Benro Polaris

[JimFox]

Yeah, where are the Deep Astro samples?

I don’t see how they think sending the photos to a phone is a good idea. When it comes to iPhones, the absolutely worst thing about it is connecting it then to a computer to download photos. Maybe 1 time is 30 will it actually connect via the Lightning/usb and have Windows File Explorer actually see the photos.

And then you are out of luck if you are someone who uses their phone a lot and have very little spare memory on it.

 

[Graeme F]

I can see having to buy some sort of tablet that download the software on and running it on that vs the phone. Guess can pick up one for $/€100 or so and stick in a micro sd card with 128gb space.

 

[JimFox]

I can see having to buy some sort of tablet that download the software on and running it on that vs the phone. Guess can pick up one for $/€100 or so and stick in a micro sd card with 128gb space.

Yep, that might be the way to go. Have you ordered the Polaris yet?

Due to a software glitch on my tax accountant, my $1400 return flipped to now I owe $1400... that was going to go for a mount. So now I have to really think if I get one now.

 

[Graeme F]

Going to back it I think and then watch like a hawk! If no updates/videos etc in next few days will change my mind. 7 days left to run

 

[Graeme F]

loads of these ads on the web. That looks like a 400mm lens? Doesn't look like the astro version but i wonder how that is balanced via the collar. Apologies, not the greatest picture.

 

[Graeme F]

 

[Graeme F]

boo - going to be 4 days left on the campaign and still no updates

 

[JimFox]

boo - going to be 4 days left on the campaign and still no updates

Yeah... I thought for sure we would hear something by now. They said they had a team out doing Astro photography, so I don’t know why they haven’t posted even some some simple Astro shots of the Rosette or something.

My main reason for getting it would be Deep Space Astro. So maybe I would be better off and just get the ioptron Gem28.

 

[Graeme F]

That ioptron is more expensive I think. Are there real reviews for it? I sent benro another email but not expecting much

 

[Graeme F]

Some quite twitchy comments appearing on their kickstarter page now effectively into day 3 and still no updates on astro performance. Not terribly awesome. Several comments saying benro ignoring tech questions now

 

[Graeme F]

Can't help wonder if they were abit taken aback on astro side of things and are now scrambling to get something together. The alternative that they oversold performance is naturally worse.

 

[JimFox]

Yep, perhaps there intent from the Astro was simply to do Wide Angle Milky Way, but their verbiage in their advertising made it to sound like more then that. They never corrected all of the commenters and the Deep Space aspect has become its own animal?

 

[JimFox]

That ioptron is more expensive I think. Are there real reviews for it? I sent benro another email but not expecting much

The ioptron Cem26 or Gem28 are from an upgrade to a previous tracking mount. It now has built in WiFi, both can find Polaris and polar align even if Polaris isn’t visible. They are designed just for Astro. They both run about $1100 and include a dedicated tripod.

Unless Benro puts out the information they promised before the 15th I am waiting. I just can’t tie up $700 into a mount I won’t see for 4 or 5 months. I just spend $729 on a “well used” D810 to replace my smashed one.

 

[Graeme F]

yay update 7 landed and upgradeable memory now an option (comes with 16gb microsd but removeable). Sadly no word on astro. 3 days left

I did not realise GEM28 had some sort of polar alignment option - is this like the celestron 3 star alignment process?

 

[JimFox]

yay update 7 landed and upgradeable memory now an option (comes with 16gb microsd but removeable). Sadly no word on astro. 3 days left

I did not realise GEM28 had some sort of polar alignment option - is this like the celestron 3 star alignment process?

I am not familiar with Celestron. The Gem28 uses built in gps I think. It probably slews to some stars then and refines it?

That’s good the Polaris comes with an upgradeable SD card. Too bad nothing was included about the Astro.

 

[Graeme F]

Crunch time!
2 days to go and following benro nugget has appeared:

~ During this waiting period (before Shipping in July), we will post more and more demos of our every big progress step. But if you still doubt about it, we don't mind you cancel your pledge and consider to order it again when the final product is available in your market.


I think that means no more video updates in next two days?

 

[Graeme F]

Benro then make an interesting post to some guy called Will who wanted a comparison to Star Adventurer:

Hi, Will, we have explained this topic in details in the story section “How does Polaris track stars” . It’s mainly different in polar alignment method. Later we will try to make a further explanation in way of video or motion graphics, which may easier to understand.

Star Adventurer is a typical electric EQ mount with 1 axis auto rotation ( we have one at hand) . Polaris uses 3 motors working together to track.

BTW, the gearbox inside Star Adventurer is completely not at the same level as Polaris, and it can’t be paralleled with Polaris at all. (We had ever disassembled the SA and made a comparison)

 

[Graeme F]

New update out. No astro video before april

 

[Graeme F]

Less than 20 Hours to go on this kickstarter - anybody still in? I am. My justification is:

1. I've thought for ages why there was no automated way to polar align given gps, star maps etc. Someone had to be the first and glad its an established company
2. The mechanics of the device look like an advanced Gimble, something that Benro has good experience with already with likes GH2 gimble
3. There is alot of inertia in the marketplace. I have a 2nd hand wonky star adventurer that is approx 3-4 years old. I need a replacement. As luck would have it there is a newer version out in last 6 months but its only upgrade is some wifi connectivity - pretty lazy upgrade if I'm honest. Rather than do something radicle its more of the same. Perhaps the market needs a shakeup

Now the bad:
1. Updates from the company are pretty vague and no field data/images etc
2. Speculation about what the device can do is all that people have to go on
3. Its alot of money for vagueness and speculation (currently $699 on KS)

Taking this all in I'm going to stick with it. My instincts tell me its going to work. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong in the next 20 hours!

 

[JimFox]

Crunch time!
2 days to go and following benro nugget has appeared:

~ During this waiting period (before Shipping in July), we will post more and more demos of our every big progress step. But if you still doubt about it, we don't mind you cancel your pledge and consider to order it again when the final product is available in your market.


I think that means no more video updates in next two days?

Sounds like no more updates.

I have decided I am happy with skipping this now. I have gone back and forth on whether to buy in on it from Kickstarter. My main need is a better deep space Astro, and while the Polaris will probably by fine for some deep space, for me I need one that's for certain to work and will have more capacity.

(I must have gotten interrrupted when I started typing this the other day )