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Hi Lincoln,
The Polarie is a fantastic unit, I will help you align it and believe me you can go to 4, 5, 8, 10 minutes exposures. I recently did 5 minutes 90mm without problems.
You need a method to find the octans trapezium. And it works under light pollution!!
I always start with Beta Hydri which is a bright star next to the SMC. You can certainly find it with the naked eye and put it in the polarscope. Use Achernar if needed as a reference.
From Beta Hydri you move to 3 stars with the shape of a little arrow and they point to the octans trapezium. (see the attachment map)
Please remember that the location of the 3 stars relative to Beta Hydri changes as they rotate around the celestial pole but you can always get both Beta Hydri and the 3 stars in the polarscope field of view so you know where to go. The arrow always points to the trapezium.
Once you have the trapezium located use a small red led light to illuminate the polarscope and place the trapezium exactly in the position indicated by the reticle. Then just enjoy, the polarie is really precise.
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