Starlight Xpress Active Optics SXV-AO

[Grahame]

Starlight Xpress Active Optics unit for sale - I have owned this unit from new and it has seen very little use. When it was in use it performed exactly as expected. Using Maxim DL for PC control is very easy and highly recommended.

The power supply has an Australian standard plug on it and can also be connected to a 12V supply if needed (via included cable)

Specs for this unit as follows:


STAR2000 guiding compatible.
May be used to image stabilize many other makes and types of camera, given suitable control software.
Clear aperture of 37mm for up to APS size chips.
Short optical length - 64mm with OAG, 38mm without.
Very low light loss (~2%) from the multicoated optics.
Filter recess for adding narrow band. IR blocking or pollution rejection filters without affecting the guide camera sensitivity.
Serial RS232 control via the computer or SXV splitter box. Parallel control available. (Splitter box and parallel control box need to be purchased separately)
Low power consumption. Less than 600 mA at 12v DC when moving - 50mA quiescent current.
Compact and lightweight - only 112mm in diameter x 32mm long - less than 500 grams load on the telescope.

Asking $1300 for this great piece of kit.

Regards,
Grahame.

[g__day]

Hey Grahame - could you post a before / after shoot or two of what this rig is able to do please?

Matt

[Grahame]

Hi Matt,
Its a bit hard to show the before/after as the rig in use changes a fair bit. With the AO in use I have no guidescope - all tracking is done by AO bumping the mount when needed which worked flawlessly.

With the guidescope setup there was always the chance of small errors in mount tracking would not be corrected in time and hence the stars would be "bloated" slightly. With AO in use it gives much tighter shots so to speak.

On the starlight xpress website they give a good example of how the AO unit can improve on errors in the mounts gears etc.

Hope this helps :-)

Grahame.