7 replies to this topic

[CTastro]

Well, the forums convinced me. 

 

Today I bought an original Sky Watcher Star Adventurer Pro Pack. $220 unopened and never used, how'd I do?

 

That's not my real question. 

 

My reticle isn't aligned properly with the "clock". My "0" position is at about where the 8 o' clock position is on a standard clock. That is to say, the reticle inside my polar scope is rotated 90 degrees to the left. How do I fix this? I've scoured the forums and cannot find an answer. 

 

Thanks! 

[MisterDan]

Did you not get a manual?

 

See "Appendix I:  Calibrate the Polar Scope" (pdf page 29):

https://inter-static...V2_updateds.pdf

 

I hope I'm not misunderstanding your predicament, and I hope this helps.

Best wishes.

Dan

[CTastro]

I did, and I have it open currently. Clearly it hasn't been dumbed down enough for me. A lot of these words don't seem to be in English. I assumed that because my reticle is not perfectly in line like the one in the manual, that something was wrong with it. 

 

Is that not the case?

 

will adjusting the tiny screws on the polar scope itself spin the reticle to be properly "up and down"? 

 

thank you for replying. 

 

Also, when the owner's manual says "R.A" axis its referring to "east and west" or azimuth rotation correct? 

Edited by CTastro, 24 May 2025 - 07:46 PM.

[MisterDan]

I do think I misunderstood, so I apologize for that. Calibration of your polar scope may not be necessary, and it's a step that is "separate" from polar alignment via polar scope.

 

Polar alignment is covered in pdf pages 21-23.

 

The polar scope reticle rotates with the mount as it rotates in right ascension.  When you loosen the R.A. clutch (large black ring on the opposite end of the polar scope eyepiece - the "front" of the R.A. housing) and rotate the R.A. head, the polar reticle rotates.  THAT's how you adjust the reticle so that 0 is at 12 o'clock, 6 is at 6, etc.  (The three little screws do not rotate the reticle.)  Once you've oriented/rotated the mount housing (and polar reticle) to match a clock (0/12 up; 6 down), lock the R.A. clutch back down again.  You're simply establishing a "zeroed clock" and synchronizing the reticle with the app (assuming you have and are using the app).

 

Now, it's a matter of refining your mount's alignment to the North Celestial Pole by using the altitude and azimuth knobs to move the mount so that Polaris's position in the reticle matches the black dot's position in the app (which will depend on your latitude, date, and time). -Again, you'll be following the "workflow" of the Polar Alignment procedure (pages 21-23).

 

Let me know if the above makes sense.  If need be, we can clarify other details with additional babble. 

 

Best wishes.

Dan

Edited by MisterDan, 24 May 2025 - 09:09 PM.

[CTastro]

I figured it out. I found a youtube video about polar scope calibration. 

 

The answer that I was looking for is also the answer you just gave above! That's the sad thing. I'm THAT new that I don't even fully understand all the workings. The manual seems to be written for people that have some understanding of telescopes/astronomy. 

 

Thank you so much for clarifying! I did download the PS Align Pro app for Iphone. It also seems VERY complicated but I'm excited to learn. I just spent the last few hours getting my calibration right, so that the object of my choice (not polaris, because day time) is about as close to the center of the crosshairs as I rotate the RA axis. 

 

Tomorrow, I'll tackle the rest. Thanks so much for being responsive and interested in helping me learn. Much appreciated.

 

Chris 

[MisterDan]

You are most welcome!

 

Take care and have FUN.

Dan

[Phil Sherman]

Take your mount and scope to a local astronomy club meeting and ask the members for some help getting the mount set up for use. You'll get excellent advice which will get you off to a good start. You can also join the club.

[ecuador]

Thank you so much for clarifying! I did download the PS Align Pro app for Iphone. It also seems VERY complicated but I'm excited to learn. I just spent the last few hours getting my calibration right, so that the object of my choice (not polaris, because day time) is about as close to the center of the crosshairs as I rotate the RA axis. 

Hi, I am the developer of the app. I try to make it as welcoming as possible to new users, while adding all the features advanced users might use, so if you have any feedback on things that could be improved on that aspect (make it look less scary), I am always listening

Now, specifically about your rotated reticle, there is a function that allows you to use SkyWatcher reticles that are installed in a random angle directly. In the main screen, lower right, it's the button with the rotating arrow around the target. You select the "Orion/SW/iOptron not upright" mode (use the (i) button for instructions).

Edited by ecuador, 13 June 2025 - 04:39 AM.