Polar Alignment without an Imaging Camera?

rbrtdod

I'm a newbie to using the ASIAir Plus and have a unit on the way to use with a star adverturer GTi mount. I'm wondering if the polar alignment process uses just the guide camera or if it needs an imaging camera? That is, if a guide scope and camera (ASI120MM) are attached to the mount and connected to the ASIAir Plus, can a polar alignment be done with the phone app without there being any photographic or imaging camera on the mount?

tbhausen

rbrtdod I suppose you could set the guide camera up as the main camera during polar alignment, then swap it back to guiding and set up a main camera. Do be certain you go to the global Sky-Watcher site and update the motor controller in your SA GTi before connecting them. I use the same mount and have no problems set up as EQmod with direct USB connection between the mount and the ASiair Plus.

tbhausen

I suppose you could set the guide camera up as the main camera during polar alignment, then swap it back to guiding and set up a main camera.

rbrtdod

My intent is to use a DSLR as the main camera which will have no connection to the ASIAir, so basically, I would be setting up the mount as a guide assisted stand-alone, and then put a camera on it. That's the reason I would want to polar align with just the guide camera. In videos, it shows an image being acquired each time the polar alignment is refined but in my case, the only camera available to the ASIAir would be the guide camera so wondering if that works?

Thanks for the motor controller update tip. Is that made with a computer connected to the mount visa USB?

enaiman

rbrtdod Don't mistakenly assume a guide camera is only for guiding.
From the main camera selection drop down, chose the 120MM as your main camera. Put the correct focal length in then do the PA.
Once you finish PA, stop main camera, go to guide camera and select again the 120MM.
Calibrate the guiding and you are good for imaging.
That is all you need tro do.

tbhausen

Are you not using a supported DSLR?

Polar alignment is accomplished by plate solving. If you can successfully plate solve through your guide scope (set up as main camera), you can PA. I can plate solve with a little 30F4/ASI120MM Mini, so you shouldn't have any problems.

There are motor controller loaders for both USB and Wi-Fi. The USB one has worked perfectly for me, using the USB A-to-B cable that shipped with the SA GTi.