About this product
Model: vixen-polarie
Part Number: 35505
"The Polarie mount has been designed with portability and widefield imaging in mind and it achieves its goals admirably. You could easily carry the mount, a lightweight tripod, your DSLR camera and a couple of lenses on board an aircraft and have a formidable imaging tool at your disposal when you reach your destination." Steve Richards Vixen Polarie Review
"The Polar is suitable for both beginners to astrophotography, where its simple operation is a real plus point, and for more advanced imagers looking for a portable imaging solution." BBC Sky @ Night Magazine
The Vixen Polarie Star Tracker is a sturdy, ultra-portable photographic mount designed to follow the apparent motion of the stars caused by the Earth’s rotation, so eliminating star trails, for pin-sharp wide-field photos of constellations, shooting stars and the Milky Way.
The Vixen Polarie also enables you to photograph 'starscapes' by adding a darkened landscape or silhouetted figure in the foreground of your frame.
Includes a tracking motor, built-in compass and latitude meter/scale suitable for lens focal lengths up to around 100mm but this can be increased to around 200mm through the use of an optional dedicated Polar Scope that enables precise alignment on the true Celestial Pole.
Designed for use with a photo/video tripod, tripod head and ball-&-socket head (mid-range kit from Manfrotto, Velbon or similar would be ideal).
The Vixen Polarie has a 4.4 lb payload capacity (a DSLR typically weighs around 1-2 lb and a quality ball-&-socket head around 1lb, leaving around 1-2.5 lb for your camera lens or telescope).
Features
- Compact size and minimal weight means you can take the Polarie anywhere to photograph the night sky.
- Can be set up in a few minutes, even by those not familiar with the exact position of the celestial pole.
- Simply turn the Polarie in the direction of the Pole star using the supplied compass as a guide, then use the built-in latitude meter and polar sight hole to align the mount.
- Virtually silent tracking.
- Can operate for more than 2 hours on two AA-size batteries.
Vixen Polarie Brochure pdf
Vixen Polarie Instruction Manual pdf
Vixen Polarie Video Tutorials and Demos
Astronomy Now Vixen Polarie Review pdf
Specifications
Tracking mode | Celestial tracking rate. 1/2 of celestial tracking rate. Solar tracking rate (mean solar time). Lunar tracking rate (mean lunar time) : Usable in both northern and southern hemispheres |
Wheel gear | 57.6mm dia. aluminium alloy axis with full-circle 144-tooth |
Worm gear | 9mm dia. high tension brass |
Power source | 2 AA-size alkaline batteries (2.4~3.0V) |
External power supply | USB mini-B connection (4.4~5.25V) |
Tilt meter | Angles between 0˚ and 70˚ (5˚ increments) |
Compass | A margin of error is subject to magnetic declination at your location |
Polar sight hole | About 8.9˚ field of view |
Drive | Pulse motor (Stepper motor) |
Tracking mode selector | Sidereal, 1/2 sidereal (star-scape), solar and lunar, usable in both hemispheres |
Tripod socket | 1/4" -20 |
Maximum payload capacity | 2kg (4.4lb) |
Operating temperature | 0˚ to 40˚ C (104F) |
Electricity consumption | DC3V.0.4A at loading weight of 2.0kg (4.4lb) |
Duration of operation | About 2 hours at 20˚C (68F), a 2.0kg (4.4lb) loading weight using Alkaline batteries |
Optional accessory | Dedicated polar axis scope |
Dimensions | 137 x 95 x 58mm |
Weight | 740g (26.1oz) without batteries |
Customer reviews
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