The Vixen SXD2 Equatorial Mount is a high-precision, sturdy mount designed for astronomical observation and astrophotography. It features a cutting-edge STAR BOOK TEN Hand Controller with a high-definition color LCD screen and intuitive controls.
Function Description:
The SXD2 mount is an equatorial mount, designed to rotate parallel to the Earth's rotational axis, compensating for diurnal motion. This allows for stable tracking of celestial objects. The mount's movements are fully controlled by the STAR BOOK TEN hand controller, ensuring smooth and accurate operation when properly balanced. It supports automatic Go-To slewing to celestial objects, making it easy to locate dim and blurred objects that are otherwise difficult to find. The mount can be aligned to either the North or South Celestial Pole using its built-in polar alignment scope. It also offers various tracking speeds for the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, and artificial satellites.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Mount Type: SXD2 Equatorial Mount
- Worm Gear Shafts: 9mm diameter, Brass
- R.A. Axis: 35mm diameter, Carbon steel
- DEC. Axis: 40mm diameter, Carbon steel
- Number of Bearings: 9 pieces
- Counterweight Bar: 20mm diameter, Retractable
- Polar Alignment Scope: Built-in 5x20mm scope, FoV 10 degrees, Self-light-off dark field illuminator (8 steps adjustments), setting accuracy of 3 arc minutes or less, CR2032 battery. Latitude adjustment range: 0 to 70 degrees, with three altitude zones (high, middle, low) and ±15 degrees adjustment range per zone.
- Drive Motor: Stepping (Pulse) motors with 250PPS
- Automatic Slewing: High precision "GOTO" slewing with STAR BOOK TEN, 1000x sidereal rate at maximum
- Maximum Payload: 15kg (33 lb)
- Electricity Consumption (Mount): DC12V, 0.45~2.2A (at 10kg payload), 0.6A~2.5A (at 15kg payload)
- Mount Dimensions: 343 x 360 x 128mm
- Mount Weight: 9.2kg (20.2 lb), excluding counterweights
- Counterweights: 3.7kg (8.15 lb) x 1pc and 1.9kg (4.2 lb) x 1pc
- Hand Controller (STAR BOOK TEN):
- CPU: 32bit RISC Processor 324MHz SH7764
- Display: 5-inch TFT, WVGA (800x480 pixels) 65,536 colors, with backlight
- Power Supply: DC12V (Supplied from the mount side)
- Built-in Clock Battery: CR2032x1
- Electricity Consumption (Stand-alone use): 12V, 0.5A
- Dimensions: 169mmL x 154mmW x 30mmH
- Net Weight: 380g (13.4 oz)
- Celestial Object Database: 272,342 objects (SAO:258,997, NGC:7,840, IC:5,386, Messier:109, 7 Planets, 1 quasi-planet, Moon, Sun)
- Operating Temperature: 0~40℃ (104 F)
Usage Features:
- Initial Setup: The manual guides users through assembling the mount, attaching counterweights and optical tubes, and connecting the STAR BOOK TEN and power cable. Initial settings include language, local time, time zone, and location.
- Telescope Movement: The telescope can be moved manually using direction keys on the STAR BOOK TEN, with adjustable slewing speeds from 0.5x to 800x sidereal rate.
- Star Alignment: The system uses star alignment to match celestial coordinates with visible stars, improving pointing accuracy. Users select alignment stars from a database, and the more stars chosen, the better the centering of target objects.
- Go-To Slewing: Automatic Go-To slewing is available for various celestial objects, including Messier objects, NGC/IC objects, planets, the Sun, Moon, constellations, and fixed stars. The "Moon Map" feature allows direct access to major lunar "seas" and geographical formations.
- Orbital Elements: Users can enter orbital elements for up to 10 comets and artificial satellites for tracking and Go-To slewing. This data can be entered manually or transmitted from a PC via LAN.
- User Defined Objects: Up to 10 user-defined objects can be stored in the database using celestial coordinates or altitude/azimuth directions.
- Polar Alignment Scope: The polar alignment scope uses Polaris (Northern Hemisphere) or Sigma Octantis (Southern Hemisphere) and surrounding constellations (Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, Southern Cross, Alpha Eridani) as guideposts for precise alignment. The reticle illumination is adjustable in 8 steps.
- Drift Alignment: For highly precise astrophotography, drift alignment can be performed by monitoring a bright star's movement in the eyepiece and adjusting the mount's azimuth and altitude.
- Altitude Setting: The mount's altitude adjustment range is divided into three zones (low, middle, high latitude) to match the observing site's latitude.
- Cross Over Meridian: A safety function prevents the optical tube from hitting the tripod legs by automatically reversing the mount's motion when an object approaches culmination. The timing of this reversal can be adjusted.
- Backlash Compensation: This feature reduces time lag in motor gear reversal, providing smoother tracking, especially when using direction keys.
- Night Vision Mode: The STAR BOOK TEN screen can be switched to a gentle red color to preserve night vision.
- Volume Control: The chimes volume can be adjusted from 0 to 20.
- Atmospheric Refraction Compensation: The system can compensate for atmospheric refraction, which displaces celestial objects, especially near the horizon.
- Firmware Updates: The STAR BOOK TEN can be connected to a PC via LAN for firmware updates and application program downloads.
Maintenance Features:
- Battery Replacement: Instructions are provided for inserting and replacing the CR2032 battery in the STAR BOOK TEN and the polar alignment scope illuminator.
- Cleaning: Users are advised not to use solvents like paint thinners for cleaning.
- Storage: The product should be stored in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. Batteries should be removed if the product is not used for a long time.
- Memory Initialization: The STAR BOOK TEN allows users to clear all memory, including user-defined menu items and setup settings.
- Safety Precautions: Warnings are given against direct solar observation, manual rotation of the mount without loosening clamps, using the product in wet environments, and disassembling the equipment. Proper balancing of the mount is emphasized to prevent damage and tracking errors.
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