Vixen PF-L II User manual

Instruction Manual for
PF-L II Polar Alignment Scope

2
Hereby, Bresser GmbH declares that the equipment type with part number: X000327 is in compliance with Directive: 2014/53/EU.
The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address:
www.bresser.de/download/X000327/CE/X000327_CE.pdf
Bresser UK Ltd. has issued a „Declaration of Conformity“ in accordance with applicable guidelines and corresponding standards.
The full text of the UKCA declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address:
www.bresser.de/download/X000327/UKCA/X000327_UKCA.pdf
Bresser UK Ltd. • Suite 3G, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF, Great Britain
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environmental authority for information on the proper disposal.
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domestic waste violates the Battery Directive. Batteries that contain toxins are marked with a sign and a chemical symbol.
Cd¹ Hg² Pb³
1battery contains cadmium
2battery contains mercury
3battery contains lead
Read the safety instructions and the operating instructions carefully before using the appliance.
Keep these operating instructions in a safe place for future reference. If the appliance is sold or passed on, the operating instructions must be
passed on to any subsequent owner/user of the product.
Respect the privacy of those around you - do not look into flats with this device, for example!
DANGER of bodily injury
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Not suitable for children under 3 years!
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Do not expose the unit - especially the lenses - to direct sunlight! The light bundling could cause fires.
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Warranty & Service
The regular warranty period is 2 years and starts on the day of purchase. The complete warranty conditions as well as information on warranty
extensions and services can be found at:
www.bresser.de/warranty_terms
Allgemeine Warnhinweise
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
UKCA DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Entsorgung

3
Polar Alignment Scope
ON/OFF the Dark Field Illuminator
Adjusting the Brightness of the Dark Field Illuminator
Components guide
If your intention is to take long exposure astrophotography, you must accurately align the polar axis (R.A) of the mount to the
celestial pole. This requires the use of a polar alignment scope. The polar alignment scope can align the polar axis of the mount as
accurately as 3 arc minutes or less.
There is a push switch on the top of the brightness adjusting dial of the polar
alignment scope. Pushing the switch will illuminate the polar alignment reticle
in red light. The red light becomes dimmer gradually after a certain interval of
illumination (about one or two minutes) and turns off automatically.
The brightness of the red light for the polar alignment reticle can be varied in 8 steps by turning the
brightness adjusting dial of the polar alignment scope.
You can focus on the polar alignment reticle by turning the eyepiece of the polar alignment
scope. While holding the body of the polar alignment scope on one hand, turn the eyepiece
part with the other hand.
Push switch
Brightness adjusting dial
Eyepiece focus ring

4
4
433
2
211
Cepheus
Ursa Minor
Ursa Major
Camelopardalis
Cassiopeia
Draco
Perseus
Polaris(Alpha UMi)
Delta UMi
N.C.P
51Cep
Big Dipper
Replacing the Battery
Reticle of the Polar Alignment Scope
Battery cover
Battery
Battery cover
Brightness adjusting dial
Brightness adjusting dial
CR2032 battery
Numbers
15 the year 2015
40 the year 2040
The position scales on the reticle are 5-year increments.
1While holding the brightness adjusting dial by hand, remove the battery cover
(the switch for illuminator) on the top of
the brightness adjusting dial by turning
it counterclockwise.
2Turn the battery compartment on the polar alignment scope downward as
shown in the figure so that the old
battery can fall out of from the battery
compartment.
3Turn the battery compartment upward and insert a fresh battery in the battery
compartment. The bottom of the
battery compartment is the plus side.
4Replace the battery cover in place. Be sure to check if the dark field
illuminator is lit by turning on the
switch.
Star Names Constellations
Polaris Little Bear
δUMi Little Bear
51 Cep Cepheus
σOct Octans
τOct Octans
χOct Octans
αEri Eridanus

5
443
3
2
211
Cepheus
Ursa Minor
Ursa Major
Camelopardalis
Cassiopeia
Draco
Perseus
Polaris(Alpha UMi)
Delta UMi
N.C.P
51Cep
Big Dipper
Polar Alignment in the Northern Hemisphere
The polar axis of the AP equatorial mount is aligned to the North Celestial Pole in the northern hemisphere. The polar alignment
scope utilizes 3 stars of Polaris, Delta UMi and 51 Cep near the North Pole. Positions of the above stars are plotted on the reticle
of the polar alignment scope. To locate the N.C.P, you simply match the scale position on the reticle with the designated 3 stars
seen in the polar alignment scope. Also, the patterns of the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia are engraved on the reticle for use as a
guidepost for the North Pole.
1Check your observing site with a compass, a GPS system or a map in advance to confirm that Polaris, the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia can be seen from your observing location on the date of observation.
2Set up the mount on flat and hard ground where you can see Polaris in the sky. Take off the polar axis cap. Point the polar axis of the mount in the direction of north as shown in the figure. Adjust the tripod legs so that the tripod is as level as possible.
Window
Polar axis cap
★ Celestial north
Northward
Remove
Slide down to open

6
２
１
０
２
０
４ ０
Ｐ
Ｐ
Ｏ
Ｌ
ＡＲ
Ｉ
Ｓ
４
Celestial north
Window shutter
Slide down
3Open the round window on the declination body by sliding down the shutter of the window. While looking into the polar alignment scope, turn the polar alignment scope body so that the engraved Big Dipper (or Cassiopeia) on the reticle matches the Big Dipper
(or Cassiopeia) in the real sky.
Field of view of the polar alignment scope. Real field of view (in the northern sky)
Big Dipper
Cassiopeia
Real field of view
(in the northern sky)
The patterns of the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia on the reticle are positioned to correspond to the real sky. They are used as a
guidepost to know the turning direction of the polar alignment scope’s reticle. The locations of the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia on
the reticle have no relation to the location of Polaris, Delta UMi and 51 Cep on the reticle.
Note: The real stars of the Big Dipper (or
Cassiopeia) are not visible in the field of
view of the polar alignment scope.

7
２
１
０
２
０
４ ０
Ｐ
Ｐ
Ｏ
Ｌ
ＡＲ
Ｉ
Ｓ
４
4While looking into the eyepiece of the polar alignment scope, adjust the direction of the
mount by turning the altitude adjustment
bolt and azimuth adjustment knobs so that
Polaris comes as close as possible to the
designated position on the reticle.
Set Polaris to the gap between the two segments of the lines
marked 2014 and 2040 adjacent to a mark “POLARIS” as shown
in the figure.
5As Polaris shifts to the designated position on the reticle, both Delta UMi and 51 Cep come close to their own designated
position scales respectively. While looking into the eyepiece of the
polar alignment scope, turn the polar alignment scope body so
that each of the position scale for Delta UMi and 51 Cep come to
the closest to actual Delta UMi and 51 Cep respectively.
The numbers 15 and 40 on the position scales for Delta UMi and
51 Cep show the years 2014 and 2040 respectively.
★Celestial north ★ Celestial north
Azimuth adjustment knob Altitude adjustment bolt
Polaris
Delta UMI
51 Cep

8
★
★
★
２
１
０
２
０
４ ０
Ｐ
Ｏ
Ｌ
ＡＲ
Ｉ
Ｓ
４
Since there is no mark that points at the North Celestial Pole, you
need to match the polar axis of your AP equatorial mount with the
N.C.P using the conspicuous polar star and two stars in the same
area of the sky. This is called polar alignment.
Your goal is to set Polaris to the edge of the line on the side of 2014,
and both Delta UMI and 51 Cep are to be set to the middle of the
curved lines of the position scale at the protruded edge on the side of
15 respectively. (In case of the year 2014)
Turn the polar alignment scope body so that Delta UMi comes near
to the location of the year 2014 on the scale. And then, Polaris will
get out of position from the gap between the lines.
Polaris is out of place from the designated position. This is part of the process.
Adjust the red light illumination to be dimmer if the reticle is
too bright to see the 4th magnitude Delta UMi.
If the 5th magnitude 51 Cep is hard to see in the polar
alignment scope’s field of view, at least be sure to set Delta
UMI to the position scale on the reticle.
The locations of Polaris, Delta UMi and 51
Cep on the position scales change year by
year due to precession of the Earth. You need
to compensate the locations of the 3 stars on
the position scales yearly.
Celestial north Celestial north
Center of the polar alignment scope’s field of view
(Center of the rotational axis of the equatorial mount)
The movement of Delta UMi from
2014 to 2040 by precession The movement of Polaris from
2014 to 2040 by precession
The movement of 51 Cep from
2014 to 2040 by precession

9
★
★
★
２
１
０
２
０
４ ０
Ｐ
Ｏ
Ｌ
ＡＲ
Ｉ
Ｓ
４
6
While looking into the eyepiece of the polar
alignment scope, turn the altitude adjustment
bolt and azimuth adjustment knobs so that
Polaris comes to the gap between the two
segments of the lines marked 2014 and
2040.
Correcting the position of Polaris with the altitude adjustment bolt and
azimuth adjustment knobs
Correcting the position of Delta UMi and 51 Cep with a rotation of the polar alignment scope
7
Repeat the procedures 11 and 12 until Polaris, Delta MUi and 51 Cep come to the
proper locations on the designated position scales respectively. Tighten the azimuth
adjustment knobs at both sides to finish the polar alignment.
As an illustration here, Polaris is set to the edge of the line on the side of 2014, and both Delta UMI and 51 Cep are set to the
middle of the curved lines of the position scale at the protruded edge on the side of 15 respectively. (In case of the year 2014)
Center of the polar alignment scope’s field of view
(Center of the rotational axis of the equatorial)
Set Polaris to an approximate position that is corresponding to the year of your observation.
Azimuth adjustment knob Altitude adjustment bolt
Delta UMi in 2014
51 Cep in 2014
Celestial north
Polaris in 2014
★ Celestial north ★ Celestial north

10
Eridanus
Crux
Octants
Pavo
Apus
Chamaeleon
Mensa
Reticulum
Horologium
Hydrus
Volans
Musca
Centaurus
Triangulum Australe
Circinus
Carinae
Tucana
αEri
(Achernar)
α
β
τOct
χOct
σOct
↓
↓
↓
↓
SMC
LMC
C e les t i a l s out h
S.C. P
Polar Alignment in the Southern Hemisphere
The polar axis of the AP equatorial mount is aligned to the South Celestial Pole in the southern hemisphere. The polar alignment
scope utilizes 3 stars of Sigma Octantis, Tau Octantis and Chi Octantis near the South Pole. Positions of these star are plotted on
the reticle of the polar alignment scope. To locate the S.C.P, you simply match each of the position scale on the reticle with the
designated 3 stars caught by the polar alignment scope. Also, the pattern of the Southern Cross and Alpha Eridani are engraved
on the reticle for use as a guidepost for the South Pole.
1Check your observing site with a compass, a GPS system or a map in advance to confirm that Octans, the Southern Cross and Alpha Eridani can be seen from your observing location on the date of observation.
2Set up the mount on flat and hard ground where you can see Octans in the sky. Take off the polar axis cap. Point the polar axis of the mount in the direction of nor th as shown in the figure. Adjust the tripod legs so that will the tripod is as level as possible.
Remove
Window
Slide down to open
Polar axis cap
Southward
★ Celestial south

11
Eridanus
Crux
Octants
Pavo
Apus
Chamaeleon
Mensa
Reticulum
Horologium
Hydrus
Volans
Musca
Centaurus
Triangulum Australe
Circinus
Carinae
Tucana
αEri
(Achernar)
α
β
τOct
χOct
σOct
↓
↓
↓
↓
SMC
LMC
C e les t i a l s out h
S.C. P
3Open the round window on the declination body by sliding down the shutter of the window. While looking into the polar alignment scope, turn the polar alignment scope body so that the engraved Southern Cross (or Alpha Eridani) on the reticle directs the Southern Cross (or Alpha Eridani) in
the real sky.
Note:
The real stars of the Southern Cross (or Alpha
Eridani) are not visible in the field of view of the
polar alignment scope.
Both the Southern Cross and Alpha Eridani on the reticle are positioned to correspond to the real sky. They are used as a guidepost to know the turning
direction of the polar alignment reticle. The locations of the Southern Cross and Alpha Eridani on the reticle have no relation to the locations of the
Octantis stars on the reticle.
Field of view of the polar alignment scope Field of view of the polar alignment scope
Alpha Eridani
Southern Cross
Real field of view
(in the southern sky)
Celestial south ★
Window shutter
Slide down

12
４
σ
Ｏ
ｃ
ｔ
０
２４
０
１
０
２
★
★
★
Altitude adjustment bolt
Chi Octanis
Tau Octanis
4While looking into the eyepiece of the polar alignment scope, adjust the direction of the
mount by turning the altitude adjustment
bolt and azimuth adjustment knobs so that
Sigma Octantis comes as close as possible
to the designated position on the reticle.
Set Sigma Octantis to the gap between the two segments of the lines
marked 2014 and 2040 adjacent to a mark „σOct“ as shown in the
figure.
5As Sigma Octantis shifts to the designated position on the reticle, both Tau Octantis and Chi Octantis come close to their own designated
position scales respectively. While looking into the eyepiece of the polar
alignment scope, turn the polar alignment scope body so that each of
the position scale for Tau Octantis and Chi Octantis come to the closest
to actual Tau Octantis and Chi Octantis respectively.
The numbers 15 and 40 on the position scales for Tau Octantis and Chi
Octantis show the years 2014 and 2040 respectively.
Azimuth adjustment knob
σOct
★ Celestial south ★ Celestial south

13
４
σ
Ｏ
ｃ
ｔ
０
２４
０
１
０
２
★
★
★
Since there is no mark that points at the South Celestial Pole, you
need to match the polar axis of your AXJ mount with the S.C.P. using
the inconspicuous three stars of Octans in the same area of the sky.
Your goal is to set Sigma Octantis to the edge of the line on the side
of 2014, and both Tau and Chi Octantis are to be set to the middle
of the curved lines of the position scale at the protruded edge on the
side of 15 respectively. (In case of the year 2014)
Turn the polar scope body so that Tau Octantis comes near to the
location of the year 2014 on the scale. And then, Sigma Octantis will
get out of position from the gap between the lines.
Adjust the red light illumination to be dimmer if the reticle is too bright
to see the 5th magnitude stars Sigma and Tau
Celestial south Celestial south
Center of polar the alignment scope´s field of view
(Center of the rotational axis of the equatorial mount)
Now, Sigma Octantis gets out of place from the designated position but it is not necessary to correct for it at this stage.
The locations of Sigma, Tau and Chi Octantis on the position
scales change year by year due to precession of the Earth.
You need to compensate the locations of the 3 stars on the position scales yearly.
The movement of Chi Octantis from
2014 to 2040 by precession. The movement of Sigma Octantis
from 2014 to 2040 by precession.
The movement of Tau Octantis from
2014 to 2040 by precession.

14
LMC
SMC
Hydrus
Octants
Mensa
Volans
Carinae
Circinus
Crux
Chamaeleon
Musca
αγ
β
δ
βγ
1
γ
2
γ
3
υ
τσ
χ
80°
70°
80°
70°
1
1
2
3
α
β
C e les t i a l s out hS .C.P
6While looking into the eyepiece of the polar alignment scope, turn the altitude
adjustment bolt and azimuth adjustment
knobs so that Sigma Octantis comes to the
gap between the two segments of the lines
marked 2014 and 2040.
Correcting the position of Sigma Octantis with the altitude adjustment bolt and azimuth
adjustment knobs
Correcting the position of Tau and Chi Octantis with a rotation of the polar
alignment scope.
7Repeat the procedures 5 and 6 until Sigma, Tau and Chi Octantis come to the proper locations on the designated position scales respectively. Tighten the azimuth adjustment knobs at both sides to finish the polar alignment.
As an illustration here, Sigma Octantis is set to the edge of the line on the side of 2014, and both Tau and Chi Octantis are set to the middle of the
curved lines of the position scale at the protruded edge on the side of 15 respectively. (In case of the year 2014)
Set Sigma Octantis to an approximate position that is
corresponding to the year of your observation.
Azimuth adjustment knob Altitude adjustment bolt
Chi Octantis in 2014 Center of the polar alignment scope’s field of view
(Center of the rotational axis of the equatorial mount)
Sigma Octantis in 2014
Tau Octantis in 2014
Celestial south
Note:
Correcting the position of Sigma Octantis with the altitude adjustment handles and
azimuth adjustment knobs.
Correcting the position of Tau and Chi Octantis with a rotation of the polar scope boy
★ Celestial south ★ Celestial south

15
LMC
SMC
Hydrus
Octants
Mensa
Volans
Carinae
Circinus
Crux
Chamaeleon
Musca
αγ
β
δ
βγ
1
γ
2
γ
3
υ
τσ
χ
80°
70°
80°
70°
1
1
2
3
α
β
C e les t i a l s out hS .C.P
Tips on Finding Octans
The constellation Octans is made up of dark stars about 5th magnitude on average. The nearest star to the south celestial pole is
Sigma Octantis, which is one of four stars forming a trapezoid in Octans, visible at 5.5th magnitude. There are a few methods to
locate inconspicuous Octans using the surrounding stars.
Note: The orientation of the Octans changes depending on the season of year.
1. Directing to the Octans using Small Magellanic Cloud and the Southern Cross (Crux) as pointers
Draw an imaginary line between the center of Small Magellanic Cloud and Beta Crux and divide it at a ratio of one to two. You will find the
four stars of Octans at the divide.
2. Directing to the Octans using the arrangement of stars in the Southern Cross (Crux) as pointers
Draw an imaginary line straight through the two stars (Alpha and Beta Crux) of the Southern Cross making the vertical line of the cross
toward Small Magellanic Cloud. You will find the four stars of Octans at a place about 4.5 times extended from the span of the two stars.
3. Directing the Octans using Small Magellanic Cloud, Beta Hydrus and Gamma Octantis as pointers
If you cast your eyes a little toward Crux from Small Magellanic Cloud, you will see Beta Hydrus. Going southward from Beta Hydrus will
find you Gamma Octans which consists of a row of three stars. Continue on your eyes by the same distance toward the Southern Cross
and you will find the four stars of Octans.

VIXEN - European Distributor: Bresser GmbH | Gutenbergstrasse 2, D-46414 Rhede, Germany
Phone: [phone] – 80 740 E-Mail: [e-mail] www.bresser.de
Manual_X000327_PS-L-II-Polsucher_en_Vixen_122021.indd