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.
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Unboxing and setting up
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.
A printed manual isn’t included, so ahead of our first clear night, we downloaded the instructions from the Pegasus Astro website.
Attaching the mount head to the tripod was simple, with a retaining screw and tripod spreader providing a secure, stable fit.
When fully extended, the tripod legs are noticeably wider than those of similar-sized geared mounts.
Powering up the Pegasus Astro NYX-88
The ST4 port, USB connection and power switch are all conveniently grouped at the front of the Pegasus Astro NYX-88, making it less likely you’ll knock the power off mid-session.
However, with the tripod at full height, we noticed the power cable only just reaches the ground, so you’ll need to secure it to the tripod or place a small table beneath the mount.
Failing to do so risks the cable dragging, which could compromise guiding accuracy.
Before putting the NYX-88 through its paces, we tested both the supplied USB cable and built-in Wi-Fi, finding each connection to be stable and reliable.
Downloading the Pegasus Astro Unity Platform software, we seamlessly linked the mount to a laptop via the manufacturer’s control software.
We also checked compatibility with external control software, including Astro Photography Toolbox and NINA.
Both applications recognised and communicated with the mount without issue.
While we couldn’t test the iOS app due to it awaiting Apple verification at the time of review, we can confirm that Android users can access the app without any problems.
How the Pegasus Astro NYX-88 performed
We were fortunate to have clear skies a few days after the Pegasus Astro NYX-88 arrived.
Moving the mount plus the tripod into the garden – including carrying them down a couple of steps – was incredibly easy thanks to the total combined weight of 7kg.
We paired the mount with a 350mm f/5 quadruplet refractor and CMOS camera, noting that the saddle bolts were a generous size that kept the telescope securely attached.
When we slewed the mount to the zenith, it became evident that a larger scope would clash with the tripod.
To avoid this happening for longer focal lengths, an optional pier extension is available.
Since the mount does not include a polar scope, you will need to use software for polar alignment.
We used SharpCap and discovered that accurate alignment was easy to achieve.
We slewed confidently to a selection of targets, where the Go-To system demonstrated excellent accuracy and consistently placed each object within the field of view.
After a brief tour, we settled on Bode’s Galaxy, M81, and the Cigar Galaxy, M82, framing both galaxies perfectly.
PHD2 calibration was swift and straightforward, with no sign of backlash to impede the mount’s guiding accuracy.
Our captures of this iconic galactic pair were particularly impressive, with crisp detail evident throughout.
We ran three-minute and five-minute exposures; despite poor seeing, our PHD2 guiding corrections consistently settled around 0.6 to 0.7 arcseconds, which ensured sharp, detailed results.
When the next clear spell arrived, we set our sights on a more demanding target: 10-minute exposures on the Iris Nebula, which was positioned to the northeast and glowing faintly within the city’s light pollution.
Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, including intermittent high cloud and the ever-present skyglow, the NYX-88’s guiding accuracy remained dependably steady, rarely straying beyond one arcsecond.
Throughout our test, the NYX-88 harmonic drive mount consistently impressed with its ease of use and precise tracking.
High precision and low weight
Among the Pegasus Astro NYX-88’s many impressive features is its remarkably light weight.
At 5kg, this is a genuine game-changer for any astronomer, regardless of experience.
For beginners and first-time users, this simplicity combined with portability will be especially welcome, removing many of the barriers that often discourage newcomers from venturing out under the stars.
For the experienced user who regularly travels to dark-sky sites, you will appreciate just how effortlessly the mount can be packed, transported and quickly deployed, maximising every precious moment of your astronomy time.
Night after night, setting up the mount was refreshingly straightforward, making the preparation for clear, dark skies a pleasure rather than a chore.
Crucially, this user-friendliness doesn’t come at the expense of performance.
The NYX-88 consistently delivers sub-arcsecond guiding accuracy and backlash-free tracking, ensuring sharp, stable images whether you’re out under pristine rural skies or working with a dedicated imaging rig at home.
Pegasus Astro NYX-88 5 best features
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.
Carry case
A compact carry case is included, making it an ideal companion for astronomers who frequently like to travel to dark-sky locations. Designed with both protection and portability in mind, the padding keeps the mount safe and secure during transit, shielding it from bumps and scratches on the road.
Screw-in power cable
We were especially impressed by the screw-in power lead, a simple yet well-considered feature that effectively prevents accidental disconnections during a session. This added design resiliency brings peace of mind when imaging from new locations and busy astronomy club sites, or if you’re leaving your equipment to run all night.
Pegasus Astro NYX-88 key specs
- Price: £2,295; £2,690 with tripod
- Mount type: Harmonic drive (EQ/altaz)
- Load capacity: 14kg; 20kg with counterweight
- Slew speed: Up to 5º per second
- Power: 12V DC, GX12 jack
- Autoguider port: ST4
- Protocols: ASCOM, INDI, LX200
- Weight: 5kg; 7kg with tripod
- Supplier: Widescreen Centre
- Tel: 020 7935 2580
- www.widescreen-centre.co.uk
This review appeared in the August 2025 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine
