| The SkyPod is a unique computer-controlled portable altazimuth “go-to" mount with fully enclosed AA battery-operated motor drives built in. The standard equipment computer controller is integrated into the mount so it is easily visible and can be operated hands-free while observing. The controller can be operated while stored on the mount, or you can take it off for remote operation as a tethered hand control. The cable that connects the hand control to the mount stores in a compartment behind a flip-down door in the front of the mount when the control is not being used remotely. The hand control is generally left mounted on the scope for safe storage and transport.
The battery pack holding the eight AA batteries that power the mount’s motors shares the mount compartment with the computer connecting cable, as shown in the feature image below. The batteries have a useful life expectancy of about 8 hours at 68° Fahrenheit. The life expectancy of the small AA batteries will drop as the temperature falls, so either an optional battery box (#BB2536) that holds larger capacity D-cell batteries or an optional AC adapter (#AC3599 and #AC2537 combination) is recommended if extended cold weather use is routinely expected.
The SkyPod system evolved from the very successful Vixen Sphinx mount and LCD screen Starbook computer control system. This new and portable SkyPod mount uses a modified Starbook S monochrome LCD screen hand controller that offers the same practical user concept as the Sphinx controller. You can operate the mount using the ten pushbuttons on the right of the hand control faceplate and dropdown menus on the 2.6" diagonal 160 x 160 pixel monochrome LCD screen on the left of the hand control. This is similar to using the smaller two-line display of a conventional go-to computer hand control, but with a much expanded and more easily-readable menu area displayed. Alternatively, you can use the much more user-friendly Starbook approach of scrolling through a detailed star chart on the screen and clicking “go-to" when the desired object appears on the backlit LCD map display.
The star chart display shows you a map of the sky (with constellation outlines and labels when desired and an 8-step chart zoom feature for close-ups of densely populated celestial areas). The pushbuttons that operate the Starbook are not labeled on the controller body itself, since their functions will change based on what you are doing with the scope at any given moment. However, on-screen soft keys on the LCD display constantly display the function of each pushbutton so you never have to guess what each pushbutton does.
In “scope mode," the star chart on the LCD screen moves along with the telescope as its direction changes. “Scope mode" is displayed as soon as you begin automatic slewing after a “go-to" commend. This mode is used when you want to fine-tune the pointing of the telescope. The screen always shows you the area of the sky where you and your scope are observing when you are in “scope mode."
In “chart mode," the telescope is not linked to the screen as it is in “scope mode." You use the “chart mode" to search for objects to observe before starting automatic slewing.
The standard equipment Starbook S computer hand control automatically slews the mount from one object to another to quickly take you and your telescope on a guided journey around the heavens at speeds up to 3.75 degrees per second (900x sidereal). The controller weighs less than six ounces (without batteries and cable), so it is comfortable to hold and operate for extended periods. It uses four AA batteries to operate the computer and LCD screen. The batteries have a useful life expectancy of 8 hours at 68° Fahrenheit.
The 22,735 object data base in the computer controller provides a nearly endless variety of objects to view and is upgradeable via a LAN connection as Vixen adds more objects and performance features over time. The database includes 17,635 fixed stars brighter than 7th magnitude, all 110 Messier objects, 4980 NGC (New General Catalog) and IC (Index Catalog) deep space objects brighter than 14th magnitude, 8 planets (even poor, demoted Pluto), the Moon, and the Sun. The controller screen remains visible and can be operated at temperatures between 32° and 104° Fahrenheit.
As an added bonus, because it is powered by its own internal AA batteries, the Starbook S controller can be unplugged from the mount and used as a stand-alone star chart. This lets you use it for learning the skies on your own and as a compact star chart for binocular astronomy.
The SkyPod comes with a lightweight AL 130-SP adjustable-height aluminum tripod designed specifically for the SkyPod system. The SkyPod has a standard Vixen dovetail slot for connecting scopes to the mount. The SkyPod can hold optical tubes weighing up to 5.5 lbs as it comes. An optional counterweight (#SKY1KG) is available that allows its use with heavier optical tubes weighing up to 11 lbs.
Some long focal ratio refractors and reflector optical tubes might hit the tripod legs when observing near the zenith. If this becomes a problem with your scope, an optional half pillar (#SP25162) is available to fit between the tripod and the SkyPod mount. It raises the mount above the tripod by about 8" to provide extra clearance for your long optical tube.
Because the SkyPod it is based on Vixen’s flexible mounting system, a wide variety of telescopes will easily and quickly attach to the mount. SkyPod provides good portability combined with ease of use and versatility. If you are looking for an automated mount that is very portable and allows you to easily change optical tubes if you decide upgrade your system, this may well be the go-to mount for you.
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