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The Vixen - Sphinx SXD has a load capacity of 15kg as stated by the manufacturer in Japan. However, as you actually can only give a max torque, the statement of a payload rather a guideline. The max load can only be determined for a given lever length (the length of the particular telescope).
Also, a stated payload is not the structural limit of the mount. That is probably 5 or 10 times higher than the max payload. The payload is more an expression for a load at which the mount is not too sensitive to external disturbances such as wind or touching the telescope. Which at the end is more preference than a defined value. The other thing is there is no definition or rule on how the max payload is determined. Therefore each manufactures states whatever he thinks is okay. The EQ-6 for example is rated very differently too, some say 16kg is max other think 24kg.
As for the sphinx, a while ago I found some images on the web (can't remember where exactly) from a guy how used a Takahashi Epsilon 180ED on a normal sphinx and took images with exposures of 5min without any guiding. That is quite impressive. He quoted for the weight (including tube rings and camera etc) 14kg. That also means that the max payload for visually would be around 16-18kg. Therefore I can imagine that 20kg for the sphinx are really possible.
Clear Skies
Stephan
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