Vixen Polarie U Star Tracker

Vixen Polarie U Star Tracker

SKU:
VX35491
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Key Features
  • Compact and Lightweight Design
  • Custom and Standard Tracking Rates
  • Standard 5.5-Pound Payload Capacity
  • Boost Payload with Optional Accessories

Vixen

$1,369.00

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Vixen Optics POLARIE Overview

Redesigned from the ground up, the Vixen Optics Polarie U Star Tracker Camera Mount Head is 20% lighter than the original model and has a better payload capacity, making this a more compact and portable solution for wide-field astrophotography, starscape, and time-lapse applications. A self-contained Wi-Fi module has also been added and works with the companion Polarie U app for Android and iOS devices to give you greater control of the mount head for advanced shooting techniques and custom tracking speeds. The head can be mounted on a tripod in standard orientation or on its side, depending on how you're using it, and is compatible with both 3/8"-16 and 1/4"-20 tripods with a standard 1/4"-20 stud for your camera. This updated model runs on four AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries and has a USB Type-C port for using external battery packs for a longer runtime. This is just the mount head, you'll need to supply your own camera, tripod, and ball head to use it properly.

Use & Handling

  • Highly portable, measuring 4.4 x 3.5 x 2.8" and weighing just over 20 ounces
  • Mount traditional DSLR cameras and lens combos for wide-field and starscape astrophotography
  • Maximum payload capacity of 5.5 pounds for most applications
  • Upgrade capacity to 14 pounds using optional Polarie Multi Mounting Block and dovetail slide bar for heavier loads
  • 22-pound payload capacity when the Polarie U is set up time-lapse mode and placed horizontally
  • Integrated 2.5mm port for camera shutter release cable that is controlled by the Polarie for advanced photography techniques
  • Integrated bubble level ensures proper alignment and is very useful for time-lapse shots

Smartphone Connectivity

  • Built-in Wi-Fi module, using IEEE 802.11b/g
  • Compatible with Android 4.4 and over or iOS 9.9 and over operating systems running the Polarie U app
  • Program custom tracking speeds
  • Control and program shutter release intervals
  • Advanced programming allows you to link the mount's tracking with the shutter release to set up complex shooting controls required for time-lapse and interval photography
  • "Shoot-Move-Shoot" function stops the motor during exposure when shooting in time-lapse and start the motion again when the exposure finishes—this ensures sharp images

Tracking and Alignment

  • Circular scale around the rotation axis has 5° increments to check the angle of rotation during time-lapse photography
  • Set for use in northern and southern hemispheres
  • Celestial (sidereal), 0.5x sidereal, solar, lunar tracking rates
  • User-defined custom tracking rate settings are available via smartphone
  • Unmagnified sight tube finder installs in the accessory cold shoe with an 8.9° field of view
  • Integrated Autoguider port enables precise computer control
  • Optional PF-L II polar alignment scope and mounting arm bracket

Mounting

Camera-Side:
  • Included Camera Mounting Block is equipped with a 1/4" stud that allows you to directly mount a camera or 3rd-party ball heads for equatorial tracking
  • Optional Multi Mounting Block can replace the camera mounting block to increase the load capacity
  • Optional Dovetail Slide Dar DD adapts the Polarie U into an imaging platform for a telephoto lens or short tube telescope
Tripod-Side:
  • Mount head only—tripod or other support system required for proper use
  • 3/8"-16 socket on the bottom for conventional photography
  • 3/8"-16 socket on the side for horizontal time-lapse mode mounting
  • Included 1/4"-20 adapter allows you to mount the head on most tripods
  • Integrated bullseye bubble level

Motors and Gears

  • Full-circle micro-movement aluminum alloy wheel and worm gears; 58.4mm in diameter, 144 teeth
  • 9.8mm diameter brass worm gear shaft
  • 40mm diameter aluminum alloy RA axis
  • 2-piece bearing
  • Pulse motor drive system

Power Requirements

  • Runs on four user-suppled AA batteries
  • Compatible with multiple battery chemistries including disposable alkaline, and rechargeable Ni-MH or Ni-Cd
  • Average runtime of 3 hours using alkaline batteries and 20 hours with external battery pack
  • USB Type-C port for using external battery packs

Vixen Optics POLARIE Specs

Mount
Mount Type German Equatorial
GoTo Capability No
Payload Capacity 5.5 lb / 2.5 kg
Motor Yes
Polar Axis Scope None
Environmental
Operating Temperature 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
General
Power Source Battery (Not Included), USB
Battery 4 x AA Alkaline
 • Approx. 3-Hour Runtime at 68°F / 20°C
4 x AA NiMH/NiCd
Ports USB Type-C
Mounting To Camera: 1/4"-20 Male
To Tripod/Base: 3/8"-16 Female (1/4"-20 Female with Included Adapter)
Wi-Fi Yes (Built In)
Dimensions 4.4 x 3.5 x 2.8" / 110.5 x 88.5 x 72 mm
Weight 20.3 oz / 575 g (without Batteries)
Packaging Info
Package Weight 1.845 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) 7.7 x 4.8 x 3.9"

In the box

  • Vixen Optics Polarie U Star Tracker Camera Mount Head
  • Camera Mounting Block
  • 1/4"-20 Reducer Adapter
  • Barcode: 57393-2
  • UPC Barcode: 4955295354917
  • Supplier Code: VX35491