UPGRADE your iOptron SkyGuider Pro (iPolar)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ย. 2024
- The iOptron iPolar Electronic Polarscope
Order the iOptron SkyGuider Pro: amzn.to/3C25cvK
Full Review: astrobackyard....
In this video, I share my results using the iOptron SkyGuider Pro with the new iPolar electronic polarscope upgrade.
The final image is of the North America Nebula in Cygnus. This image includes 62 x 4-minute exposures (unguided) using a 250mm telescope and crop-sensor DSLR.
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#astrophotography
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That last part about protecting your passion had all the feels. Thanks man for all that you do! Many of us can't thank you enough.
instablaster...
I first bought an NEQ6 Pro mount and a 10" newtonian as my first astrophotography set up, I was instantly in over my head. It was heavy, massive, so so complicated as a novice to polar align in my southern hemisphere and very irritating and time consuming as a whole. I sold it off and bought an 8" Dobsonian like you suggested as a beginner scope, now as I have progressed I think this is the most logical next step as I dip my toes into astrophotography again, I think this will be the start of a whole new life long obsession.
OMG! I got one after seeing your video. Now my SkyTracker Pro is useful! So many wasted nights trying to polar align correctly on my bortle 8 backyard sky on the south hemisphere! You made me regain interest in this hobby with this video, thank you so much!
iOptron missed an opportunity by not providing iOS/Android support. Ability to hook it up to a phone (via cable or Bluetooth) would have made this a killer product.
Yes, Iwould have considered this if it would work with iOS.
@@danwray5626 That's good to know
Yeah that's the main issue preventing purchase for me, I'd love to just connect my Android mobile phone.
I am in exactly the same boat, I would purchase this in a heart beat but the ipolar needs to have bluetooth capabilities and apps for both iOS and Android... Then you are completely portable. As an aside the MacOS app is still getting terrible reviews on the MAS, it apparently just does not work :(
You realize it need a bit more computing power. But maybe in a few years.
Dude, I am a "professional" photographer and astro geek and looking for a telescope to buy. You opened up my eyes and now I know that starting off small is the key to a successful way to explore the cosmos. I even thought of the Meade 850lx but got that out of my system for now... Thanks for your super positive videos and energy! Gr Frank
Great closing comment, Trevor. I'm pretty passionate about being as positive as I can in everything - negativity is contagious and needlessly brings down the tone of anything we care about. Love your passion and upbeat channel, don't ever change, and if the haters are getting to you, just delete them. Seriously not worth arguing, it only gives them the attention they crave.
Stunning photo taken with the Skyguider pro! If you are going on vacation you can probably fit your laptop and a battery pack; and if not it only takes, as you said, 20 minutes to put the polar scope back in. You do an amazing job explaining the different equipment choices we can make. And again, I am really enjoying this photo. I think many will find it as amazing as I do to know what the Skyguider pro is capable of. It is an affordable way to get started in this hobby, and making the choice to upgrade is easy because you will want to keep it for your portable, travel, vacation setup. I want one.
I appreciate that, Shawn! Thank you
Keeping the rig portable is fairly easy, I have the skyguider Pro and iPolar combination. I use a Microsoft Surface to run the alignment, the software runs flawlessly. Clear Skies
@Don Mecher Still need the surface to do the polar alignment, once its set we're good... however I've just put a guide camera on as well so the surface will still be in use for that.
ZWO ASI120MM and mini guide scope
What you said at the end is very true. I just spent the last 3 days researching a new scope, mount, camera and filters (along with some other goodies) and ended up buying everything out of the lists you've given on your blog for new APers. I emailed you a couple of days ago hoping to get your suggestions on what someone like me, who is willing to research to no end, should buy. I was hoping for a suggestion in the mid-range of products so that I could skip through some of the lesser equipment. But you said something in a previous video (that I watched after I emailed you) that slowed me down. You said "Why would I want to rush through something I love so much?", and that hit me like a ton of bricks. I appreciate all that you do and the passion you have for this "hobby".
Oh, and I'm still waiting on those Patreon vids. ;-)
Your videos cut down a lot of research time for me. I am sold on the Skyguider Pro and now on the iPolar. Thanks and keep those videos coming. Clear Skies!
I just bought this already converted. Just starting out and ordered the Redcat 51 hoping for Clear Skies this upcoming weekend listen to your videos all day while I'm driving great inspiration very informative. Would like to see more videos on the sky guider Pro 3550a. I need all the help I can get. I'm sure you're half the reason why everything is backordered your increasing their sales Redcat William Optics skyguider ioptron. Keep up the good work clear skies.
I user aSkyGuider Pro - it's my only rig. With the iPolar. Being in the Southern hemisphere this is a tremendous time saver, as our pole stars are much harder to see and unless you're in a good Dark Sky site, you might not even see them at all.
I am truly excited about the future of this great hobby. It seems the past few years, the gear size was all the rage. The bigger the better, and result...better photos of deep sky objects. Now I can haul smaller, lighter gear to distant places for my photos. No longer restricted by gear weight and size to achieve the same quality of photos....very exciting times. To the mountains I go.... Great Vid Thank you. Clear Skies.
I am new to the hobby though I've always been interested in the physics side of things. I found your presentations most informative and practical. Thank you!
Yeah Trevor I'm going to make the plunge for the skyguider Pro with the ipolar camera. My knees are not very good and I'm older so this makes sense for me to get a better alignment. I also travel a little as well in this unit will save me a lot of space in my car. I don't have to Lug all my heavy equipment everywhere. Thanks for simplifying the process to for us newbies. Clear skies friend.
iPolar arrived yesterday, Removing the driver board can be a little frustrating because of the clearances between the soldered pins and the case. Some gentle flexing at that point and it slides right out.. I was able to actually test it last night, the skies cleared nicely and I was able to test the polar alignment. Taking a 5 minute exposure with near zero drift on the image would have been impossible for me without the camera. I use a Nikon D5600 DSLR, 150-500mm lens ( set at 150mm ), ISO 800, F6.7. Bottom line... it works great. Thank you Trevor for your videos and insight.
Once its been aligned using the laptop software can the laptop be disconnected?
Hi trevor, my dad was from Hamilton, and I grew up in Toledo, across the lake from you. I now live in a part of Texas where we have mostly clear skies and have embarked on the new hobby of AP. First, thank you for your informative videos. I recently purchased a previously owned version of the iOptron Star Tracker mount from a classified ad on the cloudy nights webpage not realizing that the version I was purchasing includes the iPolar upgrade. As you know, and explain in your video, the iPolar upgrade modifies the scope built into the device with a software driven camera that allows one to polar align using a computer. Just because I’m a lawyer doesn’t make me smart ... lol .... as I had no idea that the device I bought had this specific upgrade ... and I didn’t figure this out for a full day ... I can laugh now but for about an hour this evening I was struggling with why my device is different than what is described in several other TH-cam videos. How funny is that. Anyway ... after watching your video, I figured it out. So thank you for indirectly informing me that I bought something slightly different than what was expected. I am wondering if the mandatory use of the computer and software has made this product unworkable or undesirable for you. I see you use a laptop for some of your work, but taking a laptop to the shores of the lake with a bulky power supply on a camping trip seems cumbersome, so I would be interested in hearing whether adding the iPolar alignment upgrade and software to your protocol worked for you.
Hi Trevor this is Troy in the UK thanks 4 that nice video and you are correct NEVER !! let anyone take the feeling away from you from the hard work you put in to get the Images you take - take care Troy
Thanks man for putting out your videos.. for me, they not mere product review..They are also very educational. You are introducing newcomers like me to what's out there and the science of imaging the night sky.. One of your videos got me googling how these pictures are taken and I am glad I did that!
I was looking at the William Optics base and it comes in Low Latitude (7-34 degrees) and High Latitude (32-59 degrees) versions. I'm in Dallas at 32 degrees. If I travel to South Texas, say the Texas Star Party (29 degrees), I need the low latitude version. If I travel up into Oklahoma, like the Oki-Tex Star Party (36 degrees), I need the High Latitude version. I don't want to have to buy 2 of them!
I agree with your comment , I don't know if buy this base based in your same situation!
Thank you so much, I learned a thing or two by watching this video, you just gained another subscriber! Keep looking up my friend!
Thanks Trevor. What’s disappointing is three years after your review and tons of requests/complaints on ioptron’s website they STILL haven’t released an IOS app so you don’t have to lug a laptop around.
man, I'm glad you feel responsible for the power you have over us. iPolar ordered.
Protecting your passion is a crucial statement. Thank you.
Nice review, and I'm glad to see you're developing comfort with "digging into" your equipment! :-)
One comment regarding your concern of bringing external power because of using iPolar: The laptop is only needed for a few minutes during alignment. Otherwise, you won't need portable power (unless you keep hitting power buttons in transit, but that applies to the SkyGuider too.) But yes, if you're backpacking into a site, the weight of a tablet (Surface Go) or laptop is a consideration.
Thanks for putting such great info out there! Love the Channel.
Well I thought that I knew what I wanted for Christmas this year, then I saw this and have bought the Ioptron SkyGuider Pro with IPolar package. It’s just what I need for camping trips.
Cropped sensor does not change focal length. It crops a smaller area. This is a common misconception
Awesome presentation and the image at the end was worth the wait. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for the hobby. I learned a great deal and am reenergized to push limits of my equipment.
An evolutionary product; a brilliant video. Thanks, Trevor, for enduring the conditions to produce it. One of your best if not the best video.
Just got my Skyguider with inbuilt ipolar. Just waiting for clear sky. By the way you rocks!! Big fan of your nebula's photography.
Love your channel. Perhaps you got yours for FREE, but I ordered TWO Skyguider Pro's and BOTH were IDENTICALLY defective. I am now using the S-W Star Adventurer Pro and it has MUCH better quality control. Keep up the GREAT work, Trevor!
Really enjoyed the inspirational monologue at the end. Great work!
All I want to know Trevor, is how you do it with such cheap gear. Perfectly round and pinpoint stars. I feel like it's all in the polar alignment. Every time I see your images I question what I need to do to get there with the Astrophotography. Unreal buddy.
Great video Trevor. You have all the best toys! Love my SkyGuider Pro and will definitely be getting the iPolar add on. Even with my 100mm lens, the most I have been able to get unguided is 90 seconds or so. Adding a more sturdy tripod helped too.
Funny this is, this video is 5 years old, but I found it too late in a way. I have been looking at buying a tracker for awhile, and had looked at dozens of videos but it never "clicked" that there were two versions of the Skytracker . TH-cam videos dont tell you that. I got one with the ipolar camera installed and spent quite a few minutes looking for the rear optic to look through. There are still, 5 years later, far fewer videos online about setting up and using the inbuilt iPolar camera and software.
I love this hobby. One of the best I ever had. Great video Trevor.
Was just thinking about you channel lol. Glad you uploaded cause south Florida has a lack of good nights that aren’t cloudy or it hasn’t rained during the day .
Just when I start to get frustrated along comes one of your videos and I’m off and running . Awesome Trevor !
I always enjoy your videos Trevor. Keep up the great work!
saving up for my first telescope always wanted a proper one im enthralled with the night sky and i'm definately getting a dobson like you talked about in one of your videos can't wait!
You are my new favorite youtuber! So inspiering.
Mine too
what if my balcony faces the south instead of the north? How I can polar align then?
@Armando G Move to the southern hemisphere? I have one on order, so don't trust my advice. Their promo material suggest that you don't even have to have Polaris in view. Might that imply that a 'plate solution' will 'look through the house' and still point to the north Celestial pole? I dunno, but I doubt it. :)
well damn! i literally JUST got back to Ascension Island last week(an island dead in the middle of the south atlantic, a few thousand miles from anywhere that resembles light polution), and had I known about this i would have bought one and brought my skyguider with me! i left it at home because last time I was here, it was damn near impossible to find the sigma octantis so i never used it. this would be perfect! I could have gotten some really great shots! oh well. Great review!
Fantastic video as always, Trevor!
Thank you Peter!!
man this thing is pretty expensive for polar alignment... just like the polemaster. Sharpcap is such a better option for the price point plus as a standalone acquisition software it isn't that bad.
This is what I use with my QHY5L-IIM
@Stever's Astro Images You don't need what Trevor has. This and a small refractor and a autoguider should give good results.
Yeah I shoot with a Williams Optics GT 71 and until the I polar came out I had to tie wrap my QHY Polemaster to it.
I was wondering if that was possible with a skywatcher star adventurer!
It works great if you criss cross them around it
We need a iPolar android/apple app that could do everything this window app does, with the addition of using our phones GPS for reading & adding the Latitude/Longitude coordinates.
I got goose bumps when I saw the image
Very well said. This hobby is amazing and worth protecting. I value your opinion, and ultimately I make the choice. Thank you for sharing your videos! Clear Skies.
Instant like. Great video.
You had me at Picard!
I wish the eye piece was angled to make it easier to view through when trying to polar align.
Ok Ok, but could you please state in $$ how much your setup is worth (minus the camera & lens).
Right On!! Now I can take the Tie Wraps and Velcro off my Polemaster
I'm thinking about grabbing one of their CEM25P with goto to get the DEC control. I'm gonna test it against my Sky Guider Pro for my travel rig. It adds a little weight so we will see. I do love my SGP in a bag on my back.
I like the motvational video at the end, "I protect this passion" are strong words. +10
Cool! Thanks!
BTW, VERY nice selection of music. Keep up the good work!
Great video review Trevor and a great shot of the North American and Pelican nebulas.
Gee your yards looking good 🔭🇦🇺
I notice some star trailing in your nebula pic. I imagine 4 minutes it's a little outside the limit of this rig
One of these mounts could be useful for the portability if traveling to find dark sky. But if I were going to take shots from my yard I would just invest about ten to fifteen dollars in a dovetail and piggyback on my regular mount. Much cheaper and easier.
I think we need more specific information on filters in the links. Does the special filter for your Canon come in a Nikon flavor?
Nice !.. Any video anywhere that you would know of which would show the step by step reticule removal and Ipolar mounting ?... Thank you.
That is a huge Nebula! Wow! Great image man 👊
I've been watching your videos for a little over a year now and I am always amazed at your work. I'm starting out with a similar setup using my DSLR camera and lenses. I am currently trying to add the iPolar to my SkyGuider Pro and can't seem to get the electronics board removed. Did you, or anyone else out there that has done this modification, chronicle the remove and replace process with more detail than what is on your astrobackyard website?
Thanks, and perfect timing. I was actually thinking of somehow adapting my polemaster to the skyguider pro. Now I have something to consider.
Yep the reason i wanted the sky guider pro was so i didn't need a computer attached. :) Tell us more about the remote shutter release and how to use in a video.
Make it so Mr. Trever. You are number one.
Image turned out great! Curious as to why you are using the 60da instead of your 294
Thanks! The image scale on the 60Da is huge - perfect for a massive target like NGC 7000 and the Pelican
@@AstroBackyard ah good to know!
Loved the image at the end. Never lose that passion.
Love your channel! Keep at it, thank you for sharing
Beautiful picture and worth waiting for.
I’m confused now.
What’s the difference between this unit{ the Ipolar} and the skyguider pro?
Thanks.
Did you do the install on the iPolar cam? If so would you be willing to do a vid on that
Great video, pity about the heat build up with cam and the extended subs , they say most heat comes from the battery, some photographers use a mains battery pack and lessen the heat build up, not sure if one would work with a power pack like you discussed in the Astro pod cast but probably would and handy on a camping trip too
Hi Trevor, amazing work! One simple question ipolar works in the southerm hemisphere? Cheers!
Great review, I’m about to pick up the iOptron SkyGuider Pro as my first mount on your recommendation. Quick unrelated question, how are you seeing the temps of the frames coming out of your Canon 60Da? Are you doing a direct capture on your laptop? I’m starting off using a Sony a7iii and the Sigma 14mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4, thanks for all the work you put into your channel!
Did you have issues at first noticing that the polar scope that is pre installed in the skyguider is not zeroed? It was off axis and had to adjust with a hex key when I first got the skyguider.
If only these companies weren't 10 years behind in terms of their tech. Put a USB-C port on it and make it work with tablets and other smart devices. Then you could legitimately pack this rig up and use it much more flexibly than just in your backyard.
Nice rig. What adapter are you using that allows drop-in filters? Sorry, not familiar w/ these astro filters. Is the filter screwed into an inner thread or something?
The RedCat has a threaded slot for a filter inside the adapter. William Optics is pretty good like that!
Dude, with that speech at the end, you should go for president. 😂
That’s an AMAZING picture! Completely agree with your sentiments. Great work. Best wishes going forward.
Lots of modifications and we need a power sourse. If our laptop is not working with battary
I want iOptron to consider developing Android software for this type of setup, so it will be very convenient to align with the help of a smartphone.
Do you need to be connected to the internet during alignment or can this be done offline in the field?
Awesome image. Were you using any kind of filter on the 60Da? I know Canon has made that a special camera for Astrophotography. I think, IIRC, one filter isn't in there making it a wider spectrum camera. I appreciate the way the Sky Guider Pro gave you stable shots for up to four minutes. The stars were sharp and crisp, insofar as I could tell. I'm also looking at the Williams Optics upgrades. I wonder if my ZenithStar 71 Achro would do as well.
By the way, I've subscribed, so I'll probably post more responses to your posts. Thanks!
Question is: should we rather invest in guiding or polar alignment? Both upgrades.need a notebook....
I think guiding should be more precice! The only reason to buy the iPolar would be, if the north star is not in sight from your location (e.g. balcony). Is it possible to polar align on any arbitrary star?
What's the advantage of the telescope in this setup over say a 300mm F4 camera lens?
It's a 4 piece objective, which probably does a VERY good job of correcting most aberrations. I'll bet it's notably sharper than just about any commercial 250mm lens, particularly near the edge of the FOV.
Could you end all of your videos like this? I'm not crying..you are.
Damn! I've got two hours of exposure for the same nebula! I'm in the midst of editing my picture, though. Unfortunately, I'm using the star adventurer pro instead, haha. I am planning to upgrade to the one and only EQ6 R pro, soon. As always, great video, Trevor.
Thanks for your many useful videos. I just purchased a SW Star Adventurer in anticipation of an upcoming trip to Big Bend NP in west Texas soon. I plan to use it with my 14mm Rokinon but am also considering a small telescope - and, dumb question, but what is the difference between a telescope with a 400mm focal length and a 400mm telephoto lens made for my DSLR? At what point does one become the other, ie is it simply a matter of usage that determines what we call it or is there more? Thanks again.
Thank you sir. Best review ever.
Hi Trevor, did you find that you need the extension bar with this light weight setup or its just better to have it and not need it? Also, I didn't notice if you had a ball head mounted for your scope... I'd guess its a mandatory accessory with this type of mount.? Very new to AP so apologize for what may be ridiculous questions.
Can you use such guider/tracker for other filming also like sliding kinda shots or something? If so, could you kindly link/make a video about it? Big thanks and love your videos! Keep up! :)
62 4-minute exposures. I haven't started AP, and I'm not sure I have the patience for that. Are people that do this actually sitting by the gear baby sitting it, or is it more robotic?
Great video Trevor. Question: Why would I need a Wiiliam optics Skyguider Pro wedge upgrade ?
Jeff
My question as well ! Brad
Probably a silly question, but if you have the ASIAIR-Pro that plate solves to do the polar alignment, does that replace this device?
I'm looking at getting this gear...and I'm no astro guru.....but the iPolar is what, an additional component you can purchase from you then install inside the existing unit to allow for remote device alignment ? If so....do you need to use a PC or have they finally made the obvious step and gone bluetooth and via a smartphone ?
any options for the star adventurer? I may have to switch to the ioptron!
Hey Trevor, as always, nice video. Backyard looks great with some privacy, and Rudy looks like he's settled in with the new home as well. Ok, enough of the pleasantries. Just curious of how you do your focusing with your setup?
Pretty sure he still uses the bahtinov mask. Definitely for this set up. Not sure if he uses focus aid in APT on his main rigs though
Great video. Definitely considering. Hope they add MacOS support one day.
Do you have price breakdowns for these rigs? I really like your equipment rundowns but as im just thinking of getting into astrophotography i don't know much about what i could afford.
Thanks for the great videos
Aaron Allgrunn For a set up like this it will run you about $2,000 USD for everything. Honestly, a set up like this is far from expensive.
Make sure you deal hunt and look for used gear. I started with a 600D that I got for $200 dollars on eBay and found a second hand 14mm wide rokinon lens for $215 shipped. After a few months I picked up a Sky guider pro on sale at B&H. I think I only saved $50 there?
All I hear in this video is money, money, money, more money, and finally money. 😒
If you sell some ass ass than you’ll be able to afford this glass glass.