|
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
Michael Hambrick <mike.hambrick@...>
I can't speak for the Polemaster, but I
have a RAPAS that I bought with my 1100 mount and it is very reliable,
quick, and accurate enough for imaging. I set my mount up and take it down
every night, and I don't have time to do any kind of drift alignment.
Best Regards
Michael Hambrick
ARLANXEO
TSR Global Manufacturing Support
PO Box 2000
Orange, TX 77631-2000
Phone: +1 (409) 882-2799
email: mike.hambrick@...
|
|
|
I’d suggest trying Sharpcap with the Polemaster camera. I’ve always found Sharpcap gives a better PA than the Polemaster software. An advantage of SC is that it gives an alignment error when you are adjusting alt and az which is absent in PM software.
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ and is an annual subscription, but it’s cheap.
As usual YMMV
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti <andlucchett@...> wrote: Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
PS, if you plan to use a guide scope rather than run unguided, SC works with your guide scope. And with higher magnification than the PM scope, SC should give an even better PA. Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 8:18 AM, Cheng-Yang Tan via groups.io <cytan299@...> wrote:
I’d suggest trying Sharpcap with the Polemaster camera. I’ve always found Sharpcap gives a better PA than the Polemaster software. An advantage of SC is that it gives an alignment error when you are adjusting alt and az which is absent in PM software.
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ and is an annual subscription, but it’s cheap.
As usual YMMV
cytan Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPadOn Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti <andlucchett@...> wrote: Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
Thank you for the feedback Andrea
I can't speak for the Polemaster, but I
have a RAPAS that I bought with my 1100 mount and it is very reliable,
quick, and accurate enough for imaging. I set my mount up and take it down
every night, and I don't have time to do any kind of drift alignment.
Best Regards
Michael Hambrick
ARLANXEO
TSR Global Manufacturing Support
PO Box 2000
Orange, TX 77631-2000
Phone: +1 (409) 882-2799
email: mike.hambrick@...
|
|
|
Hi, I Will check SC But it seems it works within a narrower fov. Did you try it with pole master camera right? Thank you, Andrea
PS, if you plan to use a guide scope rather than run unguided, SC works with your guide scope. And with higher magnification than the PM scope, SC should give an even better PA. Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPadOn Saturday, August 1, 2020, 8:18 AM, Cheng-Yang Tan via groups.io <cytan299=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
I’d suggest trying Sharpcap with the Polemaster camera. I’ve always found Sharpcap gives a better PA than the Polemaster software. An advantage of SC is that it gives an alignment error when you are adjusting alt and az which is absent in PM software.
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ and is an annual subscription, but it’s cheap.
As usual YMMV
cytan Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPadOn Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti <andlucchett@...> wrote: Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
Dean Jacobsen
|
|
|
Yes, I’ve used PM camera with SC. As long as SC can platesolve the image, it can calculate where to move the mount. Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 8:41 AM, Andrea Lucchetti <andlucchett@...> wrote: Hi, I Will check SC But it seems it works within a narrower fov. Did you try it with pole master camera right? Thank you, Andrea
PS, if you plan to use a guide scope rather than run unguided, SC works with your guide scope. And with higher magnification than the PM scope, SC should give an even better PA. Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPadOn Saturday, August 1, 2020, 8:18 AM, Cheng-Yang Tan via groups.io <cytan299=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
I’d suggest trying Sharpcap with the Polemaster camera. I’ve always found Sharpcap gives a better PA than the Polemaster software. An advantage of SC is that it gives an alignment error when you are adjusting alt and az which is absent in PM software.
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ and is an annual subscription, but it’s cheap.
As usual YMMV
cytan Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPadOn Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti <andlucchett@...> wrote: Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
J. Belden
Andrea,
I have used the RAPAS for my AP1100 and now AP1600 pretty much since the RAPAS was offered to help setup in the field. The only thing I do is setup using the RAPAS and verify accuracy with a drift alignment. I could get some unguided images with my C14 f7 STL6303E setup periodically up to 5 mins on my AP1100 non encoder version using this method. The RAPAS has been one of those must have tools if your setting up out in the field each night.
I currently setup and breakdown my AP1600, AGO 12.5", STXL6303E at my RV park using my RAPAS with excellent results. I recommend to check the alignment of the RAPA when you first get it, if you elect to buy one. I get good unguided results with this setup as well up to 5 mins, maybe I could get more but I just autoguide for anything over 5 mins.
I did buy a Polemaster to test it out to see if it was more accurate but its still in the box because the AP900 adaptor doesn't seem to work for an AP1600. So right now the RAPAS is still King for my needs. One more quick observation is to make sure you look in the RAPAS centering you eye, otherwise I have noticed you can be off a little for adjustments.
Anyone know offhand if the front cap on the AP1600 is larger than the AP1100? My AP1100 is in WI and my AP1600 is with me in TX. I'd still like to do a compare of the two, maybe I will try setting the Polemaster using a dovetail mounting.
Regards,
Joe B
|
|
|
The Rapas will require you to drift align the mount for the first time. Then you adjust the Rapas precisely using the 3 push-pull screws. From then on you can get good polar alignment using the pole scope without having to do any other alignment.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrea Lucchetti <andlucchett@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 7:51 am
Subject: [ap-gto] large alignment error with polemaster & mach2
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ Everything should not be zero cost. Writing software takes time and expertise and should be rewarded. If everything is zero cost we will all be forced to become subsistence farmers scraping a living from the soil.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Cheng-Yang Tan via groups.io <cytan299@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 8:18 am
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] large alignment error with polemaster & mach2
I’d suggest trying Sharpcap with the Polemaster camera. I’ve always found Sharpcap gives a better PA than the Polemaster software. An advantage of SC is that it gives an alignment error when you are adjusting alt and az which is absent in PM software.
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ and is an annual subscription, but it’s cheap.
As usual YMMV
cytan Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti <andlucchett@...> wrote:
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
Dean Jacobsen
|
|
|
Hi Rolando, I think my "Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $", is more of a lament that the software that comes with PM does not seem to be as accurate and the op has to spend money to get it to work better.
To be clear, I don't begrudge people making money from doing software work.
cytan
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 10:02:50 AM CDT, uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> wrote:
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ Everything should not be zero cost. Writing software takes time and expertise and should be rewarded. If everything is zero cost we will all be forced to become subsistence farmers scraping a living from the soil.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Cheng-Yang Tan via groups.io <cytan299@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 8:18 am
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] large alignment error with polemaster & mach2
I’d suggest trying Sharpcap with the Polemaster camera. I’ve always found Sharpcap gives a better PA than the Polemaster software. An advantage of SC is that it gives an alignment error when you are adjusting alt and az which is absent in PM software.
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ and is an annual subscription, but it’s cheap.
As usual YMMV
cytan Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti <andlucchett@...> wrote:
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
Christopher Erickson
SharpCap Pro is a critical tool for me. I use it for controlling my QHY174M-GPS cameras when doing occultations. The price is dirt-cheap and I would still pay for it at four times the price. It is the only camera control program that is capable of collecting the GPS timing and location data from the cam and putting it into the FITS headers while collecting up to 450 frames a second. If course most of the time I am collecting frames at about 4 frames per second.
It's an amazing program for the price. And for many people, the free version is sufficient.
Hi Rolando, I think my "Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $", is more of a lament that the software that comes with PM does not seem to be as accurate and the op has to spend money to get it to work better.
To be clear, I don't begrudge people making money from doing software work.
cytan
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 10:02:50 AM CDT, uncarollo2 < chris1011@...> wrote:
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ Everything should not be zero cost. Writing software takes time and expertise and should be rewarded. If everything is zero cost we will all be forced to become subsistence farmers scraping a living from the soil.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Cheng-Yang Tan via groups.io <cytan299= yahoo.com@groups.io>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 8:18 am
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] large alignment error with polemaster & mach2
I’d suggest trying Sharpcap with the Polemaster camera. I’ve always found Sharpcap gives a better PA than the Polemaster software. An advantage of SC is that it gives an alignment error when you are adjusting alt and az which is absent in PM software.
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ and is an annual subscription, but it’s cheap.
As usual YMMV
cytan Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti < andlucchett@...> wrote:
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
Yes. The PA feature alone is worth the ~$15 a year cost, in addition to the general usefulness that SharpCap offers. I don't mind supporting Robin's efforts.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Aug 1, 2020, at 11:02 AM, uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $
Everything should not be zero cost. Writing software takes time and expertise and should be rewarded. If everything is zero cost we will all be forced to become subsistence farmers scraping a living from the soil.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Cheng-Yang Tan via groups.io <cytan299@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 8:18 am
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] large alignment error with polemaster & mach2
I’d suggest trying Sharpcap with the Polemaster camera. I’ve always found Sharpcap gives a better PA than the Polemaster software. An advantage of SC is that it gives an alignment error when you are adjusting alt and az which is absent in PM software.
Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ and is an annual subscription, but it’s cheap.
As usual YMMV
cytan
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti <andlucchett@...> wrote:
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
I will give a chance to the pole master+SC software. If it doesn’t work , I will probably go for the Rapas. Andrea
The Rapas will require you to drift align the mount for the first time. Then you adjust the Rapas precisely using the 3 push-pull screws. From then on you can get good polar alignment using the pole scope without having to do any other alignment.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrea Lucchetti < andlucchett@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 7:51 am
Subject: [ap-gto] large alignment error with polemaster & mach2
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
One thing that I use SC + PM camera for after polar alignment is monitoring sky conditions. IMO, it’s a complete waste to have a camera just sitting there and doing nothing after polar alignment. I have the PM camera mounted on the saddle and thus it is always pointing to where the imaging scope is pointing. Then I have SC do “multistar FWHM measurement” of all the stars. It’s a good measure of whether the sky is deteriorating during the imaging session
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 1:32 PM, Dale Ghent <daleg@...> wrote: Yes. The PA feature alone is worth the ~$15 a year cost, in addition to the general usefulness that SharpCap offers. I don't mind supporting Robin's efforts. > On Aug 1, 2020, at 11:02 AM, uncarollo2 < chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011= aol.com@groups.io> wrote: > > > Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ > Everything should not be zero cost. Writing software takes time and expertise and should be rewarded. If everything is zero cost we will all be forced to become subsistence farmers scraping a living from the soil. > > Rolando > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Cheng-Yang Tan via groups.io <cytan299= yahoo.com@groups.io> > To: main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 8:18 am > Subject: Re: [ap-gto] large alignment error with polemaster & mach2 > > I’d suggest trying Sharpcap with the Polemaster camera. I’ve always found Sharpcap gives a better PA than the Polemaster software. An advantage of SC is that it gives an alignment error when you are adjusting alt and az which is absent in PM software. > > Unfortunately, SC polar alignment costs $ and is an annual subscription, but it’s cheap. > > As usual YMMV > > cytan > > > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad > > On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti < andlucchett@...> wrote: > Hello, > I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field. > I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off) > The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images. > running the Polemaster twice results in a small change. > > > I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason? > > my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution). > > I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8) > > Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs? > I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy. > Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster? > > Thank you, > Andrea >
|
|
|
>>>I will give a chance to the pole master+SC software. in my experience it works fantastically well
one note: make sure you enter the setup information correctly in Sharpcap. It's not clear but you need to ensure you enter your location/date/time and also your image scale. it doesn't really warn you about that
I will give a chance to the pole master+SC software. If it doesn’t work , I will probably go for the Rapas. Andrea
The Rapas will require you to drift align the mount for the first time. Then you adjust the Rapas precisely using the 3 push-pull screws. From then on you can get good polar alignment using the pole scope without having to do any other alignment.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrea Lucchetti < andlucchett@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 7:51 am
Subject: [ap-gto] large alignment error with polemaster & mach2
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
|
|
|
agree- PM + SC works great; simple, fast and accurate as long as you are within 5 degrees of Polaris so the internal plate solver can work
On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 2:52 PM Brian Valente < bvalente@...> wrote: >>>I will give a chance to the pole master+SC software. in my experience it works fantastically well
one note: make sure you enter the setup information correctly in Sharpcap. It's not clear but you need to ensure you enter your location/date/time and also your image scale. it doesn't really warn you about that
I will give a chance to the pole master+SC software. If it doesn’t work , I will probably go for the Rapas. Andrea
The Rapas will require you to drift align the mount for the first time. Then you adjust the Rapas precisely using the 3 push-pull screws. From then on you can get good polar alignment using the pole scope without having to do any other alignment.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrea Lucchetti < andlucchett@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 7:51 am
Subject: [ap-gto] large alignment error with polemaster & mach2
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
--
|
|
|
On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 05:51 AM, Andrea Lucchetti wrote:
Hello,
I need to polar align my Mach 2 very quickly to save time on field.
I thought Polemaster would have been a good choice but I cant get a good alignment with it (I am ways off)
The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images.
running the Polemaster twice results in a small change.
I am not using the refraction calculation , as I leave at 42 deg latitude: can this be one of the reason?
my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).
I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)
Would the RAPAS be a better solution for my needs?
I understand it can be mounted on the MACH2 using a dovetail, with repeatable accuracy.
Is the accuracy enough for imaging and how it compares to Polemaster?
Thank you,
Andrea
Andrea, Your original post message is a little confusing. First you said: " The procedure goes very well, till the end, including the precise alignment step, but I have drift in my images." then you said: " my aim is to shoot 10 min subs unguided (@790mm focal and 1,6 arcsec/pixel resolution).I still don't have my OTA ready so it is difficult for me to check with the drift method for the time being ( I can borrow a dslr and C8)" You don't have OTA ready but still get drift in your images? How can you get images if you don't have OTA ready? What scope were you using that's giving you drift and are you trying to image unguided? Also you said you are aiming for unguided imaging at 790mm focal length which can be very hard to do assuming you are not using pointing model with APCC-Pro. Are you using pointing model yet? If not, I would not expect absolute encoder alone to get pinpoint stars without the help of pointing model even with perfect polar alignment due to many external variables like refraction in the sky, flexure, etc. So, if you polar align using PoleMaster and its software and use guiding, then I would expect excellent images. Like others said, I would prefer Sharp Cap Pro as well as it's not only accurate but super easy to use. If you already have PoleMaster, then you may not need RAPAS because PoleMaster with Sharp Cap Pro is really good and quick. Can you clarify your original message a bit more? Peter
|
|
|
