Is there a wedge that works with the Vixen Polarie.

john isaacs · Mar 20, 2016

I considered several trackers, finally settled on the Polarie for portability and solar/lunar tracking. I was thinking of the Sky-Watcher or Kenko Sky Memo S equatorial wedge for this, but it looks like the knob for the removable mount will interfere with the base of the Polarie on each. Plus, it's flat bottomed and might be prone to twisting.

It can be modified by moving the screw hole and attaching a brace. But I was wondering if anyone has another suggestion for this.

I have a Manfrotto 410, which I can use for fine adjustment if I need, but that mount is not very portable, and that's the whole purpose.

Snow Crow · Mar 20, 2016

You should do fine with the Manfrotto 410!

john isaacs · Mar 20, 2016

Snow Crow said:
You should do fine with the Manfrotto 410!

Tristimulus · Mar 20, 2016

Take a look at the German Vixen homepage - there you will find a cute little wedge for the Polarie (have already this one for my own Polaries and it works extremely well). Like all Vixen products a bit pricey, but that is part of the higher than average quality game.

Lyle Aldridge · Mar 21, 2016

Trollmannx said:
Take a look at the German Vixen homepage - there you will find a cute little wedge for the Polarie (have already this one for my own Polaries and it works extremely well). Like all Vixen products a bit pricey, but that is part of the higher than average quality game.

I think this is the unit in question:

Loading…

www.vixenoptics.com

Definitely pricey. Not being a Polarie user, I'm not sure why one could not get much the same functionality for much less from the Orion Precision Slow Motion Adapter. I am presuming that the problem with just tilting a tripod pan head is the need for precision adjustment, and that it would be possible to do the rough alignment with the tripod head, and the fine adjustment with the Slow Motion Adapter.

Tristimulus · Mar 21, 2016

Lyle Aldridge said:
Trollmannx said:

Take a look at the German Vixen homepage - there you will find a cute little wedge for the Polarie (have already this one for my own Polaries and it works extremely well). Like all Vixen products a bit pricey, but that is part of the higher than average quality game.

Click to expand...

I think this is the unit in question:

http://www.vixenoptics.com/product-p/35519.htm

Definitely pricey. Not being a Polarie user, I'm not sure why one could not get much the same functionality for much less from the Orion Precision Slow Motion Adapter. I am presuming that the problem with just tilting a tripod pan head is the need for precision adjustment, and that it would be possible to do the rough alignment with the tripod head, and the fine adjustment with the Slow Motion Adapter.

Got me a few of the Vixen wedges as I will make a few permanent stands for my Polaries. What I find especially convenient is that once polar aligned, the Polarie will fit perfectly. No need to readjust, so this way I will waste about 30 seconds setting up the Polarie - and to me that matters.

Well - I am lazy and money spent will not come back - but so will not clear weather. So setting up fast and easy has priority. But the little thing is pricy - will not deny that. The good thing is that no one is forcing anyone to buy this tiny wedge.

john isaacs · Mar 21, 2016

Lyle Aldridge said:
Trollmannx said:

Take a look at the German Vixen homepage - there you will find a cute little wedge for the Polarie (have already this one for my own Polaries and it works extremely well). Like all Vixen products a bit pricey, but that is part of the higher than average quality game.

Click to expand...

I think this is the unit in question:

http://www.vixenoptics.com/product-p/35519.htm

Definitely pricey. Not being a Polarie user, I'm not sure why one could not get much the same functionality for much less from the Orion Precision Slow Motion Adapter. I am presuming that the problem with just tilting a tripod pan head is the need for precision adjustment, and that it would be possible to do the rough alignment with the tripod head, and the fine adjustment with the Slow Motion Adapter.

Thanks for the suggestion. The Vixen adjuster is good for +/- 15 degrees; the Orion is good for +/- 30 degrees. So they will need to be mounted on some other head when Polaris is well above the horizon.

The Vixen version has a nice cradle mount for the Polarie, to avoid twisting.

I am finding a lot of accessories for the Polarie were available from third-parties in Japan, but seem to no longer be available. In particular, a cradle mount which prevents twisting, and a really nice counter-weight system that allows use of the scope (T-Factory PCB-EQ2).

I am thinking of making an adapter that mounts the scope on the side; that would be cool.

Tristimulus · Mar 22, 2016

john isaacs said:
Lyle Aldridge said:

Trollmannx said:

Take a look at the German Vixen homepage - there you will find a cute little wedge for the Polarie (have already this one for my own Polaries and it works extremely well). Like all Vixen products a bit pricey, but that is part of the higher than average quality game.

Click to expand...

I think this is the unit in question:

http://www.vixenoptics.com/product-p/35519.htm

Definitely pricey. Not being a Polarie user, I'm not sure why one could not get much the same functionality for much less from the Orion Precision Slow Motion Adapter. I am presuming that the problem with just tilting a tripod pan head is the need for precision adjustment, and that it would be possible to do the rough alignment with the tripod head, and the fine adjustment with the Slow Motion Adapter.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. The Vixen adjuster is good for +/- 15 degrees; the Orion is good for +/- 30 degrees. So they will need to be mounted on some other head when Polaris is well above the horizon.

No need for that - the Vixen can be set in three positions easily covering my 60 degrees nothernly latitude. So the Vixen covers 3x15 degrees.

john isaacs said:
The Vixen version has a nice cradle mount for the Polarie, to avoid twisting.

I am finding a lot of accessories for the Polarie were available from third-parties in Japan, but seem to no longer be available. In particular, a cradle mount which prevents twisting, and a really nice counter-weight system that allows use of the scope (T-Factory PCB-EQ2).

I am thinking of making an adapter that mounts the scope on the side; that would be cool.

john isaacs · Mar 28, 2016

I decided to get the Sky-Watcher wedge and Feisol PB-70 panning base. I replaced the knob that tightens the dovetail with a cap screw, wrapped the cap with gaffer's tape to grip it better. I will drill/tap a couple of holes to mount an angle bracket to the dovetail; this will resist twisting.

I also tracked down a T-Factory counterweight for the Polarie. That does two things; balances the weight of a heavy camera/lens and allows use of the polar scope with the camera attached.

Finally, with the addition of a spherical panoramic head, I will be able to do large mosaics.

Should have everything in house and tested for the new moon.

rcpettengill · Mar 28, 2016

I use a the pan tilt head on my Tiltall tripod with an Arca Swiss compatible Andoer Adapter Plate Square Clamp ($12 from Amazon). The PU-50 Universal Quick Release Plate ($4 on eBay) works great with the Polarie. Rock solid with my Sony and a 135mm f2.8 prime. Here's an image shot on that setup:

https://flic.kr/p/FhCA6G

I also have the Sky-Watcher wedge for another use. It would be easy to bolt the Arc Swiss clamp to the dovetail bar and have it out of the way of the clamp knob as well as having plenty of adjustment for balance.

;rob

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Is there a wedge that works with the Vixen Polarie.

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