Dave M
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Reged: 08/03/04
Loc: N.E.Ohio
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New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
#5371872 - 08/16/12 04:58 PM
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Noticed on the Astrophysics site that they should have the new Right angle Polar alignment scope available early Fall 2012. Originally designed for the new 1600GTO, they also plan to provide adapters for the Mach1GTO and all 900 and 1200 mounts.
There`s a notification list to sign up if interested in it.
No price is noted. Hopefully its less than a kidney.
The Right angle will be nice.
I`m wondering how it works though ?, it says Precise adjustments are made without rotating the Polar Alignment Scope or the Declination axis.
With my Losmandy Pasil-4 it has to be rotated, Dec and RA adjustments made.
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Footbag
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/13/09
Loc: Scranton, PA
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: Dave M]
#5371885 - 08/16/12 05:08 PM
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It was explained to me at NEAF. There is a circle with a number of markings on it. You use software or a smartphone app to determine where Polaris should be on the on the circle depending on time and location and place it there using alt and az adjusters. I want to say that they were using the TakAlign app, but I cannot be sure. It looked very similar, though.
With the PASILL4, as you probably know, you line up the three stars on the markings. I think this polar scope only uses Polaris. Maybe it has a longer FL and that's why it is more accurate.
The only view I got through the polar scope was a fleeting one while carrying my son, who had just had a malt ball. My biggest concern was that he'd touch the front of an AP refractor with chocolate fingers. Then again, with AP, a break it buy it policy would be a quick way to jump in line.
EDIT: Someone on this forum posted a cell phone pic through the new polar scope, but fort the life of me I cannot find it.
Edited by Footbag (08/16/12 05:26 PM)
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Peter in Reno
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/15/08
Loc: Reno, NV
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: Footbag]
#5371917 - 08/16/12 05:26 PM Attachment (69 downloads)
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This is what it looks like at the show. I am not sure what the final product will look like. According to A-P, it's supposed to be very accurate polar alignment.
Peter
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Cliff Hipsher
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/31/08
Loc: North Chesterfield, VA
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: Peter in Reno]
#5371945 - 08/16/12 05:42 PM
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Quote:
This is what it looks like at the show. I am not sure what the final product will look like. According to A-P, it's supposed to be very accurate polar alignment.
Peter
With the exception of the numerals, this looks very similar to the reticle in a Meade 9x60 Polar Alignment (finder) scope.
The idea is you use a variation of Dr. Clay's Kochab Clock. With this method, putting Polaris within the appropriate "box" will place the NCP in the center of the FOV, which hopefully is aligned with the mount's RA axis...
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Dave M
Postmaster
Reged: 08/03/04
Loc: N.E.Ohio
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: Cliff Hipsher]
#5371987 - 08/16/12 06:27 PM
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Thanks for the replies Guys, Great! info and very much appreciated.
Also mentions the reticle is suitiable for Northern and Southern Hemispheres through 2040.
How would the new AP polar scope become less accurate after 2040ish ?
But then again if its good for 30 years i probably shouldnt worry about it now 
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jmiele
Patron Saint?
Reged: 12/04/10
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: Cliff Hipsher]
#5371988 - 08/16/12 06:28 PM
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It's a similar concept to the Tak polar scope... Joe
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coz
super member
Reged: 08/25/10
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: jmiele]
#5372096 - 08/16/12 07:43 PM
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Does this have to be connected to software on the pc?
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jmiele
Patron Saint?
Reged: 12/04/10
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: coz]
#5372114 - 08/16/12 08:04 PM
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No
Joe
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Cliff Hipsher
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/31/08
Loc: North Chesterfield, VA
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: Dave M]
#5372181 - 08/16/12 09:26 PM
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How would the new AP polar scope become less accurate after 2040ish ?
Because the Earth wobbles Chandler Wobble and precesses.
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M13 Observer
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/09/06
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: coz]
#5372530 - 08/17/12 03:01 AM
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Does this have to be connected to software on the pc?
No, but you will require software of firmware running on something somewhere and the current time to tell you which "box" Polaris has to be in and where within that box is optimal. Maybe it will be part of the new AP keypad firmware V4.2x when it is eventually released?
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Dave M
Postmaster
Reged: 08/03/04
Loc: N.E.Ohio
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: Cliff Hipsher]
#5372811 - 08/17/12 09:42 AM
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Thanks Cliff, i`m guessing polaris would end up outside that outer ring of boxes then after 2040.
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Dave M
Postmaster
Reged: 08/03/04
Loc: N.E.Ohio
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Re: New Astrophysics Polar Alignment scope
[Re: Dave M]
#5375695 - 08/19/12 10:09 AM
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Noticed that if you go to the products link then 1600GTO
theres a picture of a right angle polar scope on the new 1600GTO.
http://www.astro-physics.com/
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