9 replies to this topic

[andy12345]

Hi
Newbie question I’m afraid

I have an S30 and have bought a Smallrig AD50 tripod with fluid head. I would like to prep for EQ during the early evening before observing by setting the scope to the compensating angle for my latitude. However, unlike a proper wedge there is no scale on the fluid head to set the angle. Is there something I can do about that?

Thanks in advance

[vtornado]

Digital angle gauge set to your latitude?

https://www.amazon.c...,aps,109&sr=8-3

[Phil Perry]

If you can manage it, consider doing your first polar alignment at night (on a well-leveled tripod) and just leave the angle there when you pack up and store the rig. You'll probably still have to fine tune the altitude each night, and this is where a real wedge shines over photography gear. I tried my S50 with a (low-end, admittedly) camera tripod, and had a bear of a time adjusting altitude without losing everything when I loosened the knob. Maybe yours will allow fine tuning without the risk of a major slip? I ended up getting a real wedge (SkyWatcher).

[terrypaula]

I picked up a cell phone app called Polar Align Pro that works with iPhone that will perform a daytime polar alignment.  Just make sure it's pointed to celestial north NOT at Polaris.  I just use Polaris as a reference for pointing.  I know that there are polar alignment apps that work with Android that will help with the latitude setting.

[WillR]

I wouldn’t worry about setting the latitude during the day. I use a fluid head and it literally takes seconds to tilt it to the correct angle, reading it off of the app. You will almost always have to change it anyway once it plate solves its alignment after dark. 
 

You can set it ahead of time during the day by turning on the Seestar and going to the mount mode page and EQ menu and it will tell you the angle it is pointing at. But there is no “point” in doing that.

 

I gather you haven’t used your S30 yet, or at least in EQ mode, because you would realize this is worrying about a problem where none exists.

Edited by WillR, 22 May 2025 - 07:54 AM.

[andy12345]

Digital angle gauge set to your latitude?

https://www.amazon.c...,aps,109&sr=8-3

Many thanks, this looks useful

[andy12345]

If you can manage it, consider doing your first polar alignment at night (on a well-leveled tripod) and just leave the angle there when you pack up and store the rig. You'll probably still have to fine tune the altitude each night, and this is where a real wedge shines over photography gear. I tried my S50 with a (low-end, admittedly) camera tripod, and had a bear of a time adjusting altitude without losing everything when I loosened the knob. Maybe yours will allow fine tuning without the risk of a major slip? I ended up getting a real wedge (SkyWatcher).

It's a good thought thanks, but I need to pack away at the end of a session. I'm really hoping that the fluid head makes it easier to do the initial gross alignment during the day, then adjusting the central head mount underneath the top, or the head itself, to do the finer adjustments at shooting time.

[andy12345]

I picked up a cell phone app called Polar Align Pro that works with iPhone that will perform a daytime polar alignment.  Just make sure it's pointed to celestial north NOT at Polaris.  I just use Polaris as a reference for pointing.  I know that there are polar alignment apps that work with Android that will help with the latitude setting.

Thanks, definitely worth a look at only £3.99 in the UK 

[andy12345]

I wouldn’t worry about setting the latitude during the day. I use a fluid head and it literally takes seconds to tilt it to the correct angle, reading it off of the app. You will almost always have to change it anyway once it plate solves its alignment after dark. 
 

You can set it ahead of time during the day by turning on the Seestar and going to the mount mode page and EQ menu and it will tell you the angle it is pointing at. But there is no “point” in doing that.

 

I gather you haven’t used your S30 yet, or at least in EQ mode, because you would realize this is worrying about a problem where none exists.

Correct Will, I think you're right, I'm doing too much working out what prep to do, when try it first would be good - thanks!

[WillR]

Did you get polar aligned and do some imaging? Check back in when you get a chance.