Good video, but it is not as simple as it seems. I bought the IPolar (I live in the Southern Hemisphere) and since we do not have Polaris, we have hard complications trying to find Sigma Octantis, which acts as Polaris, though it is not visible and really hard to find. So, I experienced complications related to "plate solving failed", so I could not hit the Position 1 button confirmation. And the calibration of the axis (moving it in 3 different positions, 45° each time) has to be done everytime you set up your mount. So I bought it because it looked easier than than the Polemaster, but I got disappointed on the difficulties encountered during the whole process. May be you have some suggestion / ideas to help me a bit. Regards
Hi Juan Gabriel, thanks for your support and your question! Personally I’ve never been Southern hemisphere myself, but from my experience with iPolar, when it says "plate solve failed”, and you do have over 6 stars in your iPolar screen, it means you’re not pointing it close enough to the south celestial pole - i.e. the target is out of iPolar’s FOV. Leveling the base of your mount, dialing the altitude on the base of your mount as close as possible to your local latitude, pointing your mount to due south, these 3 things will definitely help. If still don’t see the “dark red spot” in your iPolar window, try look for any obstructions for the iPolar, once some overhead tree branch might just cover some critical star and make it fail, not to mention buildings, electricity lines (they can reflect light and fool the iPolar) etc. As for redoing 3 position calibration every time, check the folder that you put/install your iPolar software, make sure iPolar program can write in that folder. After first run, the “red cross” should always appear in iPolar window upon connection. If it’s not there, try update/reinstall iPolar software (maybe in another folder/disk. If the center is not correct, you probably need to tighten the iPolar with the mount.
@@bensastrophotography5915 Hi again, and thanks a lot for your help. I will follow your advice and pay close attention to everything you suggested in your answer.
@@travelanddrones Hi, I am living in Southern Hemisphere too. Having the same problem as yours How is your polar align result after follow his suggestion? Cheers
@@akkarparkiamopas3401 Hi, It's been a long time since I posted my comment; now, with the help of some friends and checking Ben's suggestions, it was possible to make the Ipolar work in the right way. Once you calibrate it by following the manual (movements, 45°, etc), you should be able to see the red cross on the screen of your laptop/tablet; after that, after trial and error attempts, I finally got the red circle showing you the virtual pole....once you do it, move the az/alt knobs to make them be together. At first, it took me a couple of sessions, but once you get them together, it will be much easier to see the red circle soon on the screen. Now, after months of using this Ipolar, I quickly spot the red circle , move the knobs, and ready...In case you always use the same spot / place to use your telescope, try to mark the floor where the tripod is placed so that this will make the process faster and you will immediately see the red cross and circle. I hope to have helped you. Rgds from Chile
@@travelanddroneshola, es necesario alinear la montura con dos, tres o más estrellas luego de usar el iPolar? O ya usando sólo el iPolar la montura queda lista para comenzar con la sesión de fotografía?
Thank you for very instructive video. I would like ask you about your computer. Ioptron Ipolar sw is only for Windows. As I see, you use Mac and switch to "Remote Desktop" Could you tell me what it is Remote desktop ? Is it some platform for win apps on Mac ? Where can I download it ? My thanks in advance.
Hi Vladimir, Thanks for the message! Yes, Remote Desktop an APP that you can run on iPad to control a PC. I have a video about this too: ua-cam.com/video/3Rs3scy3fyQ/v-deo.html Remote Desktop is bundled with Win10 Pro version, or if you're running on other windows versions, please refer to the comment in that video, there's a Github link to download a free copy. As for the iPad side, just download it from Apple APP Store. There's a APP for OSX too, but for some reason it doesn't work on my Mac, but you can definitely try that too.
Hi, I am your subscriber. Is it very important to input the latitude and longitude precisely where our star tracker tripod is located? Do you have any recommend phone app that can show the latitude and longtitude at real time where we are on site? I am using iOptron Sky Guider Pro and there is no GPS built it. Thanks and Regards Tux
Hi, sorry for the much delayed reply. I don't think geo location is necessary for star trackers to work. if you have to get them, use Google map, just tap and hold on somewhere around yourself, you'll see the coordinates at the bottom of the pop up window.
Thanks for the comments! iPolar is very accurate for polar alignment use, which is essential for accurate tracking. But it's not all, the tracking accuracy of your mount is another important factor there. From my experience, I would say autoguiding is useful for most long exposures (more than 120 seconds) with a FL longer than 300mm.
I have the ipolar and my first attempt failed. Firstly the plasticy screw cover broke on the first time of using which sucked. Also I have issues with entering my latitude and longitude it says it’s invalid! Latitude = 50.8737 long = 0.254. My third issue is the altitude adgustment knob gets really tight towards 40 degrees and being at 50 this is an issue. I was unable to get my polar alignment any help here would be appreciated?
Hi Simon, sorry to hear your issues. Hopefully you'll fix them soon. My iPolar's screw-in cover is metal, I'm surprised they changed it into plastic... for the latitude/longitude, it's probably the format. Both Long and Lat should be in degrees/minutes/seconds format. Then you must put a + or - in front of longitude, and it should be in 3 digits like 000 in your case. As for the Alt adjust, please check the tightening screws on your mount (I have 4 on my CEM40 for Alt only), some of them are probably too tight. Let me know if these are helpful, feel free if there's any other questions, good luck!!
@@bensastrophotography5915 HI there I tried your suggestions and managed hit the nail on the head. Nest issue ?I am seeing is my focus is out on the stars. I can manage 1 minute exposures without star trails which is great but they are blurry. Will continue to watch youtube videos to see what I am doing wrong. Thanks
This time my house covered at least 40% of the field of view in iPolar, but Polaris is still visible I think. I will definitely test that next time with my house cover 60% FOV and let you know!
Per iOptron, it is not necessary to see Polaris for the alignment. www.ioptron.com/product-p/3339.htm What makes iPolar unique? 1. Can be easily installed inside the RA shaft on all iOptron equatorial mounts (except SmartEQ Pro). 2. Can be used on any mounts with adapters either internally or externally. 3. USB plug and play (no driver needed) 4. Works globally, no need to set northern and southern hemisphere. 5. No visible Polaris (north) or Sigma Octantis (south) necessary. 6. No need to rotate the mount during polar align.
Hi Logieberra, I don't know where this comes from, but I never worked for iOptron. I bought the CEM40ec and iPolar last year, I've been using them for over 1 year now, still satisfied with the performance. Especially iPolar, it's way better than Pole Master.
So expensive for a single purpose item. It was either the iPolar or an optical PA tube. I decided to try the iPolar. I look forward to trying it out.
Good video, but it is not as simple as it seems. I bought the IPolar (I live in the Southern Hemisphere) and since we do not have Polaris, we have hard complications trying to find Sigma Octantis, which acts as Polaris, though it is not visible and really hard to find. So, I experienced complications related to "plate solving failed", so I could not hit the Position 1 button confirmation. And the calibration of the axis (moving it in 3 different positions, 45° each time) has to be done everytime you set up your mount. So I bought it because it looked easier than than the Polemaster, but I got disappointed on the difficulties encountered during the whole process. May be you have some suggestion / ideas to help me a bit. Regards
Hi Juan Gabriel, thanks for your support and your question! Personally I’ve never been Southern hemisphere myself, but from my experience with iPolar, when it says "plate solve failed”, and you do have over 6 stars in your iPolar screen, it means you’re not pointing it close enough to the south celestial pole - i.e. the target is out of iPolar’s FOV. Leveling the base of your mount, dialing the altitude on the base of your mount as close as possible to your local latitude, pointing your mount to due south, these 3 things will definitely help. If still don’t see the “dark red spot” in your iPolar window, try look for any obstructions for the iPolar, once some overhead tree branch might just cover some critical star and make it fail, not to mention buildings, electricity lines (they can reflect light and fool the iPolar) etc.
As for redoing 3 position calibration every time, check the folder that you put/install your iPolar software, make sure iPolar program can write in that folder. After first run, the “red cross” should always appear in iPolar window upon connection. If it’s not there, try update/reinstall iPolar software (maybe in another folder/disk. If the center is not correct, you probably need to tighten the iPolar with the mount.
@@bensastrophotography5915 Hi again, and thanks a lot for your help. I will follow your advice and pay close attention to everything you suggested in your answer.
@@travelanddrones Hi, I am living in Southern Hemisphere too. Having the same problem as yours
How is your polar align result after follow his suggestion?
Cheers
@@akkarparkiamopas3401 Hi, It's been a long time since I posted my comment; now, with the help of some friends and checking Ben's suggestions, it was possible to make the Ipolar work in the right way. Once you calibrate it by following the manual (movements, 45°, etc), you should be able to see the red cross on the screen of your laptop/tablet; after that, after trial and error attempts, I finally got the red circle showing you the virtual pole....once you do it, move the az/alt knobs to make them be together. At first, it took me a couple of sessions, but once you get them together, it will be much easier to see the red circle soon on the screen. Now, after months of using this Ipolar, I quickly spot the red circle , move the knobs, and ready...In case you always use the same spot / place to use your telescope, try to mark the floor where the tripod is placed so that this will make the process faster and you will immediately see the red cross and circle. I hope to have helped you. Rgds from Chile
@@travelanddroneshola, es necesario alinear la montura con dos, tres o más estrellas luego de usar el iPolar? O ya usando sólo el iPolar la montura queda lista para comenzar con la sesión de fotografía?
How many degrees and in what direction do you move the mount in Right Ascension for the three-position calibration?
Hi Michael, sorry for the much delayed reply. I usually rotate at least 60 degrees for the 3 position calibration.
Thank you for very instructive video. I would like ask you about your computer. Ioptron Ipolar sw is only for Windows. As I see, you use Mac and switch to "Remote Desktop" Could you tell me what it is Remote desktop ? Is it some platform for win apps on Mac ? Where can I download it ? My thanks in advance.
Hi Vladimir, Thanks for the message! Yes, Remote Desktop an APP that you can run on iPad to control a PC. I have a video about this too: ua-cam.com/video/3Rs3scy3fyQ/v-deo.html
Remote Desktop is bundled with Win10 Pro version, or if you're running on other windows versions, please refer to the comment in that video, there's a Github link to download a free copy. As for the iPad side, just download it from Apple APP Store. There's a APP for OSX too, but for some reason it doesn't work on my Mac, but you can definitely try that too.
Hi,
I am your subscriber.
Is it very important to input the latitude and longitude precisely where our star tracker tripod is located?
Do you have any recommend phone app that can show the latitude and longtitude at real time where we are on site?
I am using iOptron Sky Guider Pro and there is no GPS built it.
Thanks and Regards
Tux
Hi, sorry for the much delayed reply. I don't think geo location is necessary for star trackers to work. if you have to get them, use Google map, just tap and hold on somewhere around yourself, you'll see the coordinates at the bottom of the pop up window.
Thanks for the video! Using iPolar how long can shoot with say a 300-mm lens? Can iPolar make autoguiding useless?
Thanks for the comments! iPolar is very accurate for polar alignment use, which is essential for accurate tracking. But it's not all, the tracking accuracy of your mount is another important factor there. From my experience, I would say autoguiding is useful for most long exposures (more than 120 seconds) with a FL longer than 300mm.
I have the ipolar and my first attempt failed. Firstly the plasticy screw cover broke on the first time of using which sucked. Also I have issues with entering my latitude and longitude it says it’s invalid! Latitude = 50.8737 long = 0.254. My third issue is the altitude adgustment knob gets really tight towards 40 degrees and being at 50 this is an issue. I was unable to get my polar alignment any help here would be appreciated?
Hi Simon, sorry to hear your issues. Hopefully you'll fix them soon. My iPolar's screw-in cover is metal, I'm surprised they changed it into plastic... for the latitude/longitude, it's probably the format. Both Long and Lat should be in degrees/minutes/seconds format. Then you must put a + or - in front of longitude, and it should be in 3 digits like 000 in your case. As for the Alt adjust, please check the tightening screws on your mount (I have 4 on my CEM40 for Alt only), some of them are probably too tight. Let me know if these are helpful, feel free if there's any other questions, good luck!!
@@bensastrophotography5915 HI there I tried your suggestions and managed hit the nail on the head. Nest issue ?I am seeing is my focus is out on the stars. I can manage 1 minute exposures without star trails which is great but they are blurry. Will continue to watch youtube videos to see what I am doing wrong. Thanks
Did you see Polaris to start the routine ?Am near the equator and Polaris is just 5 degree over the horizon
This time my house covered at least 40% of the field of view in iPolar, but Polaris is still visible I think. I will definitely test that next time with my house cover 60% FOV and let you know!
@@bensastrophotography5915 would be most grateful
Per iOptron, it is not necessary to see Polaris for the alignment.
www.ioptron.com/product-p/3339.htm
What makes iPolar unique?
1. Can be easily installed inside the RA shaft on all iOptron equatorial mounts (except SmartEQ Pro).
2. Can be used on any mounts with adapters either internally or externally.
3. USB plug and play (no driver needed)
4. Works globally, no need to set northern and southern hemisphere.
5. No visible Polaris (north) or Sigma Octantis (south) necessary.
6. No need to rotate the mount during polar align.
came from CN link. Thanks.
How long have you worked for iOptron?
Hi Logieberra, I don't know where this comes from, but I never worked for iOptron. I bought the CEM40ec and iPolar last year, I've been using them for over 1 year now, still satisfied with the performance. Especially iPolar, it's way better than Pole Master.