Bought a CGX mount and purchased the Polemaster with ADM mount on order, I cancelled the ADM adapter for this innovative product, should get it in mid January as per Ebay. Thanks Cody ! for all the great advise and awesome reviews on Celestron products.
Thanks for the video, Cody. I finally decided it was time to upgrade and purchased a Polemaster for my CGX mount and have also purchased this adapter based on your review. Very informative.
This was super helpful. The polemaster was new to me and solves the problem but my CGX-L and 1400 EdgeHD are a pain to set up every time I use them and with the 3D part this made it a few minutes! Thanks so much.
Damn Cody! As soon as I am looking for additional information regarding something in particular, in this case the 3D printed mount for connecting the polemaster to a CGX mount, I find that you have created a video for it. Fantastic job as usual and many thanks!
I have this Polemaster mount from 40:26 as well. I love this thing. I usually have the Starsense Alignment camera down below where the ADM mount would sit. The magnets hold this thing really well. In fact, when I do the alignment, I usually just pop off the Polemaster and stow it as I have not had any issues losing alignment on a sturdy CGX mount. I love the Polemaster and this mount adapter makes it such a breeze to use on the CGX. I believe I saw it available through eBay as well.
Ahh, so you too own a StarSense. I just posted questions for the OP, but I’d be interested in your thoughts as well. Owning a StarSense already, do you use the Polemaster to get your initial highly accurate pole alignment and the turn StarSense lose to do it’s algorithm? I have slowly been buying gear over the last 14 months while going through 3 back surgeries and looking for a hobby to replace motocross (hence the back fractures). I bought a StarSense over a year ago, finally had a chance to use it 3 times and the hand controller’s display died already. I may try fixing it myself, not wanting to wait to get this back from overseas.
@@jtbrower Yes, use the polemaster to fine tune the PA. never liked the ASPA from celestron. could never get it to agree. Polemaster has never failed me. Ive acquired a Skywatcher mount this this post and dont use the CGX any longer. Got frustrated with its guiding, mesh alignment and gear slop issues. Ive replaced a number of the bearings in the motors and it might perform better now, havent checked. But, with my SW mount, I used plate solving with my main image train to do the alignment. Its too easy and dont need additional hardware and weight hanging off the OTA.
Cody, I am new to the hobby, spent the last year going through 3 back surgeries and that left me with tons of time in bed that I directed towards gradually piecing together a system. I have a CGX-L with 925 mounted “permanently” on a set of JMI Wheeley bars that I modified to make it more stable while fabricating a way to mount 2, 100ah liFePo batteries. I planned to shoot from my back yard, but constant wet ground and a heavy rig changed my plans to image from the front of my house where lights and cars where much more of an issue. So before I cut my teeth I went ahead and got the HyperStar (which has always been my goal and defense to those that keep saying “should have started with a “refractor”) since the short exposure times would make shooting around traffic easier (and that it was). I currently have an ASI2600MC mounted on the HyperStar with cables run through one of those arced cable management devices that I used as an excuse to finally buy a 3D printer. Other than the feather touch micro focuser, the only remaining piece I have and the point of my long explanation is the StarSense camera and hand controller. In fact, when I bought that camera a year ago, I think I might have watched a helpful video on your channel if I am not mistaken. Now that my back is strong enough to spend time learning how to use what I have compiled, I am starting to lean towards buying a pole master; like you I had others tell me to do so, but owning the StarSense I didn’t see the use. Well that is until I began to see how much time I spent being a perfectionist lining up on the pole (doesn’t help that I can barely see it from my bortle 5 and nearly 6 home location). Having HyperStar attached, I fire up my camera and try to aim the Wheeley bars as close to the pole as possible before sinking the feet to the concrete. I then get out the Alan wrench and adjust the mount to dial in the fine adjustments while continually software zooming in my cameras view of the star. Once I have satisfied myself that I can’t get it any closer, I tighten it down only to see it move from mechanical forces torquing the mount to the plate. (I guess there’s no way around that?). From there I end up doing an alignment while adding several calibration stars. I wanted to describe my setup and very newbie approach to get the most accurate answer to the question I am sure you debated too; what will the polemaster “buy” me? It seems that most people I read forum posts from ask the opposite question, “what does StarSense buy you” as they are sold on the polemaster. I probably wouldn’t have begun looking at the polemaster again, had my StarSense hand controller’s display suddenly quit. It was always hard to read in the dark, but with it completely broken I have been using the old hand controller and doing 4 star calibrations. I think the hand controller has a 2 year warranty, but considering I only used it a couple of times I have little faith in its robustness and would want a backup unit as a result. Does any of this ring home with you? What does the polemaster do for me over the StarSense? If you are a StarSense owner, do you still use it after using the PoleMaster to polar align? Finally, I noticed that the polemaster comes with a screen (or at least some models do). Is that so you can have a rig without a display (remote control it) yet still be able to align without needing to look through an eyepiece. Not having an eyepiece with the HyperStar setup makes that seem more appealing. Maybe I have given you enough questions for a follow-up video LOL. You seem like a nice and informed guy so I felt open to ask. If you only have time for a quick response to any of the questions, it’s all greatly appreciated. Keep up the good videos. I use to spend my time and money on motocross and posting motocross videos. That’s how I broke my back and after selling my bikes and with a Software Engineering background, I felt this would be good for me. I have had about 3 nights shooting DSOs and caught a great photo of M42/43, but the others are giving me a challenge. Have a great day.
I just received my PoleMaster camea mounting adapter from user 4426. Like you said, it is a perfect solution to how two thing occupying the same space (due to the magnetic disconeect feature!). Thanks for a great useful video.
I ordered one based on this review - thanks. It’s amazing to me that no major brand has managed to create a decent adapter, but it’s cool that a hobbyist was able to do so. I’ve never liked the workaround with the ADM adapter on the end of the OTA dovetail - having to home the mount just to check your PA is annoying.
I bought this adapter for my new CGX based on this video and find the adapter works exactly as described, for my use I like how easy it is to remove the Polemaster when I want to switch it to another mount. Hello to the Designer, please make an the plate for a Celestron AVX so I can more easily move the assembly from the CGX to the AVX and back to the CGX.
if the polemaster is parallel with the polarscope would its position even matter? like the only metric that would mis-align a parallel polemaster is gps location, i dont think the few inches would do anything.
You are totally right. Having the PoleMaster aligned with RA axis is not mandatory. This is why the ADM solution is working perfectly and is more versatile (you can use it with any mount and any telescope). A good investment.
@@olivierrethore9097 I agree with you, as I am using my Polemaster on a Skywatcher AZ-GTi using the ADM Vixen Polemaster clamp at the end of my Vixen rail, easy and can be removed if needed as it's helps for front end balance also!
Hi Cody I'm unable to find this part on cloudynights do you have a contact. This will really help with my CGX-L C1400HD set-up as I to bring my mount in the home after use.
Are you just using starsence alone I suggest getting ASIair pro. I used to to use starsence but it's only good for go-to feature you can't track with it.. now that I have asiair pro it makes polar alignment really easy it does plate solving just like starsence but you can connect it to a guide camera and get pinpoint guiding. Starsence is good for visual no good for astrophotography. That's my two sence other might have a better idea.
The pole master not being exactly on the ra axis is irrelevant. However, any cone error from your dovetail bar will throw the pointing off. So it is better to mount it on the ra axis after all.
According to the manual, that's not exactly true. The unit doesn't have to be parallel to the RA axis (meaning cone error is OK). When you rotate the mount and indicate the exact position of a star at the beginning of the alignment procedure you calibrate the system for any offsets.
@@nikivan In fact... I went BACK to the ADM. :), especially after discovering THREE things: 1) yes, cone error is irrelevant; 2) The Lens is replaceable; 3) There is a driver which allows you to use the polemaster as a "regular" cam. So I basically swapped the lens with a variable focal length CCTV lens which I keep at 100mm, do my polar alignment with Sharpcap plate solving and when I'm done, it doubles as an electronic wide field finderscope, which is a gamechanger. I just drilled a little cavity in the ADM mount, fit a steel 3mm ball in the center of the polemaster base so now I can "collimate" it so the center of the FOV matches the scope's. Pretty neat.
Im calling Codys Lab.. Btw have you heard of Orions version of this? Ive heard you can buy an adapter to fit it to Celestron mounts. I have the AVX and been trying to decide between the QHY PoleMaster and the Orion P1 Starshoot :/ Ill prolly end up with the QHY because they have dedicated adapters
Is the Polemaster quicker, easier or more accurate than using Star Sense ASPA? I am a beginner in EQ mounts so I would welcome thoughts & views, thanks
Bought a CGX mount and purchased the Polemaster with ADM mount on order, I cancelled the ADM adapter for this innovative product, should get it in mid January as per Ebay. Thanks Cody ! for all the great advise and awesome reviews on Celestron products.
Thanks for the video, Cody. I finally decided it was time to upgrade and purchased a Polemaster for my CGX mount and have also purchased this adapter based on your review. Very informative.
Thanks to you and the guy who makes these, ordered as soon as I saw it. Came last week. Fantastic
This was super helpful. The polemaster was new to me and solves the problem but my CGX-L and 1400 EdgeHD are a pain to set up every time I use them and with the 3D part this made it a few minutes! Thanks so much.
Damn Cody! As soon as I am looking for additional information regarding something in particular, in this case the 3D printed mount for connecting the polemaster to a CGX mount, I find that you have created a video for it. Fantastic job as usual and many thanks!
I have this Polemaster mount from 40:26 as well. I love this thing. I usually have the Starsense Alignment camera down below where the ADM mount would sit. The magnets hold this thing really well. In fact, when I do the alignment, I usually just pop off the Polemaster and stow it as I have not had any issues losing alignment on a sturdy CGX mount. I love the Polemaster and this mount adapter makes it such a breeze to use on the CGX. I believe I saw it available through eBay as well.
Yeah, it is great. I pop mine off as well, and take my laptop inside. Then I just use the ASI Air the rest of the night. It works out great for me!
Ahh, so you too own a StarSense. I just posted questions for the OP, but I’d be interested in your thoughts as well.
Owning a StarSense already, do you use the Polemaster to get your initial highly accurate pole alignment and the turn StarSense lose to do it’s algorithm?
I have slowly been buying gear over the last 14 months while going through 3 back surgeries and looking for a hobby to replace motocross (hence the back fractures).
I bought a StarSense over a year ago, finally had a chance to use it 3 times and the hand controller’s display died already. I may try fixing it myself, not wanting to wait to get this back from overseas.
@@jtbrower Yes, use the polemaster to fine tune the PA. never liked the ASPA from celestron. could never get it to agree. Polemaster has never failed me.
Ive acquired a Skywatcher mount this this post and dont use the CGX any longer. Got frustrated with its guiding, mesh alignment and gear slop issues. Ive replaced a number of the bearings in the motors and it might perform better now, havent checked. But, with my SW mount, I used plate solving with my main image train to do the alignment. Its too easy and dont need additional hardware and weight hanging off the OTA.
Cody, I am new to the hobby, spent the last year going through 3 back surgeries and that left me with tons of time in bed that I directed towards gradually piecing together a system.
I have a CGX-L with 925 mounted “permanently” on a set of JMI Wheeley bars that I modified to make it more stable while fabricating a way to mount 2, 100ah liFePo batteries.
I planned to shoot from my back yard, but constant wet ground and a heavy rig changed my plans to image from the front of my house where lights and cars where much more of an issue.
So before I cut my teeth I went ahead and got the HyperStar (which has always been my goal and defense to those that keep saying “should have started with a “refractor”) since the short exposure times would make shooting around traffic easier (and that it was).
I currently have an ASI2600MC mounted on the HyperStar with cables run through one of those arced cable management devices that I used as an excuse to finally buy a 3D printer.
Other than the feather touch micro focuser, the only remaining piece I have and the point of my long explanation is the StarSense camera and hand controller.
In fact, when I bought that camera a year ago, I think I might have watched a helpful video on your channel if I am not mistaken.
Now that my back is strong enough to spend time learning how to use what I have compiled, I am starting to lean towards buying a pole master; like you I had others tell me to do so, but owning the StarSense I didn’t see the use.
Well that is until I began to see how much time I spent being a perfectionist lining up on the pole (doesn’t help that I can barely see it from my bortle 5 and nearly 6 home location).
Having HyperStar attached, I fire up my camera and try to aim the Wheeley bars as close to the pole as possible before sinking the feet to the concrete. I then get out the Alan wrench and adjust the mount to dial in the fine adjustments while continually software zooming in my cameras view of the star.
Once I have satisfied myself that I can’t get it any closer, I tighten it down only to see it move from mechanical forces torquing the mount to the plate. (I guess there’s no way around that?).
From there I end up doing an alignment while adding several calibration stars.
I wanted to describe my setup and very newbie approach to get the most accurate answer to the question I am sure you debated too; what will the polemaster “buy” me? It seems that most people I read forum posts from ask the opposite question, “what does StarSense buy you” as they are sold on the polemaster.
I probably wouldn’t have begun looking at the polemaster again, had my StarSense hand controller’s display suddenly quit. It was always hard to read in the dark, but with it completely broken I have been using the old hand controller and doing 4 star calibrations.
I think the hand controller has a 2 year warranty, but considering I only used it a couple of times I have little faith in its robustness and would want a backup unit as a result.
Does any of this ring home with you?
What does the polemaster do for me over the StarSense?
If you are a StarSense owner, do you still use it after using the PoleMaster to polar align?
Finally, I noticed that the polemaster comes with a screen (or at least some models do). Is that so you can have a rig without a display (remote control it) yet still be able to align without needing to look through an eyepiece. Not having an eyepiece with the HyperStar setup makes that seem more appealing.
Maybe I have given you enough questions for a follow-up video LOL.
You seem like a nice and informed guy so I felt open to ask. If you only have time for a quick response to any of the questions, it’s all greatly appreciated.
Keep up the good videos. I use to spend my time and money on motocross and posting motocross videos. That’s how I broke my back and after selling my bikes and with a Software Engineering background, I felt this would be good for me.
I have had about 3 nights shooting DSOs and caught a great photo of M42/43, but the others are giving me a challenge.
Have a great day.
Moving my polemaster to the intended location improved my polar alignment and tracking/guiding is better as a result. Good stuff!
I just received my PoleMaster camea mounting adapter from user 4426. Like you said, it is a perfect solution to how two thing occupying the same space (due to the magnetic disconeect feature!). Thanks for a great useful video.
Can you give me the contact info to order one?
Cody, I have really learned a lot from your videos! Keep up the great job!!! Based on this video, I ordered a Polemaster mount for my CGX.
Glad you find the videos helpful!
@@AstroBlender You explain things so simply that anyone can understand. You are a natural teacher!
I ordered one based on this review - thanks. It’s amazing to me that no major brand has managed to create a decent adapter, but it’s cool that a hobbyist was able to do so. I’ve never liked the workaround with the ADM adapter on the end of the OTA dovetail - having to home the mount just to check your PA is annoying.
Great solution. I had to design and print a bracket for my CGE pro.....works great
That is awesome. I agree, he really did a great job of thinking this through (as you did a great job on this video).
I bought this adapter for my new CGX based on this video and find the adapter works exactly as described, for my use I like how easy it is to remove the Polemaster when I want to switch it to another mount. Hello to the Designer, please make an the plate for a Celestron AVX so I can more easily move the assembly from the CGX to the AVX and back to the CGX.
Great video and very nice idea with your PoleMaster Adapter. I have the Celestron CGX-L, but I used the StarAID for Polaris setting. Thanks.
directly ordered, what for a good idea, I will receive it from US in 2 weeks
Genius - thanks for sharing. Need to order this today!
You bet!
I don't have that type of mount, But still a cool find. I also just started 3d printing parts for my new/ first telescope.
Cool! Enjoy!
I'm new to this and have been looking at mounts. This is definitely something I will get IF I get the CGX. How do you like the CGX vs the EQ6-R?
if the polemaster is parallel with the polarscope would its position even matter? like the only metric that would mis-align a parallel polemaster is gps location, i dont think the few inches would do anything.
You are totally right. Having the PoleMaster aligned with RA axis is not mandatory. This is why the ADM solution is working perfectly and is more versatile (you can use it with any mount and any telescope). A good investment.
@@olivierrethore9097 I agree with you, as I am using my Polemaster on a Skywatcher AZ-GTi using the ADM Vixen Polemaster clamp at the end of my Vixen rail, easy and can be removed if needed as it's helps for front end balance also!
Ingenious, seriously 👏👏👏👏👏👏
👍🏻
Hi Cody I'm unable to find this part on cloudynights do you have a contact. This will really help with my CGX-L C1400HD set-up as I to bring my mount in the home after use.
I have the Celestron StarSense is the pole master worth getting for me?
Are you just using starsence alone I suggest getting ASIair pro. I used to to use starsence but it's only good for go-to feature you can't track with it.. now that I have asiair pro it makes polar alignment really easy it does plate solving just like starsence but you can connect it to a guide camera and get pinpoint guiding. Starsence is good for visual no good for astrophotography. That's my two sence other might have a better idea.
Cody,
I checked cloudy nights with the 40:26 number and I didn't get any results for the 3D adapter. Any suggestions?
Hi Robert, I believe he sells them on Ebay as well. www.ebay.com/itm/CGX-CGX-L-Polemaster-Adapter/274462237582?hash=item3fe739638e:g:UhwAAOSwwY9fOg~x
LOL, did a Google search and found it. Great video too!
The pole master not being exactly on the ra axis is irrelevant. However, any cone error from your dovetail bar will throw the pointing off. So it is better to mount it on the ra axis after all.
That’s correct, yes.
According to the manual, that's not exactly true. The unit doesn't have to be parallel to the RA axis (meaning cone error is OK). When you rotate the mount and indicate the exact position of a star at the beginning of the alignment procedure you calibrate the system for any offsets.
@@nikivan In fact... I went BACK to the ADM. :), especially after discovering THREE things: 1) yes, cone error is irrelevant; 2) The Lens is replaceable; 3) There is a driver which allows you to use the polemaster as a "regular" cam. So I basically swapped the lens with a variable focal length CCTV lens which I keep at 100mm, do my polar alignment with Sharpcap plate solving and when I'm done, it doubles as an electronic wide field finderscope, which is a gamechanger. I just drilled a little cavity in the ADM mount, fit a steel 3mm ball in the center of the polemaster base so now I can "collimate" it so the center of the FOV matches the scope's. Pretty neat.
Where on can I find this print?
Im calling Codys Lab..
Btw have you heard of Orions version of this? Ive heard you can buy an adapter to fit it to Celestron mounts. I have the AVX and been trying to decide between the QHY PoleMaster and the Orion P1 Starshoot :/
Ill prolly end up with the QHY because they have dedicated adapters
Matts Toaster I haven’t. The PoleMaster works so well I never saw a need to switch it with another product (although I do use the ASI Air PA too).
Is the Polemaster quicker, easier or more accurate than using Star Sense ASPA? I am a beginner in EQ mounts so I would welcome thoughts & views, thanks
Anyone??
Cant seem to get a hold of the guy with the adaptor with magnets can you help?
Cody, do I need the polemaster with the asiair pro? Or does the asiair pro polar align making the polemaster redundant.
No PoleMaster needed. It’s actually easier and more accurate to use the ASI Air Pro.
My 294MC Pro makes a Bzzzzz sound when it’s cooling down
Great solution, thanks for the video, but with the AISAIR Pro, you wouldn't need the Pole master anymore either...
Mich S I use both. In the field the ASI Air PA is definitely the way to go though.