NYX-101 Harmonic Gear Mount

Harmonic Gear Drive on both axes

Price

  • $ 2,960.00 (USD)
  • 2,960.00 + VAT (EUR)

Nyx, the ancient Greek goddess of the night, enlightened us to design and produce a high-performing, high payload mount that can easily carry imaging equipment up to 20 kg without needing a counterweight or shaft.

Strain wave drive on RA and DEC movement ensures a backlash-free operation with high torque at high payloads. A fully CNC machined aluminum alloy 6061 body, black and blue anodized, and a selection of branded parts (stepper motors, strain wave gear) inside the mount, ensure that Nyx-101 will perform flawlessly for many years. Mount includes an electronic brake on the RA axis to prevent backsliding when power is off as well as safety limit stops during slew or tracking.

Meet NYX-101
Our High Payload Harmonic Geared Mount

High precision strain wave gears

Harmonic Gears on both axes ensure high payload and a smooth,
backlash-free operation.

A hybrid combination of a stepper motor & belt system along with sophisticated electronics can drive the RA axis down to 0.10 arcseconds of resolution.

Supporting high imaging loads

Counterweights are not required for weights up to 20Kg.

(counterweights can be installed for higher photographic loads)

Lightweight Design

Lightweight Design, compared to the payload of weight the mount can lift

CNC-machined aluminum alloy AL6061 used for aircraft makes the mount an excellent choice for your setup. Mount weights 6.4 Kg

From a small refractor to a fully loaded SCT 11-inch telescope, NYX-101 can easily handle the payload

Equatorial or Altazimuth Mode

Mount can be used as a German Equatorial mount or as an Altazimuth, more suitable for visual observations

 

The mode can be switched from our PC or Mobile Application

Built-in Wireless & USB Control

NYX-101 supports wireless and USB 2 connectivity out of the box.
Both technologies can work simultaneously.

Compatible with ASCOM Alpaca, LX200 protocol and Sky Safari for mobile interaction

Power Off Brake

A safety power-off brake is installed on the RA Axis and provides an instant safe stop during a planned or unplanned power interruption.

Additional Key Features

DC 12 Volts Battery Operation

The NYX mount requires only 12V for smooth operation, allowing you to use a standard 12V battery without additional converters. The mount consumes less than 0.6 amps during tracking and up to 2 amps during slewing.

Universal Saddle Plate

The NYX mountincludes a low-profile and rigid universal saddle that accepts Vixen and Losmandy 3-inch dovetails.

Integrated ST-4 Autoguiding Port

An ST-4 port is available, compatible with our dedicated NYX hand controller or an ST-4 guiding camera.

Built-in Electronic Leveler

Mount has an electronic leveler (tilt and pitch) which allows you to easily level the mount on ALTAZ or elevate mount to your site latitude on EQ mode.

Refraction Compensation

NYX-101 includes a barometric / pressure sensor allows moun to perform refraction corrections consulting site barometric pressure, altitude.

DC Output

An extra DC (GX-12) output provides up to 8A to your equipment.

Reverse Voltage Polarity Safety

NYX mount has been designed with reverse voltage polarity protection. A saver if you accidentally reverse voltage or battery polarity during the night.

Optional Counterweight support

The mount does not require counterweights for up to 20Kg of payloads. However, if you need to install counterweights for heavier payloads, there is a compatible M12 threaded shaft hole at the end of the DEC axis.

Auto Home Slew

The automatic home position feature is implemented with encoders on both axes.

ASCOM & INDI

The mount fully supports ASCOM 7, ASCOM Alpaca and INDI framework. Sky-Safari is also supported allowing you to control the mount through your mobile device.

LX200 Compatibility

LX200 protocol is fully compatible with the NYX-101 mount. Any device that support LX200 such as Sky-Safari works out of the box with the mount.

Mobile Control

A mobile application for IOS and Android platforms allows you to control both axes of the mount, slew to installed catalogs of thousands of night sky targets and do a rough polar alignment through an electronic polar assistant.

Safety limits on RA axis

Safety limit encoders on RA Axis prevent internal cable snag or collision with the tripod.

Firmware Upgrade

An easy firmware upgrade process allows you to stay up to date with bug fixes and the latest features of the mount.

ASCOM Alpaca Native Support

ASCOM Alpaca outshines classic ASCOM drivers with its platform independence, modern web standards, streamlined installation, remote control capabilities, extensibility, and open-source options. This ensures superior compatibility and user-friendly performance, making it the preferred choice for advanced astronomy applications.

The NYX-101 comes equipped with an integrated web server that seamlessly communicates with Alpaca clients natively. This integration enhances the user experience by providing easy and driverless access to mount control through ASCOM Alpaca.

Modern imaging software like N.I.N.A. automatically identifies native Alpaca devices and lists them for immediate use.

Optional Accessories

Pegasus Carbon Fiber Tripod

This is the Pegasus Carbon Fiber Tripod for NYX-101 Harmonic Drive Mount (PEG-TRPD101).

The tripod legs are rigid and lightweight, made from carbon fiber. We strongly suggest using this tripod with imaging equipment for up to 15 kg.

  • Length Retracted: 65 cm
  • Max length: 120 cm
  • Weight: 2000 gr
  • Max Load Capacity: 50kg
  • Angle of Legs: 35° Fixed

In the box:

  1. Carbon Tripod
  2. Carbon Tripod Adapter
  3. Carry / Store bag
  4. 2 x Alen Hex Keys
  5. Metallic (3 pcs) spikes to replace rubber shoes

Half Pier Extension 180mm

A pier extension (+18 cm / 7” is available). The pier can be easily constructed by purchasing the three (3) following parts:

  1. EQ6 / Universal adapter
    (PEG-ADAPT101-EQ6)
  2. Aluminum Standoffs – 3 pcs
    (
    PEG-ADAPT101-STDOFF)
  3. Carbon Tripod Adapter
    (comes along with our Carbon Tripod)
    PEG-TRPD101).

Note 1: If you do not own the carbon tripod then the EQ6 / Universal Tripod Adapter can be doubled to assemble the half-pier extension.

Note 2: Three (3) additional standoffs can be purchased to increase pier stability

(Half Pier accepts up to 6 standoffs).

Adapters

Tripod Adapter

NYX-101 Carbon Tripod Adapter
(Included in Carbon Tripod)

NYX-101 EQ6 / Universal Adapter
PEG-ADAPT101-EQ6

*Note: The azimuth dowel installed in the photos above is included in the mount package.

3 standoffs6 standoffs

Half Pier with 3 or 6 standoffs.
(Mouse hover to view)

Assembly / Usage Scenarios

Note: You also have the option to discard the pier extender and place the NYX-101 directly on a tripod/pier by using only the Universal /EQ6 Adapter (PEG-ADAPT101-EQ6)
This scenario is most appropriate when you have a small refractor setup that does not require a pier extender

NYX-101 with Pier Extention on an Aluminium (EQ6 Compatible) Tripod

This is a classic example of using your Aluminium EQ6 Tripod with our Half Pier Extension along with 2 x PEG-ADAPT101-EQ6 adapters.

The real deal!

We tested four (4) different NYX-101 mount setups on the target NGC 5906 on the same night, under the same sky, using an IMX571 CMOS sensor. The telescopes employed were as follows:

1. Skywatcher Esprit 120

2. Lacerta 8” Newtonian

3. Custom 10” Newtonian

4. Askar 120 APO

All setups achieved an exceptional guiding RMS, consistently close to 0.30 arcsecond.

 

 

Moreover, we tried the extreme scenario and loaded our Celestron EdgeHD 11”with imaging equipment. (Prodigy Micro focuser, QHY268M, QHY-OAG, QHY 5III Guiding camera Pegasus Indiigo 7 pos Filter Wheel) in our backyard. The total payload is 18Kg and the focal length remains default at 2800mm.

  1. An image from NINA with unguided results from an 120-sec exposure at 2800mm. (however due to strain wave periodic error the mount requires proper guiding for optimal overnight results)
  2. PHD2 guiding graphs from the OAG guider. The guiding exposure interval is every 2 seconds.

Unity Platform

NYX-101 mount is controlled and fully configured through our Unity Platform via USB or Wi-FI channel. The included ASCOM driver supports multiple clients.

In the Box

NYX-101 Harmonic Geared Mount

Power Supply 12V / 5A with GX12 jack

Soft Case Carry Bag

USB2 Type A to B Cable

Azimuth Dowel

Optional Accessories

NYX Hand Controller
NYX-HC

NYX Hand Controller offers access to essential features, enabling users to effortlessly access mount information, swiftly navigate to precise coordinates, and explore renowned celestial targets and catalogs.

Cigarette Lighter Adapter to GX12 (1.8m)
CIGLIGHT-ADAPTERGX12

Use this cable to provide power to NYX-101 by using a battery pack

Adapter 2.5mm x 5.5mm female to GX12 female (30cm/1 ft) PEG-ADAPT-25GX12

If you own a PEG-PSU-25 you can convert the 2.5mm socket to GX12 and provide power to NYX-101

Power cable 2.1mm Male to GX12 female
PEG-CABL-GX12

If you own a PegasusAstro Powerbox use this cable to provide power to NYX-101 mount

Frequently Asked Questions

Mechanical Drawings

NYX-101 Dimensions

Pier (EQ6) Adapter Mechanical

Pier (EQ6) Adapter Mechanical Drawing

Technical Specification

Material CNC machined 6061  aircraft aluminum alloy
Mount Mode Equatorial or Altazimuth
Mount Drive Strain Wave (Harmonic) Gear and Belt resulting reduction 500:1 (RA) and 300:1 (DEC)
Load Capacity 20 Kg without counterweights
30 Kg with counterweights
Weight 6.5 Kg
Safety / Power Off Brake On RA Axis
Dovetail Vixen and Losmandy 3-inch
RA Motor Resolution 0.10”
Max Slew 6 degs/sec
Power Voltage 12V DC unregulated
0.7A during tracking, 2Amps during slewing
Guide Port ST4
Counterweight Shaft M12 Shaft (1.75mm pitch)
Communication Wireless 802.11g and USB2
Operating Temperature -20° to + 50°C
Warranty 3 years
Made in (designed, assembled and tested) Greece. We carefully curate the entire manufacturing, testing and packing process.