Pegasus Astro NYX-88 harmonic gear mount

This sturdy yet light mount delivers near-flawless, reliable, on-the-button accuracy

- WORDS: JIM OWEN

The NYX-88 from Greece-based Pegasus Astro is a compact harmonic drive mount, named after the Greek goddess of the night. It's the smaller sibling to the NYX-101 and weighs just 5kg, supporting payloads up to 14kg without the need for counterweights, or 20kg with them. We were curious to see if it was as versatile as its specifications suggested.

The NYX-88 arrived in a padded carry bag, with its accessories neatly organised for travel. The head itself felt robust, thanks to its finely machined aluminium alloy construction. We also received the optional Pegasus carbon-fibre tripod for review, which is both lightweight and reassuringly sturdy. Featuring rubber feet and metal spikes, we quickly found it stayed firmly put on any surface.

Dual saddle

The mount is configured to securely accommodate both Losmandy and Vixen-style dovetail plates, which means it's versatile for a range of visual and imaging telescopes. The retaining bolts are reassuringly large and straightforward to tighten or loosen, even when wearing gloves during colder nights.

Bubble levels

A bubble level is thoughtfully integrated into the mount's design and is positioned to be clearly visible during the setup process. This practical feature makes it easy to achieve a perfectly level platform before starting your stargazing session, ensuring optimal stability and tracking performance right from the start.

Azimuth/ latitude bolts

Polar alignment is made beautifully simple with the inclusion of generously sized adjustment bolts, which are easy to locate and operate even in low-light conditions. This thoughtful design feature greatly enhances usability under dark skies, enabling quick, precise adjustments without unnecessary fumbling.