ipolar vs Polemaster

[Star Hunter]

I'm a bit perplexed in deciding which is best to do accurate PA: iPolar or Polemaster.

Which one gives the moist accurate PA settings and is user friendly, etc.

Is it true, neither will work on an iPad, Mac and only Android and W10 PC's and laptops? .

[AstroViking (Steve)]

I can't speak for the iPolar.

The PoleMaster has dedicated software from QHY available for Windows, macOS and Linux. If you hunt around there is an Android version as well.

The QHY website is a complete mess and the software on their download page may not be the most recent. I managed to track down a newer version of their Linux software but am utterly unable to find it again.

I know that the PoleMaster is recognised and can be used by Ekos, so I presume it can be used by NINA as well.

Regards,
V.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Polemaster camera is even recognised by sharpcap so you can use it with their software to polar align.

I can't speak for the ipolar but I do use the polemaster without issue and it just works with the software provided all done in 5 minutes or less depending on how much out of alignment it was.

[Crater101 (Warren)]

I've used both of these, the PoleMaster on a HEQ5, and the iPolar integrated into an iOptron CEM26.


I think it basically comes down to preference. The PoleMaster is more widely recognised by other software, as has been mentioned; the iPolar has (I think) a slightly less complex interface to use. I've achieved accurate polar alignment with both.


One Caveat: when I first got the CEM26 with the iPolar, I had difficulties in the plate solve for correct polar alignment. It appears that the GPS unit for the CEM26 (which I purchased separately) kept defaulting to the Northern hemisphere co-ordinates. After much back and forth with the iOptron technical support people (who, I have to say, were very prompt in response and very helpful) the GPS unit was replaced, and all was well.


I should add that using a separate hand-held GPS to enter co-ordinates manually got good results - the issue was with the GPS, not the iPolar. I mention it as something that could happen, not as a certainty. Seems I was the (un)lucky one.

[SteveInNZ2 (Steve)]

Do you have a guidescope ? If you do, you can use that for polar alignment with SharpCap or many of the other applications with a PA facility.
A Polemaster is just a QHY5L-ii with a 25mm lens.



Steve.

[The_bluester (Paul)]

I have had both Polemaster and iPolar setups. One of my mounts has an iPolar built in and after using that for a while I sold the Polemaster on the other scope and replaced it with a bolt on iPolar.

Accuracy wise I don't think there is anything much in it but for out of the box ease of use the iPolar has it hands down as the software uses plate solving to do the grunt work where you can occasionally chase your tail looking for Octans with the Polemaster.

[Tinderboxsky (Steve)]

Agreed. I use the SharpCap polar alignment tool through a guide scope. Easy, quick and accurate.

Steve.

Originally Posted by SteveInNZ2

Do you have a guidescope ? If you do, you can use that for polar alignment with SharpCap or many of the other applications with a PA facility.
A Polemaster is just a QHY5L-ii with a 25mm lens.



Steve.

[Star Hunter]

Thanks so much guys, for your very helpful repliers.

Seems the Polemaster is the more popular.

Moving on, a mate rang and said he uses an AISAIR Plus on his EQ6 Pro to control his mount after using the AIR to get PA.

So now, I have a Hollywood cliche on my hands: Do we cut the Red wire (use a seperate optical PA camera) or cut the Yellow wire (use the AIR PLUS) ?


What now are your thoughts on all this?

Thank you all.

James

[AdamJL]

Originally Posted by AstroViking

I know that the PoleMaster is recognised and can be used by Ekos, so I presume it can be used by NINA as well.

Regards,
V.

Just on this, the Polemaster can’t be used in NINA

[Fox]

I got very used to the polarscope in my LXD75 mount to polar align using Sigma Octans, although it was a struggle now and then if the seeing was poor. I eventually got the iPolar, and the set up and software are very easy to use, although I think its only via USB cable and PC laptop.

One thing, if your initial pointing to the SCP is way off to begin with, iPolar will not work, so you need to be within reasonably vicinity of the SCP for the plate solve to do its magic.

[astroimagery (Karl)]

I agree with Steve and also use SharpCap with a laptop. I find it is accurate and both quick and easy to setup.

You need a guidescope which has been explained but I have also used it with a DSLR.

[MarkInSpace (Mark)]

FWIW, I use ASIAIR and it's quick and seems to work well. I'm usually PA'ed in about 5 minutes.