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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

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charen
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Reged: 05/28/05

Loc: New Zealand
Vixen Polaris load capacity
      #2121352 - 01/15/08 01:31 AM

Hi ! could some one tell me what the load capacity of the original Japanese Vixen Polaris mount is ? This is the early 1980's type - prior to the GP or SP versions.
Is it equal to todays EQ3 / Skyview / Astroview versions or more in the CG-4 [?] or EQ-5 load capacity. I have the opportunity to buy one in excellent condition for my Orion ED100 [ visual use only ]. Thanks for any info.

[It would be great if there was a 'quick reference' chart with all the 'mount equivalents' / load capitities / recomended scope sizes etc. of the well know mounts - past and present - as it does seem this is a very common question - is there such a chart ? ]


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RogerRZ
Whatta you lookin' at?
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Reged: 01/09/06

Loc: West Collette, NB, Canada
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: charen]
      #2121491 - 01/15/08 05:12 AM

Depends on how long your scope is, but I wouldn't want to put much more than 10 pounds on it.

I once had a TV102 mounted on one, and it did't do wonders.

One of your 80mm scopes, or even your 4" Mak would be fine on it, though. It is a fine little mount, if you respect that it can't carry a lot of weight. I miss mine...


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charen
Pooh-Bah
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Reged: 05/28/05

Loc: New Zealand
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: RogerRZ]
      #2121497 - 01/15/08 05:30 AM

Thanks for the info. One thing it is and that is very well made. The build quality and finish is excellent and both axis movements are ultra smooth. One improvement would be wooden legs as this has [ non original ? ] aluminium ones which detract from it. I will get it as it is above the current EQ3 Chinese type clones when it comes to quality.
With the ED80 [down size !] on top it will make a good 'quick look' scope.


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RogerRZ
Whatta you lookin' at?
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Reged: 01/09/06

Loc: West Collette, NB, Canada
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: charen]
      #2121499 - 01/15/08 05:37 AM

Quote:

With the ED80 [down size !] on top it will make a good 'quick look' scope.




It certainly will!


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JohnG
sage


Reged: 12/16/06

Loc: Wake Village, Texas - East Tex...
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: RogerRZ]
      #2121945 - 01/15/08 11:25 AM

Nice mount. I bought the Celstron 6 inch f/5 on the Polaris mount back about 1984. The weak spot is the cast altitude adjusting bracket. Over time mine bent almost to the horizontal, and that was only with the weights that came with the 6 inch. Too bad, because the mount is very well made. So, do like Roger says and use small telescopes!

JohnG


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Jon Isaacs
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Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: charen]
      #2122180 - 01/15/08 01:17 PM

Quote:

Is it equal to todays EQ3 / Skyview / Astroview versions or more in the CG-4 [?] or EQ-5 load capacity. I have the opportunity to buy one in excellent condition for my Orion ED100 [ visual use only ].




Just a quick note: The EQ-3/Astroview is the same mount as the older CG-4. The new CG-4 has a much better tripod.

I think the drives are not so cheap for the Polaris but I had a friend who was using a Orion EQ-3 drive... But then I have heard the older EQ-3 mounts and the newer ones have a different gearing....

jon


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Rcade
scholastic sledgehammer


Reged: 09/04/04

Loc: GA
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Jon Isaacs]
      #2122951 - 01/15/08 06:55 PM

I really like my old Polaris and it is a fine well made and stable mount. I use it for my Nighthawk II and even with a hefty Nagler or a camera it is very stable. I would not go heavier than a 5" SCT or a short 4" refractor though. I would consider the Polaris as at least as stable as an EQ3.

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Daniel Warner
stranger
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Reged: 05/03/09

Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: JohnG]
      #3137542 - 05/31/09 12:27 PM

Hi John
I noticed that you own a Celestron /Vixen newtonian
I just purchased one and the primary is in need of a good cleaning. Can you please tell me how to remove the primary ? Do you have to remove the rear tube ring ?
Thanks for any help
Clear skies,Dan


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roscoe
curmudgeon
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Reged: 02/04/09

Loc: NW Mass, inches from VT
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Daniel Warner]
      #3138385 - 05/31/09 07:51 PM

Mine holds a Celestron/Vixen 80mm F/11 comfortably. I wouldn't mount anything any bigger, though.......... Russ

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zjc26138
Loved By All
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Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: roscoe]
      #3138411 - 05/31/09 08:02 PM

I had a William Optics Megrez 100 mounted on a Vixen Polaris that was used in Alt-Az mode and it handled the weight quite nicely.

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johnfdean
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 06/04/06

Loc: southern tip of Illinois
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: zjc26138]
      #3138526 - 05/31/09 09:02 PM

I have one on my C6 newt. I would say 10 is the limit.

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Preston Smith
The Travel Scope Guy
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Reged: 04/24/05

Loc: Eureka, Pa
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: charen]
      #3139581 - 06/01/09 11:40 AM

It's important to note that the original Polaris mount can handle additional weight when used in the Alt-Az configuration. It works amazingly well for my SV115T which is an 11 pound scope plus the rings and dovetail bring it to about 13 pounds.

Here is a link to one of my posts where I have a picture of the scope on the mount - about half way down the post:

Traveling with the SV115T and the Vixen Polaris Mount

It is a superb travel mount in the Alt-Az configuration.


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Starpoke
sage


Reged: 11/14/07

Loc: Western Montana
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Preston Smith]
      #3153457 - 06/09/09 03:58 AM

I load my l989 era Polaris with up from 11 to 14 pounds with my Brandon 94, scope rings, custom dovetail, and large 2" eyepieces not counting the 14 pounds of counterweights and CG-5 counterweight bar. With the Unitron legs which were available from Vernonscope in the late 80's and a JMI motofocus damping time is under 3 sec., as long as I don't bump the scope. Changing eyepieces or messing with the coarse focus sets up a longer settle down time. I have read in the classic scope forum that the Polaris and SP have identical load capacity. The SP redesign was primarily to enable dual axis drive. The gearing and bearing areas are about the same. I recently scored an aftermarket Dec drive also from JMI which was available when the mount was more current
Clear skies
Glenn


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dyslexic nam
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Reged: 01/28/08

Loc: PEI, Canada
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Starpoke]
      #3366112 - 09/30/09 01:22 PM

I am wondering if anyone has any experience overloading a vixen polaris mount. I have an 8" f6 dob and am considering (despite common sense) mounting the OTA on a VP mount to try some short exposure AP. The last poster stated that he had put 14 pounds on a VP and didn't note any ill-effects on the mount, so I am wondering if mounting my 20 lb OTA will actually damage the mount, or if it will simply result in a longer time for vibrations to stop.

Cheers


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Eddgie
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Reged: 02/01/06

Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: dyslexic nam]
      #3370519 - 10/04/09 11:54 AM

I would not try this much weight.

A 4" refractor is about the top end of the Polaris.

The weak point is the altitude bracket. To get enough weights on it to balance would be risky.

Even the later Super Polaris would struggle with this amount of weight.

A GPDX on HAL-110 legs would be the minumum I would try in this class of mount, and the LXD-75 or CG5 GT would be better choices (but even here, I think you are pushing it).


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JIMZ7
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Reged: 10/22/05

Loc: S.E.Michigan near DTW
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Eddgie]
      #5109315 - 03/06/12 10:04 PM

I just purchased one off of Craigslist for $50. The 4" f/9.8 refractor works perfectly with it. I bought some wooden legs from Hands on Optics for $89 shipped. All together they are very sturdy as a team. I use to have a Celestron 4" f/9.8 refractor on a Super Polaris mount 20 years ago. This Polaris mount with the wooden legs and 4" refractor looks and feels like the older scope setup.

Jim


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Starhawk
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Reged: 09/16/08

Loc: Tucson, Arizona
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: JIMZ7]
      #5109444 - 03/06/12 11:40 PM

I have a C8 on my Vixen Polaris. It turned that scope into a grab and go.

It can't go heavier than that.

-Rich.


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SteveG
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Reged: 09/27/06

Loc: Seattle, WA
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Starhawk]
      #5109734 - 03/07/12 12:33 PM Attachment (55 downloads)

Used mine last night - extremely lightweight and reasonable stable. I added a simple Celestron motor drive for tracking.

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greju
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 10/13/05

Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: SteveG]
      #5109780 - 03/07/12 12:52 PM Attachment (50 downloads)

Quote:

Used mine last night - extremely lightweight and reasonable stable. I added a simple Celestron motor drive for tracking.




A four year old thread and finaly a picture! Carved out of a solid block of aluminum this one may have a higher payload but I still would not stick a C-8 on it.


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greju
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Reged: 10/13/05

Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: greju]
      #5109791 - 03/07/12 12:55 PM Attachment (51 downloads)

A three inch refractor-no problem.

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orlyandico
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Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: greju]
      #5109800 - 03/07/12 12:59 PM

here's one for laughs.

I got an M16 threaded rod (really long) and used that as a C/W shaft.

Then I put a C9.25 on it (in the daytime).

Took it right off.

I also have a GP and it's marginal for the 9.25 even for visual. I don't think the Polaris has the same worm wheel diameters as the GP - the axes are noticeably smaller. Although I didn't take apart my Polaris before selling it.


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SteveG
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Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: orlyandico]
      #5109837 - 03/07/12 01:14 PM Attachment (62 downloads)

ED100 f9, no problem!

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Starhawk
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Reged: 09/16/08

Loc: Tucson, Arizona
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: SteveG]
      #5111283 - 03/08/12 09:14 AM

The C8 is really light- remember, it can go on a Universal Astronomics Unistar mount, which is quite dainty compared to the Vixen Polaris.

I modified mine to accept a CG-4 drive system. The Dec axis required a tab to attach the motor to, but has an angled part which makes this easy. The RA was substantially more difficult because the CG-4 has 130 worm wheel teeth and the Vixen has 144. So, I had to find some gears to gear up at 11:10 ratio. I found them at a site selling robot parts. It works quite well, though I had to find stickers to invert the N and S on the drive controller.

-Rich


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JIMZ7
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Reged: 10/22/05

Loc: S.E.Michigan near DTW
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Starhawk]
      #5127948 - 03/18/12 12:57 AM

Today I put the Vixen Polaris mount in alt-az.mode and took off the 6 lb.counterweight. It is so easy to carry now with my 4" f/9.8 refractor. The scope can easily rotate 360-degrees which saves on your back from lifting the entire scope when viewing something else. Very nice to observe while relaxing in a chair.

Jim


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ohioalfa64
member


Reged: 08/16/12

Loc: Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: JIMZ7]
      #5537461 - 11/24/12 04:10 PM

Is there a photo of a C8 on the Vixen Polaris. I am considering mounting my ETC125 on this GEM.

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orlyandico
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Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: ohioalfa64]
      #5537473 - 11/24/12 04:18 PM

I saw a photo somewhere when I still had my Polaris.

I think the ETX125 will be not a problem at all. It is short physically and presents a small moment arm.

I have not tried a C8 on the Polaris. The C9.25 was way too much, a 100ED is ok-ish, still not optimal, but can be lived with. The 100ED has a 1-meter long tube, so the ETX125 should not pose a challenge at all.


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Ducky62
professor emeritus


Reged: 10/31/10

Loc: The ATL
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: greju]
      #5538020 - 11/24/12 11:03 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Used mine last night - extremely lightweight and reasonable stable. I added a simple Celestron motor drive for tracking.




A four year old thread and finaly a picture! Carved out of a solid block of aluminum this one may have a higher payload but I still would not stick a C-8 on it.




Hey! You have the early "New Polaris". What 'scope came on that? I have 3 Polaris mounts but only one of them is like the one pictured.No lat scale but it is so much nicer than the later two. So it is milled and not cast? I need one of those original drives. Have you ever measured the PE? I have suspicions the early ones are whole different animals.

Edited by Ducky62 (11/24/12 11:16 PM)


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roscoe
curmudgeon
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Reged: 02/04/09

Loc: NW Mass, inches from VT
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Ducky62]
      #5538365 - 11/25/12 08:09 AM

I have some weight info that I got from somewhere on the net, that lists a Polaris at 10 lbs, a GP at 16, a SP at 18, and a GPDX at 22.
I had a Celestron C-80 on mine, it was fine for that scope.
Russ


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Geo.
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 10/01/08

Loc: Upstate NY
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: roscoe]
      #5538751 - 11/25/12 01:44 PM

To get the ETX125 to balance correctly the tube's center of gravity should be a little forward of the center of the mount's Dec axis. IIRC the 125 has a rather queer ring size. Probably easiest to add a Vixen format dovetail saddle and a 6" bar to the ETX.

An 11-13 pound C8 is a bit too much I'm afraid. A C4 or 6 would be fine.

I think you'll find that the Polaris is machined from aluminum alloy castings not from billet. As mentioned the RA worm wheel is 130 teeth, think Dec is 70.

The Polaris was sold under Celestron and Tasco scopes. Think the C6 was sold on it. Tasco sold a Synta made drive for it. It was very similar to the EQ-3, CG-4 drive.

I don't understand the comments about early models. There has only been one Polaris configuration. Although, I've seen them in three colors.


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orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Geo.]
      #5538780 - 11/25/12 02:02 PM

i had a polaris and it was definitely 144 teeth...

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zjc26138
Loved By All
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Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: orlyandico]
      #5538814 - 11/25/12 02:14 PM

Beside mounting my WO 110 on the Vixen, I also mount a Meade 8in SCT. I forget what model it is. I had the mount setup in Alt-Az. It handled the scope ok. It was better than not mounting the scope at all.

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ohioalfa64
member


Reged: 08/16/12

Loc: Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: zjc26138]
      #5542484 - 11/27/12 05:04 PM

Thanks for the advice on the ETX-125 mounting. What if instead I attempted at 150mm iOptron Mak on the Polaris? It is 20 inches and somewhere around 14 lbs without the standard Finderscope or Aluminum Dew shield (another 7 inches longer). Instead of answering in yes or no terms, tell me what impact I would face by doing this. Will it break; do I need another weight on the couterbalance, etc. A laser pointer and Astrozap wrap dew shield reduce weight and decrease the forward moment arm. Or am I just creating a monster?

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Geo.
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 10/01/08

Loc: Upstate NY
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: ohioalfa64]
      #5543039 - 11/27/12 11:01 PM

I wouldn't worry about breaking it with a static load. It might just be a bit shaky, like a C9.25 on a CG-5. The Dec axle is about the same size as the Triumph spindles Chapman used on his early F1 cars. Of course, those spindles did occasionally fail ... no high speed turns please.

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Starhawk
Post Laureate


Reged: 09/16/08

Loc: Tucson, Arizona
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Geo.]
      #5544752 - 11/28/12 10:51 PM

I just posted the pix of my own vixen Polaris mods in the Super Polaris drive thread.

-Rich


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StarStuff1
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Reged: 04/01/07

Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Starhawk]
      #5544821 - 11/28/12 11:33 PM

Years ago I acquired a used Polaris mount. I called Celestron Customer Service (remember those days?)to ask about the mount capacity. IIRC the lady said 24-25lbs. I was surprised to hear this. The OTA I mounted on it was a 114mm f/12.5 achromat that weighed about 17 lbs fully loaded. Everything worked fine unless there was wind. BUT, I did build a hd wood tripod for the mount as the original mount was for a 6-in f/5 reflector.

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orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: StarStuff1]
      #5544924 - 11/29/12 02:01 AM

24-25lb seems excessive. as i said above, i tried putting my C9.25 (22lb) on the polaris and it was scary spindly... (to the point of unusability)

i guess celestron's penchant for overstating mount capacity (35lb on the CG-5 anyone?) didn't start recently.


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ohioalfa64
member


Reged: 08/16/12

Loc: Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: orlyandico]
      #5566254 - 12/11/12 04:36 PM

I need more counterweight to balance the 150mm iOptron Mak. I have a 6.5 lber all the way out on the 1/2 threaded shaft (fine threads). I need to find another or make some sort of makeshift weight using nuts/washers to hold it in place. Plobably need another similar 6.5 lber. Luckily its been completely cloudy since I got the Mak.

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gmussman
member
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Reged: 09/21/12

Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: ohioalfa64]
      #5566762 - 12/11/12 11:20 PM

I recently added a dovetail shoe adapter from scopestuff to my polaris. It messed everything up, sort of -- My 80's Japanese Tasco 114 f/8 reflector (metal tube) now needs the entire length of the shaft for adequate counter-weighting because it pushes the scope too far out. However, it is still rock-stable, and I haven't abandoned the mod yet. I think without the dovetail shoe bracket, a light 6 inch reflector would do fine.

On a different note, a few people have thrown drive comments in their posts -- I modded an eq-3 drive with an uprated crystal to compensate for the 144 teeth on the polaris versus 130 on the EQ-3. It was a $1 fix, and it tracks great.

I'm pretty sure that makes it the only cheap thing I've ever done with a telescope ...


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Geo.
Carpal Tunnel
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Reged: 10/01/08

Loc: Upstate NY
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: gmussman]
      #5571132 - 12/14/12 04:46 PM

There were two different length counter weight shafts sold with the Polaris, one about 8" and the other about 12. Any GP clone 19mm CW shaft will work with the Polaris. The Meade LXD55/75 shafts are nice as they are a little longer than most.

Quote:

I modded an eq-3 drive with an uprated crystal to compensate for the 144 teeth on the polaris versus 130 on the EQ-3. It was a $1 fix, and it tracks great.




Can I ask what the frequency of the crystals were and are? Thanks.


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gmussman
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Reged: 09/21/12

Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: Geo.]
      #5571195 - 12/14/12 05:24 PM

This is a nice page with pictures of the procedure on the single-axis drive for an EQ-1, which only has 100 teeth so the calculation has a different result but is done the same way.
I did the same procedure with with the EQ-3 dual-axis (and made a declination bracket as well). I think the original crystals are the same 3.56 MHZ. By my calculation, I needed a 3.96 MHz chip, but to custom make one was like $50, and a 4.0 MHz was $1. The tracking difference is a few arc-minutes per hour, more than adequate for visual or (probably) guided AP, though it'd have to be an awfully light guide rig to go on the mount.


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gmussman
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Reged: 09/21/12

Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: gmussman]
      #5571197 - 12/14/12 05:24 PM

Forgot the link: http://orlygoingthirty.blogspot.com/2010/06/telescope-mount-hacking.html

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ohioalfa64
member


Reged: 08/16/12

Loc: Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: gmussman]
      #5573101 - 12/15/12 08:02 PM

All I need now is someone smart enough to follow that microprocessor replacement detailed above.

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gmussman
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Reged: 09/21/12

Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: ohioalfa64]
      #5573727 - 12/16/12 08:23 AM

Ha! It's not that bad -- just take it apart and swap the crystal (the skinny silver thing). I'm not great at soldering, so I got a TV repair guy to do it for 5 bucks. Took him maybe 5 minutes.

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gmussman
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Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: gmussman]
      #5573733 - 12/16/12 08:30 AM

You can PM me if you want to talk it through.

-Grant


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orlyandico
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Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: gmussman]
      #5573766 - 12/16/12 09:07 AM

took me longer to take the pictures and make the web page

although finding the exact right crystal was pretty hard..


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gmussman
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Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: orlyandico]
      #5574054 - 12/16/12 12:00 PM

Hi, Orlyandico!

Thanks for putting up that web page -- great results with my Polaris! Great pictures, too. A great guide, for sure.

Edited to add: the 4mhz was much easier to find! A shop down the street had one in stock.

Edited by gmussman (12/16/12 12:02 PM)


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SteveG
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Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: gmussman]
      #5575796 - 12/17/12 02:21 PM Attachment (20 downloads)

A $30 Celestron drive (93511) will bolt on and run the Polaris just fine. Due to the length of the RA slow-motion shaft, I had to mount the motor on the other side of the mount (why it looks upside-down). I simply drilled and tapped a thread right into the side of the housing. The down-side is there's no clutch, so I just loosen the RA axis and move it manually to adjust. This drive has a speed control, and as the 9V battery gets weak, you can adjust it to track properly.

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SteveG
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Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: SteveG]
      #5575798 - 12/17/12 02:23 PM Attachment (18 downloads)

Here - showing the mounting:

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SteveG
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Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: SteveG]
      #5575800 - 12/17/12 02:23 PM Attachment (17 downloads)

Another view:

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ohioalfa64
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Reged: 08/16/12

Loc: Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: SteveG]
      #5575883 - 12/17/12 03:21 PM

Very nice, and very simple--even better.

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gmussman
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Reged: 09/21/12

Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: ohioalfa64]
      #5578038 - 12/18/12 10:30 PM

Aw, come on! You just bolt it on and it works? No chance of ruining everything with a shaky hand while doing delicate work in the five free minutes before the kids wake up? No worry your math was wrong? You don't have to take it apart or learn a circuit diagram or do soldering or NOTHIN'? And its CHEAP?

I don't get it.


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SteveG
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Re: Vixen Polaris load capacity new [Re: gmussman]
      #5579090 - 12/19/12 02:54 PM

Quote:

Aw, come on! You just bolt it on and it works? No chance of ruining everything with a shaky hand while doing delicate work in the five free minutes before the kids wake up? No worry your math was wrong? You don't have to take it apart or learn a circuit diagram or do soldering or NOTHIN'? And its CHEAP?

I don't get it.




You get five minutes? Lucky you!
No worries - my math is always wrong!
Unfortunately you do have to take it apart - to install the 9v battery :-)


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