Vixen - Suprassed the Atlux and gone to GAIAX - SkySensor2000-pc controlled!

[g__day]

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-402

Code: 3994
Super heavy duty, professional equatorial mount with max load capacity 44 Kg

GAIAX Equatorial Mount
Maximum loading weight 44kg at a distance of 25cm from fulcrum
Tracking accuracy ±2.5 arc seconds (If PEC funtion is used, it will be better than ±2.5 arc seconds.)
Toothed gear R.A.: 216 teeth, Decl.: 216 teeth, zinc bronze
Motors DC motors
Controller SKYSENSOR 2000-PC
Search speed 500x sidereal rate
Polar axis scope 6x20mm (buit-in)
Power source DC12V 2A
Counterweight 9.5kg x 3 pieces
Weight R.A. body: 20kg, Decl. Body: 30kg, Pillar: 30kg, Pillar base: 22kg
Bearing 12 pieces

Optional 8702 pillar is available

Supplied only by special order and firm deposit - Pricing is above 15K

PS

So it's in a price bracket to compete with the Paramount ME - and at todays $ rate (0.94) that's about $13,830 before import duties! Doubly nice to see the SkySensor make a come back - wonder what EPROM version it runs at!

[Terry B]

Just need to win lotto or find a really wealth relative.:sadeyes:

[Ian Robinson]

Yep it's a great GEM , and I did consider getting one , but .... when I saw cost , don't expect any change from $22k (for the head and Starbook) .

OO in the UK sell them for 10288 UKP (and I used the exchange rate 2.11 AUD/UKP.

[g__day]

No starbook - its SKySensor2000-PC - yah!

http://www.rymdbutiken.com/images/pk2006/Vixen-Gaiax.jpg

[Ian Robinson]

Not if I win the $30,000,000 first , in which case I'll be getting one , and commissioning a 20" f3.5 astrograph to put on top of it , and buying an acreage somewhere tropical near the coast where the sky is clear and dark , and a nice boat or two (one for deep sea reef fishing and cruising about , one for mucking about the harbour or rivers) , and .... and ....

and giving the boss the finger ....

[Jeffkop]

Im with Ian even though I dont know about some of the equipment he mentions ... I DEFINATELY like the way hes thinkin'.

That is one mother of a mount and that scope in the pic looks like they gutted a 44 and filled it with optics.

[Ian Robinson]

That would be a custom job. Hey if I had $30,000,000 in the bank the only limitation would be .... how big a scope can put on it with the best imaging system money can buy .

[netwolf]

Question is will the offer a SS2k upgrade for the other mounts?

[Ian Robinson]

I was under the impression Vixen had discontinued the SS2KPC and it wasn't coming back.

Have I been mislead ? have I been misinformed ?

[g__day]

Reading the European site it seems the GAIAX can handle either the SS2K-PC (the default) or a Starbook (like you'd want that on a professional level mount).

Love to read a review of this new mount. At a glance I see it is only claiming 2/3 the carrying capacity of the PME, but less than half the PE (un trained). But the PME has alot of software smarts to improving both pointing and more importantly tracking - what will Vixen offer (software wise) and will this be available for other SS2K-PC models? That would be great!