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Player One Phoenix Filter Wheel - 8×1.25"

Player One Phoenix Filter Wheel - 8×1.25"

by Player One
SKU POA-PW8-1.25
$299.00 - $299.00
$299.00
$299.00 - $299.00
$299.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Holds eight 1.25" mounted filters
  • Automates filter changes for complex imaging sequences
  • Ideal for LRGB, SHO, and other multi-filter palettes
  • USB powered and controlled
  • Compact and lightweight design
2 in stock
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Vignetting Calculator

Will your imaging train vignette?

Check which filter and adapter sizes clear the sensor with the Player One Phoenix Filter Wheel - 8×1.25", and how much light the corners lose.

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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Player One Phoenix Filter Wheel - 8×1.25"

    The Player One Phoenix Filter Wheel automates your imaging sessions by holding up to eight standard 1.25" mounted filters. This capacity allows you to load a full complement of LRGB and narrowband filters (like Ha, SII, and OIII) simultaneously, enabling complex, multi-wavelength imaging projects without manual intervention during a clear night.

    Automate Your Workflow with 8 Filter Positions

    With eight available slots, the Phoenix filter wheel eliminates the need to swap filters mid-session. You can configure your imaging software to automatically cycle through luminance, red, green, and blue filters for full-color targets, and then switch to narrowband filters for emission nebulae, all within the same automated sequence. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of dust contamination or disturbing your optical train.

    Optimized for 1.25" Mounted Filters

    This wheel is specifically designed for the widely available 1.25" mounted filter format, making it a cost-effective choice for building out your filter collection. The 1.25" format suits cameras with small to medium sensors: Player One lists its Ares series, Uranus Pro, Apollo series, planetary cameras and guiding cameras as supported, all with sensors of about 1-inch format or smaller.

    • Broad Compatibility: Works with the vast ecosystem of 1.25" filters from all major manufacturers.
    • Secure Mounting: Filters thread directly and securely into the carousel, ensuring they remain perfectly parallel to the sensor.
    • Cost-Effective: Leverage the affordability and availability of 1.25" filters compared to larger, more specialized formats.

    Phoenix 8x1.25" vs. 7x36mm Wheels: A Question of Sensor Size

    Choosing a filter wheel often comes down to filter size versus capacity. The Phoenix 8x1.25" wheel offers an extra slot compared to common 7-position wheels, which is a significant advantage for imagers using multiple narrowband filters alongside LRGB.

    • Player One Phoenix 8x1.25": Its primary advantage is capacity and the lower cost of 1.25" filters. It suits the cameras Player One lists as supported, with sensors of about 1-inch format or smaller.
    • 7x36mm Filter Wheels: A 36mm unmounted filter provides a larger clear aperture, making it better suited for full-frame sensors to prevent vignetting. However, these wheels typically hold one fewer filter, and the filters themselves are more expensive.

    The trade-off is clear: for maximum filter flexibility with smaller sensors, the 8-position 1.25" wheel is superior. For full-frame imaging, a wheel with larger 36mm filters is necessary, despite the lower capacity and higher cost.

  • How many filters can the Player One Phoenix 8x1.25" wheel hold?

    The Player One Phoenix filter wheel is designed to hold up to eight standard 1.25" mounted filters. This allows for extensive filter combinations, such as LRGB, Ha, SII, OIII, and a spare slot for another filter like H-beta or a UV/IR cut filter.

    Will the Phoenix 8x1.25" filter wheel cause vignetting with my camera?

    Vignetting depends on your camera's sensor size and your telescope's focal ratio. Player One lists the wheel for cameras with sensors of about 1-inch format or smaller (Ares series, Uranus Pro, Apollo series, planetary and guiding cameras), and slower telescopes (f/7 or higher) make vignetting less likely. For larger sensors such as APS-C (approx. 28mm diagonal) or full-frame (42mm+ diagonal) or very fast optical systems (f/4 or lower), you may see some corner darkening, and a wheel using larger 36mm or 2" filters would be a better choice.

    What is the advantage of an 8-position wheel for imaging the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?

    For a broadband target like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), an 8-position wheel allows you to capture standard LRGB (Luminance, Red, Green, Blue) data and also capture Hydrogen-alpha (Ha) data in the same session without swapping filters. The Ha filter will reveal the vibrant red star-forming regions within the galaxy's spiral arms, adding critical detail to your final image. The extra slots remain free for other filters, like a light pollution filter.

    Can I use unmounted filters with the Phoenix 8x1.25" wheel?

    No, this filter wheel is designed specifically for 1.25" mounted (threaded) filters. Unmounted filters, such as 31mm or 36mm disks, will not fit and require a different type of filter wheel carousel designed to clamp them in place.

    What software is needed to control the Player One Phoenix filter wheel?

    The Player One Phoenix filter wheel is controlled via a USB connection to a computer. It is compatible with standard ASCOM drivers, allowing it to be controlled by popular astrophotography software such as N.I.N.A., Sequence Generator Pro (SGP), SharpCap, and others that support the ASCOM platform.

    Is the 8x1.25" Phoenix filter wheel a good match for a Celestron EdgeHD 8" telescope?

    Yes, it's an excellent match. An EdgeHD 8" operates at f/10 (or f/7 with its reducer), which is a slow-to-moderate focal ratio. When paired with one of the cameras Player One lists for this wheel (sensors of about 1-inch format or smaller), the slow f/10 or f/7 beam keeps vignetting from the 1.25" filters low. The eight filter slots are perfect for capturing galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters through the EdgeHD 8" optics.

  • Filter positions 8
    Accepted filters 1.25" mounted (M28.5x0.6 thread)
    Thickness / optical length 21 mm
    Telescope-side connection M42x0.75 female; 6x M2.5 on R27
    Camera-side connection M42x0.75 female; 6x M2.5 on R27
    Max filter thickness 8.5 mm frame (thread ≤ 2.5 mm)
    Motorized Yes (hybrid stepping motor)
    Interface / power USB Type-C
    Direct mount to cameras Ares series, Uranus Pro, Apollo series, planetary and guiding cameras
    Weight 543 g

    • Phoenix Wheel 8x1.25"

      × 1

    • T2-T2 adapter

      × 1

    • M42-1.25" Rotolock

      × 1

    • T-mount and 1.25" cover

      × 1

    • Type-C to Type-A 2m USB2.0 cable

      × 1

    • M2 hex wrench

      × 1

  • Player One 2-Year Warranty