Vixen Sphinx SXD2 Go-To EQ Mount with PFL Polar Scope

Vixen has reworked the design and manufacture of its innovative SXD Mount. The new SXD2 Mount has a greater loading capacity and is more rigid enabling a more steady platform for astrophotography. The quieter Stepping motors ensure you of smooth, quiet slewing with quick response to commands. The new Star Book Ten, available previously on the SXP Mount, features an intuitive Star Chart Go-To System on a high definition LCD Screen.

Features include night vision screen, hibernate mode, VPEC and PPEC and optional built in auto guider. Both the RA and DEC Axes are made of sturdy steel with brass wheel gears. This enables the mount to carry loads of up to 50 lbs for astrophotography. Smooth RA and DEC Movement: The inside of the new SXD2 is very different from the previous SX Mounts. Bearings have been added to the shafts of t he RA and DEC axes and the screw gear shafts. The worm screw gears are inspected for strict concentricity and are lapped in the whole-circle for smooth movement. Tripod not included.

Increased Loading Capacity:
Both the RA and DEC Axes are made of sturdy steel with brass wheel gears. This enables the mount to carry loads of up to 50 lbs (including counterweights) for the visual observer and 33 lbs for astrophotography. The New Vixen Polarie Polar Scope PF-L improves on the performance of Vixen's original polar scope. Using a 3 star alignment with a smart phone app, setting up alignment is an easy process.

• In the northern hemisphere, the polar axis is aligned by placing three bright stars in the specified positions
• No need to set hour angle
• The built-in scale is illuminated in red, so that it is clearly visible in the night sky
• The brightness of the dimmable illumination can be adjusted in 8 steps
• When pressing the illumination button, the scale is illuminated for one to two minutes
• Power will automatically turn off after one to two minutes to prevent unnecessary power consumption

Smooth RA and DEC Movement:
The inside of the new SXD2 is very different from the previous SX Mounts. Bearings have been added to the shafts of the RA and DEC axes and the screw gear shafts. The worm screw gears are inspected for strict concentricity and are lapped in the whole-circle for smooth movement Michael Reichmann purchased his SXD2 since it fit his criteria of "a system without too many mistakes that would be reasonably priced, yet not limit me as my experience grew and I became more demanding. It also had to be small and light enough to transport in the trunk of my car, lift and carry to a viewing site and not be too complex to set-up and run" He states that "Just the mount and the hand-held controller, which can do everything that a computer can when it comes to most people's astro imaging needs".

The STAR BOOK TEN is the most advanced astronomical hand controller available and is recommended for anyone interested in exploring the night sky. The innovative STAR BOOK TEN hand controller offers astronomical navigation with a large full-color High Definition LCD screen! The color screen is a detailed star chart that acts as a navigational and GOTO guide for the mount. STAR BOOK TEN features. The Advance Unit is now available. Installing the Advance Unit on the STAR BOOK TEN enhances your auto guiding capabilities. This allows you to view an image from a CCD camera, record or play back from an SD card and adjust the shutter exposure controls of a DSLR camera.