class Huber:
@@ -63,15 +64,17 @@ class Table:
             % (self.x,self.y,self.z,self.pitch,self.yaw,self.modeSP.get(as_string=True),self.status.get())
 
 class Microscope:
-    def __init__(self, Id, alias_namespace=None, z_undulator=None, description=None):
+    def __init__(self, Id, gonio=None, rotat=None, alias_namespace=None, z_undulator=None, description=None):
         self.Id = Id
-		
+
         ### Microscope motors ###
         self.focus = MotorRecord(Id+':FOCUS')
         self.zoom = MotorRecord(Id+':ZOOM')
-        self._smaractaxes = {
-            'gonio': '_xmic_gon',   # will become self.gonio
-            'rot':   '_xmic_rot'}   # """ self.rot
+#        self._smaractaxes = {
+#            'gonio': '_xmic_gon',   # will become self.gonio
+#            'rot':   '_xmic_rot'}   # """ self.rot
+        self.gonio = SmarActRecord(gonio) #TODO: can this be None?
+        self.rot = SmarActRecord(rotat) #TODO: can this be None?
 
     def __str__(self):
         return "Microscope positions\nfocus: %s\nzoom:  %s\ngonio: %s\nrot:   %s"\
diff --git a/slic/devices/general/smaract.py b/slic/devices/general/smaract.py
index 70af8cdd0..31f43a6f3 100644
--- a/slic/devices/general/smaract.py
+++ b/slic/devices/general/smaract.py
@@ -182,6 +182,8 @@ class SmarActRecord:
 	def get_current_value(self):
 		return self._rbv.get()
 
+	wm = get_current_value
+
 #     def set_current_value(self,value):
 #         return self._drive.put(value)
 
@@ -278,7 +280,9 @@ class SmarActStage:
     def __init__(self, axes, name=None, z_undulator=None, description=None):
         self._keys = axes.keys()
         for axis in self._keys:
-            self.__dict__[axis] = axes[axis]
+            ax = axes[axis]
+            ax = SmarActRecord(ax)
+            self.__dict__[axis] = ax
         self.name = name
         
     def __str__(self):
diff --git a/slic/devices/loptics/alvra_experiment.py b/slic/devices/loptics/alvra_experiment.py
index 0c4f7b829..fabe44855 100755
--- a/slic/devices/loptics/alvra_experiment.py
+++ b/slic/devices/loptics/alvra_experiment.py
@@ -122,17 +122,23 @@ class Laser_Exp:
 
 
     def get_adjustable_positions_str(self):
-        ostr = '*****Laser motor positions*****\n'
+        ostr = 'Laser motor positions\n'
 
-        for tkey,item in self.__dict__.items():
+        res = {}
+        for key, item in self.__dict__.items():
             if hasattr(item,'get_current_value'):
                 pos = item.get_current_value()
-                ostr += '  ' + tkey.ljust(10) + ' : % 14g\n'%pos
             elif hasattr(item,'get'):
-               pos = item.get()
-               ostr += '  ' + tkey.ljust(10) + ' : % 14g\n'%pos
+                pos = item.get()
+            else:
+                continue
+            res[key] = pos
+
+        length = max(len(k) for k in res) + 1
+        lines = sorted("{}:{}{}".format(k, " "*(length-len(k)), v) for k, v in res.items())
+        ostr += "\n".join(lines)
         return ostr
-                
+
 
 
     #def pos(self):
diff --git a/slic/devices/xoptics/attenuator_aramis.py b/slic/devices/xoptics/attenuator_aramis.py
index 4289663ff..98161adb7 100755
--- a/slic/devices/xoptics/attenuator_aramis.py
+++ b/slic/devices/xoptics/attenuator_aramis.py
@@ -8,13 +8,6 @@ class AttenuatorAramis:
         self._pv_status_int = PV(self.Id+':IDX_RB')
         pass
 
-
-    def __call__(self):
-        pass
-    def __str__(self):
-        pass
-    def __status__(self):
-        pass
     def updateE(self,energy = None):
         if energy == None:
             energy = PV("SARUN03-UIND030:FELPHOTENE").value
@@ -57,9 +50,10 @@ class AttenuatorAramis:
         s += '%s'%self.get_status()[0]
         return s
 
+    __str__ = __repr__
+
     def __call__(self,*args,**kwargs):
         self.set_transmission(*args,**kwargs)
-