PoleMaster SetUp

[grantboxer (Grant)]

I am buying a PoleMaster to assist with polar alignment for my Skywatcher StarAdventurer small mount. Does the polemaster need to be installed on the RA axis, or can it be off-axis? Has anyone experimented with this?

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

The universal adapter from CyclopsOptics is perfect for mounting PM on the SA.
https://www.cyclopsoptics.com/sales/...pm-st-adapter/
It’s the gold adapter seen on SA in pic

[The_bluester (Paul)]

Do you mean does it have to be right on the axis or can it be mounted away from the center of rotation?

I have seen setups with a Polemaster mounted a good 100mm away from the actual rotation centre, though mine is on centre on an AZEQ6

[grantboxer (Grant)]

Yes, that is the question, as I have seen it mounted off-axis as per first reply. Installing off-axix is better for balancing but does it introduce error?

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

The PM software calculates centre of rotation based on RA movements, so you don't need to line the camera up to the RA axis perfectly like a polar scope.
Anyhow, the dovetail plate the Cyclops PM adapter is on can be shifted so that the PM is on the centre of rotation of the RA axis if you wish, but you'll likely need to balance with a heavier CW if you do so.
Note: the universal adapter comes free with the PM if you buy from Cyclops Optics - plus free shipping.