Vixen Optics AP-WL Equatorial Mount Head Only
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Vixen Telescope AP-WL Equatorial Mount
A compact equatorial mount that can be operated via a smartphone.
The AP-WL is an advanced model in the AP series of equatorial mounts, equipped with modular components, like motors for R.A. and DEC axes, and a wireless control unit that enables operation via your smartphone.
Despite its compact size, it offers exceptional stability, which is rarely feasible in conventional small equatorial mounts, making it suitable for serious astronomical observation.
With the Wireless Unit included, you can easily control your telescope and enjoy a variety of features, i.e., automatic GoTo slewing and tracking of celestial objects through a dedicated smartphone app.
It is highly recommended for both beginners using an equatorial mount for the first time and experienced observers seeking a handy instrument.
Compact Mount available for Serious Astronomical Observation
The AP-WL series features RA and DEC motor modules as its core units and is composed of other essential modules.
Its highly compact mount design provides an excellent balance between strength and payload capacity, achieving a level of stability rarely found in small equatorial mounts.
When combined with the optional PF-LII polar alignment scope (sold separately), the polar axis setting is as accurate as 3 arc minutes and better, making the telescope suitable for serious astronomical observation.
Equipped with a Wireless Unit to control the Telescope via your Smartphone
The AP-WL comes with a wireless unit as standard, enabling remote control of the equatorial mount.
By installing the dedicated free smartphone app, STAR BOOK Wireless, on your device, you can use your smartphone as a telescope controller.
You can easily access functions such as automatic GoTo slewing by tapping the star chart displayed on the screen.
During the automatic GoTo slewing, the telescope moves at approximately 100 times the sidereal rate.
Friction-stop Control allows for Intuitive Operation
By adjusting the clamping torque of the friction-stop function, anyone, regardless of experience, can intuitively operate the equatorial mount.
This function allows you to manually move the optical tube to aim at a desired celestial object, and it will remain in place when you release it. Once the object is within the field of view using the friction-stop operation, your telescope will automatically track it with the motor drive.
Note
- The polar axis of the equatorial mount must be aligned beforehand.
- Please be aware that automatic GoTo slewing via STAR BOOK Wireless cannot be used simultaneously with the friction-stop function.
Polar Meter (sold separately) for Quick, Rough Polar Alignment
Rough polar alignment is quick and easy for anyone using an optional Polar Meter (sold separately). It is ready by slipping it into the dedicated attachment shoe on the mount. By reading the azimuth and altitude directed by the Polar Meter, you can set up the equatorial mount even in a place where trees or buildings obstruct the north side of the sky and Polaris is not visible.
Polar Alignment Scope PF-LII (sold separately) for Accurate Polar Alignment
With the use of a PF-LII polar alignment scope, the polar alignment is as simple as introducing three designated stars into the positions engraved on the polar scope's reticle. It can achieve the setting accuracy within 3 arc minutes.
- A Free smartphone app to assist polar alignment is available from Vixen's website. The same reticle found in the PF-L II polar alignment scope is displayed in real time on your smartphone screen, making it easier to understand and adjust the alignment positions.
Sleek and Refined Appearance
A stylish, clean exterior with minimal protrusions gives the AP mount an elegant design that conceals all wiring except for the power cable.
This streamlined appearance minimizes the risk of accidental snagging or other mishaps during observation, ensuring safer operation.
Specification
- RA / DEC Slow Motion: Worm and wheel gears with 144-tooth whole circle micro movement (electric)
- Worm Gear Shaft: 11mm dia., brass-made
- RA / DEC Wheel Material: 59mm dia., Friction-stop mechanism with a clamp, made of Aluminum alloy
- Number of Bearings: 7 ball bearings
- Counterweight Bar: 20mm dia., made of steel
- Polar Axis Scope: Polar axis scope PF-LII (sold separately)
- Azimuth Adjustment, Range: Double screws, with fine adjustment knob, +/-6.5 degrees (1.4 degrees per rotation)
- Polar Axis Altitude Adjustment, Range: Tangent screw, with fine adjustment knob, 0 to 65 degrees (1.9 degrees per rotation)
- Motor Drive: Pulse motors
- Automatic GO-TO Slewing and Tracking: Wireless Unit and Smartphone (using a dedicated app)
- Slewing / Tracking Speed: About 100x sidereal rate at maximum / Precision tracking
- Loading Capacity: About 6kg (Torque load 150kg-cm, equals 6kg at 25cm from the RA-DEC crossing)
- Controller Port: D-SUB 9PIN male (connecting Wireless Unit)
- Power Port: USB Micro-B type (DC4.4 to 5.26V)
- Working Voltage Electricity Consumption: DC5 Volts 0.2 to 0.5A / 1.0 to 2.5 watts Power supply sold separately (cannot operate with batteries)
- Counterweight: 1 kg
- CPU: 32Bit CISC Processor 120MHz
- Connector to Mount: D-SUB 9PIN female
- Autoguider Port: 6-pole 6-wired modular jack (for external autoguider)
- Wi-Fi: dedicated app and smartphone used as a user interface
- App Environment applicable: OS: Android ver. 6 or higher, iOS: ver. 9.0 or higher
- Even if you meet all the necessary conditions, it is still possible for a connection to fail.
- Standard for Wi-Fi: IEEE802.11b/g/n
- Data Encryption Mode: WPA2-PSK*
- Power Source / Others: Supplied from a mount / Updating is available via Wi-Fi
- Dimensions WxDxH: 274 x 310 x 96mm
- Weight: 4.2 kg (without counterweights)
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: Japan
Vixen Telescope AP-WL Equatorial Mount
A compact equatorial mount that can be operated via a smartphone.
The AP-WL is an advanced model in the AP series of equatorial mounts, equipped with modular components, like motors for R.A. and DEC axes, and a wireless control unit that enables operation via your smartphone.
Despite its compact size, it offers exceptional stability, which is rarely feasible in conventional small equatorial mounts, making it suitable for serious astronomical observation.
With the Wireless Unit included, you can easily control your telescope and enjoy a variety of features, i.e., automatic GoTo slewing and tracking of celestial objects through a dedicated smartphone app.
It is highly recommended for both beginners using an equatorial mount for the first time and experienced observers seeking a handy instrument.
Compact Mount available for Serious Astronomical Observation
The AP-WL series features RA and DEC motor modules as its core units and is composed of other essential modules.
Its highly compact mount design provides an excellent balance between strength and payload capacity, achieving a level of stability rarely found in small equatorial mounts.
When combined with the optional PF-LII polar alignment scope (sold separately), the polar axis setting is as accurate as 3 arc minutes and better, making the telescope suitable for serious astronomical observation.
Equipped with a Wireless Unit to control the Telescope via your Smartphone
The AP-WL comes with a wireless unit as standard, enabling remote control of the equatorial mount.
By installing the dedicated free smartphone app, STAR BOOK Wireless, on your device, you can use your smartphone as a telescope controller.
You can easily access functions such as automatic GoTo slewing by tapping the star chart displayed on the screen.
During the automatic GoTo slewing, the telescope moves at approximately 100 times the sidereal rate.
Friction-stop Control allows for Intuitive Operation
By adjusting the clamping torque of the friction-stop function, anyone, regardless of experience, can intuitively operate the equatorial mount.
This function allows you to manually move the optical tube to aim at a desired celestial object, and it will remain in place when you release it. Once the object is within the field of view using the friction-stop operation, your telescope will automatically track it with the motor drive.
Note
- The polar axis of the equatorial mount must be aligned beforehand.
- Please be aware that automatic GoTo slewing via STAR BOOK Wireless cannot be used simultaneously with the friction-stop function.
Polar Meter (sold separately) for Quick, Rough Polar Alignment
Rough polar alignment is quick and easy for anyone using an optional Polar Meter (sold separately). It is ready by slipping it into the dedicated attachment shoe on the mount. By reading the azimuth and altitude directed by the Polar Meter, you can set up the equatorial mount even in a place where trees or buildings obstruct the north side of the sky and Polaris is not visible.
Polar Alignment Scope PF-LII (sold separately) for Accurate Polar Alignment
With the use of a PF-LII polar alignment scope, the polar alignment is as simple as introducing three designated stars into the positions engraved on the polar scope's reticle. It can achieve the setting accuracy within 3 arc minutes.
- A Free smartphone app to assist polar alignment is available from Vixen's website. The same reticle found in the PF-L II polar alignment scope is displayed in real time on your smartphone screen, making it easier to understand and adjust the alignment positions.
Sleek and Refined Appearance
A stylish, clean exterior with minimal protrusions gives the AP mount an elegant design that conceals all wiring except for the power cable.
This streamlined appearance minimizes the risk of accidental snagging or other mishaps during observation, ensuring safer operation.
Specification
- RA / DEC Slow Motion: Worm and wheel gears with 144-tooth whole circle micro movement (electric)
- Worm Gear Shaft: 11mm dia., brass-made
- RA / DEC Wheel Material: 59mm dia., Friction-stop mechanism with a clamp, made of Aluminum alloy
- Number of Bearings: 7 ball bearings
- Counterweight Bar: 20mm dia., made of steel
- Polar Axis Scope: Polar axis scope PF-LII (sold separately)
- Azimuth Adjustment, Range: Double screws, with fine adjustment knob, +/-6.5 degrees (1.4 degrees per rotation)
- Polar Axis Altitude Adjustment, Range: Tangent screw, with fine adjustment knob, 0 to 65 degrees (1.9 degrees per rotation)
- Motor Drive: Pulse motors
- Automatic GO-TO Slewing and Tracking: Wireless Unit and Smartphone (using a dedicated app)
- Slewing / Tracking Speed: About 100x sidereal rate at maximum / Precision tracking
- Loading Capacity: About 6kg (Torque load 150kg-cm, equals 6kg at 25cm from the RA-DEC crossing)
- Controller Port: D-SUB 9PIN male (connecting Wireless Unit)
- Power Port: USB Micro-B type (DC4.4 to 5.26V)
- Working Voltage Electricity Consumption: DC5 Volts 0.2 to 0.5A / 1.0 to 2.5 watts Power supply sold separately (cannot operate with batteries)
- Counterweight: 1 kg
- CPU: 32Bit CISC Processor 120MHz
- Connector to Mount: D-SUB 9PIN female
- Autoguider Port: 6-pole 6-wired modular jack (for external autoguider)
- Wi-Fi: dedicated app and smartphone used as a user interface
- App Environment applicable: OS: Android ver. 6 or higher, iOS: ver. 9.0 or higher
- Even if you meet all the necessary conditions, it is still possible for a connection to fail.
- Standard for Wi-Fi: IEEE802.11b/g/n
- Data Encryption Mode: WPA2-PSK*
- Power Source / Others: Supplied from a mount / Updating is available via Wi-Fi
- Dimensions WxDxH: 274 x 310 x 96mm
- Weight: 4.2 kg (without counterweights)
- AP-WL mount
- Wireless Unit
- Counterweight 1kg
Vixen Telescope AP-WL Equatorial Mount
A compact equatorial mount that can be operated via a smartphone.
The AP-WL is an advanced model in the AP series of equatorial mounts, equipped with modular components, like motors for R.A. and DEC axes, and a wireless control unit that enables operation via your smartphone.
Despite its compact size, it offers exceptional stability, which is rarely feasible in conventional small equatorial mounts, making it suitable for serious astronomical observation.
With the Wireless Unit included, you can easily control your telescope and enjoy a variety of features, i.e., automatic GoTo slewing and tracking of celestial objects through a dedicated smartphone app.
It is highly recommended for both beginners using an equatorial mount for the first time and experienced observers seeking a handy instrument.
Compact Mount available for Serious Astronomical Observation
The AP-WL series features RA and DEC motor modules as its core units and is composed of other essential modules.
Its highly compact mount design provides an excellent balance between strength and payload capacity, achieving a level of stability rarely found in small equatorial mounts.
When combined with the optional PF-LII polar alignment scope (sold separately), the polar axis setting is as accurate as 3 arc minutes and better, making the telescope suitable for serious astronomical observation.
Equipped with a Wireless Unit to control the Telescope via your Smartphone
The AP-WL comes with a wireless unit as standard, enabling remote control of the equatorial mount.
By installing the dedicated free smartphone app, STAR BOOK Wireless, on your device, you can use your smartphone as a telescope controller.
You can easily access functions such as automatic GoTo slewing by tapping the star chart displayed on the screen.
During the automatic GoTo slewing, the telescope moves at approximately 100 times the sidereal rate.
Friction-stop Control allows for Intuitive Operation
By adjusting the clamping torque of the friction-stop function, anyone, regardless of experience, can intuitively operate the equatorial mount.
This function allows you to manually move the optical tube to aim at a desired celestial object, and it will remain in place when you release it. Once the object is within the field of view using the friction-stop operation, your telescope will automatically track it with the motor drive.
Note
- The polar axis of the equatorial mount must be aligned beforehand.
- Please be aware that automatic GoTo slewing via STAR BOOK Wireless cannot be used simultaneously with the friction-stop function.
Polar Meter (sold separately) for Quick, Rough Polar Alignment
Rough polar alignment is quick and easy for anyone using an optional Polar Meter (sold separately). It is ready by slipping it into the dedicated attachment shoe on the mount. By reading the azimuth and altitude directed by the Polar Meter, you can set up the equatorial mount even in a place where trees or buildings obstruct the north side of the sky and Polaris is not visible.
Polar Alignment Scope PF-LII (sold separately) for Accurate Polar Alignment
With the use of a PF-LII polar alignment scope, the polar alignment is as simple as introducing three designated stars into the positions engraved on the polar scope's reticle. It can achieve the setting accuracy within 3 arc minutes.
- A Free smartphone app to assist polar alignment is available from Vixen's website. The same reticle found in the PF-L II polar alignment scope is displayed in real time on your smartphone screen, making it easier to understand and adjust the alignment positions.
Sleek and Refined Appearance
A stylish, clean exterior with minimal protrusions gives the AP mount an elegant design that conceals all wiring except for the power cable.
This streamlined appearance minimizes the risk of accidental snagging or other mishaps during observation, ensuring safer operation.
Specification
- RA / DEC Slow Motion: Worm and wheel gears with 144-tooth whole circle micro movement (electric)
- Worm Gear Shaft: 11mm dia., brass-made
- RA / DEC Wheel Material: 59mm dia., Friction-stop mechanism with a clamp, made of Aluminum alloy
- Number of Bearings: 7 ball bearings
- Counterweight Bar: 20mm dia., made of steel
- Polar Axis Scope: Polar axis scope PF-LII (sold separately)
- Azimuth Adjustment, Range: Double screws, with fine adjustment knob, +/-6.5 degrees (1.4 degrees per rotation)
- Polar Axis Altitude Adjustment, Range: Tangent screw, with fine adjustment knob, 0 to 65 degrees (1.9 degrees per rotation)
- Motor Drive: Pulse motors
- Automatic GO-TO Slewing and Tracking: Wireless Unit and Smartphone (using a dedicated app)
- Slewing / Tracking Speed: About 100x sidereal rate at maximum / Precision tracking
- Loading Capacity: About 6kg (Torque load 150kg-cm, equals 6kg at 25cm from the RA-DEC crossing)
- Controller Port: D-SUB 9PIN male (connecting Wireless Unit)
- Power Port: USB Micro-B type (DC4.4 to 5.26V)
- Working Voltage Electricity Consumption: DC5 Volts 0.2 to 0.5A / 1.0 to 2.5 watts Power supply sold separately (cannot operate with batteries)
- Counterweight: 1 kg
- CPU: 32Bit CISC Processor 120MHz
- Connector to Mount: D-SUB 9PIN female
- Autoguider Port: 6-pole 6-wired modular jack (for external autoguider)
- Wi-Fi: dedicated app and smartphone used as a user interface
- App Environment applicable: OS: Android ver. 6 or higher, iOS: ver. 9.0 or higher
- Even if you meet all the necessary conditions, it is still possible for a connection to fail.
- Standard for Wi-Fi: IEEE802.11b/g/n
- Data Encryption Mode: WPA2-PSK*
- Power Source / Others: Supplied from a mount / Updating is available via Wi-Fi
- Dimensions WxDxH: 274 x 310 x 96mm
- Weight: 4.2 kg (without counterweights)
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: Japan
- AP-WL mount
- Wireless Unit
- Counterweight 1kg