VIXEN X035402 Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX Instruction Manual

: June 4, 2024
: Vixen

Table of Contents

VIXEN X035402 Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX
Preface
Safety Precaution
Contents
Identification of Each Part
How to Use the Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX
Attaching the Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX to a Vixen’s tripod
Specifications
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VIXEN X035402 Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX

Preface

Thank you for your purchase of a Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX (hereafter called the PFA Unit DX). This manual describes the functions and uses of the PFA Unit DX with the POLARIE U star tracker mainly by way of example. Use this instruction manual in conjunction with your tripod manuals and the manuals of your equipment to be attached to it.

Safety Precaution

Please be sure to read this manual carefully before using the PFA Unit DX.
This manual will assist you in the proper use of the product to prevent possible injuries to yourself and others, as well as damage to the equipment. Keep it nearby to find quick answers to questions.

Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX
Plate holder (Built into the mount head.)
Quick Release Angle Plate
Camera Tripod Adapter (Built into the bottom.)
Disc Tripod Adapter for astronomical telescope’s tripod
3/8” to 1/4” Convert Screw Adapter (Pre-installed)
MS Screwdriver for the Convert Screw Adapter
5mm Allen Wrench
3mm Allen Wrench
2.5mm Allen Wrench
User’s Guide (This Manual))

VIXEN X035402 Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX-fig2

Identification of Each Part

Plate Holder
The plate holder is compatible with attachment plates of the standard thin type. It fits the bottom of a POLA-RIE U and a Quick release angle plate also.
Altitude Clamp Lever
The mount head can be tilted freely between the elevation of 0 degrees to 90 degrees by loosening the altitude clamp. It is possible to move the mount head to the opposite side by 35 degrees over 90 degrees.
Altitude Fine Adjustment Bolts
It allows you to finely move the mount head in the altitude direction by turning the altitude fine adjustment bolts.
Turning one side of the fine adjustment bolts will push the mount head while loosening the other side of the fine adjustment bolt. The fine adjustment range is about +/- 7.5 degrees.
Azimuth Clamp Lever
The mount head can be turned freely 36 0 degrees in the azimuth direction by loosening the azimuth clamp.
Azimuth Fine Adjustment Bolts
Use the azimuth fine adjustment bolts to move the mount head in the azimuth direction. Turning one side of the fine adjustment bolt, push the pan mount head while loosening the other side of the fine adjustment bolt. The fie adjustable range is about +/- 7.5 degrees.
Camera Screw Socket
The PFA Unit DX comes equipped with the 3/8” to 1/4” thread convert adapter and is therefore attached to commercially available camera tripods with a 1/4” or 3/8” camera thread screw. Remove the cover t screw adapter with the supplied MS screwdriver if you use a camera tripod with the 3/8” thread screw.
The camera tripod adapter on the bot tom of the PFA Unit DX can be exchanged for the supplied disc tripod adapter that is compatible with Vixen’s tripods for astronomical telescopes such as the APP-TL130, ASG-CB90, and SXG-HAL130.
Altitude Clamp Presser Adjustment Screw
The torque of the altitude clamp lever is adjusted with the supplied 2.5mm Allen wrench. Adjust the pressure of the altitude clamp according to the size or weight of the equipment installed on it.

How to Use the Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX

Setting Up
The POL ARIE U star tracker is shown here by way of example.

At tach the PFA Unit DX onto the head of your tripod as shown in the figure. Make sure that the PFA Unit DX is fixed securely.
Loosen the lock screw on the side of the plate holder.
Bring the POL ARIE U star tracker over the plate holder and attach it to the plate holder.
Make sure that the attachment base of the POLARIE U and the plate holder fits snugly. Then, tighten the lock screw securely.

Moving the Altitude and Azimuth Bolts Manually for Fine Adjustments

The fine adjustment bolts are used for polar alignment in your setup of the POLARIE U.
A pair of the altitude fine adjustment bolts is to adjust the elevation of the polar axis to be parallel to the Ear that’s axis.
A pair of the azimuth fine adjustment bolts is to adjust the direction of the polar axis to be angled to the Ear that’s axis.
Loosening one side of the adjustment bolt will allow you to tighten the adjustment bolt on the other side to move the mount head for fine adjustments.

Attaching the Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX to a Vixen’s tripod

How to exchange the camera tripod adapter for the disc tripod adapter.

Unfasten three socket head cap screws of the camera tripod adapter on the bottom of the PFA Unit DX with the supplied 2.5mm Allen wrench.
Take off the three socket head cap screws and remove the camera tripod adapter from the PFA Unit DX.
Replace with the disc tripod adapter for the astronomical telescope’s tripod.
Fasten the disc tripod adapter securely with the three socket head cap screws that were taken of f in step 2)
Now the PFA Unit DX becomes at teachable to tripod for Vixen’s astronomical telescopes. The APP-TL130 tripod is shown by way of example.

Using an optionally available Dovetail-plate Mounting Block
Unfasten the two socket head cap screws on the plate holder of the PFA Unit DX with the supplied 5mm Allen wrench to remove the plate holder. The two socket head cap screws are M8 screws placed at an interval of 35mm. This allows for attaching the Dovetail-plate Mounting Block sold separately. With the use of it, you will be able to install a shor t optical tube such as the FL55SS telescope on the PFA Unit DX.

VIXEN X035402 Polar Fine Adjustment Unit DX-fig14