Equatorial Mount for All Skill Levels – From Beginners to Experienced Observers
The Advanced Polaris (AP) Equatorial Mount is designed to offer a smooth and intuitive experience for everyone — whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned astronomer looking for a quick, portable setup. This lightweight, high-quality mount provides reliable support for your telescope tube and makes it easy to track celestial objects.
Thanks to its friction control system, you can reposition the mount by hand without unlocking any knobs — ideal for fast, on-the-fly adjustments. The AP mount is highly customizable with a wide range of optional accessories, allowing you to expand your capabilities as your observing needs evolve.
R.A. Motor modules and STAR BOOK ONE set
The AP-SM Equatorial Mount comes equipped with a built-in Right Ascension (R.A.) motor module and the STAR BOOK ONE controller — the core tracking system of Vixen’s Advanced Polaris lineup. This setup allows the mount to precisely track celestial objects as they move across the sky. From here, you can customize your system further by adding optional modules to suit your specific observing or imaging needs.
Modern, Lightweight Design
The AP-SM mount features a sleek and compact design that’s easy to transport and set up, even for full-scale telescopes. Weighing only 3.6 kg (without counterweight), it’s ideal for grab-and-go astronomy. Power is supplied by four AA batteries stored inside the mount, and the use of internal electrical contacts means there are no exposed cables — offering a clean, tangle-free experience and reliable performance in the field.
Friction control system
You can easily aim at celestial objects by simply moving the telescope tube with your hands — no knobs or locking clamps needed. The friction control system lets you smoothly reposition the telescope manually while still holding it securely in place once you've found your target.
Simple polar alignment
An optional polar meter can be added to the equatorial mount to make polar alignment quick and easy, even for beginners. While experienced users may prefer a polar axis scope for more precise alignment, the polar meter is especially useful in locations where Polaris isn't visible, offering reliable setup in challenging conditions.
Polar alignment scope PF-L
The PF-L polar alignment scope uses a three-star alignment system and includes a built-in dark field illuminator, allowing you to perform accurate alignment while looking through the scope—even in low light. The illuminator automatically turns off after use to save power. To make the process even easier, Vixen offers a free mobile app called "PFL Assist" that helps visualize the correct star positions for alignment, making setup straightforward for users at all experience levels.
Power Supply System Designed for Mobility and Ease of Use
The motor module is designed with mobility and convenience in mind, running on four AA batteries—compatible with both alkaline and rechargeable types like Ni-MH or Ni-Cd. For extended use, you can also connect a USB power source (like a mobile battery or AC adapter) using the built-in USB Micro-B port. This flexible power system ensures the mount stays operational in the field, wherever your observations take you.
STAR BOOK ONE controller
The included STAR BOOK ONE is a lightweight and easy-to-use handheld controller designed to manage the mount’s motion along the Right Ascension (R.A.) and Declination (DEC.) axes. Despite its simple design, it offers powerful features such as sidereal and solar tracking modes, backlash compensation, a built-in polar scope illuminator, and an external autoguider port for advanced astrophotography. Perfect for both casual stargazing and precision tracking.
CA Residents: Prop 65 WARNING(S)
⭐ Features & Benefits
- R.A. Motor Module and STAR BOOK ONE Controller – Built-in motorized tracking with intuitive controls
- Friction Control System – Reposition your telescope manually without locking knobs or clamps
- Modular, Expandable System – Compatible with a range of Advanced Polaris accessories
- Lightweight & Compact – Weighs just 3.6 kg for easy transport and setup
- Cable-Free Operation – Internal electrical contacts reduce clutter and tangling
- Flexible Power Supply – Runs on 4 AA batteries or USB power (Micro-B connection)
- PF-L Polar Scope Compatibility – Optional 3-star polar scope with app support for fast, accurate alignment
🌟 Who It’s For
- Beginner astronomers seeking a no-fuss tracking mount
- Intermediate users building a modular astrophotography setup
- Observers who value portability and clean cable-free operation
🎯 Ideal Use Cases
- Sidereal tracking for visual astronomy
- Base platform for DSLR or lightweight astro-imaging
- Stable support for small to mid-sized refractors or reflectors
🎒 What’s Included
- Vixen AP-SM Equatorial Mount
- R.A. Motor Module (installed)
- STAR BOOK ONE Hand Controller
Specs
| R.A. Slow Motion | Worm & wheel gear, 144-tooth, Ø73.5 mm full-circle movement |
|---|---|
| DEC Slow Motion | Worm & wheel gear, 144-tooth, Ø58.4 mm full-circle movement |
| Worm Axis | R.A.: Ø11 mm / DEC: Ø9.8 mm (Brass) |
| R.A./DEC Axes Material | Ø59 mm, aluminum alloy, friction control |
| Bearings | 7 ball bearings |
| Counterweight Bar | Ø20 mm, Steel |
| Polar Scope Compatibility | PF-L Polar Alignment Scope (Optional) |
| Azimuth Adjustment | Twin screw w/ knob, 6.5° range (1.4° per rotation) |
| Altitude Adjustment | Tangent screw w/ bolt, 0–65° range (1.9° per rotation) |
| Drive System | Electric drive by pulse motor |
| Maximum Loading Capacity | Approx. 6 kg (Max torque load: 150 kg-cm) |
| Controller Terminal | D-SUB9PIN Male |
| Power Supply | 4x AA Batteries (Alkaline, Ni-MH, Ni-Cd) or USB external power |
| Power Consumption | DC 5V, 0.2–0.5 A (1.0–2.5 W) |
| Battery Runtime (Alkaline) | Approx. 4 hours (at 20°C with 6 kg load) |
| Dimensions | 274 × 310 × 96 mm |
| Weight | 3.9 kg (without batteries or counterweight) |
Warranty
Vixen warranties its products to be free from initial defects in materials and workmanship for a specified period based on part type:
Vixen Electronic Parts: Limited One Year Warranty
Vixen Mechanical Parts: Limited Two Year Warranty