Polemaster vs Starshoot P1 ?

[Astro-Geek]

I believe these two products are identical, apart from the branding ?  (and use the same Polemaster software).

The Starshoot P1 can be purchased with a "Sirius" adapter, which appears to be the equivalent of the EQ-G mount, which appears to be equivalent to the EQ6 Pro.

The Starshoot P1 seems to a little cheaper than the Polemaster, hence my interest !

Aliexpress sell the Polemaster with EQ6 adapter for less than £200, but then the customs and vat would bring it back up, and there's always the worry of returns, if it's a faulty one.....

Secondhand, they seem to be like the proverbial Rocking Horse Poo !

I know sharpcap can polar align with the guiding or imaging camera, but having a dedicated one permanently on the polar axis seems more convenient for subsequent checking.

( I should explain that my EQ6 is on a mobile pier in my Skyshed Pod, so that it can be moved aside when I use my 12 inch Dob instead, so quick re-alignment on a large computer screen is very attractive.)

[david_taurus83]

When the Polemaster first come out it was a great idea but with a hefty price tag. The fact that Sharpcap, ASIAir, Stellarmate etc all have a polar align function it makes the Polemaster grossly expensive and redundant imo. I owned one, they are really good, but I find Sharpcap just as accurate and less fiddly to work with. If you dont already own one, you could buy a new guidescope, camera and Sharpcap license for less than the PM. At £10 for a years licence, it's the best of the bunch.

[Astro-Geek]

Thanks for the reply David.

Yes, I'm a great fan of sharpcap, I probably use it more than any other Astro software.

It's just that my particular setup, with the wheeled pier in my Pod, would make it very quick and convenient to polar align, and re-align without having to slew anything, (with the polemaster fixed on Polaris and the software quickly called up on my dedicated NUC PC hanging off the mount.

I quite agree though, they do seem grossly expensive new.  Funny how quickly they change hands when offered for sale secondhand though.

[Xsubmariner]

You are correct, at best you have 1/2 a day to grab a used Polemaster. I have and do still use 3 PA tools, Asi air/sharpcap with my mobile setups and Polemaster in observatory. I have found all 3 work well and dared I say will give you more than a good enough PA for most imagers. 

Have you tried a wanted ad yet, worth a try.

[Astro-Geek]

Thanks for the usage feedback xSub.

I'd be a bit nervous of placing wanted adverts on here or AstroBS.

It seems rare for specialist astro bits and pieces to turn up within reasonable driving distance (up here in Norfolk anyway), so one has to usually rely on postal delivery.

I've bought many excellent items via Stargazers forum and I've been fortunate to have only had dealings with very honest and conscientious fellow astro enthusiasts .

On AstroBS they specifically warn advertisers to only transact "face to face"  when placing wanted ads. ☹️