Show us your Vixen Scope or mount

[JeremyS]

37 minutes ago, MalcolmM said:

Every refractor man is allowed one reflector

This is right on the stated limit for this mount but I think it'll cope with it. Be interesting to check out it's stability under high power, though I've had no clear sky for weeks now!

Regardless, I think it looks a lovely combination

Malcolm

Is that an M210 Malcolm?
Looks great 👍🏻 

[Froeng]

2 hours ago, MalcolmM said:

Every refractor man is allowed one reflector

This is right on the stated limit for this mount but I think it'll cope with it. Be interesting to check out it's stability under high power, though I've had no clear sky for weeks now!

Regardless, I think it looks a lovely combination

Malcolm

Amazing setup! Your wall paint almost matches the Tak-blue! A word of caution - this may attract other specimens of the same kind. We have already seen a starting Tak invasion in another thread recently…

maybe this topic needs a new sub-forum!

[MalcolmM]

14 hours ago, Franklin said:

Lovely setup Malcolm, if the AP struggles in EQ mode you should try it in AltAz mode. You'd only need to buy the APZ base adaptor and it will transform the AP into the APZ (using the same AP weight bar). I did this and haven't regretted it at all, super slick AltAz grab n go and it puts the weight capacity up a notch.

Great tip thanks @Franklin, I did not realise you could do that. There's always one more thing to buy

Malcolm

[MalcolmM]

13 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Is that an M210 Malcolm?
Looks great 👍🏻 

Thanks @JeremyS, it's actually a 180.  I was scared off by the extra size and cost of the 210. And judging by the reaction of my partner when this one arrived, I think I made the right decision

Malcolm

[Franklin]

5 minutes ago, MalcolmM said:

I did not realise you could do that.

Yes, from this to this with this.

 

[MalcolmM]

3 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Yes, from this to this with this.

 

Two beautiful setups! Do you often swap between the two configurations?

Is it as stable in AltAz as equitorial? I have been very impressed how steady it was with the 100DC.

Malcolm

[Franklin]

1 hour ago, MalcolmM said:

Two beautiful setups! Do you often swap between the two configurations?

Is it as stable in AltAz as equitorial? I have been very impressed how steady it was with the 100DC.

Malcolm

To be honest its been staying in alt-az because a) it gets more use and b) i've got the GP2 set up on another tripod for the longer sessions.

According to the Vixen spec the AP is rated at 6kg and the APZ at 8kg, but I think this is only correct when used with the manual drives. I think the ratings reflect the capacity of the motors rather than the actual mount itself.

I was lucky in that the AP I bought used had been upgraded with the DEC motor by the previous owner and the original manual DEC was included in the sale. At some expense I bought a second manual RA and APZ base so I can have it in AP/APZ single/dual axis drive or completely manual. It's such a lovely set up I felt I needed to futureproof it, just in case Vixen bring out a SuperAP and discontinue the present motor modules, like they did with the MT-1 motors for the GP mounts. So, if I step on the StarBook 1 controller and break it or a fault with a motor developes at least I will still have a super smooth manual Eq/AltAz grab n go mount to use.

Edited May 28, 2022 by Franklin

[Stu]

16 hours ago, MalcolmM said:

Every refractor man is allowed one reflector

This is right on the stated limit for this mount but I think it'll cope with it. Be interesting to check out it's stability under high power, though I've had no clear sky for weeks now!

Regardless, I think it looks a lovely combination

Malcolm

Beautiful!! 👍👍

[MalcolmM]

5 hours ago, Franklin said:

To be honest its been staying in alt-az because a) it gets more use and b) i've got the GP2 set up on another tripod for the longer sessions.

According to the Vixen spec the AP is rated at 6kg and the APZ at 8kg, but I think this is only correct when used with the manual drives. I think the ratings reflect the capacity of the motors rather than the actual mount itself.

I was lucky in that the AP I bought used had been upgraded with the DEC motor by the previous owner and the original manual DEC was included in the sale. At some expense I bought a second manual RA and APZ base so I can have it in AP/APZ single/dual axis drive or completely manual. It's such a lovely set up I felt I needed to futureproof it, just in case Vixen bring out a SuperAP and discontinue the present motor modules, like they did with the MT-1 motors for the GP mounts. So, if I step on the StarBook 1 controller and break it or a fault with a motor developes at least I will still have a super smooth manual Eq/AltAz grab n go mount to use.

Some food for thought there! I think I'll have to tighten the clutches with the extra weight and I presume that will put more stress on the motors. I have the manual Dec control sitting unused but it would be nice to have the manual RA too, just in case, as you say

It's a little pricey but for me it ticks all the boxes: works off USB power or AA batteries, very portable, no goto, easily slewed by hand and looks fab

Malcolm

[Franklin]

18 minutes ago, MalcolmM said:

It's a little pricey but for me it ticks all the boxes: works off USB power or AA batteries, very portable, no goto, easily slewed by hand and looks fab

Malcolm

Indeed, I've admired the AP mount from afar and would never have purchased a new one at the current prices but I was offered a nearly new example with DEC motor upgrade, clutch levers and a polar-meter for 50% of retail and I just couldn't resist. I'm glad I didn't because it is an amazing, one of a kind, piece of kit. Also, it can be hooked up to the StarBook 10 if goto is required, though Vixen do not endorse this. I read about it over on CN

[Peter_D]

I finally got around to getting the SW EQ5 extension pillar that fits my GP mount - I'll be using the A81M more often now.

[Froeng]

Thought I'd show off some details of my old Super Polaris DX from the eighties... The old lady is still as strong as ever!

I know the controller is an aftermarket one, but really a match made in/for heaven!

Call it what you want (No - it is NOT called "Mount P__n") 😊 😇 🤣

[LDW1]

Vixen !

[F15Rules]

On 11/06/2022 at 21:02, Froeng said:

Thought I'd show off some details of my old Super Polaris DX from the eighties... The old lady is still as strong as ever!

I know the controller is an aftermarket one, but really a match made in/for heaven!

Call it what you want (No - it is NOT called "Mount P__n") 😊 😇 🤣

Lovely setup!

..and quite rare, I think? I've never seen an SP in DX format, only the GP.

Thanks for sharing 👍😊

Dave

Edited June 14, 2022 by F15Rules

[Pixies]

As per 'What did the postman deliver":

[Pixies]

And now with mount.

I'm going to have to work out a better attachment method - see if I can get a puck/clamp attached to the old mount head.

and perhaps a heavier counterweight!

Edited July 9, 2022 by Pixies

[Franklin]

23 minutes ago, Pixies said:

I'm going to have to work out a better attachment method - see if I can get a puck/clamp attached to the old mount head.

 

ADM do one for the SP, not cheap but will hold a longer vixen bar better. Another alternative which I opted for, was to use hinged rings and just leave them on the mount.

 

[F15Rules]

...looks great!👍

And my old SP102m perched on my Tak EQ mount a couple of nights ago, as per the "show us your setup in action at night thread"..😊

Mine has the old, original rings on like yours, which I've kept for originality..but if you are likely to take the scope off the mount fairly often then I agree with Tim (@Franklin) that hinged rings are a more practical solution👍

..and a larger counterweight will also enhance the setup too😊😎

Dave

[Peter_D]

I just bought a used Vixen made Tasco 8V on a New Polaris Mount. It is actually my second NP as the first was incomplete. I'm particularly happy the mount came with a polarscope as these are quite rare now. The OTA is a Jones-Bird. I've read that these Tascos have a better reputation than later J-B scopes - the additional corrector is attached to the secondary and not the focuser. Daytime views were sharp but I'll have to see how it performs under the stars. 

 

 

[MercianDabbler]

Spent the afternoon, err... keeping warm... in the shade of the shed yesterday playing with my lathe to make the remaining five replacement bolts for my SP tripod...

A 40mm length of B&Q's finest M8 studding, an M8 wing nut and a threaded bush (about 8mm thick) made from 1/2 inch steel bar drilled and tapped M8.

All done... no more fumbling around for an Allen key in the dark  

I still wound't call an SP and 102mm scope 'grab and go' but it's now less hassle and more likely to get out.

Now... any suggestions for how to make the original sheet metal 'spider' less annoying? - mine seems to have a penchant for detaching the arms at inopportune moments. It's probably upside down too but that was a previous change to reduce the frequency of it falling apart.

[Pixies]

1 hour ago, MercianDabbler said:

Spent the afternoon, err... keeping warm... in the shade of the shed yesterday playing with my lathe to make the remaining five replacement bolts for my SP tripod...

A 40mm length of B&Q's finest M8 studding, an M8 wing nut and a threaded bush (about 8mm thick) made from 1/2 inch steel bar drilled and tapped M8.

All done... no more fumbling around for an Allen key in the dark  

I still wound't call an SP and 102mm scope 'grab and go' but it's now less hassle and more likely to get out.

Now... any suggestions for how to make the original sheet metal 'spider' less annoying? - mine seems to have a penchant for detaching the arms at inopportune moments. It's probably upside down too but that was a previous change to reduce the frequency of it falling apart.

You need to get the triangular tray. It helps with stability too.

[F15Rules]

We have an upcoming holiday to the Scottish Isles soon, with possible Bortle 2-3 skies in the second part of the holiday.

The weather up there has been truly awful for observing, while we down here have been boiling hot but with some good observing conditions.

Anyway, I don't want to miss the chance, if it's there, to observe skies that I can only dream of, so I have been preparing this afternoon my version of a, er, "grab and go" setup to take with us...I am using that term fairly loosely here..🤦

From left to right..

Takahashi adjustable tripod, centre box containing:

Vixen SP mount, Revelation binoviewers with two ep pairs 20mm and 12mm plus 1.6x barlow, Baader Hyperion Zoom, genuine Burgess TMB 5mm, Axiom 2" 23mm and 31mm, Baader BBHS Zeiss prism. Also Orion Mini Giant 9x63mm bins and Vixen Apex Pro 8.5x32mm roof prism bins for nature and sky scanning..

Right: Vixen SP102 F10 achromat stored in Oklop carryall which I've borrowed from my FS128.

And my lovely wife has just given her seal of approval, being surprised how the setup has been "condensed down" for transport!

Oh, and if Jeremy looks in, please don't physically count the number of handles visible or hidden...

Pic below of the outfit in use..😊

Please wish me luck for some clear nights!😁

Dave

 

Edited August 26, 2022 by F15Rules
Additional text info

[Alan White]

6 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

I have been preparing this afternoon my version of a, er, "grab and go" setup to take with us...I am using that term fairly loosely here..🤦

 

And my lovely wife has just given her seal of approval, being surprised how the setup has been "condensed down" for transport.

 

Please wish me luck for some clear nights!😁

Wow Dave,

That is the term 'grab and go; very loosely applied, well done on its application. 

Your lovely wife, truly must be, as well as very understanding, and approving of the packed down unit.

Good luck on the weather and clear nights on the right nights.

Enjoy your holiday 

 

[F15Rules]

1 hour ago, Alan White said:

Wow Dave,

That is the term 'grab and go; very loosely applied, well done on its application. 

Your lovely wife, truly must be, as well as very understanding, and approving of the packed down unit.

Good luck on the weather and clear nights on the right nights.

Enjoy your holiday 

 

Thanks Alan 👍..

Were fortunate as there will only be two of us in the car so I can fold down the back seats to maximise space.

I was tempted to take the FS128 but it's a much bigger tube. Also, if we are lucky enough to get some clear skies up there, I want to see just how much deeper those skies will allow the 4" to go..maybe as deep as my 5" at home??🤔

We will see..I hope!!😁

Dave

[Franklin]

2 hours ago, F15Rules said:

We have an upcoming holiday to the Scottish Isles soon

That old Vixen 102M is a well travelled scope Dave, I picked it up years ago from a guy in Scotland!

Clear skies.