The Vixen SX Table Top Tripod is designed to support and to be used in combination with the Sphinx equatorial mount or the Skypod altazimuth mount. The stand can be used with compact telescopes on any flat, stable surface.

Specifications

For Sphinx & Skypod Series Mounts

Not Designed for Immediate Observation at All Angles

The eyepiece is angled at 45 degrees, allowing for comfortable and casual stargazing—but not instant viewing from every position.

Recommended Stable Setup

For the BT81S-A optical tube, we recommend combining it with the HF2 fork mount and a ladder-type table with a free-stop mechanism, along with the highly rigid SXG-HAL130 tripod. This setup provides excellent stability for smooth and reliable observations.

Astronomical Binoculars BT81S-A

Eyepiece Part

At a glance

• Reveals Details of Artwork and Crafts
• BK7 Roof Prism
• Fully Coated Optics
• Exceptionally Short 9.8" Close Focus

Specifications

In The Box

• Vixen Optics 6x16 Artscope Monocular (Red)
• Strap
• Case

At a glance

• Reveals Details of Artwork and Crafts
• BK7 Roof Prism
• Fully Coated Optics
• Exceptionally Short 7.9" Close Focus

Specifications

In The Box

• Vixen Optics 4x12 Artscope Monocular (Red)
• Strap
• Hard Case

TSN-AR500A 40mm adapter ring fits Kowa TSN-500 series spotting scopes with a serial number from 568106 onwards.

Kowa’s high-quality TSN-AR smartphone rings are expertly designed to provide a seamless connection between your smartphone and Kowa optics, ensuring a secure and reliable push-fit onto the optical eyepiece. Each adapter ring features a precision-engineered 30mm thread, allowing for effortless and rapid attachment to Kowa RP smartphone adapters as well as the SMARTOSCOPE VARIO universal smartphone adapter. This innovative design guarantees quick and precise alignment between your smartphone, the smartphone adapter, and the optical eyepiece, making digiscoping hassle-free and intuitive. With their robust construction and perfect compatibility with Kowa optics, these rings enable users to capture stunning images and videos with ease, enhancing the overall digiscoping experience for nature and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

The Losmandy Gemini 2 Hand Controller is the intuitive user interface for the Losmandy Gemini 2 GoTo system, designed to provide precise control over your Losmandy equatorial mount. Featuring a full-color touch screen paired with rear tactile membrane buttons, it allows you to easily navigate menus, align your mount, and control slewing with accuracy and ease.

Built with reliability and simplicity in mind, the hand controller connects directly to the Gemini 2 control unit and provides fast access to your mount’s settings and extensive object database. Its compact, ergonomic design makes it comfortable for extended observing sessions, while multilingual menu support ensures accessibility for a wide range of users.

Key Features

• Full-color touchscreen display with an intuitive menu system

• Rear tactile buttons for guiding, centering, moving, and slewing

• Multilingual support: English, Spanish, French, and German

• Micro-SD card storage for star catalogs and button graphics

• 57,600 baud serial communication via the Gemini hand controller port

• Compact and ergonomic design for comfortable all-night use

• Seamless integration with Gemini 2 for GoTo, tracking, and alignment

• Designed by Losmandy for maximum compatibility and performance

Compatibility

The Gemini 2 Hand Controller works with Losmandy mounts equipped with the Gemini 2 control system, including:

• Losmandy G-11

• Losmandy GM-8

• Losmandy Titan

• Other Gemini 2-enabled models

Perfect For

• Astronomers seeking precise GoTo control

• Visual observers who want an intuitive interface

• Astrophotographers needing accurate tracking and alignment

• Equatorial and Alt-Azimuth Hybrid Mount
• Adjustable tripod
• Fine adjustments of latitude and azimuth for precise polar alignment
• Bubble level for levelling
• Metal setting circle dials allow for quick target acquisition via celestial coordinates
• Worm gear tracking controls provide full 360° manipulation of the RA and DEC axis
• V or Vixen style telescope connection
• Belt driven transmission for limiting backlash
• Freedom Find™ encoders allow free movement of the mount after alignment
• Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC)
• Capable of mounting two OTAs at the same time
• Optional polar scope
• 5 Years Limited Warranty

The Sky-Watcher GT Series AZ-EQ5 Go-To Mount combines the advantages of the equatorial mount with the simplicity of the alt-azimuth system. In fact, the AZ-EQ5 is a hybrid mount usable in both these configurations. The equatorial mode is ideal for astrophotography while the alt-azimuth configuration is more practical for observation as polar alignment is not required. Moreover, two telescopes can be simultaneously mounted in alt-azimuth configuration.

The popular SynScan Go-To system allows full control of both R.A. and Dec. axes with 9 slew speeds and 5 arcminute pointing precision, allowing you to quickly and accurately locate objects across the night sky.

The Go-To system can automatically slew the telescope on command toward planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, clusters and much more. The Sky-Watcher SynScan system has 42,900 memorised celestial objects for an amazing journey in the night sky. The Deep Sky Tour function suggests a list of the most interesting deep sky objects currently visible, so even the novice astronomer can easily observe faint objects at the touch of a button. Once achieving alignment, the patented Freedom Find™ dual encoders will then keep track of your position to within 4.2 arcminutes. The mount will retain alignment even after releasing the clutches and manually pointing the scope to a new part of the sky.

The AZ-EQ5 is equipped with two SNAP ports for dual control of camera shutter release. Working with the SynScan hand control’s “Camera Control” function, a user can take batch exposures in up to 8 groups of “Exposure-time & Frames”. An indexer on the R.A. worm gear keeps track of its current position, so that the Periodic Error inherent to all worm gear driven mounts can be learned and permanently corrected for. These features make the Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5 a fantastic partner to high focal length telescopes and astrophotographers alike.

SynScan Features:

• Usable in both Alt-Azimuth and Equatorial mode
• Database with 42,900+ objects
• Messier, Caldwell, NGC, IC & SAO catalogues, Named Stars, Double Stars, Variable Stars, Named Stars
• One, Two and Three Stars or Brightest Star Alignment
• Autoguiding feature for astrophotography
• Pointing Accuracy Enhancement feature (PAE)
• Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC)
• Unknown Object Identification feature
• Pointing accuracy up to 5 arc min
• Tracking rates: Sidereal, Lunar, Solar
• Slewing speeds: 1x, 2x, 16x, 32x, 64x, 128x, 400x, 500x, 600x, 800x (3.4°/sec)
• Motor type: DC hybrid stepper motors

In The Box:

• Hybrid German Equatorial Mount AZ-EQ5
• Steel Tripod
• Integrated Counterweight Bar
• Counterweight Extension Bar
• Plate Saddle for Counterweight Shaft
• Counterweights (2x 3.5kg)
• Polar Scope (South and North Hemispheres)
• SynScan Hand Controller and Cable
• Hand Controller Holder
• Motor Cable (for Connecting the Mounts Motors)
• Power Supply Cord (Lighter Plug)
• User Manual

SPECIFICATIONS

This precision-machined aluminum knob is included with the Paramount ME, Paramount MX and Paramount MYT and attaches to the end of the counterweight shaft to prevent counterweights from accidentally sliding off.

Introducing the new ZWO AM3N Mount

What's been upgraded? 

The ZWO AM3N solves a range of  astrophotography hassles

Streamlined Setup, Enhanced Mount Efficiency

Strain Wave Gear for Precision Control

Integrated Type-C and DC Power Ports

Based on ZWO's internal testing:

It is recommended to use a counterweight of ≤5 kg. When using a 5 kg counterweight, the lever arm should be installed within the range of 20 cm to 30 cm. 
For counterweights of other masses, the installation position can be calculated as follows: 
Assume the counterweight mass is m kg. The allowable lever arm length L is defined by:
10 N·m ≤ m × g × L ≤ 15 N·m where g = 9.8 m/s2, 
which can be approximated as 10 m/s2.
For example, if a 2 kg counterweight is used, the allowable range of L is from
10 N·m / (2 × 10 m/s2) = 0.5 m to
15 N·m / (2 × 10 m/s2) = 0.75 m. 

Equatorial Mode / Altazimuth Mode

Status Light Indicator

All-round 0°-90° Altitude Scale

Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connectivity

The AM3N supports Bluetooth control, allowing you to operate the mount directly from your smartphone — no Hand Controller required.  Ideal for travel and field use, just bring your phone and you're ready to observe or image.

Easily Controlled with Mobile Apps

App offers an onscreen joystick, including Tonight’s Target, GOTO, Live Preview and so many great functions can all be achieved with your phones. There is no need to connect to a computer—the mount and Hand Controller connect via Wi-Fi.

The mount is compatible with ASCOM, INDI, ASIAIR, and other platforms.

Seamless ASIAIR Integration

ASIAIR can connect to the AM3N wirelessly or via cable, offering full control at your fingertips. Enjoy the ultimate astrophotography experience with the ZWO Ecosystem, where all your gear works together, flawlessly.

6.0" diameter, 4.0" high. Inside machined to fit G-11 and GM 8 mounts. Tube has 1/2" thick bottom with 1/2" hole in center, posts for the electronics are mounted on the side. Also used on top of permanent piers.

For the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i kit.

Meet the planets and discover why Earth is so special in this heart-warming story about our solar system.

Somewhere in our vast universe floats a little blue dot. This dot is Earth and she is surrounded by lots of impressive planets – Saturn with his ice-crystal rings and 82 moons, fiery Mars with his huge storms and volcanoes, bright and beautiful Venus... Earth feels small and insignificant, until the other planets tell her why she is the envy of them all. And then another little voice, very close by, has something important to say.

A Little Blue Dot is a story packed full of scientific information about the planets in our solar system and space exploration. Told by the planets themselves and charmingly illustrated, this reassuring story will be a hit with readers big and small.

AGES: 4 to 8

AUTHOR:
Maren Hasenjäger is a German illustrator and graphic designer who lives in Münster. A Little Blue Dot was her first children’s book for German publisher, Magellan, followed by an Atlas of Oceans and Seas. Maren lives in Münster with her husband and two cats, and her favourite things to draw are children, the universe and animals with party hats.

ISBN: 9781916780095
Author: HASENJAGER, MAREN
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 01/08/2025
RRP: $19.99
Pages: 32
Dimension: 270mm X 245mm
Imprint: Mama Makes Books

The human race's desire to explore the boundaries of the known world drove our ancestors to climb the tallest mountains, conquer the poles and cross vast uncharted oceans before ultimately reaching out into space in the 1960s.

Giant rockets were built to allow our space pioneers to travel beyond Earth's orbit and land on the Moon. But there is another frontier that we have yet to set foot on – Mars. The Red Planet is our next destination; it will be a long process, starting with small scientific bases hidden among craters and ending with enormous self-sustaining cities. But...

• What will the journey from Earth to Mars be like?
• What will we find when we land?
• Where will we get oxygen and food?

In this book, you will find answers to all these questions about day-to-day life in a Martian city. Mars offers us the opportunity to start anew – are you ready for lift-off?

AGES: 8 plus

AUTHORS:
Eduard Altarriba is a graphic designer and illustrator. He runs Alababalà, a studio producing games, exhibitions, animation, apps and practical and fun workbooks for children. He has illustrated a number of books published by GMC Publications including, Discovering Architecture, Discovering Energy, My First Book of Electromagnetism, My First Book of Microbes, My First Book of Quantum Physics, My First Book of Relativity, My First Book of the Cosmos, What is War? and Migrants. Eduard lives in Barcelona, Spain.

Sheddad Kaid-Salah Ferrón is a science and physics enthusiast with degrees in physics and pharmacy. Since graduation he has been teaching science to children, continuing to study physics, working in the pharmaceutical field and staring at the universe with his telescope. He now writes popular science books. Sheddad and Eduard Altarriba are an award-winning illustrator and author duo and have written a number of books published by GMC Publications including My First Book of Electromagnetism, My First Book of Quantum Physics, My First Book of Relativity and My First Book of the Cosmos. Sheddad lives in Barcelona, Spain.

ISBN: 9781787081581
Author: ALTARRIBA, EDUARD
Format: Hardcover
Publication date: 01/06/2025
RRP: $32.99
Pages: 56
Dimension: 275mm X 230mm
Imprint: Button Books

The M48-M42 adapter is used in order to fit your imaging train together with different types of equipment and sizes.

Designed and manufactured in the USA with same extreme reliability as the thousands of FLI OEM cameras. Install in remote observatories around the world with complete confidence in a long, trouble-free life. High sensitivity CMOS camera with 90% quantum efficiency and 15.9 mm diagonal field of view is an ideal replacement for 1" format CCDs.

Designed and manufactured in the USA with same extreme reliability as the thousands of FLI OEM cameras. Install in remote observatories around the world with complete confidence in a long, trouble-free life. High sensitivity with exceptionally low noise and dark current. Great combination of resolution and frame rate.

Designed and manufactured in the USA with same extreme reliability as the thousands of FLI OEM cameras. Install in remote observatories around the world with complete confidence in a long, trouble-free life. Full frame sensor with 90% quantum efficiency and massive 43.1mm diagonal field of view to increase throughput.

The Celestron StarPointer Finderscope is the way to go if you want the easiest way possible to locate an object and center it in your eyepiece.

A red dot finder, unlike an optical finder, has 1x magnification, displays a super wide field of view, and keeps the sky right side up and left-to-right correct, matching what you see with your unaided eyes. An LED creates a red dot, superimposed on a viewing screen, so you simply point the StarPointer to the area or object you wish to observe, look through your eyepiece, and if properly aligned, the area in and around place you pointed the red dot will be centered in the field of view.

If you like the idea of having some magnification, try installing both a red dot and optical finder on your telescope. Schmidt-Cassegrain and EdgeHD telescopes have multiple mounting bracket holes so you can get the best of both worlds. Just make sure to align both of them correctly, and you’ll get the best use out of each of your finders.

How to Align the StarPointer Finderscope

The first time you use your finder, you need to align it. This one-time setup procedure should be done during the day. Take the telescope outside and find an easily recognizable object, such as a streetlight, car license plate, or tall tree. The object should be as far away as possible, but at least a quarter mile away. Move the telescope left and right or up and down so that it is roughly pointing at the object. Look through the telescope using your low power eyepiece and move the telescope until the object you chose lies in the center of the view. Once the object is centered in your eyepiece, turn on the red dot. With your head positioned about a foot behind the finder, look through the round lens of the finder and locate the red dot. Without moving the telescope, use the two adjustment knobs located on the side and underneath the finder. One controls the left-right motion of the dot. The other controls the up-down motion of the dot. Adjust both of these until the red dot appears over the same object you are observing in the eyepiece.

Your finder is now aligned and should not require realignment unless it is bumped or dropped. You can even take the finder off the telescope and reattach it while preserving alignment.

Specifications

Bintel Ganymede 80mm 半自动 - APO

iOptron CEM70AW Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount

Following the success of the acclaimed iOptron CEM60, we’re excited to introduce the next generation of center-balanced equatorial mounts — the CEM70 and CEM70AW.

The CEM70AW sets a new standard in the 70 lb payload class, offering advanced features such as USB 3.0 connectivity and built-in Wi-Fi.

Precision. Balance. Performance.

Retaining the inherent advantages of the center-balance design, these medium-payload mounts deliver the efficiency, accuracy, and portability that astronomers demand.

With precise GoTo pointing and tracking accuracy better than ±5 arcseconds, the CEM70 is a solid performer for both visual observers and astrophotographers.

Innovative features such as the integrated iPolar™ electronic polar scope, large easy-lock gear levers (usable with gloves), and an advanced cable-management system demonstrate iOptron’s commitment to real-world usability.

The CEM70AW includes both the iPolar™ electronic polar scope and a hard case for convenient transport and protection.

Key Features

• New center-balanced design (CEM) for maximum payload and natural stability
• Ideal for both visual observing and astrophotography
• 70 lb (31.8 kg) payload capacity with a mount weight of only 30 lb (13.6 kg)
• Reliable, easy-to-use gear clutches
• Precision altitude and azimuth adjustments
• High-precision stepper motors (0.07 arcsec resolution) for accurate GoTo and tracking
• Integrated iPolar™ electronic polar scope
• Go2Nova® 8410 controller with Advanced GoToNova® technology and built-in heater
• High-precision tracking with periodic error < ±5 arcsec
• Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC)
• Built-in 32-channel GPS
• Integrated Wi-Fi for remote operation
• USB 3.0 connection for modern data-transfer speeds
• ST-4 autoguiding port
• Advanced cable-management system with multiple output options
• Spring-loaded 8″ dual Vixen/Losmandy saddle
• Includes iOptron-subsidized TheSky Imaging Edition software

Technical Specifications

Manuals & Resources

• Quick Start Guide
• Instruction Manual
• iPolar Operation Manual