Ioptron Skytracker Pro tracking exercise
Apr 22, 2017 10:02:42 #
Bloke wrote:
Don't you need to be able to get your eye up to the device? I just find it hard to picture the process, and don't want to spend a bunch of money on something that I only use once and put on a shelf - too much stuff like that already!
Yes, you do need to get your eye up to the eyepiece of the polar scope. I have posted a picture of the current iOptron Skytracker. Note the small alignment scope on the right hand side. It is necessary to look through it while adjusting the tracker to point correctly. There is a circle marked inside the scope that shows the path of Polaris around true north. You use a free app on a smart phone to determine the real time position on that circle for Polaris. And then lock that position.
Apr 22, 2017 10:24:06 #
Yes, an eye on the scope is required to accomplish polar (CNP) alignment. I have my (lightweight travel) tripod height set as low as practicable to maximize stability. I take a knee (on an 18" square of carpet) to do the alignment, then get up and move to align the camera on target, again on a knee. Then back to the polar scope to verify and tweak alignment, on a knee again. Set the intervalometer, hit the "go" button then retreat indoors and drink wine. After the imaging session (40 minutes or so) I return to the rig to check results...if I can remember where it is.
I believe that if you own a sturdy tripod, you could set the height to a level to minimize bending/squatting/kneeling...and get awesome results.
Dean
I believe that if you own a sturdy tripod, you could set the height to a level to minimize bending/squatting/kneeling...and get awesome results.
Dean
Apr 22, 2017 10:26:38 #
Yeah, I don't see how I could be sitting down and still get my eye to that. That was what I thought when I first saw the device advertised... The only way I think I could do it is to spend $$$ on a big, solid tripod. I have several, and they are fine at 'normal' height, but to get that alignment, I would need to extend the center column, which is asking too much, I suspect.
Apr 22, 2017 10:30:06 #
7awol wrote:
Yes, an eye on the scope is required to accomplish... (show quote)
I can't get up from a kneeling position, without something pretty sturdy to pull myself up on... There would be this nice sturdy tripod there, right in front of me, but could never get up without moving it a bit, I'm sure.
I have looked at a couple of tripods which would probably do the job, but big plus sturdy = $$$... Don't even need to be light, since I am only a few feet from the car at my only darkish-sky spot.
Apr 22, 2017 10:54:04 #
dlmorris
Loc: Loma Linda, Ca
If you can get someone to go with you, let them align it for you. Company is always nice anyway! (Well, usually, anyway....)
Apr 22, 2017 12:40:42 #
When I started out the ioptron mount was small and basic. It has come a long ways.
Very nice capture.
Jim
Very nice capture.
Jim
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