Thanks for this instruction far better than trying to fathom it out from the instruction Manuel, especially for a beginner! Your post was simple easy to follow a breath of fresh air.
I have been checking the transit time everyday here in Dayton, Ohio. It seems to very night by night from around 4-7 minutes. This is according to PolarFinder software. Does this sound right?
@g00glian0 yes, that's right. The stars appear to rise 4 minutes later each night because of Earth's motion in orbiting the sun. 4 minutes x 365 days = 24 hours (that's one extra spin because we've gone around the sun once).
Agreed... the suppliers documentation on polar scope calibration/alignment is confusing and your video makes it easy. On another note re: your report on the HEQ5 Pro mount problems..... I had very similar problems which were traced back to the power supply and a 7ah battery does not provide adequate juice for motor inrush currents. In any case the best choice for firmware upgrades with least amount of remaining bugs is typically the latest (currently 3.27)... I believe.
Yes good comment, otherwise your risk breaking off the Altitude screws!
But I do usually align without the OTA (Optical Tube Assembly) then check again once the scope and counter weight are loaded up - and just tweak it if its moved. Sometimes with the weight on board your tripod can settle into soft ground.
Vid has been a great help but I cannot find any details anywhere on the web for Polaris transit so I cannot find when it's at it's highest for my area to set the RA circle. Any help would be greatful!!
i got a 127mm reflector its a celestron powerseeker im looking to start putting a webcam on and maybe a cam soon but i want another scope and ive been looking at a skywatcher skymax cassegrain would you say a 90mm would be better or just as good as my celestron? thanks jon
Thanks again for making this video, took me about 5 attempts to get my head around this but i got it sorted in the end, i can now track almost all night.
During calibration the white stroke gets moved to zero on the date circle (not the mount) by losening the tiny set screw. Once this is done, to polar align you just make sure the RA cirlce is fixed at zero on the mount and the date circle's zero is pointing to the white mark (below the date circle). Then just rotate the mount until the current date lines up with the current time.
Excellent, thanx for clarifying this, I think James says to line up with the mount instead of the Date Circle.
Do you also know...during the aligment of the reticule I manged to get mine to fall out due to loosing the focuser too much - I simply put it back in. Would this cause me more problems later or does it need to have been placed back with the polar circle at the 6 o'clock or 12 o'clock position etc in relation to the RA axis?
Steve, never got back to you on that. You don't have to worry about the reticule, because when you do the calibration you will be compensating for whatever position its in. You still turn the mount to put the circle for Polaris straight down, then rotate the date circle until it reads 1600 hours against March 1st, then set your zero (white mark). Hope you've got it going by now ...
A very usefull video indeed, I got my HEQ5-Pro a couple of days ago and found the instructions to be wrong with regards to tightening the RA Circle Lock - I started loosing faith in my abilities at that stage!
One small clarification: when you talk about the white stroke to read 0 on the mount, you mean for the white mark to basically be at the top of the dial lined up with the arrow next to the RA Circle Lock?
real pro tripod the best the best
guess777 2 months ago
I was getting frustrated reading my EQ5 manual. Thanks a lot for this video!
johnx4224 4 months ago
got roughly the same polar scope on my scope mount but never use it--approximate alignment (with compass) is tracking good enough for me.
hallobaaaby 5 months ago
One more question please James, When you mention 1st March,4 PM for your
location. This for me would about 04:40 5.9.11 as long as its the next transit time
for your location you input that, would that be correct.
Thankyou Alan.
suteal 5 months ago
Hi James,
Fabulous tutorial just what I needed, one question please when you realign
the date/latitude ring does this then stay put.
Thankyou Alan.
suteal 5 months ago
Not a clear explanation of polar scope setup.
gklugie 9 months ago
Thanks for this instruction far better than trying to fathom it out from the instruction Manuel, especially for a beginner! Your post was simple easy to follow a breath of fresh air.
myketyke1 1 year ago
@myketyke1 thanks myke!
JamesJames4 1 year ago
I have been checking the transit time everyday here in Dayton, Ohio. It seems to very night by night from around 4-7 minutes. This is according to PolarFinder software. Does this sound right?
g00glian0 1 year ago
@g00glian0 yes, that's right. The stars appear to rise 4 minutes later each night because of Earth's motion in orbiting the sun. 4 minutes x 365 days = 24 hours (that's one extra spin because we've gone around the sun once).
JamesJames4 1 year ago
@JamesJames4 Oh, correction there - 4 minutes earlier each night!
JamesJames4 1 year ago
Agreed... the suppliers documentation on polar scope calibration/alignment is confusing and your video makes it easy. On another note re: your report on the HEQ5 Pro mount problems..... I had very similar problems which were traced back to the power supply and a 7ah battery does not provide adequate juice for motor inrush currents. In any case the best choice for firmware upgrades with least amount of remaining bugs is typically the latest (currently 3.27)... I believe.
gtranquilla 1 year ago
Polaris is in transit in the uk. every day at 14.20. at 54degs,north..
TheRedhotred 1 year ago
@TheRedhotred Sounds like Glasgow?
JamesJames4 1 year ago
very good! the final part a little bit too fast, but still good!
varallo123 2 years ago
Remember!!!
Never align with the OTA on the HEQ5...
rastamaniakTHC 2 years ago
Yes good comment, otherwise your risk breaking off the Altitude screws!
But I do usually align without the OTA (Optical Tube Assembly) then check again once the scope and counter weight are loaded up - and just tweak it if its moved. Sometimes with the weight on board your tripod can settle into soft ground.
JamesJames4 2 years ago
Vid has been a great help but I cannot find any details anywhere on the web for Polaris transit so I cannot find when it's at it's highest for my area to set the RA circle. Any help would be greatful!!
Nick
onutube2 2 years ago
hi
i got a 127mm reflector its a celestron powerseeker im looking to start putting a webcam on and maybe a cam soon but i want another scope and ive been looking at a skywatcher skymax cassegrain would you say a 90mm would be better or just as good as my celestron? thanks jon
JonNebula11 2 years ago
Thanks again for making this video, took me about 5 attempts to get my head around this but i got it sorted in the end, i can now track almost all night.
Paul
slartibartfast69 2 years ago
Hi Steve,
During calibration the white stroke gets moved to zero on the date circle (not the mount) by losening the tiny set screw. Once this is done, to polar align you just make sure the RA cirlce is fixed at zero on the mount and the date circle's zero is pointing to the white mark (below the date circle). Then just rotate the mount until the current date lines up with the current time.
Coastastronomy 2 years ago
Excellent, thanx for clarifying this, I think James says to line up with the mount instead of the Date Circle.
Do you also know...during the aligment of the reticule I manged to get mine to fall out due to loosing the focuser too much - I simply put it back in. Would this cause me more problems later or does it need to have been placed back with the polar circle at the 6 o'clock or 12 o'clock position etc in relation to the RA axis?
Again Thanks in advance
Steve
stretchy10 2 years ago
Steve, never got back to you on that. You don't have to worry about the reticule, because when you do the calibration you will be compensating for whatever position its in. You still turn the mount to put the circle for Polaris straight down, then rotate the date circle until it reads 1600 hours against March 1st, then set your zero (white mark). Hope you've got it going by now ...
JamesJames4 2 years ago
Hi James,
A very usefull video indeed, I got my HEQ5-Pro a couple of days ago and found the instructions to be wrong with regards to tightening the RA Circle Lock - I started loosing faith in my abilities at that stage!
One small clarification: when you talk about the white stroke to read 0 on the mount, you mean for the white mark to basically be at the top of the dial lined up with the arrow next to the RA Circle Lock?
Thanks in advance
Steve
stretchy10 2 years ago
I've a vixen gp and its polarscope is not parallel to the axis.. I tryed to allign it by the 3 screws but isnt so easy.. :(
enzolanz84 2 years ago
does the polar scope come with EQ5 PRO
dirtonmylens 2 years ago
The polar scope does come with the HEQ5-PRO and it is an excellent Polar Scope.
JamesJames4 2 years ago
thanx
dirtonmylens 2 years ago
fantastic, i've had my HEQ5 for about 4 years and haven't been able to work it out until i saw this video.
thank you very much for sharing.
Paul
slartibartfast69 2 years ago
In the Northern Hemisphere 1600 hours should be read from the top half of the RA circle. The Bottom half is for Southern Hemisphere Observers.
JamesJames4 3 years ago