New Camera Tracking mounts - MusicBox or Vixen Polarie

[netwolf]

Hi All,

I was browsing through the Optcorp website and came accros some very interesting new mounts. I earlier posted in another thread about the Toast pro mount by toast-tech in Japan.

Well here is one more from Vixen
Vixen Polarie mount with tripod
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=439-1287-17482
Without tripod
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=439-1287-17481

But this is the best one and really is so clever, a Musicbox tracking mount from Japan, that plays Twinkle twinkle while tracking. No Electronics. An old idea but a good one.

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=439-1287-16054
Pitty its out of stock, its small compact and I think requires no batteries. And its very cheap.
First hand report on it
http://skynewsmagazine.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=astrophotography&action=display&thread=653


Regards
Fahim

[DavidTrap]

Fairly small load carrying capacity, 1.6kg - let's hope they're not being too optimistic or it might struggle with a DSLR and anything more than a 50mm lens.

I suspect many people are starting to think about these sort of devices with the upcoming eclipse in mind - I certainly am!

DT

[renormalised]

That second one, the musicbox, would be a bit of novelty, despite actually working rather well. You'd get a few funny looks off people at a star party!!!!:):P

First one needs to be beefed up.....methinks I'll stick to the more "professional" trackers, including the homemade ones:)

[iceman]

I'd love that musicbox one!

[g__day]

Second that! Seems to be targeted at Northern Hemisphere (noting it says align it on Polaris thru the pin hole) - but idea is great!

[Poita]

That music box one is hilarious.
I've decided to bite the bullet and build a tracking camera mount. Want me to build two Fahim? We could share the R&D :)

[John0z]

There is a new one from Losmandy - the "StarLapse" for those with a bit of money
http://www.atscope.com.au/losmandy/starlapse.html

With a little more money you can also add the declination axis!;)

[renormalised]

I just hope it doesn't start playing "When you wish upon a star", when you start it up!!!!:):P:P

[snowyskiesau]

For the DIY enthusiast, there's a link on building something (http://www.cnczone.com/forums/stepper_motors_drives/137484-drive_1_8_degree_stepper.html)simil ar over on the cnczone.com forum (all things CNC).

[JB80]

Just thought I'd add the manual for the Vixen Polarie if people haven't come across that yet.
http://www.vixenoptics.com/PDF/POLARIE%20Manual.pdf

I must say it does look very nice and I want one.

[leon]

I like that one John, might be nice when traveling around the county as we do.

Leon

[Poita]

I'm waiting to try the Pentax Startracer, but the rain just won't stop!!

[JB80]

If I had a Pentax camera that would be my first choice I think.

It's a shame that the guy making the musicbox is struggling after the disaster, I think he was onto something just as long as you could turn the music off.

[JB80]

If anybody has missed it another review has been posted on the Vixen site.
For me the biggest revelation is that it also appears to come in Red too.:D
Although I haven't seen any dealers with that option yet.

http://www.vixenoptics.co.uk/PDFs/Product%20Reviews/Polarie%20Review.pdf