Enjoy the beauty of the night sky with a MOBILE PORTA! Highly compact and stable mount for grab and go observing.

The MOBILE PORTA includes all the functions of the award wining PORTA II Mount and is more portable. The telescope can swing freely in both vertical and horizontal directions and remain in place through simple friction. The functional "multi-arm" single fork arm folds in to make for easy transport and storage.

Includes:

Moveable arm. The direction of the multi-arm can be rotated in 15 degree intervals so that you can avoid interfering with the slow motion control handle or the optical tube. In addition, the vertical slow motion control handle can be moved outward, in the horizontal direction, to avoid interference with the horizontal slow motion control handle.

Slow motion handles. The slow motion control handles of the MOBILE PORTA allows for operating the mount in the whole-circle of the vertical and horizontal movements. It is helpful as used together with the friction stop mechanism when observing at high magnification. The position of the slow motion control handles can be changed if needed.

Foldable head mount. The mount head of the MOBILE PORTA can be folded for convenient storage or transport. The mount head is detachable from the tripod. The Tube and Tripod Bag 100, sold separately, is the perfect bag for storage and transport of your MOBILE PORTA.

Dovetail-plate attachment. With Vixen's renowned dovetail-plate system, different optical tubes can be attached easily. The mount holds optical tubes weighing up to 3.5kgs stab

Accessory tray to hold small pieces such as eyepieces. It is very useful for observing in a dark site as it save scrabbling around in low light conditions trying to find important accessories. 

In the box:

• MOBILE PORTA Mount
• Aluminium Tripod
• Slow Motion Control Handles
• Accessory Tray

Alt-azimuth mount for large binoculars for astronomical observation.

The alt-azimuth mount is compatible with the sturdy tripod SXG-HAL130, SXG-AL130 for SX-series mount and APP-TL130 tripod for AP-series mount. To mount large binoculars for astronomical observation, the optional swing bracket is required.

HF2 alt-azimuth fork mount

POLARIE polar scope PF-L

vixen Perfect for accurate polar alignment of the POLARIE U.
This sturdy panhead is designed to mount the POLARIE U onto a standard camera tripod. For precise polar alignment—especially when using the PF-LII polar alignment scope—you need to fine-tune the position of the POLARIE U. The Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX makes this easy by allowing small, controlled movements in both vertical (up/down) and horizontal (side-to-side) directions.

Quick-release clamp is provided on the head of the unit.

The quick-release clamp is on the top of the polar fine adjustment unit DX. It is designed to securely hold a quick release angle plate or attachment plate of the thin standard type. Attaching or removing the plate is convenient as you simply turn a single handle.

An optional dovetail-plate mounting block is available for a versatile use.

As the two M8 thread holes placed at an interval of 35mm is provided on the head, the quick-release clamp can be exchanged for the dovetail-plate mounting block sold separately. It allows for mounting a Vixen optical tube such as an FL55SS.

Attachable to a variety of tripods from a 1/4" or 3/8" camera tripod to a tripod for telescopes.

The Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX comes with a detachable tripod adapter plate on its bottom. This adapter is compatible with both 1/4" and 3/8" screw threads, making it easy to attach to most standard camera tripods. Additionally, you can swap the included adapter with another type (also supplied) to mount the unit onto Vixen tripod heads designed for astronomical telescopes.

Wide adjustable ranges: Altitude angles from -30 degrees to 90 degrees, 360 degrees in azimuth

The mounted camera can be tilted freely from 0 degrees (horizontal) to 90 degrees (vertical) by loosening the altitude clamp lever. For precise positioning, fine adjustments of up to ±7.5 degrees are available. The panhead can also tilt beyond 90 degrees in the opposite direction, allowing the camera to point slightly downward if needed.

Altitude fine adjustment or azimuth fine adjustment is easy with a pair of fine adjustment screws.

Unfastening one side of the adjustment screw will allow fastening the screw on the other side to adjust the direction finely. The adjustment screws can be tightened using an Allen wrench to hold the POLARIE U and a camera tightly.

Best selling altazimuth mount from beginners to professional

Featuring excellent rigidity, stability, and portability, the popular PORTA II altazimuth mount is chosen and used by a great number of users from beginners to professional.

Specifications

In The Box

• Vixen Optics Porta II Altazimuth Mount
• Slow Motion Controls
• Accessory Tray

A star tracker mount to travel anywhere!

An ultra-compact, small and lightweight equatorial mount (star tracker) usable on the top of a camera tripod like a tripod head. Taking pictures of the starry skies is no more challenge. You can bring it with you in a backpack, not merely when traveling but also going away to mountainous areas or overseas to seek more impressive starry skies.

Weighing 740g only that you can carry around easily with luggage and camera bag, this is a lightweight compact item to shoot nightscape photograph. Through a simple setting, the POLARIE can move the camera according to the movement of the celestial objects and enable automatic tracking which makes it possible to take a pin point stars for extended exposure time.

With the starry sky as one landscape, leave the beauty of the earth and the universe in one picture ... That is "Nightscape Photograph". POLARIE expands the world of nightscape photography, and everyone can experience the real pleasure of shooting.

"Nightscape photograph" is a photograph of stars and scenery together, such as the Milky Way and Mountains spreading in the sky, or constellations and buildings. Unlike 'Astrophotography' which enlarges one point of a starry sky, it is important to mainly use a wide-angle lens in "nightscape photograph", how to combine stars and scenery. The possibility of the composition is infinite, it is a landscape photograph of a new generation that anyone can enjoy easily.

POLARIE Star Tracker is a motor driven camera platform that moves according to the movement of stars. By shooting with camera on the POLARIE and on a tripod, it becomes possible to incorporate pin-point stars beautifully into a work of art!

Specifications

Capturing the beauty of the night sky has never been easier!

The POLARIE U is an ultra-compact automatic star tracking device that can easily be transported. In addition to functions of conventional star trackers that move a camera for long exposure according to the diurnal motion of the celestial objects, it features a function for customizing rotation speeds using a smartphone and can control the intervals of shots by adjusting the shutter release. By linking the motion of the POLARIE U with the shutter release, you can easily set up complex shooting controls required for interval photography and time-lapse photography with your smartphone

Lightweight and small yet delivering high performance. The state-of-the-art POLARIE U turns nature and night photographs into works of art.

Vixen POLARIE U Star Tracker Overview

"Star-scape photography: A silhouetted landscape on the earth is weaved into a beautiful photo of the starry sky."

The beauty of the earth and the universe could be combined in a photo with the scenery of the night sky. The POLARIE U expands a wonderful world of star-scape photography and the pleasure of photography can be experienced by everyone.

“Star-scape photography” are photographs that capture the stars and scenery together, such as the Milky Way and mountains, or the constellations and buildings. Unlike conventional astrophotography these photographs capture a relatively narrow area in the sky, “Star-scape photography” mainly uses a wide-angle lens and creates impressive photos where stars and scenery combine. The possibilities of composition are endless, and it is a new genre of landscape photography that anyone can easily enjoy.

The POLARIE U is a handy camera platform that automatically follows the movement of the stars. By shooting with the camera, which is mounted on the POLAREI U and a tripod, you will be able to produce works of beautiful starry skies in an image with pinpoint stars.

Weight reduction of more than 20% and improved carrying capacity.

The structure of the original POLARIE was reviewed completely. The distance between the two bearings that support the rotating shaft is about four times that of the previous model. This achieves a great improvement in loading capacity successfully in spite of the weight reduction by 20%. * 1
The maximum loading weight is 2.5kg/5.5 lbs (approx. 2.5kg/5.5 lbs at 10cm from the center of rotation) when it is used for taking wide-fiel d astrophotography or spar-scape photography.
The maximum loading weight will be increased to 6.5kg/14 lbs (approx. 2.5kg/5.5 lbs at 10cm from the center of rotation) if a POLARIE Multi mounting block (optional) and a Dovetail slide bar DD (optional) are combined together.

Furthermore, when used for time-lapse photography, the POLARIE U can hold the loading capacity as heavy as 10 kg/22 lbs at the maximum (about 10 kg/22 lbs at 10 cm from the center of rotation), and it is usable with large equipment. * 2

* 1: In comparison with POLARIE.
* 2: When the POLARIE U is set for time-lapse photography and placed horizontally using the bubble level attached.

Using the custom setting mode via a smartphone.

By using a communication function and app, various settings are customized via smartphones or tablet terminals. In star-scape photography, tracking speeds are selected (in the custom mode), and settings of interval time, exposure and rotation speed are available in time-lapse photography. It allows for a wide variety of selections for the enjoyment of photography.

Five Tracking Modes.

Star-scape photography (Half speed of the sidereal rate)
If this mode is selected, the POLARIE U tracks stars at half the speed of the diurnal motion of the stars. The terrestrial objects are moved less as compared with images taken by wide-field astrophotography at a given exposure time. Adding landscape or architectural objects in the foreground wil l make your photos more impressive.

Wide-field astrophotography (sidereal rate)
If this mode is selected, the POLARIE U follows stars at the same speed as the diurnal motion of the stars. It is suitable for capturing con stellations, the Milky Way or faint celestial objects such as nebulae and star clusters.

Solar tracking
Useful for shooting solar eclipse.

Lunar tracking
Useful for shooting lunar eclipse.

Custom mode
This allows for setting the POLARIE U in your desired tracking speed arbitrarily. The initial setting is four times of the sidereal rate. If you change the setting for a different speed, a smartphone or other wireless device and application software are required.

A “shoot-move-shoot” function (SMS) that is linked with a camera.

It is possible to stop the motion of a camera during exposure when shooting in time-lapse and start the motion of the camera again when the exposure finishes. This is useful as a time-lapse rotator so you can create better quality images in every single shot in the day or night.
In addition, it is equipped with a camera connecting port (shutter release terminal) that controls the camera shutter in the shooting with the SMS or interval shooting.
If the camera used is provided with the bulb shutter function and cable shutter release terminal, the settings can be made easily from a smartphone by linking the POLARIE U and the camera's shutter release to each other.

When you use this function, the communication terminals with Wi-Fi connection such as a smartphone and application software are required. In addition, a cable to connect the camera and the POLARIE U is needed separately.

Autoguider Port.

Commercially available autoguiders can be used with the POLARIE U. (This will move in the direction of R.A. only.) Pin assignment: In order of common, press the shutter button halfway and press the shutter button completely, from center to outward.

Easy-to-carry like a photo lens and stylish appearance.

With the size and appearance that fit in your camera bag like a photo lens, it is easy to carry everywhere. The shape of the POLARIE U is designed properly so as not to interrupt the orientation of the camera. The "U" for the POLARIE U stands for the cross-section of the product.

The direction of the slide power switch implies the directions of rotations in the northern or southern hemisphere. Right after turning ON the power switch, the icons on the mode display start blinking one after another toward the direction of the rotation which corresponds to the slid of the power switch.

The power supply in two ways: self-contained and external.

The POLARIE U works with 4 AA batteries. In addition, it is equipped with a USB (USB Type-C) external power supply port and works with commonly available USB power banks.

A versatile platform available for different options.

Camera Mounting Block (Supplied)
The supplied came mounting block is equipped with a 1/4-inch camera screw. A commercially available ball head can fit on it.

POLARIE Multi Mounting Block (sold separately)
The camera mounting block is exchangeable for the POLARIE multi mounting block to increase the loading capacity for serious astrophotography. With the use of a dovetail slide bar DD (optional) in combination, it can be transformed into an imaging platform for a telephoto lens or a short tube telescope such as an FL55SS OTA. Various focal lengths from a wide-angle to close-up telephoto are available for taking astrophotography.

Quick Release Clamp (sold separately)
The Quick release panorama clamp (optional) is attachable to the POLARIE U. It is compatible with attachment plates of the standard thin type.

Specifications

A wide selection of accessories and modules are available to upgrade.

The components of the APZ mount are designed as modules for the Advanced Polaris mount and they are usable to transform it to a highly portable AP equatorial mount.

Sealed Ball Bearings

The sealed type ball bearings are used for movable part to eliminate from mixing in of dust particles and offer excellent durability. It ensures smooth rotation of an optical tube loaded.

Decent 8kg Loading Weight

The rigid body and sealed ball bearings allows for using a VMC telescope with 200mm aperture.

Features

A simple easy to use alt-azimuth mount delivered from the transformation of the AP mount.

With the smooth friction controlmechanism of the APZ mount, the telescope can be moved quickly by hand to your target object.

Specifications

Equatorial mount for beginners through to experienced observers

The Advanced Polaris (AP) equatorial mount is ideally suited for beginners who want to become familiar with equatorial mount or experienced observers who want a simple grab and go mount. The AP mount securely supports your telescope optical tube for comfortable observing. With its friction control system, the mount can be quickly moved to your target object. A wide selection of optional accessories are available for the AP mount to meet your observation needs.

Clever Design

With just a 3.6kg lightweight body (without counterweight), it will be easy to handle the mount and telescope of your choice. The four AA batteries for power supply is integrated inside the body.

The motor module operates with 4 pieces of the AA batteries which are commercially available anywhere easily, not only corresponding to the alkaline battery but also economical rechargeable batteries (Ni-MH, Ni-Cd). For long term use, a commercially available USB external power supply such as USB mobile battery or USB AC adapter can be used connecting to the provided USB Micro-B terminal.

Friction Control System

Simply point the target objects by moving the optical tube by hands. The friction control system allows you to manually point the telescope at the object without using knobs and clamps.

A perfect telescope mount for beginners through to experienced observers

The Advanced Polaris equatorial mount is ideally suited for beginners who want to become familiar with equatorial mount or experienced observers who want a simple grab and go mount. The AP mount securely supports your telescope optical tube for comfortable observing. With its friction control system, the mount can be quickly moved to your target object. A wide selection of optional accessories are available for the AP mount to meet your observation needs.

Vixen Telescope AP-SM Equatorial Mount Description

R.A. Motor modules and STAR BOOK ONE combination

The AP-SM equatorial mount is supplied with the R.A. motor module and STAR BOOK ONE set (main motor of the AP equatorial mount for tracking celestial object) which includes STAR BOOK ONE controller. R.A. motor module and STAR BOOK ONE set is an integral part of the AP system. Your own system is created based on the R.A. motor module and STAR BOOK ONE set by adding other modules.

Clever Design

With just a 3.6kg lightweight body (without counterweight), it will be easy to handle the mount and telescope of your choice. The four AA batteries for power supply is integrated inside the body.

The motor module operates with 4 pieces of the AA batteries which are commercially available anywhere easily, not only corresponding to the alkaline battery but also economical rechargeable batteries (Ni-MH, Ni-Cd). For long term use, a commercially available USB external power supply such as USB mobile battery or USB AC adapter can be used connecting to the provided USB Micro-B terminal.

Friction Control System

Simply point the target objects by moving the optical tube by hands. The friction control system allows you to manually point the telescope at the object without using knobs and clamps.

STAR BOOK ONE controller

The included STAR BOOK ONE controller is a lightweight, compact, and simple hand-held controller mainly focusing on the XY drive (R.A and DEC directions) control, while offering various tracking modes like sideral and solar rate, backlash compensation, external autoguider port, built-in illuminator.

A wonderful tool for shooting nightscape images with a DSLR camera

What are you capturing tonight? The sky above is full of fabulous deep-sky objects, ready to photograph with your DSRL or mirrorless camera: nebula, star clusters constellations and of course, the dense dust and star clouds of our home galaxy, the Milky Way.

This compact AP photo guider is an equatorial mount designed capture widefield images with excellent tracking accuracy. It comes equipped STAR BOOK ONE controller to ensure high precision tracking.

Features

• Excellent tracking accuracy
  The AP Photoguider allows you to take pinpoint photos of stars and constellation without guiding corrections for the length of several minutes.
• Lightweight
  The AP Photoguider includes the sturdy but lightweight APP-TL130 tripod, with the complete system weighing only about 5.4kg, convenient for transporting to a dark location away from light pollution.
• Shooting
  Attach camera mount on the dovetail slide bar PG first and then camera set for shooting. You can start shooting immediately if you mount lightweight camera. In case of mounting heavy camera, attach a supplementary counterweight bar as well as counterweight 1kg for stable conditions.
• Polar alignment scope
  The AP Photoguider is equipped with the polar alignment scope where polar axis is aligned at accuracy within 3 arc sec, using auto power off for illumination of the dark field illuminator.
• Accessory shoe
  The AP Photoguider is provided with an accessory shoe. You can attach an optional poler meter to be able to align where Polaris is not visible.

Deluxe equatorial mount with wireless control

The SXD2 is the deluxe type of thSX2 equatorial mount in response to higher precision tracking and mounting larger optical tube and photographic equipment. A polar alignment scope comes as standard for serious astrophotographers.

Phone and iPad/Tablet Control

This is a high precision equatorial mount with improved performance in every details from raw materials, number of bearings and cutting and processing every parts on the entire process. The equatorial mount is supplied with the wireless unit which allows you to make your smartphone or tablet as controller for celestial navigation as high precision tracking.

Wireless celestial navigation

STAR BOOK Wireless App inheriting the DNA of popular STAR BOOK TEN Controller

If you tap the celestial object you want to see on the star chart, it will be automatically slew into the field of view and tracking will start. Following the display of the STAR BOOK TEN controller, which has been highly evaluated for its comfortable operability, even existing STAR BOOK TEN users can use it without any discomfort.

Increased loading capacity from 12kg (SX2 equatorial mount) to 15kg

Rigidity and precision have been improved by changing the right ascension and declination rotation axis from aluminium alloy to thick steel, and changing the gear that is the key to the drive from aluminium to brass. Consequently the loading weight has also increased from 12kg of the SX2 equatorial mount to 15kg, making it possible to replace with a larger optical tube and add a SLR camera, CMOS camera, etc.

High precision for smoother motion.

A variety of parts of the mount have been improved such as by adding bearings to the right ascension, declination axes and worm screws, and reducing the eccentricity of the worm screw, and lapping (polishing) has been performed along with the entire circumference of the worm wheel to achieve extremely smooth motion.

Pulse motors improve stability and response of motions

Precision pulse motor (stepping motor) with micro-step motion control that drives at 250 pulses/second is used instead of the conventional DC motor offering very smooth control from low speed to high speed, and response to operation improved.

Easy-to-use polar alignment scope

It is a device that allows high-precision installation of equatorial mount with easy operation (for the northern and southern hemispheres). Built-in scale that shows the starry sky near the north celestial pole and south celestial pole).

The scale itself glows red, so dark stars don't get lost in the background. All adjustments can be made while looking through the polar alignment scope, making it very convenient in dark places. The brightness of the scale is adjustable in 8 steps, so you can use it at your preferred brightness. In addition, it will automatically turn off in 1 to 2 minutes (gradual dimming), and you can prevent forgetting to turn it off after use

Rationality based on mechanics: weightless structure (reduction of moment load)

The weightless structure cultivated in the SX series was inherited. By concentrating the main weight-bearing parts such as the motor, worm shaft, and worm wheel on the weight side, and shortening the distance from the fixed point to the mounting block (the place where the equipment is mounted), advantageous structure in terms of dynamics is adopted.

You can balance the weight with the loading equipment with less counterweight. Depending on the weight of the loading equipment, counterweight less is also possible.

Retractable counterweight shaft convenient for setup and withdrawal of equipment

Stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance is used for the counterweight shaft. Retractable type that can be stored in the equatorial mount body allows speedy setup. You can use the counterweight common to the SX series of 20 mm in diameter.

Stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance is used for the counterweight shaft. Retractable type that can be stored in the equatorial mount body allows speedy setup. You can use the counterweight common to the SX series of 20 mm in diameter.

Specifications

Equatorial Mount

Wireless Unit

Included accessories

• Wireless unit
• SX counterweight 1.9kg x 1, 3.7kg x 1
• Allen wrench 5mm, 1.27mm (each 1 piece)
• Cigarette-lighter plug cord SX
• Instruction manual