The Vixen SX2WL mount adds WiFi functionality to the venerable Vixen SX2’s accurate micro-step motion control technology that is achieved with highly stable and smooth rotations of pulse motors.
By controlling the mount with a smartphone using the free STAR BOOK Wireless app, it is easy to use sky navigation functions such as automatic GoTo panning of celestial objects via a smartphone or tablet. When the desired celestial object is selected from a list, it is automatically panned into the telescope’s field of view and tracking begins. By eliminating the power consumption of the conventional LCD (STAR BOOK TEN), the power consumption on the mount is reduced by up to 20%, thus enabling longer astronomical observation and astrophotography.
An existing STAR BOOK TEN controller can also be used on this mount without any problems. Equipped with the same precision stepper motors as the top model, the Vixen AXD mount, the SXD2WL brings a new standard of performance and precision to the Vixen mount family. When the desired celestial object is selected from a list, it is automatically panned into the telescope’s field of view and tracking begins.
With a photographic load capacity of 12 kg, the axis cross of the mount weighs just 7.0 kg (15.4 lbs) making it ideal for travel. In addition, the motors mounted in the lower part of the mount also serve as a counterweight, so the mount requires fewer weights for balancing.
The free smartphone STAR BOOK app turns your smartphone or tablet into a control unit for the equatorial mount. The response delay of the mount, which is considered the biggest disadvantage of wireless connections, has been reduced to a level comparable to wired connections.
The STAR BOOK Wireless app has a similar structure to the STAR BOOK TEN controller. Depending on the star map setting, it contains up to 259,000 celestial objects. Tap on a celestial object in the object list and start the GoTo. The mount will automatically move to this target and bring it into the telescope’s field of view. All the popular features of the STAR BOOK TEN are retained.
When looking through the telescope, one can operate the mount by swiping on the app’s star chart. As there are no buttons, simply slide your finger over the star chart to operate the mount conveniently. In addition to data on easily observable celestial bodies such as Messier objects, NGC objects and IC objects, this also includes the Sun, Moon, planets, comets and dwarf planets.
By aligning the mount to one or two stars, you can achieve fairly precise positioning. By aligning the mount to three or more stars, you can achieve high-precision alignment of the mount for high magnifications. The objects are then approached precisely and centrally in your telescope’s field of view. The alignment information is saved and can be retained even when the device is switched off. By leaving the telescope in its current state after completing an observation without moving it, you can start the automatic installation with the same settings for the next observation.
As with the STAR BOOK TEN control unit, the app offers various individual settings, such as gear backlash compensation, night mode in red, autoguider and variable GoTo speed and LED brightness. You can also set the timing of the reversal of the objective tube (meridian flip) as desired. Even if the object moves to the south during tracking, you can prevent the telescope tube from reversing.
The Vixen SX2WL Mount specifications include:
Capacity
– Load capacity: 12 kg
– Mounting saddle: Vixen-Style
– Polar elevation setting: 0-70°
– Slow-motion azimuth adjustment: +/-7°
– Material of worm gear: Brass
– Worm gear teeth (RA): 180
– Worm gear teeth (DEC): 180
– DEC worm gear diameter: 72 mm
– RA worm gear diameter: 72 mm
– DEC worm shaft diameter: 35 mm
– RA worm shaft diameter: 40
– Diameter of counterweight bar: 20 mm
– Interfaces: ASCOM, Autoguider ST4
– Input voltage: 12
– Amperage: 3A
– Weight mount head only: 7 kg
– Height: 343 mm
– Width: 360 mm
– Length: 128 mm
You can learn more about the Vixen SX2WL Mount here.
And to make it easier for you to get the most extensive news, articles and reviews that are only available in the magazine pages of Astronomy Technology Today, we are offering a 1-year magazine subscription for only $6! Or, for an even better deal, we are offering 2 years for only $9. Click here to get these deals which only will be available for a very limited time. You can also check out a free sample issue here.