Let customers speak for us
I've used this beast as a temporary backyard observatory while building my permanent one, and it has withstood all weather conditions in my area. Ultra spacious and easy to set up. Out in the open, at our dark site, it has provided protection during the night from strong winds and during the day as well with the roof canopy. I would highly recommend this kit !
The Octans tent is very spacious with room for two large mounts and telescopes along with a computer desk. It is made of a thicker material than a standard tent and has a built-in floor with no holes or places for bugs or water to get in.
The content is very easy to set up and all of it folds down into a 4 foot long bag that comes with it.
I highly recommend this for astronomical uses when you can’t build a permanent observatory
I have been in the market for a portable observatory for almost 2 years, at the local astronomy clubs I got to see some of the ones purchased and the quality was just not present. This product leaves all the others in its wake, seriously a different level of product and I am impressed, it got to 41c today and was amazed how well the silver reflects the heat. Well done team and congratulations on being a world leader from Australia in both quality and price point.
The Phoenix observatory came in three boxes. First box contained the tent, the second box contained the mat, and the third box contained the light/wind shield. I am very impressed with the excellent engineering that went into the design and the manufacturing of the tent. The tent material is thick and made of high-quality that should stand up to use for years. The tent mat is very thick and durable. The light/wind shield is well thought out, easy to use, and does effectively block neighbors outdoor flood lights. All the components are very well made. The color-coded aluminum poles and fabric are of good quality, the screw tent pegs are a great idea and much easier than using stakes and a hammer, and the quick connect “s” carabiner connectors make it easy to connect the tent to the ground mat. The individual nicely made zipper bags, to store each of the individual components separately, is a great idea. The instructional video on how to set up the tent is very informative and really helped in setting up the observatory tent. My 5-inch refractor telescope with equatorial mount, on a field tripod, fits nicely in the tent with room to walk around the telescope and tripod. Since the tent has been set up, it has been subjected to 40 miles per hour wind gusts and was not affected in any way. I am very pleased with my purchase of the Phoenix Observatory tent, it is well made and very sturdy, and I enjoy using it. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a portable observatory.
Specifications
Download Software and Firmware
Visit Downloads PageWhy Choose the SP3?
Tested to the extremes
At Starpoint Australis, we push the SP3 focuser to its limits to ensure it excels under real-world conditions. Through rigorous testing with heavy payloads, we guarantee it remains durable and reliable, even in the toughest environments. This dedication to quality means the SP3 doesn't just meet expectations – it exceeds them, giving you the confidence to capture your best work, no matter the demands of your astrophotography setup.
Complete Control
The Starpoint Control Panel is a powerful application designed to provide astrophotographers with complete control over their Starpoint Australis focuser. Featuring integrated ASCOM drivers for seamless connectivity, it ensures precise adjustments tailored to your setup. With its intuitive interface, the Control Panel lets you fine-tune focus and monitor equipment performance, making it an indispensable tool for capturing the perfect shot. Developed and rigorously tested by experienced astrophotographers, this in-house software supports your needs in both field and observatory settings.
Precision Helical Rack and Pinion
Our focuser features a helical rack and pinion drive system, engineered to meet the demands of high payloads while ensuring consistent and accurate results. This advanced system offers smooth, reliable movement, even with heavy-duty astrophotography setups. The helical design provides superior gear contact, minimising backlash and ensuring each adjustment is both precise and repeatable. With our focuser, you can trust that every position is achieved with pinpoint accuracy, shot after shot—ensuring your gear performs flawlessly, night after night.
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Customer Reviews
The SP3 has not failed on both my cameras the curves have 100% delivered on the graph and in the quality of the star. The Esatto focuser was far more difficult to use and get right. The SP3 seems a much better thought out product, I do look forward to less clouds to run it more. Next step is to run it with narrow Band filters and see just how well that works. So far I cant see any problems with the SP3.
