Telescope Reviews: Vixen Polaris load capacity

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charen
Pooh-Bah

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?

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

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?

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
Postmaster

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
newbie

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

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

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

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
Pooh-Bah

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
Postmaster

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
Pooh-Bah

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