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 / 44 lbs without needing a counterweight or shaft. You can carry up to a staggering 30 kg / 66 lbs with counterweights. Large tubes such as Newtonian OTAs might require an extra 5 kg counterweight to ensure the stability and smooth operation of the mount.

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.

High precision strain wave gears

Harmonic Gears on Both Axis 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

Reduction on the RA axis is 500:1 and 300:1 on the DEC axis.

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.

Mount is compatible with 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

NYX-101 requires 12V only for its smooth operation. This means that you can use your normal 12V battery without any additional converters. Mount consumes less than 0.6Amp during tracking and up to 2.5 Amps during slewing.

Secure power and USB

The power cable is a GX12 type with can securely lock onto the mount. USB type B special socket ensures a secure grip. Both of these sockets are placed on the non-movable part of the mount. No cables moving during slews and tracking. A second GX12 socket allows you to provide power to your imaging equipment.

Refraction Corrections

NYX-101 integrates a barometric sensor required to calculate atmospheric refraction corrections during mount tracking. For smaller focal lengths this might be overkill but if you have an SCT you will notice a welcome change in your guiding performance.

Universal Saddle Plate

NYX-101 includes a low profile and rigid universal Saddle that accepts Vixen and Losmandy 3-ich dovetails.

Integrated ST-4 Autoguiding Port

An ST-4 port is available at the back of the mount. Port is compatible with a simple hand controller or with an ST-4 guiding camera.

Polemaster Adapter

In the front of the mount, there is a place for the QHY Polemaster (adapter included), which allows you to perform a precise polar alignment, required for your imaging sessions. Electronic assistant for initial polar alignment

A set of sensors allows you to orient the mount at the correct altitude and azimuth to have an initial, rough, polar alignment (for lower focal lengths such as camera lenses or visual observations ). Our mobile application guides you through that process.

Reverse Voltage Polarity Protection

NYX-101 has been designed with reverse voltage polarity protection. A saver if you accidentally reverse voltage or battery polarity during the night.

Optional Counterweight support

Mount does not require counterweights for payload up to 20Kg. However, if you would like to install counterweights for higher payloads there is a compatible M12 threaded shaft hole at the end of the DEC axis.

ASCOM, INDI, Sky Safari Support

The mount fully supports ASCOM 6 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 NYX-101. 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.

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:

Carbon Tripod
Carbon Tripod Adapter
Carry / Store bag
2 x Alen Hex Keys
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:

EQ6 / Universal adapter
(PEG-ADAPT101-EQ6)
Aluminum Standoffs – 3 pcs
(PEG-ADAPT101-STDOFF)
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

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

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

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 loaded a refractor (A Takahashi FSQ85-ED @ 450mm) on the NYX-101 harmonic geared mount and a CMOS camera QHY268C along with other astrophotographic equipment. The payload was 8 kg / 17.6 lbs. Guiding was achieved via an off-axis guider and QHY-5III Series camera.

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.

The real deal is the two images below from our actual tests during long cloudless nights.

An image from NINA with unguided results from an 120-sec exposure at 2800mm
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.