{"product_id":"pegasus-astro-nyx-101-strain-wave-mount-with-pre-installed-saddle-powerbox","title":"Pegasus Astro NYX-101 Strain Wave Mount with Pre-Installed Saddle Powerbox","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the Pegasus Astro NYX-101 strain wave mount supplied with a Saddle Powerbox already fitted. The NYX-101 carries 20 kg with no counterweight at all and 30 kg with one, from a 6.5 kg head machined out of 6061 aircraft aluminium — the payload-to-weight ratio that makes harmonic drive mounts worth the money. The Saddle Powerbox sits between the mount and your telescope and turns the saddle into the rig's power and data hub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBought together, the two remove most of the cabling from a portable setup: one 12 V feed reaches the mount, and everything above it draws from the saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarry your rig to dark sites\u003c\/strong\u003e and want a mount that handles a serious imaging train without a counterweight bar and a stack of weights to go with it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAre moving up from a belt-driven German equatorial\u003c\/strong\u003e and want the setup time and the transport weight to come down together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRun a cabled imaging train\u003c\/strong\u003e — cooled camera, filter wheel, dew heaters, guide camera, focuser — and want them all fed from the saddle rather than from the ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImage remotely or unattended\u003c\/strong\u003e and want WiFi and USB control with environmental sensing built in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWant one purchase rather than two.\u003c\/strong\u003e The powerbox arrives fitted, so there is no puck to source and no installation step.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e20 kg payload with no counterweights, 30 kg with:\u003c\/strong\u003e the defining property of a strain wave mount — the gearing holds the load rather than balancing against it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6.5 kg mount head:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined 6061 aircraft aluminium alloy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e500:1 RA and 300:1 DEC reduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e strain wave (harmonic) gear and belt.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e0.10″ RA resolution and 6°\/sec maximum slew:\u003c\/strong\u003e fine positioning with fast target changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12 V DC unregulated, 0.7 A tracking and 2 A slewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e modest draw for a field battery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWireless 802.11g and USB2\u003c\/strong\u003e, plus an ST4 guide port.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVixen and Losmandy 3-inch saddle\u003c\/strong\u003e, with an M12 counterweight shaft at 1.75 mm pitch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle Powerbox fitted:\u003c\/strong\u003e four 12 V outputs (10 A total), two PWM dew channels, two USB 3.1 and two USB 2 ports, and onboard temperature, humidity and dew-point sensing, in a 110 x 110 x 32 mm body rated to a 40 kg payload.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRated −20 °C to +50 °C\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a three-year warranty.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA strain wave gear works by flexing a thin-walled cup inside a rigid ring, so the reduction happens through elastic deformation rather than through meshing gear teeth. Two consequences follow, and both are why this mount can do what it does. The first is that the reduction ratio is enormous for the volume — 500:1 on RA here — which is what lets a 6.5 kg head hold 20 kg with nothing on the other side of the axis. The second is that the drive is effectively self-locking: the load does not back-drive the gear, so balance stops being the thing that keeps your telescope pointing where you left it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat changes the practical setup. A conventional German equatorial needs the payload balanced against counterweights on both axes, and getting it wrong loads the drive train unevenly. The NYX-101 does not need the counterweight at all up to 20 kg, so a session starts with mounting the telescope and ending there. The counterweight shaft is present for the 30 kg case, where the extra mass buys margin rather than being a requirement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trade-off worth knowing about harmonic drives is periodic error: the flexing action produces a repeating error signature that is generally larger in amplitude than a well-made worm drive's, though it is smooth and highly repeatable. In practice this is why almost everyone guides these mounts, and the ST4 port and the 0.10″ RA resolution are there for exactly that. Guided, the mount tracks to the standard a modern imaging train needs; unguided sub-exposures are shorter than the payload figure alone might suggest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFitting the Saddle Powerbox at the saddle rather than on the tripod matters for a different mechanical reason. Every cable that runs from the ground to the telescope crosses both moving axes, and a mount that slews at 6°\/sec will find the shortest cable in the bundle eventually. Powering and connecting from above the axes means only one lead crosses them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePortable deep-sky imaging where the whole rig has to be carried and set up each night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel astrophotography, where losing the counterweight set is a real weight and volume saving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePermanent or semi-permanent observatory use with a cabled imaging train fed from the saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemote and unattended operation over WiFi or USB.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual observing in either equatorial or alt-azimuth working, with goto and tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle:\u003c\/strong\u003e accepts Vixen and Losmandy 3-inch dovetail bars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTripod:\u003c\/strong\u003e the mount needs a support. Pegasus Astro's carbon fibre tripod and the EQ6 \/ Universal tripod adapter both fit, and we stock them alongside the half-pier extensions for extra height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 V DC unregulated. The mount ships with a 12 V \/ 5 A supply on a GX12 jack; the Saddle Powerbox takes 12–14 V DC and feeds everything above it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControl:\u003c\/strong\u003e wireless 802.11g and USB2, with ASCOM and INDI support. The NYX Hand Controller is available separately if you want to work without a computer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo puck needed.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Saddle Powerbox mounts to the NYX-101 directly, which is part of why this bundle exists — on any other mount you would be buying a mount-specific puck as well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuiding:\u003c\/strong\u003e ST4 port on the mount, and the Saddle Powerbox's USB hub will carry a guide camera.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanning a specific imaging train?\u003c\/strong\u003e Send us the telescope, camera and accessories and we will work through the payload and the cabling with you before you order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurrently out of stock at Pegasus Astro.\u003c\/strong\u003e Orders are accepted and fulfilled when supply returns — get in touch and we will tell you what we are hearing about timing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo tripod or pier is included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The box holds the mount, a 12 V \/ 5 A power supply with GX12 jack, a soft carry case, a USB2 Type-A to Type-B cable and the azimuth dowel. The support is a separate purchase and we can pair it for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCounterweights are not included and are not needed below 20 kg.\u003c\/strong\u003e The M12 shaft is there for the 30 kg case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarmonic mounts are normally guided.\u003c\/strong\u003e The periodic error of a strain wave drive is smooth and repeatable but larger than a premium worm drive's, so plan on a guide camera for long sub-exposures. The ST4 port and the USB hub on the saddle are both there for it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShipping weight is not yet set on this listing.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pegasus Astro publishes 6.5 kg for the mount head but no figure for the Saddle Powerbox, so the bundle's packed weight cannot be established from the manufacturer's own data — and we will not estimate one on a mount of this value. Contact us for a shipping quote and we will weigh the actual carton.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLess so than the German equatorial it replaces, because there is no balancing step below 20 kg. Mount the telescope, level and roughly polar align, then run the mount's star or polar alignment routine. The azimuth dowel in the box is the part that makes the azimuth adjustment repeatable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I really not need counterweights?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot up to 20 kg. Above that, up to the 30 kg figure, the counterweight shaft is used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the pre-installed Saddle Powerbox add?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFour switchable 12 V outputs totalling 10 A, two PWM dew heater channels, four USB ports, and temperature, humidity and dew-point sensing — all at the saddle, so your camera, focuser and dew straps are powered above the moving axes instead of from the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it in alt-azimuth for visual observing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The NYX platform supports both equatorial and alt-azimuth working.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need a computer?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It runs over its own WiFi from a phone or tablet, and the NYX Hand Controller is available separately for computer-free operation. USB2 and ASCOM or INDI are there when you do want a PC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it compare to the NYX-88?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 88 is the smaller mount — 5.0 kg head, 14 kg without counterweights and 20 kg with, 400:1 RA reduction. The 101 is the one to choose when the imaging train is heavier or you want the margin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 6.5 kg harmonic mount that carries 20 kg without a counterweight, with the Saddle Powerbox already fitted so power, dew and USB all start at the saddle. Add a tripod and a guide camera and it is a complete portable imaging platform.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pegasus Astro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54144527859823,"sku":"PEG-NYX101+PEG-SADDLEPBOX","price":4690.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/NYX-101-2-1.png?v=1787782224","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/pegasus-astro-nyx-101-strain-wave-mount-with-pre-installed-saddle-powerbox","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}