I stopped using my polar scope on my G11 after using the Polemaster camera from QHY. Then I discovered that Sharpcap has a polar alignment feature that works the same way. And if my view of Polaris is blocked I can use three star alignment in Nina. No more genuflecting to the polar scope gods!
This is a very good tip, nevertheless you should warn people that, by doing so (in particular unscrewing the 3 small screws), they most likely mess up the polar scope reticle alignment, resulting in a bad tracking performance afterwards. The ideal thing is to fix the polar scope orientation as per your recommendation (even if not necessary) and re-check (and eventually fix) the reticle alignement right afterwards.
Next time when polar aligning, move Polaris to the center of the reticle (probably indicated with a cross) using alt and azimuth adjustment. Then, using only altitude adjustment move Polaris up (or down). Wherever Polaris crosses the circle is 12 o'clock (or 6 o'clock). Rotate the RA axis and put 12 (or 6) where Polaris sits on the circle. Your reticle is now correctly positioned. Continue your alignment from there. Rotational offset is irrelevant and can simply be adjusted by the mthod above, only when the polar scope is not parallel to the RA axis, will alignment fail. In that case, the polar scope needs to be aligned using the hex keys.
Hi I overtightened the screw behind the sticker and when I started sidereal tracking with EQMod I heard a loud noise and the whole thing is just loose now, did the screw break? I think I broke my GTi Ra DEC
Wow, I am so sorry to hear that. I have a video taking it apart, I wonder if you have watched that yet. If not here is the link. th-cam.com/video/Ym1_k3aJIkI/w-d-xo.html My guess would be the ear that holds the adjustment screw might have broken, I am not sure if it is a part you can get a direct replacement for but maybe the motor assembly. For sure though take that lower plate off and check it out and see. Then contact skywatcher and see if you can get that part. If they are a bust contact firstlightoptics.com I have sourced some strange parts from them before, I would email them and ask.
I stopped using my polar scope on my G11 after using the Polemaster camera from QHY. Then I discovered that Sharpcap has a polar alignment feature that works the same way. And if my view of Polaris is blocked I can use three star alignment in Nina. No more genuflecting to the polar scope gods!
This is a very good tip, nevertheless you should warn people that, by doing so (in particular unscrewing the 3 small screws), they most likely mess up the polar scope reticle alignment, resulting in a bad tracking performance afterwards. The ideal thing is to fix the polar scope orientation as per your recommendation (even if not necessary) and re-check (and eventually fix) the reticle alignement right afterwards.
Wow I did not know this!
Just got the mount 2 weeks ago and still learning… with only ~2h of testing stuff
It's not all of them but yeah.
@@JeliSpace my scope is about 10-15o off
Next time when polar aligning, move Polaris to the center of the reticle (probably indicated with a cross) using alt and azimuth adjustment. Then, using only altitude adjustment move Polaris up (or down). Wherever Polaris crosses the circle is 12 o'clock (or 6 o'clock). Rotate the RA axis and put 12 (or 6) where Polaris sits on the circle. Your reticle is now correctly positioned. Continue your alignment from there.
Rotational offset is irrelevant and can simply be adjusted by the mthod above, only when the polar scope is not parallel to the RA axis, will alignment fail. In that case, the polar scope needs to be aligned using the hex keys.
Nice work😁
Hey thanks so much!
Hi I overtightened the screw behind the sticker and when I started sidereal tracking with EQMod I heard a loud noise and the whole thing is just loose now, did the screw break? I think I broke my GTi Ra DEC
Wow, I am so sorry to hear that. I have a video taking it apart, I wonder if you have watched that yet. If not here is the link.
th-cam.com/video/Ym1_k3aJIkI/w-d-xo.html
My guess would be the ear that holds the adjustment screw might have broken, I am not sure if it is a part you can get a direct replacement for but maybe the motor assembly. For sure though take that lower plate off and check it out and see. Then contact skywatcher and see if you can get that part. If they are a bust contact firstlightoptics.com I have sourced some strange parts from them before, I would email them and ask.
Used mine like 3 times before o gave up and used nina
Same! Lol