The Pegasus NYX88 Harmonic Mount is a recent addition to the astrophotography scene—compact, lightweight, and feature-rich. It’s clearly designed for today’s astronomer who’d rather not haul a 20kg mount just to capture the Orion Nebula. So, how does it hold up? Let’s take a closer look.
Harmonic Drives: What’s the Big Deal?
If you’ve been in the astronomy scene for a while, you’ve probably heard about harmonic drive mounts. They’re not exactly new, but they’ve become way more popular in recent years. Why? Two words: no backlash.
Traditional worm gear mounts can suffer from backlash—basically a tiny delay when the gears change direction. That might not sound like a big deal, but for long-exposure imaging, it can ruin your shot. Harmonic drives fix that by keeping more gear teeth engaged at all times. The result? Smoother tracking.
They’re also lighter. A lot lighter. Many don’t even need counterweights for moderate payloads, which is a huge win for portability.
That said, they’re not perfect. Harmonic drives can have higher periodic error than a well-tuned worm gear system. But with autoguiding (which most imagers use anyway), it’s usually not a problem.
Design and Build
The NYX88 weighs just 5 kg (about 11 lbs), which is pretty impressive considering it can carry up to 14 kg (31 lbs) without counterweights. If you add a counterweight shaft, it’ll handle up to 20 kg (44 lbs). That’s a solid payload-to-weight ratio.
It’s built from CNC-machined 6061 aluminum and anodized in black and blue. Looks sharp. Feels solid. Definitely doesn’t come off as cheap or flimsy.
You can run it in either Equatorial or Alt-Az mode, which is great if you want to switch between imaging and casual observing. Switching modes is easy enough—just use the Unity software, the mobile app, or the optional hand controller.
Performance
So how does it actually perform? It seems promising.
Tracking is smooth, and the RA axis resolution of 0.15 arcseconds means it’s capable of subarcsecond accuracy. That’s more than enough for most imaging setups. The mount also has an ST-4 port for autoguiding, which helps keep things locked on target during long exposures.
There have been a few minor hiccups reported by users. One person had a weird issue with the mount’s internal clock not matching their PC due to Daylight Saving Time settings. Another had a problem after a power cut during polar alignment, but it was resolved with a quick reset in the Unity software.
One more serious report involved a payload slipping with a 10.4 kg setup—even though that’s under the 14 kg no-counterweight limit. It’s unclear if that was user error, a one-off defect, or something else, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re planning to push the mount close to its limits.
Usability
This mount is clearly designed with portability in mind. It comes with a soft carry case, and the fixed port layout makes cable management a bit easier. If you’re using longer scopes, you might want to look into the optional half-pier or carbon fiber tripod for better clearance.
Software-wise, it integrates nicely with platforms like N.I.N.A., SkySafari, and ASCOM Alpaca. There’s no built-in polar scope, so you’ll need to use the software-based polar alignment tools. Not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of.
How It Stacks Up
ZWO AM5 / AM5N
- Payload: The AM5N supports 15 kg without counterweights, slightly more than the NYX88.
- Weight: Both are around 5–5.5 kg.
- Features: The AM5N has Bluetooth and a cleaner cable layout. The NYX88 has an electronic brake.
- Price: The NYX88 is usually a bit cheaper for the mount head alone.
Rainbow Astro RST-135
- Payload: Slightly lower than the NYX88.
- Weight: Much lighter at 3.3 kg.
- Features: Includes GPS and a PoleMaster adapter, but no electronic brake.
- Price: Considerably more expensive.
Each mount has its pros and cons. The NYX88 hits a nice middle ground—good payload, solid features, and a reasonable price.
Final Thoughts
The Pegasus NYX88 isn’t perfect, but it’s a strong contender in the harmonic mount space. It’s light, capable, and thoughtfully designed. If you’re looking for a mount that’s easy to travel with but still powerful enough for serious imaging, it’s definitely worth considering.
Who It’s For:
- Astrophotographers who travel and need a compact setup
- Backyard observers who want to simplify their gear
- Users with mid-weight imaging rigs
- Folks who are comfortable using software for control and alignment
Bottom line? The NYX88 delivers a lot for its size and price. It’s not the lightest or the most advanced mount out there, but it strikes a solid balance—and for many users, that’s exactly what matters.
