The Vixen 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.
Key Features of the Vixen Polarie U Star Tracker Camera Mount Head
- Compact and Lightweight Design
- Standard 5.5-Pound Payload Capacity
- Android/iOS Smartphone Connectivity
- 3/8-16 and 1/4-20 Mounting Capability
- Uses Four AA Batteries
- Custom and Standard Tracking Rates
- Boost Payload with Optional Accessories
- Standard 1/4-20 Camera Mounting Stud
- Integrated Camera Shutter Release Port
- Mount Head Only—Tripod & Camera Required
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 6.3kg using optional Polarie Multi Mounting Block and dovetail slide bar for heavier loads
- 9.9kg 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
- 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
- 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
- MPN - VX35491
- GTIN - 4955295354917
