Vixen POLARIE U Star Tracker (Refurbished)

The POLARIE U is an ultra-compact automatic star tracking device that can be easily transported.In addition to the functions of conventional star trackers, which track a camera for a long exposures, accurately tracking the regular movement of celestial objects, the POLARIE U has a speed adjustment function, which allows it to be used as a panning mount too for time lapse photography.Using a smartphone, you can control the shutter release intervals of the images. Through the communication between the smartphone and the POLARIE U Star Tracker, you can control the exposures and take beautiful, sharp pictures of the stars and the Milky Way without getting any star trailing.The Star Tracker is very small and light weight, making it ideal for mobile use or air travel.The Vixen POLARIE U Star Tracker in detail:Star-scape photography (stars and landscape).A silhouetted landscape on earth is photographed together with the starry sky. The beauty of a landscape and the starry sky can be shown together on one photo. POLARIE U opens up a wonderful foreign world of star-scape photography and makes this possible for both beginners and advanced photographers.Conventional telescopic astrophotography photographs a relatively narrow area of the sky. Star-scape photography mainly uses a wide-angle lens and takes impressive photos in which stars, and other celestial targets such as the majestic Milky Way and landscapes are combined. The possibilities of the compositions are endless and a completely new kind of landscape photography opens up.Weight reduction of more than 20% and improved load capacity.The structure of the original POLARIE has been completely changed. The distance between the two bearings that support the rotating shaft is about four times the distance of the previous model. This leads to a higher load capacity despite the weight reduction of 20%. The maximum load capacity is 2.5 kg (approx. 2.5 kg at 10 cm from the centre of rotation) when used for wide-field astrophotography. The maximum load capacity is increased to 6.5 kg (approx. 6.5 kg at 10 cm from the centre of rotation) when a POLARIE Multi mounting block (optional) and a dovetail slide rail DD (optional) are combined. In addition, used in vertical configuration, the POLARIE U can reach a load capacity of 10 kg (approx. 10 kg 10 cm from the centre of rotation) for time-lapse photography and is therefore suitable for heavy camera equipment.Settings via SmartphoneCommunication between tracker and smartphone via the Vixen Polarie U App enables various settings via smartphones or tablet. For star/landscape photography, the speed is selected in user-defined mode, and for time-lapse photography, settings for interval time, exposure, and rotation speed can also be easily programmed.Five different speeds:Star-scape photography (half star speed). This setting is intended for displaying a landscape together with the starry sky. The stars are not tracked exactly, but slower in order not to blur the landscape in the foreground. This way you get beautiful images of the landscape and the starry sky.Wide Field Astrophotography (Star Speed)When this mode is selected, the POLARIE U follows the stars at the same speed as the daily movement of the stars. In this mode, widefield long time exposures of comets, nebulae, star clusters and the Milky Way are made and tracked precisely.Solar Tracking (solar speed)For recording solar eclipses over a long period of time.Moon Tracking (moon speed)For recording lunar eclipses over a long period of time.Custom ModeThis allows you to set the POLARIE U to the desired tracking speed. The initial setting is four times the star speed. If you want to change the setting for a different speed, a smartphone or other wifi device and application software are required.Shoot-Move-Shoot ModeIt is possible to stop the movement of the camera during the exposure and restart it after the end of the exposure. It is also equipped with a camera connector (shutter release) that controls the camera shutter during shooting with SMS or interval shooting. If the camera in use is connected with the cable release, the settings can be easily adjusted using a smartphone. A Wi-Fi connection is required when using this feature. An additional cable is required to connect the camera and POLARIE U together.Autoguider portCommercially available autoguiders can be used with the POLARIE U (Usable only in R.A.).  An important new feature over the original Polarie - attach a small Guidescope, or Off Axis Guider and autoguiding camera to your main camera and use the standard ST-4 protocol port to guide the Polarie U in Right Ascension, ensuring absolute accuracy of tracking (requires additional separate computer, or standalone guider). FEATURES    Speeds: Sidereal rate, 0.5X star speed, sun, moon. North / South hemisphere compatible    Operating System: Android 4.4 and over or iOS 9.9 and over Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g    Worm gear: RA gear rim with 144 teeth (58.4 mm Al alloy)    Screw: 9.8 mm brass    RA and DC axis: 40mm, aluminium alloy    Motor drive: electric motor drive with impulse motor (stepper motor)    Load capacity: 2.5 kg standard, 6.5 kg with special accessories, 10 kg with fast motion    Wi-Fi function for Smartphone    Direction finder tube: 8.9 degree field of view without magnification.    Power supply: USB Type-C or 4x AA batteries    Dimensions: 88.5mm x 72mm x 110.5mm    Weight: 575gSCOPE OF DELIVERY    POLARIE U Star Tracker    Attachable direction finder

The AP mount provides a secure, stable support for your telescope. Thanks to the slip clutch mechanism, the mount can be adjusted quickly to the target object. There is a wide range of optional accessories. The ADVANCED POLARIS mount is perfect for both beginners and advanced observers who require a lightweight travel mount. STYLISH DESIGN The AP mount features an ultra-smooth finish without any projecting parts. Simply place your telescope on the mount and move it to the desired celestial object without having to loosen any clamps! QUICK POLAR ALIGNMENT The slip clutches allow you to adjust the telescope to your target object easily – no more searching for adjustment clamps in the dark! An optional polar meter is available, which enables you to locate the celestial pole when it is hidden by trees or buildings. OPTIONAL POLAR FINDER SCOPE The innovative polar finder scope provides a new way to polar align your telescope. Simply align the stars in the crosshair reticle with the same stars in the night sky. Polar alignment is achieved using 3 reference stars. The polar finder is illuminated to facilitate orientation and switches off automatically after 3 minutes to save battery power. OPTIONAL POWER SUPPLY The RA and DEC motor modules are powered by four AA alkaline, Ni-MH or Ni-CD batteries. The RA motor module has a USB Micro-B port for an external power supply. A USB power pack or car charging cable can be used for longer observation sessions. OPTIONAL STAR BOOK ONE CONTROLLER The STAR BOOK ONE is a multifunctional and intuitive controller that tracks in the RA and DC axis with a range of different speeds. The tracking options are designed for time lapse cameras at a wide range of speeds, including sidereal, lunar and solar rates. The controller also offers many useful functions such as backlash compensation, autoguider port, PEC and a built-in red LED light. The STAR BOOK ONE controller is designed for the AP-SM mount and is an integral part of the RA motor module. NOTE The STAR BOOK ONE controller is not sold separately but is only available with the Motor Module Set! FEATURES R.A. Worm wheels: 58.4 mm Ø gear wheel with 140 teeth DEC. Worm wheels: 58.4 mm Ø gear wheel with 140 teeth Azimuthal adjustment: Twin adjusting screws Altitude adjustment: Twin adjusting screws Number of ball bearings: 7 Polar finder: Optional Motors: Optional Tracking: Manual fine adjustment Counterweight bar: 20 mm WHAT’S INCLUDED AP mount 1.0 kg counterweight

POLARIE U accessory kit for increased load capacity of the POLARIE U Star TrackerWith this accessory set, you can maximise the performance and load capacity of the POLARIE U Star Tracker, enabling photography with telephoto lenses and smaller telescopes. The load capacity can be increased to up to 6.5 kg with an optional additional counterweight and to 3.5 kg with the included 1 kg counterweight.The PFL-II polar finder scope with three-star alignment ensures highly precise tracking when using a telephoto lens or telescope.All components can be fully dismantled quickly for convenient transport, e.g. on air travel. FEATURES    Load capacity with supplied accessories: 3.5 kg    Dimensions quick release panorama clamp: 61 x H: 32 mm, 210 g    Dimensions double slide rail: 182 x 42 x 15 mm, 170 g    Dimensions POLARIE U polar finder set: 47 x 55 x 115 mm, 229 g    Dimensions additional counterweight rod: 23 x 135 mm, 330 g    Dimensions counterweight 1kg : 80 x 65 x 60 mm    Maximum load capacity with optional additional weight: up to 6.5 kgSCOPE OF DELIVERY    Quick release panorama clamp    Double slide rail    POLARIE U polar finder set    Counterweight rod    1-kg counterweight