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Using QHY Polemaster camera with SharpCap 64 bits

AstroSharp Ltd SharpCap QHYCCD PoleMaster Equipment Polar Alignment Help Needed
5 replies•211 views
IS_17m avatar
IS_17m avatar
Hi,

I have been reading about this for quite some time and I have decided to ask for help because I can't come to a conclusion.

I have the QHY Polemaster camera and I want to use it with SharpCap (no offense intended but, for me, the QHY software, also named as Polemaster, is glitchy and I don't like it, and I have read that many use the Polemaster camera with SharpCap with success and that that combination is the best of both worlds).

In QHY website, it is not specified if the driver for the Polemaster camera is a 32 bits or 64 bits driver, so I have "simulated" its installation, and the installation folder that appeared was Programs (x86). So, considering this, it is a 32 bits driver for sure.

What I would like to do is to use the Polemaster camera with SharpCap 64 bits. Does anyone use this combination with success? How did you do it?

My concerns are the compatibility issues between the driver (QHY) and software (SharpCap), for what I know they must have the same architecture to work without any problems and in order to the camera to be detected by the program.

The reason why I want to use the 64 bits version of SharpCap is because I get some out of memory errors when using live stacking with my ASI6200 (huge files and resolution), and ZWO offers 64 bits drivers for their cameras, as I was able to check on their website, so here no problem at all.

Thanks
Clear Skies
Dan Brown avatar
Dan Brown avatar
I have the same issues with my polemaster. I've tried it with two windows operating systems and a mac, all unusable. Maybe I have a bad camera. I am interested to learn of an implementation of Sharpcap that would work with it too.
Dan
Anderl avatar
Anderl avatar
If the polemaster is not working, just dis/reconnect until it does. Always works for me. 
If you want to use the polemaster outside the qhy software you need to use older firmware. 

try googling for something like using polemaster as guide camera. I used mine as polemaster + guide camera for quite some time and it works perfectly. That way it can be used like any other ascom device so you have max flexibility 

cs 
andreas
Anderl avatar
Anderl avatar
Here you go

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/281403-polemaster-for-planetary-deep-sky-its-possible/
Phil Hoppes avatar
Phil Hoppes avatar
Polemaster camera works fine with SharpCap 64.  I too found that the QHY Polemaster software is completely worthless.  It would never update and was a complete exercise in frustration to try to use.  SharpCap, OTOH, is a dream to use and works perfect.  There is also a similar function to get your PA inside of NINA and as long as you have installed your QHY drivers you can use that.  I have used both with my Polemaster and they work fine.
Helpful
IS_17m avatar
IS_17m avatar
Thank you for your help @Andi and @Phil Hoppes.

I'm really happy to read those words, and knowing that the Polemaster works with SharpCap 64 bits, it made my day!

Regards
CS
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