Vixen Polar Fine Adjustment Unit

In the northern hemisphere*, simply position the polar star and two additional stars in the finder’s field of view so that each star is aligned with the corresponding positions in the finder reticle. This enables you to easily configure the equatorial mount with an accuracy of 3 arc minutes or less. The new design of the polar scope eyepiece improves the visibility of stars and makes the scale easier to read. *Three stars for polar orientation in the southern hemisphere are located in Octans. What is the polar alignment scope? The polar alignment scope is a small telescope that is installed parallel to the R.A. axis of an equatorial mount such that it matches the R.A. axis to be parallel in the direction of the diurnal motion of stars. The polar alignment scope utilizes 3 stars (Polaris, Delta UMi and 51 Cep) near the north celestial pole. To locate the north celestial pole, simply align the positions on the reticle in the polar alignment scope with the 3 designated stars. In addition, the patterns of the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia are engraved on the polar alignment reticle for use as a guide for the north celestial pole. The polar alignment scope can align the polar axis of the equatorial mount as accurately as 3 arc minutes or less. The marks and patterns on the built-in reticle provide everything that you need for polar alignment The necessary information for polar alignment is integrated into the reticle, which is designed for locating the north (or south) celestial pole. It is not necessary to configure an hour angle setting in the dark. This makes polar alignment easier, as you can look through the eyepiece of the polar alignment scope. A free app is available to download via the following link. https://www.vixen.co.jp/app/ Dark field illumination (with automatic power off function) The switch on the polar alignment scope’s brightness adjustment dial illuminates the reticle in red when activated. Compared with bright field illumination, this prevents less bright stars from disappearing from the scope's field of view. The brightness can be adjusted in 8 levels by turning the brightness adjustment dial. The red light dims gradually after a certain period of time and turns off automatically. Easy to set up Remove the mounting block on the front side and the cap on the rear side of the POLARIE. Then insert the POLARIE PF-L finder scope into the POLARIE to complete the installation. The telescope is ready for use in no time! FEATURES Easy alignment via reference stars Dimmable red light No date or time settings required Light switches off automatically Free app from https://www.vixen.co.jp/app/ DELIVERY CONTENT 1x PF-L II polar finder 1x CR2032 battery

Red polar viewfinder illumination unit for BRESSER EXOS-2 mounts with fixing thread M8x0.75mm. An adjustable illumination makes it easier to find the marked sky objects on the polar viewfinder.IMPORTANT NOTEPlease verify the type of fixing thread prior to your purchase. We offer two different sizes: 12mm (part No. 4964211 for older EXOS-2 mounts) and 8mm (part No. 4964212 for newer EXOS-2 mounts)FEARTURESRetrofittable red pole finder illumination for BRESSER EXOS-2Illuminates the graticule in the viewfinderMakes it easier to find the celestial objectsAlso for 4900850 BRESSER 8x50 viewfinder as spare partAlso for Explore Scientific 8x50 viewfinders as spare partSCOPE OF DELIVERYPolar Viewfinder Illumination unit for EXOS-2Fixing thread M8x0.75mm

Universal dovetail clamp suitable for all optical tubes which are equipped with a standard 44mm dovetail rail (Messier/ES/GP/Vixen).  Also a screw kit is included for mounting the dovetail clamp direct on the top of the handle of all BRESSER Messier und EXPLORE-SCIENTIFIC telescopes. Thus a parallel mounted guiding telescope can be set up very easy and enables long exposure astrophotagraphy with autoguiding.  The prism clamp has 2 x 6mm countersunk holes (35mm hole spacing) and 3 additional 1/4" photo tapped holes at 120 degrees angular distance on a pitch circle diameter of 55 mm to allow a versatile adaptation to a variety of other telescopes and adapter plates.FEATURESUniversal dovetail clamp  Suitable for 44mm dovetail rail of Messier/ES/GP/Vixen  Screw set for Messier/ES handle included For piggy-back mounting of a guiding telescope Enables astrophotography with autoguiding CNC machined Aluminum Additional 1/4" photo thread holes available SCOPE OF DELIVERY Dovetail clamp Screw set (2pcs M6x25mm)

Universal 60mm viewfinder and guide telescope with a focal length of 250mmExcellent 10x60 viewfinder telescope with removable eyepiece unit and crosshairs with adjustable red illumination. The larger aperture and focal length, provide an even brighter field of view and more accurate tracking due to the higher resolution. The precise helical focuser and the 1.25 inch /31.7mm plug-in connection, as well as the T2 camera connection thread (M42x0.75mm), allow the autoguiding required for long time exposure to obtain a point-shaped star image. It can also be used as a mini travel telescope.High quality 10x60 viewfinder telescope with adjustable crosshair illuminationImage sharpness and viewing characteristics lift this viewfinder well above the level of the usual 10x60 viewfinder scopes. The visible image is bright and crisply sharp. Furthermore, this viewfinder has a very large field of view (FOV) of 6.0 degrees. This makes finding and adjusting objects much easier. The existing scale markings (pitch=0.85 degree) on the crosshair are a good reference for estimating distances, and the open centre markings also make it easier to centre objects precisely. All lens surfaces are protected against weathering by multi-coating and guarantee a bright viewfinder image due to the high light transmission values. The adjustable red LED illumination unit is powered by two LR41 coin batteries. The main lens and the crosshairs can be focused independently of each other, giving you perfect focus for your eyes.Compact tracking unit for autoguidingOne of the main applications for this telescope is the so-called autoguiding. Here the usually larger photo-taking optics are actively corrected by a smaller guiding telescope with a second tracking camera. This means that the mechanical fluctuations in the tracking accuracy, which are present in all astronomical telescope mounts, are measured by the tracking camera and compensated accordingly. This is necessary in order to obtain a point-shaped star image on the astrophotos during long time exposures and to avoid unwanted star trails. For this purpose, the guiding telescope is inserted into the existing viewfinder shoe of the photo-taking optics and aligned parallel. If the existing viewfinder shoe is not compatible, a suitable viewfinder shoe is also included. With the 1.25 inch / 31,7mm plug connection at the rear end or via T2 thread connection (M42x0,75mm), a tracking camera can be mounted afterwards. This is held securely by a brass ring clamp and 3 clamping screws. Please note the required back focus for your tracking camera. The focal plane (backfocus) is approx. 22mm behind the T2 thread. The sensitive focusing on the guiding star is done by a large knurled wheel of the mechanically precise manufactured helical focuser. For easy reproduction of the point of focus, this has a white millimetre scale from 0 to 28mm, which is attached by laser engraving. After the tracking camera has been connected directly or via computer to the telescope mount and the necessary basic settings have been made, the first astrophotos with long time exposure can be taken.Use as mini travel telescopeThis viewfinder and guide telescope can also be used quite simply as a mini travel telescope. With the optional eyepieces, a magnification of 9x to 50x can be achieved. Nearly all eyepieces with a focal length of 5 to 26mm and 1.25 inch/31.7mm plug connection are suitable. Especially recommended are the EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC eyepieces of the 52 degree (Art. 02195xx) and 62 degree (02196xx) LER series. Note: Only straight view use is possible.Metal viewfinder holder and viewfinder shoeThe mount of this viewfinder and guide telescope is completely made of aluminium and is a stable base. The viewfinder mount is suitable for many common types of telescopes, such as EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC, BRESSER MESSIER etc. If the existing viewfinder shoe is not compatible, a matching viewfinder shoe is also included. This can be attached to the telescopic tube by means of four M5 screws. The bore distances of the viewfinder shoe are 31.7mm on the longitudinal and transverse axis. The six large adjustment screws with non-slip knurling make it easy to align the viewfinder, even with clammy fingers. All adjusting and clamping screws have plastic tips that effectively prevent the viewfinder housing and viewfinder mount from being scratched.FEATURESExcellent 10x60 viewfinder and guiding telescopeCan also be used as mini travel telescopePerfect image sharpness and good viewing comfortFMC Multi-coated lens surfacesLens focal length: 250mmMax. possible camera weight: 550gRemovable eyepiece/cross hair unitCamera connection via 1.25 inch / 31.7mm plug connection or T2 threadT2 thread: M42 x 0,75mmPrecise helical focuser for focusing the visible imageFocuser travel range: 28mmClose focus distance: 3 mLaser engraved millimetre scale from 0 to 28mm on the focuserFocal plane (backfocus) is approx. 22mm behind the T2 threadSeparate focusing of the crosshair at the eyepieceVery large field of view FOV of 6.0 degreesWith adjustable red cross-hair iillumination Scale markings crosshair with 0,85 degree graduationPower supply of illumination unit: coin battery type LR41 (2pcs)Brass ring clamp and 3 clamping screws on the 1.25 inch plug connectionWith optional eyepieces magnifications from 9x to 50x can be achievedSuitable are almost all eyepieces with 1.25 inch/31,7mm shaftMounting of the viewfinder telescope is completely made of aluminiumViewfinder mount with 6 large adjustment screws with knurled head for easy gripFinder shoe suitable for EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC, BRESSER MESSIER etc.Additionally a suitable viewfinder shoe is includedBore distances of the viewfinder shoe are 31.7mm on the longitudinal and transverse axisAdjusting and clamping screws have plastic tipsWHAT'S INCLUDED10x60 viewfinder/guiding telescopeEyepiece unit with crosshairCrosshair illumination unit incl. batteriesViewfinder holder with viewfinder shoeInstruction manual

The POLARIE U is an ultra-compact automatic star tracking device that can be easily transported.In addition to the functions of conventional star trackers, which track a camera for a long exposures, accurately tracking the regular movement of celestial objects, the POLARIE U has a speed adjustment function, which allows it to be used as a panning mount too for time lapse photography.Using a smartphone, you can control the shutter release intervals of the images. Through the communication between the smartphone and the POLARIE U Star Tracker, you can control the exposures and take beautiful, sharp pictures of the stars and the Milky Way without getting any star trailing.The Star Tracker is very small and light weight, making it ideal for mobile use or air travel.The Vixen POLARIE U Star Tracker in detail:Star-scape photography (stars and landscape).A silhouetted landscape on earth is photographed together with the starry sky. The beauty of a landscape and the starry sky can be shown together on one photo. POLARIE U opens up a wonderful foreign world of star-scape photography and makes this possible for both beginners and advanced photographers.Conventional telescopic astrophotography photographs a relatively narrow area of the sky. Star-scape photography mainly uses a wide-angle lens and takes impressive photos in which stars, and other celestial targets such as the majestic Milky Way and landscapes are combined. The possibilities of the compositions are endless and a completely new kind of landscape photography opens up.Weight reduction of more than 20% and improved load capacity.The structure of the original POLARIE has been completely changed. The distance between the two bearings that support the rotating shaft is about four times the distance of the previous model. This leads to a higher load capacity despite the weight reduction of 20%. The maximum load capacity is 2.5 kg (approx. 2.5 kg at 10 cm from the centre of rotation) when used for wide-field astrophotography. The maximum load capacity is increased to 6.5 kg (approx. 6.5 kg at 10 cm from the centre of rotation) when a POLARIE Multi mounting block (optional) and a dovetail slide rail DD (optional) are combined. In addition, used in vertical configuration, the POLARIE U can reach a load capacity of 10 kg (approx. 10 kg 10 cm from the centre of rotation) for time-lapse photography and is therefore suitable for heavy camera equipment.Settings via SmartphoneCommunication between tracker and smartphone via the Vixen Polarie U App enables various settings via smartphones or tablet. For star/landscape photography, the speed is selected in user-defined mode, and for time-lapse photography, settings for interval time, exposure, and rotation speed can also be easily programmed.Five different speeds:Star-scape photography (half star speed). This setting is intended for displaying a landscape together with the starry sky. The stars are not tracked exactly, but slower in order not to blur the landscape in the foreground. This way you get beautiful images of the landscape and the starry sky.Wide Field Astrophotography (Star Speed)When this mode is selected, the POLARIE U follows the stars at the same speed as the daily movement of the stars. In this mode, widefield long time exposures of comets, nebulae, star clusters and the Milky Way are made and tracked precisely.Solar Tracking (solar speed)For recording solar eclipses over a long period of time.Moon Tracking (moon speed)For recording lunar eclipses over a long period of time.Custom ModeThis allows you to set the POLARIE U to the desired tracking speed. The initial setting is four times the star speed. If you want to change the setting for a different speed, a smartphone or other wifi device and application software are required.Shoot-Move-Shoot ModeIt is possible to stop the movement of the camera during the exposure and restart it after the end of the exposure. It is also equipped with a camera connector (shutter release) that controls the camera shutter during shooting with SMS or interval shooting. If the camera in use is connected with the cable release, the settings can be easily adjusted using a smartphone. A Wi-Fi connection is required when using this feature. An additional cable is required to connect the camera and POLARIE U together.Autoguider portCommercially available autoguiders can be used with the POLARIE U (Usable only in R.A.).  An important new feature over the original Polarie - attach a small Guidescope, or Off Axis Guider and autoguiding camera to your main camera and use the standard ST-4 protocol port to guide the Polarie U in Right Ascension, ensuring absolute accuracy of tracking (requires additional separate computer, or standalone guider). FEATURES    Speeds: Sidereal rate, 0.5X star speed, sun, moon. North / South hemisphere compatible    Operating System: Android 4.4 and over or iOS 9.9 and over Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g    Worm gear: RA gear rim with 144 teeth (58.4 mm Al alloy)    Screw: 9.8 mm brass    RA and DC axis: 40mm, aluminium alloy    Motor drive: electric motor drive with impulse motor (stepper motor)    Load capacity: 2.5 kg standard, 6.5 kg with special accessories, 10 kg with fast motion    Wi-Fi function for Smartphone    Direction finder tube: 8.9 degree field of view without magnification.    Power supply: USB Type-C or 4x AA batteries    Dimensions: 88.5mm x 72mm x 110.5mm    Weight: 575gSCOPE OF DELIVERY    POLARIE U Star Tracker    Attachable direction finder