Vixen Mount Polarie U Star Tracker (70096)

The Polarie U is a camera mount that enables your camera to follow the rotation of the night sky. This function allows you to take long-exposure astronomical photos using just your camera and a lens, resulting in sharp images of stars, nebulae, and the Milky Way.

You can set up and control the Polarie U using your smartphone, as the mount generates its own WiFi signal. With a free app, you can operate the mount comfortably and hands-free from your phone.

Tracking Modes and Speeds:

• Star Scape Photography (half star speed): Ideal for combining landscape and night sky photography. The stars are tracked more slowly, reducing blur in the landscape foreground and producing beautiful landscape images with starry skies.

• Wide Field Astrophotography (star speed): Tracks stars at their actual speed, allowing for long-exposure images of comets, nebulae, star clusters, and the Milky Way.

• Solar Tracking (Sun speed): Used for photographing solar eclipses.

• Moon Tracking (Moon speed): Used for capturing lunar eclipses.

• User-Defined Mode: Lets you set any desired tracking speed.

Features for Time-Lapse and Alignment:

The Polarie U includes a spirit level for horizontal alignment and a five-part scale to help estimate the angle of rotation during time-lapse photography. A detachable alignment tube is included for rough polar alignment, and a more precise polarscope is available as an option.

The Polarie U is designed to resemble a camera lens, making it easy to fit into camera bags. The “U” in its name refers to the product’s cross-sectional shape. The mount is lightweight, weighing only 575 grams.

Power Supply and Mounting:

The Polarie U operates on four AA batteries and also supports external power via USB Type-C. The underside and rear of the mount feature threaded bushes for 3/8 inch and 1/4 inch screws, allowing secure attachment to various tripods or mounts.

Advantages Over the Classic Polarie:

Compared to the original Polarie, the Polarie U is lighter and offers a higher load capacity. The distance between the two bearings supporting the rotating shafts is about four times greater than its predecessor, which increases load capacity even though the weight is reduced by 20%. The maximum load capacity is 2.5 kg for wide field astrophotography, and with optional accessories like prism rails and counterweights, the load capacity can be increased to 6.5 kg.

Made in Japan.

Specifications

• Suitable for camera tripods

• Supply voltage: 6V

• Operating temperature: 0 to 40°C

• Battery type: 4x AA (not included)

• Maximum additional load capacity: 2.5 kg (up to 6.5 kg with accessories)

• Interfaces: USB Type-C

• Motor type: Stepper motors

• Connection: 1/4" and 3/8"

• Right ascension axis diameter: 40 mm

• Right ascension axis material: Aluminium

• Worm gear material: Brass

• Worm wheel material: Aluminium

• Worm gear teeth (RA): 144

• Drive type: Worm wheel

• Switch between northern and southern hemispheres: Yes

• Autoguider interface: Yes

• GoTo system: No

• Motor-powered: Yes

• Tripod: Not included

• Type: Mount

• Type of build: Camera mount

• Series: Polarie

• Weight: 575 g

• Overall size (L x W x H): 11 x 7.2 x 8.8 cm

• Outer material: Aluminium

• WiFi control: Yes

• Hand paddle: No

• Battery type: Mignon (AA, LR6), 4 pieces

The Polarie U Star Tracker is a compact, lightweight, and versatile mount, ideal for astrophotographers who want portability and precision for night sky imaging.