Why you NEED a STAR TRACKER with...Automatic Polar Alignment!

[@csimet]

I have both the MSM and Polaris (I was an initial project backer). I use the MSM for very basic tracking, while the Polaris is for more advanced use (including panoramas). The Polaris requires a very strict setup routine, that basically falls into (1) making sure the unit is perfectly leveled and (2) the unit is properly north aligned before you start using it. It is absolutely critical that both are as precise as possible. Your phone is required, but does not have to stay on or connected at all times. You can attach and detach at will, without changing the running tracking. If anyone is interested, here is my routine (it is long)... Benro Polaris Setup: Deploy tripod as stable as possible (lock leg sections, spread legs as far apart as possible, add stone bag and weight to stabilize) Level the tripod base mount as best possible by adjusting leg sections (does not have to be perfect, but as close as you can) Use a tripod leveler (one that permits fine tuning via individual adjusters is preferred over a “bowl” type, as it is much easier to adjust) Fine tune the tripod leveler (use large precision bubble level to verify - one that allows 0.1 degree resolution) Place Polaris on the tripod leveler Calibrate phone compass and GPS (many astro/GPS/compass apps have the ability to help with this) Verify phone compass by use of Sun Surveyor and/or SkEye apps (sun/stars/planets should appear exactly at compass direction indicated by the app and if not, re-perform the previous step) Power up Polaris, start the Polaris app and connect Double tap the joysticks and (re)set the Polaris position to start (Astro plate mount should be level to ground, you may need to double tap the joysticks several times to make absolutely sure it is in the level starting position) Place the large precision bubble level on the Polaris Astro plate and verify perfect level (re-adjust the tripod leveler as needed). Ensure you use a good quality camera plate that sets the camera at 90 degrees to the Astro orientation Place the camera on the Polaris Astro mount. Select Astro mode and follow the compass calibration step Select and goto the object you wish to track Using the camera viewfinder (or live view), ensure the object is dead center (use Polaris joystick fine tuning or manual knobs to adjust as needed, do not rely on the Polaris app view of the sky shown) Once the object is perfectly centered, start tracking Monitor, verify and adjust tracking as needed throughout the session (using Polaris joysticks) Tips: You can manually adjust the alignment either with the app joysticks or, and I prefer, use the knobs manually. I find manual adjustment is much more precise. Buy one or more extra astro (that very short one you forgot) and camera connector cables... standard cables do *not* work and they have special wiring. Any standard USB-C cable can be used for charging.

[@hoangpham]

Thanks so much for sharing all of this! I'll have to try this out to see if I can get better performance out of the Polaris. I agree with getting extra cables for it because I have forgotten the cable before and learned the hard way that they are not standard cables like you said. They are specialized even though they look like regular usbc cables.

[@kristjan-wn3gc]

Btw polaris astro plate or polaris roof main base not needed percfectly leveled because as it designed to home positioning -1 degree tilted backward and system knows that.

[@jango71]

Thanks!

[@DroogVoom]

Great straight forward review.Your a natural in front of the camera.Best wishes from the southern hemisphere.

[@hoangpham]

Thank you so much!

[@kristjan-wn3gc]

All you need to do is perfectly leveled base on your tripod ( i mean very leveled,

[@hoangpham]

Maybe I need to make sure it's perfectly leveled. Great advice

[@DavidStella]

Excellent review. Seems like I need a tracker 😊

[@hoangpham]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@VirakStudio]

I don't need a star tracker... well... I didn't think I did... until I watched this video

[@hoangpham]

you do now 😂

[@bamsemh1]

I'm aiming for ioptron, because of the possibility to align through the phone. No need to be near the tripod and maybe accidentally make it move by walking.

[@hoangpham]

Do you mean the Benro Polaris with the automatic alignment?

[@nathvee]

🔥🔥🔥

[@hoangpham]

🔥🔥🔥

[@lighthunter2628]

When you mention the inaccuracy of the Benro Polaris is it about inaccurate polar alignment or star alignment? What you mention sounds more about star alignment, not polar alignment inaccuracy!

[@hoangpham]

It's both. When polar aligning it's off and then I have to manually correct it. After corrected it isn't perfect either but that may be due to me not perfectly aligning it manually. Even after that when i tell it to find stars it is still off by a bit. I've never had it work perfectly but it's close enough that I don't mind manually correcting it

[@phillipjensen4362]

is your phone aligned with earth's magnetic field north or true north? im just curious!

[@hoangpham]

I believe true north