POLARIS

Introduction

Polaris is an innovative smart tripod head for mirrorless and DSLR cameras. It’s been designed and built to be compact, portable, and quick to set up. With Polaris, you can remotely control the shooting angle, and preview your shot on your mobile device through a WiFi or cellular network*, giving you great flexibility regardless of the distance.

With the dedicated app, you can shoot with various programmable functions like time-lapse, panoramic photography, sunset and sunrise planning, etc., In addition, with the optional accessory of the Astro kit, you can turn Polaris into a professional equatorial mount, and capture stars easily with the ‘GoTo’ function, and automatically track stars for streak-free long exposures.

Package Contents

Polaris does not come with a memory card (microSD) or HDMI Cable.

If you purchased an Astro Kit, check that the Astro Kit is included.

Be careful not to lose any of these items.

Overview

1

Power Button

2

Lock Knob

3

Clamp

4

Pitch Motor

5

Pan Motor

6

Power Indicator

7

Cellular Indicator

8

Wi-Fi Indicator

9

Charging Port

10

USB-C Port

11

Mini HDMI Port

12

Shutter Port

13

Flash Port

14

Extra Port

15

Card Cover

16

SD Card Slot

17

SIM Card Slot

The SIM card slot can only be used with the Cellular version of Polaris. The Wi-Fi version of Polaris has no use of the SIM card slot.

Quick Start Guide

1. Insert MicroSD Card

2. Attach To A Tripod

Screw the top of the tripod into the 3/8'' screw port on the bottom of the Polaris and mount it securely. Use a 3/8'' to 1/4'' adapter if necessary.

3. Install Camera

After sliding the camera with the quick release plate installed into the [Clamp] slot on the top of the Polaris body, lock it in place with the [Lock Knob].

4. Connect To The Camera (Using Canon EOS R5 As An Example)

Plug in the USB-C camera port on the Polaris body and the digital terminal on the camera body with the included camera control cable.

Caution

No memory card in the camera may result in the captured photos not being saved.

It is recommended that you select the camera’s mode dial to M shooting mode before use.

Be sure to select JPEG or JPEG+RAW image quality in the camera settings before use.

5. Power On

Double press and hold the [power button], and release the button after hearing three “beeps”.

6. Connect Polaris APP

Launch Polaris App, and tap the Polaris’s name to do a Wi-Fi connection.

7. Enter Camera Interface

When tap [Enter Polaris Interface], a pop-up to create a password will appear, which can be skipped (it is recommended to create a password).

Compatible MicroSD Cards

This product recommends the use of microSD cards with transfer speeds up to UHS- I Speed Grade 3 (U3) rating (maximum supported capacity is 1 TB). If the MicroSD card is new or previously formatted (initialized) using another device or computer, please format the card by using this device.

Download The Polaris App

To use this product, you need to download and install the Polaris App. Please search for “Polaris” in your phone’s App Store or scan the QR code with your phone to install it.

Polaris App requires iOS v12.0 and above or Android v8.0 and above.

Charging Polaris

Use Standard Charging Cable For Charging

1. Use the included Type-C charging cable to connect Polaris to the charging brick (self-supplied).

2. Plug the charger into an outlet.

3. Charging starts automatically and the power indicator flashes in green.

Charging Time: It takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to charge the product with a depleted battery (when using a 9V/2A USB charger).

Charging time varies greatly depending on ambient temperature and remaining battery power.

It is recommended to use a charger that supports fast charging protocol.

The battery is not fully charged at the time of purchase.

Charge the product before use.

Inserting/Removing MicroSD Card

Insertion

1. Open The【Card Cover】

2. Insert The Card

The lower card slot is the [SD Card Slot].

Before inserting the SD card, make sure that the metal contacts are facing upwards and that the end with the metal contacts is pointing towards the product body.

Insert the card into the [SD Card Slot] in the correct orientation until it clicks and locks into place.

If the SD card is inserted in the wrong orientation, the product may be damaged.

Please do not force the card into the [SD Card Slot], it may cause damage to the slot.

Camera shooting and firmware updates are not supported when no SD card is available.

3. Close The【Card Cover】

Formatting

If the card is new or was previously formatted (initialized) by another device or computer, format the card with this device.

Removal

1. Open The【Card Cover】

2. Remove The Card

Gently press the card in, then release it to eject it.

Pull the card straight out, then close the cover.

Caution

Turn the device off for a period of time before removing the SD card. Removing the SD card immediately after shooting may cause damage to the SD card. Please be careful when removing the SD card.

Attach To A Tripod

Align the bottom [3/8'' screw hole] with the top thread of the tripod and twist it tightly.

If the top screw of the tripod is 1/4'', you can use the included 3/8'' to 1/4'' adapter to attach to the 1/4'' screw of the tripod and then screw it to the device.

Install A Camera

1. Twist And Loosen The [Clamp]

Turn to loosen the [Lock Knob] on the side of the equipment [Clamp].

2. Mount The Quick Release Plate

Attach the quick release plate to a camera that will be used.

3. Install The Camera

Snap the quick release plate with the camera into the [Clamp] of the product.

Align the quick release plate with the rails of the [Clamp] to slide easily into place.

If the sliding process does not go smoothly, please try to loosen the [Clamp] first and try again.

4. Lock Quick-Release Plate

After the quick release plate is slid into the required position, rotate the [Lock Knob] on the side of the product to fix the quick release plate.

Continue rotating and tightening until you can no longer turn the [Lock Knob].

Caution

Before you take your hand off the camera, give it a firm tug in every direction to make sure it’s not moving. If you can still move it side to side, you need to tighten the [Clamp] even further. If the base plate comes out completely, try again and make sure that both sides of your base plate are in position with the [Clamp].

Connect To The Camera (Using Canon EOS R5 As An Example)

Once the camera is attached to the Polaris, plug the Type-C camera control cable that comes with the Polaris into the camera’s digital terminal port and the Polaris’s [USB-C port].

Select the proper camera control cable according to the brand/model of the camera being used.

Plugging into the wrong port may cause the imager or product to malfunction.

Using the wrong camera control cable may result in damage to the camera or product ports.

Caution

No memory card in the camera may result in the captured photos not being saved.

It is recommended that you select the camera’s mode dial to M shooting mode before use.

Be sure to select JPEG or JPEG+RAW image quality in the camera settings before use.

Power On/Off

Power On

In the off state, double press and hold the [Power Button], and release it after hearing “beep beep beep” three times to turn on the device.

If the device is the Wi-Fi version, the power indicator (green) and Wi-Fi indicator (blue) are always on after successful power on.

Power Off

In the power-on state, long-press the [Power Button], hear a "beep" and let go to turn off the device.

Once the power is successfully shut down, all the lights turn off.

Storage/Expanding

Storage

When the device is in the off state, long press the [power button], hear a “beep” and then release, the device will start to move down the Pitch Axis until it returns to the storage state.

Caution

No memory card in the camera may result in the captured photos not being saved.

It is recommended that you select the camera’s mode dial to M shooting mode before use.

Be sure to select JPEG or JPEG+RAW image quality in the camera settings before use.

Expanding

When the device is in the storage state, short press and then long press the [power button], until you hear “beep beep beep” three times and then let go, the device is turned on, the pitch axis will automatically move up until it reaches the unfolded state.

Polaris App

Connect App

1. Launch Polaris App

For the iOS system, you need to turn on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi of your phone in advance.

For the Android system, you need to turn on the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS of your phone in advance.

2. Connect Device

Select the Polaris Wi-Fi name currently in use (the product Wi-Fi name starting with polaris) and click “Join” to start connecting to the Polaris device.

3. Connection Success

The word “Connected” and the device’s Wi-Fi name will be displayed on the left side of the interface after successful connection.

In App

Home Screen

Enter Polaris Interface: Tap to enter the camera live preview and shooting interface.

User Manual: Tap to view Polaris User Manual.

Settings: Tap to enter Settings page for card formatting, firmware upgrade and create/change device password.

Formatting

If the card is new or was previously formatted (initialized) by another device or computer, format the card with this device.

Caution

When formatting the SD card, all images and data on the SD card will be deleted. As even the protected images will be deleted, it is important to make sure that there are no images in them that need to be kept.

1. Enter Settings Page

Tap the [Settings] icon from the home page to enter the settings screen.

2. Format The SD Card

Select [Format].

3. Formatted Successfully

Click the [Confirm] button after successful formatting to return to the previous step.

Conditions Requiring Card Formatting

The card is new.

The card was formatted by a different device or a computer.

The card is full of images or data.

A card-related error is displayed.

Caution

Formatting or erasing data on a card does not completely erase the data. Be aware of this when selling or discarding the card. When disposing of cards, take steps to protect personal information.

Home Screen

1. My Device

Go to My Devices to view the device name and create/change the password (we recommend creating a device login password to prevent unauthorized users from using your device).

2. Set Security Question

To create a password for the first time, you need to set the security question first.

Select the security question and enter the corresponding answer.

To avoid forgetting, please try to fill in the real information when filling in the answers.

Caution

Do remember the security question you have set. When you forget your password, you will need to answer the password question to reset your password

Firmware Upgrade

Polaris devices are upgraded via Polaris App. If a message indicates that an update is available, click [Upgrade Device] for immediate update. Or, you can click [Later] and install it yourself later. (For upgrading the firmware via the app, you need to make sure that your phone’s cellular network and Wi-Fi are turned on and that you can access the Internet.)

Manual Firmware Upgrade:

1. Enter Settings Page

Click the icon in the home screen to enter the settings page.

2. Upgrade Firmware

After clicking theicon, select [Upgrade Firmware] to upgrade the firmware.

Caution

To upgrade the firmware via the app make sure that the cellular network using the phone is turned on and that Internet access is available.

Turn on your phone’s Wi-Fi.

Home Screen

The camera view display may differ depending on the shooting mode. This display is for reference only.

1. Shutter Speed

: Tap and slideto set the camera shutter speed manually.

On the far left of the shutter speed slider, you can enable the Bulb timerand set the exposure time.

2. Aperture Value

: Tap and slideto set the camera aperture value manually.

3. Exposure Value

: Tap and slideto set the camera aperture value manually.

4. ISO Speed

: Tap and slideto manually set the camera ISO value.

5. White Balance

: Tap and slideto manually set the camera White balance.

6. Manual Focus

: Tap for manual focus.

: Indicates that the focus area is based on the nearest subject.

Matching Range

: Small

: Medium

: Large

: Indicates that the focus area is based on the nearest subject.

Matching Range

: Small

: Medium

: Large

7. Auto Focus

: Tap to trigger autofocus. ( If the lens has both AF and MF modes, set it to AF/MF for autofocus depending on the lens model.)

8. Shooting Mode

: Shooting modes such as Photo, Panorama, Time-lapse, Path-lapse, and Focus Stack.

9. Shooting Button

: Press and hold and swipe up to start or cancel the recording.

10. Media Gallery

: Tap Media Library to view captured photos or videos.

11. Home

: Tap to return to the home page.

12. Virtual Joystick: Pan-axis Control

: Slide left and right to control the pan-axis movement. Double click the center of the joystick to control the pan-axis back to the positive.

: Tap the virtual joystick to enter the shooting angle fine-tuning mode.

13. Virtual Joystick: Pitch-axis Control

: Slide up and down to control the pitch axis movement, double click the center of the joystick to control the pitch axis back to the positive.

: Tap the virtual joystick to enter the shooting angle fine-tuning mode.

14. Memory Card Information

: Displays the memory card capacity information.

15. Battery Level

: Displays the Polaris battery level.

Shooting Mode

Shooting parameter settings can be set in different shooting modes.

Caution

Please use the camera to set the desired photo format, frame size and photo quality before shooting. If you need to use the [Focus Stack] shooting mode, please make sure that the camera lens supports focus first.

Specifications

Basic Info

Weight

1.5 kg/3.3 lbs

Dimensions

160×139×125mm

Max. Load

7KG

Pitch Mechanical Range

80°; -80°

Pan Mechanical Range

Unlimted

Max. Rotation Speed

7°/s

Angle Accuracy

0.0025°

Torsion

70KG f*cm

Data Interfaces

Camera Control Interface

Type-C

Multi-functional Expansion Interface

Mini HDMI

Shutter Interface

2.5 mm

Camera Status Interface

2.5 mm

Network Support

SIM Card

Nano SIM

4G

FDD, TDD, WCDMA

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 4.2

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 2.4G

Battery Info

Capacity

11.1V 2500mAh

Type

Li-ion

Charging Time

2.5 hours (9V, 2A)

Support Charging Voltage

5V, 9V

Supports Charging Protocols

PD 3.0/Type-C V1.4

Charging Port

Type-C

Hardware

TF Card

micro SD(Max. Capacity is 1 TB)

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, PC, POM

Tripod Socket

3/8" Screw-in (1/4" screw-in adapter included),

Quick-Release interface

Camera Installation Method

Quick-Release plate