iPolar By iOptron
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- iPolar by iOptron #Astrophotography
#Astrobloke #Astrophotography #astronomy
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iPolar By IOptron is a very effective and simple tool to accurately & quickly polar align your mount
After an imaging trip to Suffolk where I met up with Simon of Simon's Astro. I learnt about the iPolar. Simon has 3 of these, one for each of his mounts and he swears by them. Anyway after watching how quickly and easily he polar aligned I decided to get one and try it out. Fantastic tool and highly recommend them.
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The meter is of a high quality and works really well. Not only is it great for helping to find perfect balance in stiff mounts but it is a fantastic aid to fine tuning your mount for the best guiding. It will assist you in adjusting your worm drive/gear mesh to the optimum setting and giving you great smooth tracking and excellent guiding numbers.
I am glad you are able to use the iPolar to align your scope. When you had your back to the camera it was hard to understand what you sere saying over the background music.The image of your tablet was not readable, so I could not see or hear what you were doing. I just bought a mount with this camera.
Sorry its really not a very good video and one I will be remaking. Its quite straightforward though and when you get hands on it will make sense. You just move the red circle over the red cross and when spot on they will turn green. Of everything I have used for Polar alignment this is by far the easiest and quickest out there. Good luck and clear skies.
Thanks for this. One of the most annoying and difficult to master task for me is polar alignment.
You are welcome. I can honestly say from using many types of methods this is the easiest and fastest solution.
Great video Glenn, thanks for the shout out mate! Glad you really like the ipolar, I too think they are a huge bonus to anyone wanting to polar align in a hurry, accurately👍 I’m sure more people will want one now seeing your vid😀
Clear skies
You are welcome Simon. Thank you so much for putting me onto them, I love it. If they sell loads do you think iOptron will gift me a GEM ?
@@Astrobloke 🤞
Thanks very much for posting about the iPolar. I just got my first tracking mount today... the iOptron SkyTracker Pro with an iPolar scope. Of course the print manual has nothing in it about my scope. I expect the website has expanded manuals.
So it was neat to be able to see your scope in action. Thanks for the smooth, unhurried presentation, too. It helps keep my head from exploding. 😊
Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. I am always happy to help so if you have any issues please reach out as this is a hobby with a steep learning curve. Have fun and clear skies
I have the Ioptron GEM45 and it has the ipolar built in. I love NINA, but I found that ipolar is so much faster than NINA's 3 point alignment. It works fast, and I can get to running my sequences in NINA right away. Thank you for this video!
I totally agree. The ipolar is without doubt the quickest and easiest PA tool about. Accurate too. Thanks for taking the time to comment, clear skies
Exact same experience! Used iPolar at first with new CEM70G (built in) and then started using NINA and went to TPA. Have recently gone back to iPolar and initial results suggest it is just as good (or better) and much faster.
One thing I found with initial setup on iPolar is that once you set position 1, and it then asks to slew to position 2 as Glenn points out in the video - you better either slew Ra fast - or - cover the iPolar, slew to position 2 and then uncover. If going too slow it will want to grab/plate solve position 2 before you get to 45 degrees (or more). I believe hitting Clear Camera does let you start fresh if required.
Gracias por contar tu experiencia. Lo he comprado hace un mes y ésta semana ha llegado a aduanas de mi país. Espero recibirlo para luna nueva.
Yo he intentado con casi todo, phd2 y nina nunca me ayudaron, phd2 porque tengo bloqueado el meridiano, nina simplemente toma una fotografía y luego no se desplaza. Sharpcap si me ha funcionado pero el hacer el reajuste luego de mover la montura en posición inicial se me desconfigura todo y nunca pude alinear al 100%. Tengo fé que lo lograré con iPolar. Un saludo desde Argentina.
You are very welcome and I am sure this will help you achieve good polar alignment. It is a very easy tool to use and very accurate. Good luck and clear skies
@@AstroblokeClear Skies!
I bought this and discovered the camera was out of alignment when I rotated the mount the camera centre which is marked by an x orbited around the pole spot. Which obviously meant the device did not work properly. Its something you need to check after you install it.
You have been unlucky. I have had 3 and not encountered this problem. Good point to check though.
Good to see the iPolar in action. Despite having iOptron mounts, I've never tried out the iPolar but it does look nice and quick.
It is definitely the easiest and quickest PA tool I have used. Great for portable mounts that you move about.
Turn the pin around so you front leg is over the weight, else it's far more awkward adjusting the height
That was the change they made with the EQ6 tripod as it afforded more clearance for long scopes. I have a 3d printed fixed knob for that adjustment which is just so much better. The spring ratchet style one was awful
Looks much easier than the polemaster !
Hi Ed. I have heard it is but I have not used the polemaster so couldn't comment on a comparison. Thanks for watching
@@Astrobloke Polemaster is good, but lots of very accurate mouse clicking required to get the best from it - which is hard when you're hands have frozen! Will stick with my polemaster, but kinda wish I'd looked at the iPolar a bit more before I bought!
I recently bought one of these so great timing
Excellent PA tool
Nice one Glenn. I didn't realize those were available as a stand alone unit. CS!
Hi James. Yes mate and are listed normally with all the different adapters for various mounts.
Great video Glenn. When both of us started I think the only tool to assist with PA was Sharpcap and now there are so many out there. It's great to see all the options. I've found myself using NINA now more than the Polemaster, but this seems actually even faster.
The ipolar is a lot easier to use than than sharpcap. Whether thats worth the expense is personal. Seems to divide the room looking through my comments. Out in the field I think this is the best tool for the job. Would never have got one but after watching Simon PA in half the time I did I was like right....where's my wallet
Very interesting video Glenn! Currently, I'm very happy with the NINA PA plugin but it's always nice and interesting to see what other people are using. Thanks for sharing & CS!
Hi Tully, the NINA plug in is a great tool and of course free. I use that to check my Observatory alignment. Since getting the iPolar its made PA so much easier when out at different dark sites but most probably not worth the cost to be fair
Great overview. I bought one with my CEM120 mount. So easy to use compared to the Polemaster. I’m getting guiding down to
I love the ease of use. I have also been very happy with its accuracy. Thats surperb guiding numbers, great mount the CEM120
Astrophotography isn't a cheap hobby by any stretch of imagination. Having said that, I am unable to justify spending roughly £300 for something that can be done for £12 as this is the cost of sharpcap pro per year. In terms of accuracy, I would argue that using the main imaging camera, which is most likely a high-resolution camera, will deliver much better results.
It certainly isn’t cheap. Altair astro sell the ipolar for £179 with a clamp so not sure where you have £300 from. I bought a used one for £120 so its worth looking around. Having said that there are so many options, like sharpcap and even NINA’s 3 point alignment which is free.. all do a great job. Like any hobby things are developed and produced to cater for all tastes, the ipolar for me is so quick and easy and very accurate so was happy to part with my money for one. Most of ioptrons mounts come with one as standard and already installed, my CEM26 did. I started off using sharpcap and always got great results and is a great piece of software. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts, clear skies
If I'd known how easy this was to set up I wouldn't have bought the polemaster that I already have as it looks a lot easier to set up.
Nice to see the focus cube fitted on the scope to mate.
Hi Tich. Not used the Polemaster but it does seem from comments that the ipolar is a lot simpler to use. Yes the cube is there (ruining my colour scheme lol)
@@Astrobloke You really don't want to see the colour scheme in my observatory then or you'd be in tears lol.
@@dumpydalekobservatory i have even thought about painting mine lol
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Blimey, that looks like a smart bit of kit.
Have you not been uploading much recently or UA-cam doing its funny stuff? 😉
Hi Basil. Life has caused me some issues of time but should be posting much more content now.
@@Astrobloke Ah OK mate. Hope things a bit easier for you now! Look forward to them 😉
At the beginning you say to move about 45-degrees from the Home or zero position for the mount, but then show it in the video, only at the Home position. So, does one have to move the mount in RA and plate solve twice, or do everything in the Home position only? If I rotate the mount more than about 5-degees from the NCP the sky is obscured by trees.
Hi Michael. My apologies but the footage I took did not come out clearly and then the weather changed so was unable to record new footage. biggest youtube issue is once a video is out you cannot edit it. The process is really straightforward and only needs to be done once. Can you move you rig to a spot with a clear view? If so do the calibration there as it only sets the alignment of the camera with your mount. once set you can place your mount where you need to use it and then Polar Align.
❤
Thanks
Hello and thanks for this video. I am struggling with the Skywatcher Star Adventurer polar alignment. I am too old, and my body can't get down low to look through that ridiculous polar scope. I need something else. Is your opinion of the Ipolar still a good one? Do you still use it? Thanks.
Hi David. Yes I have 2 now (one was built into my CEM26) they are excellent and make PA so much easier. I think this is the best tool on the market.
My one crapped out. Need to get a new one, was only 18 months old, buy going to claim a replacement. Very poor only lasted 18 months
That’s not good Dennis, great kit but it should not break after such a short time. Not checked warranty period, is it just 12months?
Without meaning to sound ungrateful - how come you didn't you show confirmation of Position 1 & 2 Also, when you have confirmed Position 1 you need to cover the iPolar camera otherwise it will automictically detect Position 2 prematurely and in less that 10 degrees of RA. By covering the camera you can move RA to between 60 or 90 degrees then confirm Position 2 for better accuracy.
Hi Simon. Unfortunately the footage didn't come out of me actually confirming positions. I will try what you have said as I didn't replace the cap, just moved the scope as instructed. My alignments have been very good so have not tried to re do it but will take another look.
@@Astrobloke To be honest with you Glenn, once I've used iPolar for PA I then tend to check my results with SharpCap and then again in PHD - they all show varying results so who knows which is more accurate than the other... As you mention in your video iPolar is nice and fast
Nice one Glen
Am I right in assuming that you have to have a clear sight on polaris?
Hi Douglas, thank you. No that’s the great thing. As it used 4 stars + to platesolve you can align without actually seeing Polaris. Very useful for southern he isphere guys or anyone without a view of the Magic star
Hi Glenn, do you rate this over Nina three point alignment? It looks easy but I don't really see why I would use it. Cheers. Mark. (BTW the background music really distracts from what you are saying!)
I only tried it as when I was out in the field using NINA and Simon using the ipolar he was done in half the time I was. It seems very quick and accurate but NINA and Sharpcap work just as well. I really like the ipolar though and wanted to share that.
Sorry if the music was off putting, I think I messed up the mixing levels and it needed to be lower.
Can this iOpton iPolar be used on Astro-Physics 1200 and 1600 GOTO mounts? Where would one get an adaptor for external mounting? Astro-Physics does not make them.
It can be used on any mount. The adapters are normally sold with the camera for specific mounts but I am not sure of the full range. I couldn’t get one for my EQ8 but just fashioned a way to attach it and then polar align which worked great. It was easy as its a permanent set up in my observatory so only needed the once on that.
how are you able to use an iPad with your iPolar? I can run the iOptron software but the ipad doesn't see the camera when I connect it. I've tried using a lightning to USB adapter on my iPhone SE and my iPad air but neither one sees the iPolar. What are you using?
Hi Toomy. I connect to my rig via the mini pc which the ipolar is plugged into. You can use remote desktop or chrome desktop to connect with an ipad or iphone or laptop.
I have not against this presentation because is as good as it should be. However one thing I've learned is counting money. Item priced roughly £290 doing job £12 worth of PRO subscription of Sharpcap. I'm surprised people are still buying this and PoleMaster. Unbelievable.
I understand your point. The iPolar is about £100 less than £290 at the moment but still an expense that you do not have to make. There are many things in this hobby that are nice to have but not always necessary. I am not saying you should buy one I am just sharing my experience of using it. I personally find it quicker and easier than sharpcap but like all things its a personal preference.
Which one is the one for the eqr6-pro ipolar?
I bought mine from Rothervalleyoptics. The ioptron is bought as just the camera and vendors supply the correct mounting adapter for the mount you have. I would just call whoever you are ordering from to make sure you get the right adapter.
Hi,
What version of IPolar sotware are you using?
My version 2.62 only asks me to confirm the first calibration frame then just takes the others before I have a chance to move the polar axis.
You did not mention the 2 or 3 calibration frames with the polar axis ideally at 45 & 90 degs polar rotation. Do you not do that?
Thanks
Hi Ian. Sorry for slow reply but my rig was dismantled for some work and I could not check. The ver I have is 2.60. I did do the stage you are struggling with but unfortunately the footage was lost when I came to edit. I mean to re record the video to include it I just have not had time.
Why not just use sharpcap?
I’ve used sharpcap in the past a lot and its great. The ipolar I found a lot better however, faster and just easier to use especially when out visiting different dark sites
@@Astrobloke When using SC, did you do it through the main cam or guidecam?
@@syberand I tried both but found the guide camera to be the best.
@@Astrobloke I move around between two locations and use guidecam and guidescope. The routine normally dont take more than a few minutes. NINAs TPPA is also great, but only use it when I dont have access to polaris (only south view). That usually takes 10-15min.