iPolar by iOptron...a Polemaster alternative

[@febsat]

Nice video. I have the iPolar too. Important that it gets installed in the correct orientation in relationship to the mount axis. I initially found myself adjusting the the azimuth screws, which would inturn move the cross vertically. My iPolar is a permanent installation, meaning I removed the mount polar scope and threaded in the iPolar. I have an iOptron IEQ 30 Pro mount. I had to install a very thin washer between the iPolar and the mount body, so that when the iPolar was tightened, the little camera sensor was perfectly oriented to the mount axis. A little bit of trial and error needed with the washer thickness. The alt/AZ bolt adjustments vs the cross movements are excellent now. On mine the orange disc turns green when alignment is correct. Wording will appear to say so and that you are good to go.

[@jacquigreenland4768]

Regarding the lenscap being annoying to get off - I've seen a few people mention this and I found that putting a pinhole in it relieves the suction that is holding it on and makes it much easier to get on/off!

[@utubemtk11]

Very helpful. I am grateful to see the image on your screen sometimes blink or pause because now i understand that is normal, and not a problem. Thank you!

[@sekitv]

Best iPolar video manual is this!! Thank you Stace!! All the best

[@TheAstronomer]

Great video! It is a bit disheartening that we have to go through all this hassle to capture an image that hundreds of them already exist in the internet and people spend only a fraction of second to skim through them. Liked and subscribed!

[@rafat7575]

Thank you very much for your video. I love it as I am amateur astronomer and English student. Your accent is so pure that I am flying. You combined two things that I love: astronomy and English language ... thank you very much

[@hyak107]

Great video. I have a Polemaster but was curious about the iPolar setup routine. Nice t-shirt, I'm in Texas and was able to attend the Apollo 50th celebration last year at Johnson Space Center. They reopened the Apollo Mission Control Center during the celebration, they did an amazing job with the restoration.

[@OilPainter01]

Question from a complete newbie: to initially center the camera, when you move the RA for Positions 1 thru 3, are you unlocking the mounts gears and manually moving along the RA axis, or are you using the mounts gears with hand controller -- or otherwise -- to make that move to Position 2 and then again to Position 3? THANKS!

[@gregorymckenna6609]

Hi Stace. Another great and informative video! I actually bought an IPolar for my Ioptron Skyguider Pro. I downloaded the installation instructions from Ioptron. For the Skyguider you must remove the existing polar scope. The instructions say you need a 2mm and a 2.5mm hex key. In fact you also need a 1.5mm hex key as well to release the grub screws inside the skyguider to remove the existing polar scope. Just thought I would pass this info along to your viewers in case they run in to the same problem. I hope Ioptron watches your video and sponsors your channel! Greg, Toronto Canada

[@AstroStace]

Thanks so much Greg! :)

[@nigelplatt3808]

Greg, can I ask, did you completely remove the LED and its board that are there to illuminate the reticle ?

[@gregorymckenna6609]

@@nigelplatt3808 hi Nigel: yes, I removed led and associated board. I put it in a container just in case I need it later.

[@nigelplatt3808]

@@gregorymckenna6609 cheers 👍

[@mr.harris8185]

Thank you for your review. I am new at this and it helped me alot with mine. I 3D printed my adapter for my 20 year old Orion EQ3 mount. I agree with you on everything. The only thing I like better on the Polemaster is that you can secure the connection with two screws. I find my iPolar connection a little loose and I could tie it off with a bit of string but it only needs to be connected for a short period of time. Now if I could just figure out my guide camera and PHD2...lol

[@AstroDenny]

I use a polemaster and the software is definitely lacking in comparison to this. Neat video! Sorry about the rain. We've had a rough summer here as well (only rained twice- Once for 35 days and once for 45 days!). Clear skies!

[@welshskies]

Hi, i really enjoyed your video. I've got an HEQ5 too and a Polemaster. I sat transfixed watching you fit the camera mount, I'm certain I would have dropped the Allen key into the polar scope hole. 🤔 Excellent video. Thanks.

[@anabella.a5]

Thank you very much for your video. I bought the ipolar a few days ago and it will arrive in November (the customs in my country are a little slow in doing their job). I have had problems aligning myself for a long time, I have a lot of expectations for this accessory, I have an EQ3 and I bought the adaptation for the HeQ5 since they have the same size (I was with a friend verifying this). What remains in my doubt is whether I have to continue rotating the mount parallel to it like a sharpcap. Greetings from Argentina.

[@edmondkreuk]

Although you've posted this video a long time ago, it has helped me out today :-) So, thanks!

[@Talespinner35]

Thank you for your review of (and procedure with) the iPolar scope. It confirmed my need for it, despite my using the SkyGuider Pro instead of a standard GEM. And yes, that t-shirt is wicked!!

[@tragedytrousers1769]

Just received my iPolar today and for once clear skies tonight! Well worth the money. Easy to use and much better tracking then when I was using the Polar scope on my Orion Sirius EQ-G Mount. Hardest part was mounting the adapter to the mount with those grub screws. argghh.. You made it look so easy.

[@AstroStace]

glad you like it! ahhh yeah I guess it can be a little fiddly to fit, I was already used to fitting a polemaster though :) clear skies!

[@Bonspieler]

Hey Stacey, great video. I'm going to take a look at this. I like the fact that it plate solves and doesn't need to see Polaris. I've got so many huge Oaks and Maples in my yard, I can only see Polaris from one 5 foot section out of a whole acre of property. I do like this one's aiming circle better than the PM. It'll deeply satisfy my OCD for getting it perfect. The PoleMaster by comparison has a much smaller window to align the green and red reticles. For us old farts, it's too small and hard to see. Thanks for posting. Casca ;-)

[@AstroStace]

It's a great little device, kinda wishing I had one of these instead of the polemaster now...I like the software better too!

[@utubemtk11]

BTW, I originally bought the QHY Polemaster. I tried it on three recent model Windows 10 computers, two laptops and a desktop, and the camera never connected. Getting a refund took all kids of threats and begging. iOptron seems to be more reliable.

[@Roblatus]

Great video. Just ordered one of these myself. I intend to 3D Print and adaptor and use it on my Skywatcher Star Adventurer. Love the T Shirt also, I picked up a couple of Apollo 50th T Shirts from Kennedy Space Center while on holiday back in August.

[@nightscapeimages.richard]

Hey Robert. I'd be interested to find out how you went with the ipolar mounted on your Star Adventurer. Richard

[@galacticus9845]

Alot easier than Polemaster. Better in the field. Thanks Stace!

[@buddhifonseka7782]

Polemaster's downfall is their software's lack of Plate Solving, especially for us living in the Southern Hemisphere. We don't have anything particularly visible around the South Celestial Pole from light polluted locations. QHY says they will add plate solving to their software "soon", but recently I have started using polemaster with Sharpcap Pro and despite it being a wider than recommended camera and have no problems with my Astrotrac portable mount. My NEQ6 is pier mounted and does not need regular alignment - it was polar aligned many years ago using Alignmaster software. That appears not to be available anymore.

[@TheZ3roCool]

I use Sharpcap and my guide scope. Buying the guide scope anyway and Sharpcap came free for a year with a license (With Camera) and £10 a year after that. Gets PA'ed everytime within about 5 mins and gives unguided subs of around 4-5mins so must be pretty accurate.

[@michael.a.covington]

I just got an iPolar for my Celestron AVX. It came with no installation instructions, but fortunately I had seen this video. I'm a little puzzled why there are two hand screws, the silver one and the black plastic one; also afraid the black one might be easy to break. I like the way you've oriented them. I wonder if I should change the black one to a grub screw.

[@michaelsaltsman7550]

you have a very calming voice lol another great video very informative

[@AstroStace]

Thanks mike :) I try! You guys get to see me when I’m not threatening to boot my kit through the hedge 😂😂😂

[@stephennield29]

Great job Stacey. I really enjoyed this video. I will be looking at alignment aids soon so this has come at the right time! Thank you!

[@AstroStace]

Thank you for the feedback Stephen :) glad to help!

[@jerrypayne9617]

Good Job with the video. I have already 3D printed a adapter for my Sky View Pro mount.

[@michaelsaltsman7550]

so glad to have found u here and on twitter and such a helpful lady u are too

[@AstroStace]

Thank you mike :)

[@michael.a.covington]

Useful trivia: That cross is 8 arc-seconds wide (and high).

[@rameshtahlan]

thanks for the video. I think it is worth buying that to make life a far more simple. I just got the HEQ5 PRO.

[@prabhakarrao4922]

Greetings from Auckland NZ. Can this be mounted on the Faunax LighTrack II ? Thank you kindly

[@MegaBrebis]

Great explanation! But is the expense really necessary? I mean if you carefully polar align with the in-built polar scope, do plate solving with a software and autoguide?

[@michael.a.covington]

A polar scope generally gets you within 10' if you are careful, which is indeed good enough for autoguiding. This device gets you to within 1' of the pole easily. Plate solving does not substitute for polar alignment, but it does overcome errors in go-to.

[@redbird247]

Hey Stace, nice one. Can you quantify "spot on"? By which I mean, have you tried something like the PHD2 drift alignment tool to report polar alignment accuracy? Obviously you're satisfied with the results, which counts, but I'd be interested to hear something phrased in arcseconds! I notice that in your video there is about a pixel's worth of gap between the edges of the cross and the circle, you sound pretty confident that that's good enough. I'm guessing that for my mount, the adjustments and my arthritic fingers have a useful resolution of something like 1 or 2 arcseconds, so more resolution than that would just be wasted anyway.

[@davidwoods1337]

You were right, that IS a great tshirt! Very useful video, thank you.

[@AstroStace]

Thank you 😄

[@charlespeters9626]

Hi Stace just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your video; very enlightening and you clearly spelt out the steps necessary to set-up and go. As a 68 year old newby your video has explained a lot. As a matter of interest, is there any reason why you had to return to Position 1 after you actioned Position 3? Why did you not make your alignment adjustments at Position 3. Have I missed something? Keep up the great work. Many thanks, Charlie

[@AstroStace]

Hi Charles! Thanks for the great feedback and glad it could help! Actually now I think on it, I think I did it out of habit! That's what I do with the polemaster. Though after you've done the initial rotation once you shouldn't have to do it again (unless you take the ipolar off the mount).

[@charlespeters9626]

@@AstroStace Thanks Stace for your prompt reply. I'll give it a go when I get my gear sorted out. Having moved from the Wirral, Cheshire to New Zealand I also have the complication of not having Polaris as a target. Such is life.

[@cevoner]

@@AstroStace Hi, I see that you rotate your mount only slightly for Pos. 1, 2, and 3. I've been rotating 45 degrees for each. Is the way you do it quicker as sometimes Its hard to get Position 3 confirmed. Another Charlie here in USA. I have IPolar for Skyguider Pro and I have made a makeshift one for the Skywatcher AZ-GTi which I like a lot since its' portable and does an automatic slew. Your IPolar review is the best information I've seen.

[@carollines7994]

Thanks Stace…. Lifesaver, I was about to Chuck this mount out the window 😖😖

[@OLD-AND-UGLEE]

Cool Stuff, Nice job on the video.... After using it which would you recommend? Most important, did it get the Paw of approval from Luna! Thanks again Clear Skies, God Bless

[@Tspadger]

Very clear video. Might well splash out on one. Instead of splashing out every time I step outside. Will this rain ever stop? (I live where your water comes from btw!)

[@adityasoni6185]

Hi there! Have you ever tried to align if polaris is blocked by A building or tree? Actually i am shifting to another apartment and polaris is just few inches behind the building.

[@PafMedic]

I Know This Is A Year Old ,But Ordered This Today From High Point,and Just Got The Sky Fi 3😢Its Raining😂😂😂

[@SuperJusher]

Hi Stacey, great video, im having issues when trying to calibrate the ipolar for my first use. Any idea on how to reset it so it works?

[@CardBoardBoxPro]

Thanks for this I think I like this software more than the polarmaster. So i'll try to get one of these.

[@michael.a.covington]

I made a better lens cap out of a PVC pipe cap (U.S. 3/4-inch size, that being the inside diameter of the pipe it fits on) with a little tape to pad it.

[@francoiscouturier9875]

Hi ! Can’t find any adaptor for my vixen gpdx....the mount diameter hole is 35mm. Could it fit with the eq6 adaptor ? Thanks !

[@AstroStace]

Contact Altair astro :) they might be able to 3D print you one !

[@stephenrichards5386]

Ian and Nick should pay for this. I was going to buy the polemaster

[@stephenrichards5386]

Well done Stacey.

[@woody5109]

I’m assuming these cameras are primarily to save your back?

[@philyoung9605]

Thanks Stacey good video yep Ipolar for me,and it is a lot cheaper than Polemaster

[@therealeyesonly]

Hi Stacey. Great video, do you know if there is an adapter for the Eq5 mount for this? ( i have been looking but couldn't find anything)

[@AstroStace]

Hi David, drop Altair astro a message. They should be able to sort one out :)

[@therealeyesonly]

@@AstroStace thanks, will do

[@tragedytrousers1769]

Your mount is have pretty much the same mount I have, the Orion Sirius EG-Q Had not considered the Ipolar so thanks for the video

[@AstroStace]

no worries at all! yes it's a brilliant little device!

[@cmas-astronomy4715]

Most excellent video. I was fighting clouds last night with mine in a CEM40 and got a little frustrated. The iPolar manual does not show moving the mount to the three calibration positions, only two. I had to look at the CEM40 manual to understand what position #3 is. Weather report for tonight looks to be clear, so I hope I can figure it all out. You seem to have mastered it's use as your polar alignment didn't take more than 10 minutes. What were your exposure & gain settings and how dark is your sky?

[@AstroStace]

Hey! Thanks for commenting, I believe my settings are 7x gain and 500ms...as I tend to set up while the sky is still quite bright. But I do adjust accordingly. Im sure you will get there. It would be good if these manufacturers could be a bit more clear with their instructions...it would save us astronomers a lot of frustration I bet :)

[@cmas-astronomy4715]

@@AstroStace Your video did help me out and I'll get there eventually. I have to print out the manual so I can write some of my own notes on things that are left out. It's like any journey, sometimes you have to sit down and take your shoe off so you get get the pebble out.

[@AstroStace]

That's a really good analogy

[@enriqueestebanSchott]

Excelente, 10 puntos.

[@DCD1978]

I love, the ipolar Ioptron

[@travelanddrones]

Hi, I'm about to buy this cam, but I have a doubt. Instructions say you do not need to identify Sigma Octante in the Southern Hemisphere ( I live here), and it alaso says it is not necessary to rotate during the polar alignment. So, is it possible to get a very good alignment with no Sigma Octante visible? Regards

[@blakebrothers]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@noypi75]

Very good video. Thank you.

[@LifeIsPlug]

Hi stace I recently got this iPolar scope and have one question about it. I have it installed on my heq5 with the adapter and while in the mounts home position I polar align. However once I slew to a target and check polar alignment again I notice that I am way out. How do you install the adapter so that it holds alignment while moving. Or does it matter once it's initially aligned. Thanks Edmund.

[@AstroStace]

Hi Edmund that doesn’t sound like the adapter to me, do you do your polar alignment with the scope all attached or without

[@LifeIsPlug]

@@AstroStace I have the adapter screwed in with the Allen key like in your video. The iPolar camera is then put into the adaptor and tightened in place. Everything is connected and ready to go at this stage. Telescope camera etc. It's balanced also. While the mount is in the home position I polar align and get the cross inside the circle in the iOptron software. However once I slew to a target the polar alignment is way off.

[@AstroStace]

Hmmm the only thing I can think of to do is make sure everything is installed flat and true. Also re do your initial alignment with the i polar again (where you calibrate it) and go from there. I’ve heard about the polar alignment slightly shifting after slewing, but never by a great amount. So this seems quite odd to me

[@LifeIsPlug]

@@AstroStace Will give it a shot again and recheck everything next night im out. Thank you :)

[@Sidecontrol1234]

What does it mean by taking a dark frame? does the ipolar take it or do you need to take it with your dslr / dedicated astro cam?

[@tacomaastro7462]

The dark frame is for and taken with the iPolar camera, this eliminates false star detections when using the camera.

[@sharpe9568]

Hey Stacey, I'm interested to see some of the images you've captured with your Altair scope, do you have an online gallery?

[@AstroStace]

I do. Take a look at www.astrostace.com

[@astronorthwet636]

You still have to do a 2 or 3 star alignment for your go-to capability, don't you?

[@AstroStace]

Yes that’s correct. Polar alignment is different to goto star alignment

[@cliveroberts415]

Looks like a great alternative to the excellent but overpriced polemaster. I would be interested to see the PHD2 graphs using this.

[@AstroStace]

I'm hoping the weather will clear soon. I've only been able to capture two subs since using it. But the guiding on those two subs was just as good as when I polar aligned with the polemaster :)

[@steveg4iwr]

It looks easier to use than the pole master which mys be better. Great video.

[@AstroStace]

Much easier than the polemaster after that initial setup :)

[@ssadams]

nice piece of equipment but too pricey for me 😊

[@olegsastrophotography1771]

Nice alternative!

[@AstroStace]

indeed! it works very well 😁

[@merc500sec]

nice one Stace :-D

[@Hazim-hw2ml]

Nice video👍👍

[@jamesdougan8789]

g`day will it work in the southern hemisphere ???? as its a little hard to see the north star polaris from australia lol dose the software cater for that ? great video ... how long exposures are you getting before getting elongated stars 2 min... 5 min ..longer ? and how much is it to buy ?? it looks good cheers james D

[@AstroStace]

Yes it works in the southern hemisphere :) longer than 5 minutes... My guiding is just as good as when I polar align with the polemaster. Spot on :) it's about £200 here in the UK :)

[@jamesdougan8789]

@@AstroStace thanks for the reply astrostace you answered all my questions much appreciated cheers james D

[@michael3owman66]

Nice. Greets

[@neiltonks]

Do you still use this?

[@AstroStace]

No, great piece of kit that it is, I actually use sharpcap pro and my guiding setup to polar align now

[@jongroubert4203]

Stace, why did you go out and buy the iOptron when you already have the Polemaster, which you liked? Just curious? Heard better things about the iOptron one?

[@AstroStace]

Did you watch the video ? At the beginning I say I was sent this one by Altair astro to try out :) . Have to say I prefer the ioptron software :)

[@jongroubert4203]

@@AstroStace Oops! I did, but only with half an ear. Sorry!

[@AstroStace]

@@jongroubert4203 it's all good 😄

[@lost_hyper1437]

its sooooo same a barolow :D