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Mach2GTO iPolar Adapter

Mel
 

Is there an adapter for the iPolar Electronics Polarscope? I prefer using iPolar because PoleMaster stopped working properly and I prefer the platesolving process of iPolar. The iOptron website doesn’t mention any AstroPhysics mounts for any of their polarscope adapters. Perhaps AP can offer an electronic polarscope?
Mel
 

Bill Long
 

AP mounts use the rapas scope.

https://www.astro-physics.com/rapas


From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Mel <hxpii@...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2022 2:26 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2GTO iPolar Adapter
 
Mel
 

There is also an option to add an iOptron Polemaster electronic polar scope. I prefer to use the iPolar instead. 
Bill Long
 

The Polemaster is from QHYCCD.

https://agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/6518/s/qhy-pole-master-electronic-polar-alignment-scope

I'm not sure the iPolar is compatible.


From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Mel <hxpii@...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2022 2:38 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2GTO iPolar Adapter
 
There is also an option to add an iOptron Polemaster electronic polar scope. I prefer to use the iPolar instead. 

Bill Long
 

You'll need this for the Polemaster

https://agenaastro.com/qhy-pole-master-astrophysics-ap900-mount.html


From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Bill Long <bill@...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2022 2:51 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2GTO iPolar Adapter
 
The Polemaster is from QHYCCD.

https://agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/6518/s/qhy-pole-master-electronic-polar-alignment-scope

I'm not sure the iPolar is compatible.


From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Mel <hxpii@...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2022 2:38 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2GTO iPolar Adapter
 
There is also an option to add an iOptron Polemaster electronic polar scope. I prefer to use the iPolar instead. 

Mel
 

I’ll see if the Polemaster adapter works with iPolar. Thanks.
Dean Jacobsen
 

Mel, I don't know the particulars of your setup but are you aware that the Pro version of SharpCap has a great polar alignment tool? I use the tool to dial in my polar alignment using my imaging camera.  It works great.  Its easy to use and doesn't require the addition of any other equipment or adapters.
--
Dean Jacobsen
Astrobin Image Gallery - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/

Worsel
 

Mel

Ditto on Dean's experience with SharpCap PA

Bryan
Mel
 

Yes I’m aware of software polar alignments, I also have Sharpcap. I was hoping to use the camera on the RA axis but Sharpcap/N.I.N.A./PHD2/etc is another option. Does it work at 952mm focal length? I was concerned about being able to see enough sky around Polaris for it to work.
Bill Long
 

I've used it at over 2000mm through my imaging camera.


From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Mel <hxpii@...>
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2022 3:35 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2GTO iPolar Adapter
 
Yes I’m aware of software polar alignments, I also have Sharpcap. I was hoping to use the camera on the RA axis but Sharpcap/N.I.N.A./PHD2/etc is another option. Does it work at 952mm focal length? I was concerned about being able to see enough sky around Polaris for it to work.

Dean Jacobsen
 

I have successfully used it with my 1000mm focal length Newtonian.
--
Dean Jacobsen
Astrobin Image Gallery - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/

Greg McCall
 

That is why I use polemaster camera on RA axis with sharpcap polar alignment process. 

I don’t like the manual fiddling of polemaster software but the polemaster camera is a planetary camera with its own lens and easy attachment to my Mach2. The planetary camera is much faster with shorter exposures so it’s quicker to get a response after each adjustment. Also I don’t have to fiddle getting imaging camera in focus until afterwards. Handy when I’m always portable and setting up each time. 
I almost never guide so rarely have a guide scope and camera with me. 

If iPolar camera and software was out when I looked at polemaster , I probably would have tried that in place of polemaster as it’s a complete hardware/software solution. 

Any optical polar scope is a pain in the southern hemisphere as no easily identified pole star. 

I’ve only used NINA polar alignment plug-in when I couldn’t see the south celestial pole and it seems more to setup and can’t be done until all your get is ready to image. 


On Fri, 30 Dec 2022 at 10:35 am, Mel <hxpii@...> wrote:
Yes I’m aware of software polar alignments, I also have Sharpcap. I was hoping to use the camera on the RA axis but Sharpcap/N.I.N.A./PHD2/etc is another option. Does it work at 952mm focal length? I was concerned about being able to see enough sky around Polaris for it to work.

Mel
 
Edited

Good to know 1000mm and 2000mm works. Thanks for sharing.
Mel
 
Edited

Good points about primary camera setup and focus. I like iPolar better than PoleMaster because of the automated plate solving and the camera is more reliable. I’m not interested in having to play a video to get PoleMaster to work! Aligning from the RA axis seems the best approach for PA. If the iPolar can’t attach to the Mach2GTO, the primary scope will have to work. Thanks for sharing.
Jeffc
 

Fwiw.. some of this has been said… thought i might chime in with my albeit similar experiences.. this is on the Mach2 , AP1100 , and AP1200

I initially use polemaster camera with polemaster software. It was iffy. Turns out polemaster software (afaict) needs stars that are sometimes “under” Polaris, and those stars aren’t always visible here due to trees. I put the polemaster in the box for a couple years and just used Ray’s Polar Alignment Wizard tool in PEMPro.

Then I heard about sharpcap polar alignment. Trialed it… and quickly switched to sharpcap pro and WOW … so much better / faster / more reliable (still with polemaster camera). Even if the stars under Polaris are missing.

Started using NINA.. and then used the Three-Point-Polar-Alignment tool, and it seemed to fast and reliable. Less hassle than messing with the polemaster camera and its extra cable to watch out for. (I can also easily re-run polar alignment later in the night.)

I’ve used TPPA at about 1700mm.

For visual, it’s the RAPAS.

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