PEGASUS NYX-101 Strain Wave Gear Mount with pre-installed Saddle Powerbox

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 20Kg 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.

Features

High precision strain wave gears

Strain Wave Gears on Both Axis ensure high payload and a smooth, backlash-free operation. A hybrid stepper motor, belt system along with sophisticated electronics can drive RA axis down to 0.10 acsecs of resolution. Reduction on RA axis is 500:1 and 300:1 on DEC axis.

Supporting high imaging loads

Counterweights are not required for weights up to 20Kg. (counterweights can be installed for higher photographic loads – compatibility with M12 shaft)

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 weighs 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 ALT/AZ, more suitable for visual observations. The mode can be switched from our PC or mobile application

Built-in Wireless and USB Control

NYX-101 supports wireless and USB connectivity out of the box. Both technologies can work simultaneously. Mount is compatible with LX200 protocol and SkySafari 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 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 is 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-inch 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 in order 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 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 M12x1.25 threaded shaft hole at the end of the DEC axis (Note that this is NOT compatible with ZWO’s AM5 counterweight bar which has an M12x1.75 thread).

ASCOM, INDI, SkySafari Support

The mount fully supports ASCOM 6 and INDI framework. SkySafari is also supported allowing you to control the mount through your mobile device.

LX200 Compatibility

LX200 protocol is fully compatible with NYX-101. SkySafari works out of the box with the mount.

Mobile Control

A mobile application for IOS and Android platforms allows you to control both axis 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.

Specifications:

• Material: CNC machined 6061 aircraft aluminum alloy
• Mount Mode: Equatorial or Altazimuth
• Mount Drive Strain Wave 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 Thread: M12x1.25
• 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

SADDLE POWERBOX

The Saddle Powerbox has close functionalities to the Pocket Powerbox Advance and can be directly placed on our NYX-101 mount or other mounts in the market.

4 x 12V DC Power outlets

A powerful mosfet transistor provides “electric juice” to your precious equipment. It supply of electricity 4 outputs. Can switch on/off all 12V outputs (not individually).

This single channel can provide up to 10Amps of current to all ports. Current is shared among the 4 x 12V ports.

Built in Sensors

A precise voltmeter measures and displays in real-time your input voltage. If the input is more than 14.5V, the power is instantly cut off to protect your equipment.

A temperature and relative humidity sensor measures and report your current environment values.

2 x Dew Heater Outputs

Two dew heater outputs allow you to precisely control the output of your heaters. Auto-dew functionality can automatically control the intensity of the heaters by consulting the built-in temperature and humidity sensor. A Pair of cable adapters from DC 2.1 -> RCA is included in the package.

Built in Voltage and Amp-meter

An Amp-meter placed after the DC input reports the total electric current and voltage levels. This allows you to easily monitor your equipment’s detailed and overall power consumption.

More than 10A of total electric current

The powerbox has been designed to output up to 10 Amps of electric current. Please note that a usual backyard astrophotographic setup requires 5-7 Amps.

Embedded USB3 Hub – 2 x USB3 & 2 x USB2 Ports

USB High Power Output

USB Port 1 provides up to 3 Amps of current. You can connect any device that requires 5V. E.g a Raspberry PI 3/4 or Intel Compute Stick M3/M5 can receive power from this specific port.

A powered USB3 Hub at the back of the device provides:

• 2 x USB3 SuperSpeed Ports.
• 2 x USB2 High-Speed Ports.

The new SuperSpeed hubs operate in parallel with the USB 2.0 controller, so 5 Gbps SuperSpeed data transfers are not affected by slower USB 2.0 traffic.

USB Port Configuration under PPBADV Gen2

• USB Port1 supports USB2 & USB3 devices
• USB Port2 supports USB2 & USB3 devices
• USB Port3 supports USB2 devices
• USB Port4 supports USB2 devices

Optional Pucks for 3rd party mounts

The Powerbox Saddle can be directly placed onto the NYX-101 mount. For another type of mount, an extra puck is required. Currently we support the following mounts:

• Puck (PEG-PUCK-AM5) can be used to attach the Powerbox Saddle onto the ZWO-AM5 mount
• Puck (PEG-PUCK-EQ6R) can be used to attach the Powerbox Saddle onto Skywatcher NEQ6 and EQ6-R mounts.
• Puck (PEG-PUCK-RST) can be used to attach the Powerbox Saddle onto RST 135 and RST 300 mounts.

Standalone Operation “out of the box”

Pocket Powerbox can work “out of the box” as a standalone device. Just plug the cables, setup the “autodew” functionality and every time you boot the device, it will retrieve your settings. So, If you don’t like to connect to a PC every time, you don’t have to. Simple as that!

Two channel duty cycle PWM outputs

Two Pulse width modulation (PWM) outlets are capable to provide power to your “thirsty” Dew Heaters. No more moisture fuzzing your equipment and destroying your clear nights. These outlets can be remote-controlled from your laptop using the supplied software.

Auto Adjustment of PWM (Dew Outputs)

Controller can auto adjust the heater power levels by consulting the environmental sensor Dew Point reading. Just click “Auto” and leave to Pocket Powerbox Micro to decide if it is time to turn on and precise tune the level of your dew heaters.

More than 10A of total power

Controller has been designed to support up to 10 Amps of total current.

Led Indications for power and failure states

Led can blink in patterns to warn you regarding important power issues (e.g over or under voltage). Moreover light can be turned off using the software. Our led is very dim but in case you don’t like it on you can switch it off via the software.

Reverse Polarity Protection

Pocket Powerbox Micro has been design with a reverse voltage polarity protection. It will definitely save your night if you accidentally connect the main power supply in reverse polarity!

A hardware watchdog

A hardware watchdog resets the device if for any reason there is no response from the controller for two seconds. A neat feature in the unlikely event of a controller freeze – when you have a remote observatory and you need to be certain that everything works as expected.

Upgradable Firmware

Device is firmware upgradable to support future features and bug fixes.

Losmandy and Vixen Style support

A high-quality robust CNC aluminium saddle houses the electronics of the Powerbox. The saddle accepts Vixen and Losmandy plates.

The are two independent knobs allowing you to lock your telescope onto the saddle.

ASCOM 6 fully supported

Pocket Powerbox Advance fully supports ASCOM6. In combination with our main program which acts as a server you can use our latest ASCOM 6.5 supplied drivers to:

• Report environmental settings to supported software (e.g Sequence Generator Pro / MaximDL) (ASCOM Observing Conditions)
• Switch ON / OFF 12V outputs, Adjustable Output, Tune Dew Heaters. (ASCOM Switches)

INDI fully supported

Pocket powerbox fully supports INDI, Bundle it with Stellarmate or any other device that can use INDILib.

Unity Platform Support

Pegasus Astro Unity Platform is our new all around application. Our goal is to provide a robust and modern application that is going to support current and future products under one roof.

A modern frontend allows the full control of all Pegasus Astro devices

Moreover, a REST JSON api helps developers from 3rd party software to interact with our products.

As we continuously develop our applications, based on customer feedback, lots of innovative features are going to be added in upcoming releases.

Specifications:

• • Dual Saddle: Supports Losmandy and Vixen plates
  • Supply Voltage: 12V – 13.8V DC
  • Power Input Connector: DC 2.1 mm
  • Connectivity: USB3 – Type B USB Connector
  • 4 x 12 Outputs:
    • Maximum Current 10 Amps in total.
    • 2.1mm Center Positive
    • Software: ON/OFF all ports
  • 2 Channel x 12 PWM Outputs
    • Maximum Current 4A each)
    • Software: Duty Cycle % / OFF
    • 2.1 mm socket
  • Built in temperature and humidity Sensor:
    • 0-100% humidity readings with 2-5% accuracy
    • -40 to 80°C temperature readings ±0.5°C accuracy
  • Voltmeter Measures 5 – 15V