Designed for long-exposure wide-field astrophotography, the Vixen Optics Advanced Polaris Photoguider provides a complete imaging platform for your user-supplied DLSR and lens. This rig includes a motorized equatorial mount, polar alignment scope, the STAR BOOK ONE controller, and an adjustable-height tripod.

The mount has a Vixen-style dovetail plate with two 1/4"-20 mounting screws for a DSLR body and a foot for larger lenses that come equipped with one. This plate provides a solid mounting point and fits into a saddle on the mount. An integrated polar alignment scope mount provides an easy way to polar align the mount for accurate long-duration tracking across the arc of the night sky. Pulse motors move the mount on the two axes and provide smooth motion with virtually zero vibration. The mount runs on 12 VDC power using the included car/vehicle adapter. Supporting the mount is the APP-TL130 tripod. It has three leg sections and collapses down to just about 24" long. Its legs are adjustable from 22.4" to 51" with a total height adjustable from 20.7" to 45.6".

Controlling the mount is the STAR BOOK ONE (SB1) hand controller to help find, observe, and track celestial objects. Since near and deep sky objects appear to move at different speeds, the SB1 features celestial, solar, lunar, and King's rate tracking speeds. Four slew speeds are available for when you need to move the mount to find an object or re-center your subject. For enhanced accuracy the SB1 features backlash compensation and Periodic Error Correction (PEC) for addressing errors that are common with any tracking system, which can otherwise lead to blurry images or star streaks. An integrated autoguider port adds to the mount's usability.

For Long-Exposure Astrophotography    Mount DSLR for Wide-Field Imaging    Motorized EQ Mount    Polar Alignment Scope    STAR BOOK ONE Controller    Backlash Compensation and PEC    Accurate Long-Duration Tracking    Multiple Tracking and Slew Speeds    Runs on 12VDC Car/Vehicle Power    Adjustable-Height Tripod

• Drive Motor: Pulse Motor
• Altitude Adjustment: Latitude between 0 and 65°
• RA Axis: 59mm diameter, aluminum alloy
• DEC Axis: 59mm diameter, aluminum alloy
• Worm and Wheel Gears with 140 Tooth whole circle micro-movement
• Vixen-style dovetail plate with two 1/4"-20 mounts
• Vixen-style dovetail saddle
• 20mm diameter steel counterweight bar
• Counterweight: 2.2 lb (1.0 kg)

• Powered by mount through connector port
• LED display screen backlight
• Red backlit keypad
• Independent screen and keypad dimming control
• ST-4 compatible integrated autoguider port
• Sidereal tracking with different tracking speeds: Celestial, solar, lunar, and King's rate
• Variable manual slewing speeds from 0.1x to 999x
• Backlash compensation
• Periodic error correction (PEC) removes inaccuracies inherent in gears and allows for more accurate tracking, especially for long-exposure astrophotography
• Adjustable screen brightness
• Selectable tracking for Northern and Southern hemisphere

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does the VC200L ship with a 2 speed focuser?

A: The Vixen Optics VC200L 200mm f/9 Catadioptric Telescope (OTA Only), BH # VIVC200L, ships with a two-speed focuser.

Q: 2. Can it be mounted on CGEM tripod?

A: I don't think so and I don't know why you would want to. It's going to perform best as a complete design. The legs that come with it are rock solid and the it has individual bubble levels for E/W and N/S instead of one of those maddening 'central bubble' levels on my other mount.Also, if you're going to use the Gemini 2 control system, the mounting bracket for that is on the top part of the tripod legs.

Q: 3. What is the manufacture date for this G11, and does it include Gemini-2 "Mini" goto controller?

A: We have the latest version with the Mini controller.

Q: 4. Will this finder fit my Meade ETX 125ec. Thank you very much for your help ?

A: This finder is too large in diameter to fit the etx Finder bracket. You would have to buy a suitable bracket and re-drill the scope for it.

Q: 5. is it compatible with HEQ5?

A: This model has not been tested on that scope, but based on the Manufacturer this model will not work on the HEQ5.

Q: 6. Can the Vixen Mobile Porta Mount separate from the tripod and be used on other tripods?

A: Yes, the Vixen Optics Mobile Porta AZ Mount with Tripod can have the head removed from the tripod.

Q: 7. Is this compatible with vixen porta II tall mount?

A: Yes, the Vixen Optics eSG Half Pillar can be used with the Vixen Optics Porta II Tall Alt-Azimuth Mount.

Q: 8. What's in the box is for Vixen Optics Sphinx SXD2 Go-To EQ Mount with Polar Scope and SB10 ?

A: In the box: Vixen Optics Sphinx SXD2 Go-To EQ Mount with Polar Scope and SB10STARBOOK TEN Computer ControllerPF-L Polarie Polar ScopeCounterweight Bar8.1 lb Counterweight4.2 lb CounterweightCigarette-Lighter Plug CordLimited 5-Year Warranty

Q: 9. Does this have the latest one piece spring loaded worm block?

A: Yes all of the G11 goto mounts now have the tucked version of the motors, one piece worm and spring loaded worms. Here is a great reference Spread Sheet: http://losmandy.com/files/collateral/Losmandy_G11G_datasheet.pdf

Q: 10. Does this come with a 2" diagonal?

A: The Vixen Optics VC200L 200mm f/9 Catadioptric Telescope (OTA Only) comes with the Vixen Optics Flip Mirror System which works as a diagonal but only accepts 1.25 inch eyepieces.