Best astro decision I've made in the past year was to get this item. It has made a HUGE difference in my imaging. Not cheap but my imaging life is so much better. If you can afford it, get it.
I've been using the Polemaster for two years now. Precise alignment in only a few minutes. I place my scope on the same three dots each night. It's just easy and precise. No platesolving and messing with the screws in between, etc. Just a few realtime minor adjustments and you're there!
Heads up for the cost conscious like me. The paid version of Sharpcap ($15/years) has a really good PA routine. If you start in the home position and do the routine twice, you will be back home and ready to star align. I routinely get
Just purchased this and it is on its way to Maui! very excited, but of course it will now be cloudy for at least a month after it arrives. LOL. Thanks, Mack I enjoy watching your videos.
Thanks. Very clear. However, you skipped over a couple of things. Getting the adapter optimally seated in the mount. Focusing the Polemaster. Also, since the polar alignment with Polemaster is independent of Declination position, polar alignment can be repeated if the alignment gets bumped by just moving the RA.
Thank you Mack. Great video.. in your chanel, are there any video on polar alignment in case we cant see polaris, i live near equator, it is very hard to se polaris. Thank you in advance.
I just install the QHY Polemaster. Downloaded the drivers and ascom setup program. Unfortunately when I move my Alt knob to move Polaris more to the middle of the screen it moves Horizontally not Vertically. When /i move the Azm knob Polaris moves vertically not Horizontally. Any ideas or suggestions how I might be messing up?
I always have trouble with polar alignment. For one thing, Polaris in not in the center of my screen so I have to move the slider to the right for me to see Polaris clearly. I suspect the mounting hole on my CGEM II mount in not a perfect 90 degrees to Polaris or the camera is not seated properly. But I've removed the camera many times to re-tighten the mounting brackets and after doing that I've never seen Polaris in the center of my screen so it must be the mounting hole that is not perfectly machined. One other thing I have trouble with is the camera stops refreshing after a short time. I have to restart my laptop first in order for it to work and even then I have to rush it before the camera stops responding. After a few minutes the refresh rate is sporadic and I have to wait, sometimes 5 - 10 seconds before my adjustment show up on my screen. It worked fine on my older Acer laptop but on my Dell not so much.
You will not be able to use this with the Star Adventurer unless you make an adapter. I had one machined from aluminum. The other option is a 3D printer. Mine fits into the front (star facing) side of my Star Adventurer.
@@geomatrix5452 I ended up buying a Polemaster and I actually can use it with the Star Adventurer by using the universal adapter. I just have to screw it in the downside of the L-Bracket. Thanks for you answer anyway.
You may have already answered your own question, but if you go to the product listing there is a menu to select your mount type for the appropriate adapter.
2:26 the software says move the RA axis 30 degrees clockwise - 2:30 the stars moved clockwise, so you must have moved RA counter-clockwise. Does it matter?
More or less : in fact, the software is looking for a 3 points arc to compute a circle and to determine the rotation center of the mount versus the PoleMaster's camera.
After much frustration I installed the software and the driver. The qhyccd website so sucks! Don't bother to look for product support. There is none. No instructions come with the camera. My computer says usb device unknown when I plug the camera in my USB port. The software will not recognized the camera either. I installed the driver and software both on my windows 10 and windows 11 computers. I've read on forums the software is not compatible with windows 11. The pdf file you are directed to click on which I assume are instructions or the manual is blank. Maybe I got a defective unit. I'm returning it. Totally frustrating experience.
What advice for Polar Alignment when we can't see Polaris? - My view of the North is totally obstructed by houses and trees. -- Those trees are nice except for polar alignment.
It's a shame this software hasn't been streamlined over the past few years. With ASIAIR Pro polar alignment, SharpCap Pro PA, and others, this is WAY too complicated. Click here, rotate here, click here rotate this, move the mount, center this, click this... How can we remember every step when we only use this once every few weeks? I guess I'll be coming back to watch this video again. Thanks for the video though.
ummmm no you're wrong, you disengage the RA clutch, rotate the mount, then re-engage the clutch (tighten).. then click click do it all again, then return it to the home position and continue
@@Ishouldbeflying From QHY Polemaster manual: "Please make sure you are using the handset controller or computer software (like EQMOD, ASCOM etc) to perform the rotation. Don't manually perform the rotation by loosening the RA clutch as it will cause the rotational center to shift and result in large apparent error."
Such a bloated convoluted process and with todays donglefest macbooks and junk window 11 fad computers it's just going to be more of a headache. The less trash "modern" computers involved the better. Last thing I want is the loopbrained idiot apple consumer mentality of doing things added to astronomy.
Love the polemaster! Great job on the setup video Mack!
It such an amazing tool that definitely helps save time and gives you better accuracy
Best astro decision I've made in the past year was to get this item. It has made a HUGE difference in my imaging. Not cheap but my imaging life is so much better. If you can afford it, get it.
I've been using the Polemaster for two years now. Precise alignment in only a few minutes. I place my scope on the same three dots each night. It's just easy and precise. No platesolving and messing with the screws in between, etc. Just a few realtime minor adjustments and you're there!
Very well done. I liked how easy it was to follow along with the setup procedures.
Thanks! We plan on making all our videos as simple and easy to understand as we can.
Great video Mack. You made it look so easy.
Thank You Very much! We made it look easy, because it is easy! ;)
Very clear. Well done
GREAT EXPLINATION AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS. THANKS!
Sold! I was worried about using this on a Mac so I was happy to see your demo on a Mac! Thank you.
Heads up for the cost conscious like me. The paid version of Sharpcap ($15/years) has a really good PA routine. If you start in the home position and do the routine twice, you will be back home and ready to star align. I routinely get
Just purchased this and it is on its way to Maui! very excited, but of course it will now be cloudy for at least a month after it arrives. LOL. Thanks, Mack I enjoy watching your videos.
Its the astronomy curse. it affects us all lol. The pole master is a game-changer on both time, accuracy and ease. You're going to love it!
Good video - its also worth mentioning that the shipped cable sometimes does not work, and the program needs to be updated to work properly
Easy to follow and works great on Windows 10 - Windows 11 PM doesn’t see the camera - any suggestions?
Nice video, thanks 👍🏼
Really good video! Thanks :)
Does this work on the Sky Watcher Star Adventure ? If so, what adapter would I pick ?
Excellent instructional video!
Thanks. Very clear. However, you skipped over a couple of things. Getting the adapter optimally seated in the mount. Focusing the Polemaster. Also, since the polar alignment with Polemaster is independent of Declination position, polar alignment can be repeated if the alignment gets bumped by just moving the RA.
Thank you Mack. Great video.. in your chanel, are there any video on polar alignment in case we cant see polaris, i live near equator, it is very hard to se polaris. Thank you in advance.
For connecting the PoleMaster to a Samsung tablet with a USB-C port should I buy a separate cable or an adapter to go from USB to USB-C?
I’m sold. Does it work with Atlas EQ-G Mount?
Yes, it does! You just need to choose the right adapter on the product page here: optcorp.com/collections/qhy-polemaster/products/qhy-polemaster
Do you still have to drift Alignment? after using the pole master! Lots of Astro photographer see yes...
Great video, thanks! What adapter do I need for the Eqm-35 Pro? I cant seem to find the correct one when it asks me to select the adapter.
I just install the QHY Polemaster. Downloaded the drivers and ascom setup program. Unfortunately when I move my Alt knob to move Polaris more to the middle of the screen it moves Horizontally not Vertically. When /i move the Azm knob Polaris moves vertically not Horizontally. Any ideas or suggestions how I might be messing up?
I have the same mount, skywatcher eq6 r pro, Which adapter is the correct one for this mount?
I always have trouble with polar alignment. For one thing, Polaris in not in the center of my screen so I have to move the slider to the right for me to see Polaris clearly. I suspect the mounting hole on my CGEM II mount in not a perfect 90 degrees to Polaris or the camera is not seated properly. But I've removed the camera many times to re-tighten the mounting brackets and after doing that I've never seen Polaris in the center of my screen so it must be the mounting hole that is not perfectly machined. One other thing I have trouble with is the camera stops refreshing after a short time. I have to restart my laptop first in order for it to work and even then I have to rush it before the camera stops responding. After a few minutes the refresh rate is sporadic and I have to wait, sometimes 5 - 10 seconds before my adjustment show up on my screen. It worked fine on my older Acer laptop but on my Dell not so much.
Really bummed that OPT is no longer around. Never had a bad experience with them.
Hey OPT, great video! I’d really like to buy this product. How can I can use it with the star adventurer? Where should I place the polemaster on it?
You will not be able to use this with the Star Adventurer unless you make an adapter. I had one machined from aluminum. The other option is a 3D printer. Mine fits into the front (star facing) side of my Star Adventurer.
@@geomatrix5452 I ended up buying a Polemaster and I actually can use it with the Star Adventurer by using the universal adapter. I just have to screw it in the downside of the L-Bracket. Thanks for you answer anyway.
can the polemaster be used as a guide camera when not doing polar alignment?
Unfortunately it cannot.
Great! Will there be a version that does work on an iPad, tablet, smartphone just without the need of a full laptop?
As long as you can download the program which works for both Apple and PC and you can plug in via USB, it should work.
Well done and sounds easy . Which adaptor should I use with a skyguider pro?
You may have already answered your own question, but if you go to the product listing there is a menu to select your mount type for the appropriate adapter.
2:26 the software says move the RA axis 30 degrees clockwise - 2:30 the stars moved clockwise, so you must have moved RA counter-clockwise. Does it matter?
More or less : in fact, the software is looking for a 3 points arc to compute a circle and to determine the rotation center of the mount versus the PoleMaster's camera.
Is this new software? My Polemaster software did not have that fine tuning appearance....it was two circles.
Make sure you have the latest driver and software installed. It has changed over time.
After much frustration I installed the software and the driver. The qhyccd website so sucks! Don't bother to look for product support. There is none. No instructions come with the camera. My computer says usb device unknown when I plug the camera in my USB port. The software will not recognized the camera either. I installed the driver and software both on my windows 10 and windows 11 computers. I've read on forums the software is not compatible with windows 11. The pdf file you are directed to click on which I assume are instructions or the manual is blank. Maybe I got a defective unit. I'm returning it. Totally frustrating experience.
What advice for Polar Alignment when we can't see Polaris?
- My view of the North is totally obstructed by houses and trees.
-- Those trees are nice except for polar alignment.
It's a shame this software hasn't been streamlined over the past few years. With ASIAIR Pro polar alignment, SharpCap Pro PA, and others, this is WAY too complicated. Click here, rotate here, click here rotate this, move the mount, center this, click this... How can we remember every step when we only use this once every few weeks? I guess I'll be coming back to watch this video again.
Thanks for the video though.
it explains everything in the software????? why would you need to watch a tutorial routinely. just read the words.
What about the Southern hemisphere?
Nobody tells you about the unsolved issues with freezing and lag rendering the device useless…
OPT..Make Sure to hold on to the little wrench because if you drop it...It will be in with the gears...ugggh
Astronomical Refraction? Orientation of the USB port E or W? Few details missing to achieve optimum results.
Looks like OPT is out of business.
Wrong: you shouldn't rotate the mount by hand or mechanically, only using remote or computer software !
ummmm no you're wrong, you disengage the RA clutch, rotate the mount, then re-engage the clutch (tighten).. then click click do it all again, then return it to the home position and continue
@@Ishouldbeflying From QHY Polemaster manual:
"Please make sure you are using the handset controller or computer software (like EQMOD, ASCOM etc) to perform
the rotation. Don't manually perform the rotation by loosening the RA clutch as it will cause the rotational center to shift and result in
large apparent error."
Such a bloated convoluted process and with todays donglefest macbooks and junk window 11 fad computers it's just going to be more of a headache. The less trash "modern" computers involved the better. Last thing I want is the loopbrained idiot apple consumer mentality of doing things added to astronomy.