German Equatorial Mount Vixen SXD2 (Sphinx Deluxe) Starbook Ten with tripod

German Equatorial Saddle Vixen SXD2 (Sphinx Deluxe) Starbook Ten with tripod VIXEN SXG-HAL130

The new version of the renowned VIXEN SPHINX DELUXE SXD2 mount comes equipped with new software and a new controller for more complete and precise guidance management.

• STAR BOOK TEN controller - all-in-one - a new generation of handheld controller with a high-definition LCD display as standard
• The A.R. and DEC girth gears have 180 teeth and 72 millimeters in diameter. All mechanical components are made of bronze and are manufactured with numerical control machines guaranteeing maximum tracking precision
• The R.A. and DEC shafts are made of carbon and steel. The rotating elements of the mount have 9 bearings. In this way a smooth movement is achieved during tracking and translation towards the object to be observed
• The unique structure of the declination block acts as part of the counterweight. This provides a portable mount with a high load capacity, robust and easy to use
• Periodic error corrections made by the user are automatically saved as soon as the device is turned off
• The 'Cross Meridian' function allows you to change the timing of the reverse movement of the telescope tube. This is a very convenient function when trying to photograph an object at its culmination

CONTROLLER STAR BOOK TEN

Concept

In 1984 Vixen introduced the "SkySensor", which was the first portable computerized controller for small telescopes with automatic slewing capability to celestial objects. Until then, such special devices were only available for professional telescopes at large observatories. It was with this innovative handheld controller that a user could specify the name of a star he wished to view, and automatically direct his telescope to that object.

Thirteen years later, after the appearance of several "GoTo" controllers, Vixen introduced the "SkySensor 2000" in 1997, which was considered the "GoTo" unit of reference. Since then, the option of automatic search for celestial objects through computer programs has become very popular. Although the computer is a suitable tool for astronomical observation, it requires a stable power supply and peripheral equipment. Below, Vixen proposed a new "GoTo" navigation system called "STAR BOOK" for astronomers. This stand-alone device has a large color LCD screen that displays not only star maps, but also a wide variety of information. This is a favorite feature for everyone, as the astronomer can intuitively understand the "GoTo" function. During the development of the new AXD equatorial mount, Vixen started to design a new high-end telescope controller. The STAR BOOK TEN was born as a new generation all-in-one handheld controller with amazing ease of use, high visibility display and many other useful features.

Features

► 5-inch Color LCD Display
The STAR BOOK TEN's LCD is an easy-to-read 5-inch TFT color liquid crystal display. Its high WVGA resolution (800 x 480, 65535 colors) displays vivid images of the stars.

► Night vision
Since astronomical observing is done outdoors and usually at night, the observer's eyes adjust to a dark field environment. Any change in light contrast can affect the observer's vision momentarily. For this reason, the STARBOOK TEN has a "night vision" option that allows the display to be illuminated with a faint red that will soften the brightness reaching the eyes.

► High-speed CPU
The STAR BOOK TEN has a CPU with a clock speed of 324 MHz which is approximately 5 times faster than the CPU of the classic STAR BOOK. This makes the star maps more vivid and appear more quickly.

► Hibernation function
The STAR BOOK TEN has a large memory capacity for storing alignment information. This allows the power supply to the mount to be temporarily switched off to save batteries. The mount resumes GoTo tracking and translation perfectly when the system is switched on again.

► Database of celestial objects
The STAR BOOK TEN contains more than 270,000 celestial objects, including 258,977 stars from the SAO stellar catalog, 109 Messier objects, 7,840 NGC objects and 5,386 IC objects, the Sun, the Moon and the planets of our solar system. Objects can be accessed by their general name if available.

► PPEC
Periodic bug fixes made to improve the tracking accuracy of the mount will be saved when the device is turned off. PPEC data can be activated the next time you use the mount for astrophotography and visual observation.

► Backlit buttons
All commands and arrow keys are backlit for easy identification in the dark. The backlighting can be adjusted and switched off at will.

► User-defined objects
The STAR BOOK TEN can store user-defined objects. You can store interesting celestial objects that you want to photograph.

► Different tracking speeds
The STAR BOOK TEN can alter the tracking speed depending on the type of object observed. The motions of the Sun, Moon, planets and comets can be tracked independently of the sidereal velocity.

► Satellite tracking
The STAR BOOK TEN allows you to enter the parameters of the satellite orbits for automatic tracking.

► Expansion slot
The STAR BOOK TEN includes an expansion slot. Vixen plans to offer additional functions through expansion modules.


German equatorial mount SPHINX SXD2

Mount: German equatorial mount Sphinx Deluxe SXD2
A.R.: Bronze sprocket with 180 teeth - 72mm diameter
DEC: Bronze sprocket with 180 teeth - 72mm diameter
Helical gears: Bronze worm gear - 9mm diameter
AR shaft: 40mm diameter - Aluminum alloy A7075
DEC shaft: 35mm diameter - Aluminum alloy A7075
Bearings: 9 pieces
Retractable counterweight bar: 20mm diameter - Stainless steel

Polar search engine:

The new Polar Scope PF-L polar polar finder from Vixen improves the performance of the original polar search engine of Vixen. Using a 3-star alignment with a smart phone application, setting up the alignment is a very easy process.

• In the northern hemisphere, the polar axis is aligned by placing three bright stars on thespecified positions.
• It is not necessary to set the time angle.
• The built-in scale is illuminated in red, making it clearly visible in the night sky.
• The brightness of the adjustable illumination can be adjusted in 8 levels.
• When the illumination button is pressed, the stencil lights up for one to two minutes.
• The power will automatically turn off after one to two minutes to prevent a
• unnecessary energy consumption .
• You can set up your mount with the help of the Vixen.
• Integrated illuminated reticle and spirit level, 3-minute accuracy
• 6x20mm, accuracy of 3 minutes.

Azimuth adjustment:

Quick adjustment: 360 degrees - Fine adjustment: ± 7 degrees
Azimuth controls: displacement of 1.2 degree per turn

Altitude Adjustment: Latitude adjustment between 0 and 70 degrees
Motors: Stepper pulse motors (250 pulses per Second)

Automatic rotation:

GoTo automatic rotation with STAR BOOK TEN.
Maximum tracking speed 1000 times the sidereal speed
Tracking accuracy through micro-step movement

Load capacity: 15kg
Power supply / Consumption: DC12V, 0.45 to 2.5 amperes
Dimensions: 343 x 360 × 128mm
Weight: 9.2kg without weights
Weights: 1 of 3.7kg and 1 of 1.9kg

Tripod included: SXG-HAL130 made of aluminum.

STAR BOOK TEN Controller (COMPATIBLE WITH ASCOM)

Controller: STAR BOOK TEN
CPU: 324MHz 32bit RISC 324MHz Processor
Display: 5 inch TFT color LCD, WVGA (800×480 = 384,000 pixels), 65,536 colors, with dimmable backlighting
Power supply input: DC12V EIAJ RC5320A Class 4
Self-guiding port: Modular cable plug
Mount port: D-SUB9PIN
LAN port: 10BASE-T
Power consumption: 0.25W (with stand-alone use)
Working temperature: 0 to 40 degrees
Dimensions: 169 × 154 × 30mm
Weight: 380 grams
Firmware Upgrade: Via LAN

German Equatorial Saddle Vixen SXD2 (Sphinx Deluxe) Starbook Ten with tripod VIXEN SXG-HAL130