Vixen vs Skywatcher - a redux

[LewisM]

OK, I have been offered a Vixen GP-D2, with all the mods (NOT the GOTO mods, just motors and controller etc).

Keep the following in mind in the answers you may offer me:
1. my rig: Vixen FL102S refractor, with Orion finder guider (mounted on a central rail between rings), and an SXVR-M25C CCD - so, my rig is NOT very heavy at all

2. There will be NO additions to the setup - nothing bigger anyway.

3. My SOLE purpose is astro-imaging - visual is irrelevant, as I can do that with either mount.

In the professional opinion of those here, is the GP-D2 GENERALLY more accurate in terms of PEC, backlash etc than a bog-standard SW NEQ6? (load is REALLY not even a REMOTE issue, so that is not a determining factor)

The GPD2 currently has dual motors fitted, and the handcontroller. If I purchase the motherboard/controllerboard add on, can I then ASCOM/EQMOD the mount just like the NEQ6? Seems to have the same interface ports etc. Will the Vixen motherboard accept an ST4 guider, or will I have to guide via the EQMOD pulse guiding? (more accurate anyway). I do NOT want to go the StarBook way

I cannot have both - would mean selling the NEQ6 to pay for the GPD2.

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

interesting question, i hadn't really considered the vixen mounts to date. from a quick search on the interwebs, it looks like many people see a periodic error with the vixen of around 15, which is about half what I have with my NEQ6. With PEC I have my NEQ6 down to about 6 arcsecs. Now if a similar sort of improvement is possible with the vixen mount then that would be superb.

Assuming that the cost is not a barrier, I think the limiting factor would be how easily you can do the GOTO conversion with ASCOM compatibility. If you're certain that is straight forward then i reckon it would be a goer. If you dont have ASCOM then it would have to be a no go i think. EQMOD compatibility would be nice as i certainly find the EQMOD/Alignmaster/PECPrep/Stellarium a pleasure to use (and all free).

Then again, if you can tune your existing NEQ6 and use PEC to further improve performance, why rock the boat...?

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

if you haven't seen this before, you might find it helpful when comparing different mounts:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...y+mount+review

[garymck (Gary)]

Hi,

I bought a GPD2 a couple of years ago after disposing of an EQ6 that was underperforming despite many modifications and much effort. After some initial issues that ended up being resolved with some careful adjustment I was and am fully satisfied with it. Pe is about 15 arc secs, but some of that is due to some synta gear errors. (I'm driving it with an eq5 synscan upgrade kit). I think it is actually much better than this.

My rms guiding errors are about 10 times less than I ever got with the eq6. Essentially guided exposures are unlimited in length - or at least not limited by the mount.

The GPD2 may not carry as heavy a load as the eq6, but when used within its capacity simply eats the eq6 for breakfast in terms of accuracy.

fwiw
cheers
Gary

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Is EQMOD compatible with this mount? Haven't heard of anyone doing this.

[2stroke (Jay)]

Originally Posted by peter_4059

Is EQMOD compatible with this mount? Haven't heard of anyone doing this.

He added a sync scan upgrade kit, the GPD2 is a eq5 though the eq5 is a cheap chinease knock off of the GPD2. So yes it is if you added a a skywatcher scynscan to drive the mount.

edit hmm that just gave me idea about upgrading the worm and gear haha

[Phil Hart]

PEC on my EQ6 is about half that of my GP-DX, load capacity of EQ6 considerably better (better in windy conditions too) and the PEC is also rougher on the GP-DX (a little harder to guide out.. which I haven't tried much on the GP-DX).

I still love the GP-DX but particularly the SkySensor2000 control. At >500mm focal length, I'd much rather be using the EQ6.

Phil

[Profiler (Profiler)]

Lewis

This is probably a little left field but it may be worthwhile doing a little more research/consideration of the Vixen mounts. Granted the Vixen Starbook 'were' legendary from about 2003-2010 for being bad and unsuitable for AP but Vixen have spent almost ten years systematically improving the starbook software especially for southern hemisphere users. PEC, backlash etc is all there now. If you move up from the basic SXW to the SXD mechanical improvements are evident. If you decide to toss the Starbook for the NexD boards the mounts are said to be excellent. Finally, if you go for the even bigger spend and one of the current generation of mounts with Starbook 10 - Vixen have finally learnt from their past mistakes and the problems from their past mounts are gone and Vixen have finally achieved what they had aimed/hopef to provide almost 13 years ago with their mounts.

The catch of course is price.

[LewisM]

The mount being offered is brand new / current spec.

I have asked Steve Massey similar questions too, so be interesting what he says in this regard.

I sincerely thank those that have replied with their opinions etc. It is helping me certainly! Unfortunately, I cannot stretch to the Sphinx or GAIAX etc.

The NEQ6 has not fully lived up to what I expected of it, though still a decent mount certainly. I am trying to avoid Chinese mounts of ANY type, as there are too many issues I don't like very much - some trivial, some not so.

[Profiler (Profiler)]

Hunt around o'seas for a 2nd hand 1st generation sphinx - those who are in club Vixen are now gradually updating to SXD2's and SXPs as the Starbook 10 is a big drawcard so some good deals are coming along provided you are prepared to wait and watch out for one.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Yes Gary , I hear what you are saying .
My Vixen SP under my SKY90 is probably the best mount of its size I have ever used , its fit and finish is well above any Synta and its drives are super smooth with zero backlash , even tho its now 20 years old , try that with a Chineese mount .
15 arc seconds sounds about right.
Mine is the light green version .
Typical Japaneese quality .

And Lewis my SKY90 is probably heavier than your sweet FL102 , but a lot shorter .

Brian.

Originally Posted by garymck

Hi,

I bought a GPD2 a couple of years ago after disposing of an EQ6 that was underperforming despite many modifications and much effort. After some initial issues that ended up being resolved with some careful adjustment I was and am fully satisfied with it. Pe is about 15 arc secs, but some of that is due to some synta gear errors. (I'm driving it with an eq5 synscan upgrade kit). I think it is actually much better than this.

My rms guiding errors are about 10 times less than I ever got with the eq6. Essentially guided exposures are unlimited in length - or at least not limited by the mount.

The GPD2 may not carry as heavy a load as the eq6, but when used within its capacity simply eats the eq6 for breakfast in terms of accuracy.

fwiw
cheers
Gary

[garymck (Gary)]

Originally Posted by peter_4059

Is EQMOD compatible with this mount? Haven't heard of anyone doing this.

Hi Peter,

I do use eqmod with the synscan goto upgrade kit which is an easy fit to the GDD2. You don't use the large plastic cover that holds some of the wiring, but other than that it is a straight fit.

You do need to adjust the fit of the Synta gears as they are not round!! in one position my pe was terrible, By just rotating the gear 90 degrees and re fitting it to the worm it dropped to th 15 arc sec figure. This was good enough and guided well enough that I left well enough alone. Havent bothered to readjust for over 2 years.

cheers
Gary

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Me neither Gary .
Vixen make a sweeter mount ..
Brian.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

smae .
Vixen mechanics are world class .And the v10 software sounds like the goods ?.
A nice combo of a good thing aye Gary .
Make your call Lewis .
Brian.

Originally Posted by garymck

Hi Peter,

I do use eqmod with the synscan goto upgrade kit which is an easy fit to the GDD2. You don't use the large plastic cover that holds some of the wiring, but other than that it is a straight fit.

You do need to adjust the fit of the Synta gears as they are not round!! in one position my pe was terrible, By just rotating the gear 90 degrees and re fitting it to the worm it dropped to th 15 arc sec figure. This was good enough and guided well enough that I left well enough alone. Havent bothere do reeisin over 2 years.

cheers
Gary

[Wavytone]

Sorry but I beg to differ. I had an SXD and loathed it and the Starbook - sold it quickly for all sorts of reasons well known.

The new Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 is better than anything from Vixen - especially for those who want to use two scopes visually in tandem in altaz configuration. And hey yes, it does EQ as well.

More importantly the worms wheels are significantly bigger and the mount stiffer than an EQ6.

The Skywatcher software "sucks arse", but if you're prepared to mate it wirelessly with an iPad it wins hands down IMHO over anything from Vixen.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Bummer , %99.9876543 of us like Vixen .
How did the custemor service go ?
No need to swear by them Wayne !!!n
My Vixen and others perform very well .
Brian.

Originally Posted by Wavytone

Sorry but I beg to differ. I had an SXD and loathed it and the Starbook - sold it quickly for all sorts of reasons well known.

The new Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 is better than anything from Vixen - especially for those who want to use two scopes visually in tandem in altaz configuration. And hey yes, it does EQ as well.

More importantly the worms wheels are significantly bigger and the mount stiffer than an EQ6.

The Skywatcher software "sucks arse", but if you're prepared to mate it wirelessly with an iPad it wins hands down IMHO over anything from Vixen.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Stormy weather ..
Brian.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

..3rd time .
Brian .

[Profiler (Profiler)]

Hi Wavytone

No argument that Vixens 'had' a great reputation and established track record for being terrible but are your comments and experiences based on using one of the 1st generation (i.e SXW or SXD) mounts with the current version 2.3 of Starbook (I think released late 2011) or one of the earlier attempts over the past 7-8 years at trying to get the bugs out of their systems. As I mentioned the SXW/D with the NexD boards are well regarded and the Starbook 10 in the new generation mounts are another ball-park altogether

[Wavytone]

Profiler,

From the perspective of the technology of say 2000 the SXD and starbook I had made sense, and I agree technology has moved on, but Vixen seem notably "missing in action" when it comes to new products for mounts or decent eyepieces.

Their mount technology is 10+ years old. Archaic, frankly,
The LV and LVW eyepieces are an excellent but 20 year old design.
The NLV eyepieces are just LV's in an inferior plastic housing.

Their only recent product is the 200mm astrograph, for which Skywatcher having no equivalent.