Vixen introduce a very interesting Sphinx Mount SXD, 22KG payload capacity < $3K

[g__day (Matthew)]

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=9633

It may look like the original mount which has a 12kg payload capacity, but this one handles 50lbs or 22 kgs - about the same as an EQ6 for about $500 more.

Which makes its a very, very interesting scope for those with medium sized SCTs + guide scopes.

* * * *

Vixen - Sphinx SXD Deluxe Computerized Equatorial Mount with Starbook Controller

• The new deluxe version of the Vixen Sphinx mount is now available! Capable of handling a much larger OTA than the standard Sphinx...up to 50 pounds!
• Incorporates one piece hardened steel RA and DEC shafts with needle bearings, and includes periodic error correction (PEC).
• Bright 4.7" color LCD screen on the intuitive Starbook hand controller displays objects on a star chart background. Zoom in/out features on the screen also control motor speed...the controller and mount work in concert with one another!
• This model does not come with a tripod.
• Weight Capacity is 50 lbs.

* * * * *

http://www.astro-optical.com.au/newproducts.html

Delivery expected June/July 2007. Anticipated price $2899.00 - $2949.00 (without tripod

(Note interesting how Astro Optical supplies say it has a 15KG wiegth capacity, although the main Vixen site clearly says 50lbs / 2.2 = 22.7 Kgs).

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Not bad, not bad at all.

[matt]

Very interesting.

The stated load capacity (kgs) appears to be different depending on which website you're looking at, but it's certainly going to carry a heavier load than my SkyWatcher EQ6.

A 22kg load limit would be quite attractive. How nice would a Mewlon 250 look parked on top of that!!!

I also like the look of that little computer that comes with it.

[mick pinner]

the aussie web site is still quoting 15kg and priced at only $400 more than the American site, something amiss somewhere.

[Kal (Andrew)]

The vixen Japan website states 15kg as well, so I think OPTcorp are listing a wrong amount of 50lb.

The aussie price looks OK, if anything, OPTcorp is charging too much. It is listed as ¥262,500 in Japan, which is under AU$2600 with a direct conversion.

[g__day (Matthew)]

Could well be, but every single US site lists it as 50lbs!

[JohnH]

Hi all,

This mount has actually been around a while (Jan announcement I think) an has shipped in the US. Controversy rages in the Yahoo group about the carrying capacity depite that, certainly there are some users out there with big weights on it.

As ever with new products caution - let somebody else bust their chops on v1 especially as Vixen's (English language) customer support is diabolical/non-existant. There are some limitations in the starbook too, for example PEC though present does not save between sessions - you have to retrain each time you turn the power off...the dispay is upside down for S.Hemisphere users etc... Having said that no product is perfect and the Vixen mechanicals are excellent so I think, for the money, this knocks an EQ6 for six....that is why I have a Sphinx.

[casstony]

Vixen has done an outstanding job mechanically with the Sphinx - I like the short moment arm, common sense design. In addition to sorting out the bugs for imagers, I'd like to see them release a cheaper non-goto version.

[JohnH]

Originally Posted by casstony

Vixen has done an outstanding job mechanically with the Sphinx - I like the short moment arm, common sense design. In addition to sorting out the bugs for imagers, I'd like to see them release a cheaper non-goto version.

That is the domain of the GP and GPD surely? There is no way to manually set the Sphinx to DEC, RA (no setting circles).

BTW there were also starbook/motor upgrades released for the GP/GPD and the ALT/AZ Skypod...finally, and this really is JUST announced - the Atlux/Starbook. This latter really can carry 50lbs...

[casstony]

I guess setting circles would need to be added to a non-goto version, but I generally don't use setting circles as I use my EQ5 for objects that are easily found. I guess what I'm saying is I'd like to see the demise of the older style mounts and have the whole range based on the Sphinx design.

[g__day (Matthew)]

I spent quite some time last night looking for reviews. There was a partial one on cloudy nights, but it lacked alot of technical details.

Certainly the Yanks seems to be saying you sold it to us (and still do on six of the largest scope sites in the USA) as having a carrying capacity of 50 lbs - so if it's really only 33lbs welcome to a class action suit.

All say it looks beautiful, its mostly silent and its gotos are very good.

There is no technical assessment of the load carrying, although there are hints - like one guy saying I loaded it right up but there was no sign of strain or drop in performance. So the question remains does it match the carrying capacity of an EQ 6 (with 3 times better PE - untrained) or is it between an EQ 6 and HEQ 5?

Too I could find no technical assessment of the PE, the sentiment seemed to be it felt the same as the earlier version (about 8 arc secs vs 20 for a EQ6 and 15 for some HEQ5s - the EQ 5 and 6 PE from http://demeautis.christophe.free.fr/ep/pe.htm ).

Everyone was asking if the PEC was remembered between sessions - annoying if its not. I found no data on how good was the tracking once the
PE has been trained.

Lastly I haven't yet found anyone controlling the scope via running a simple network (10 base T) LAN cable into a PC and using the ASCOM drivers to run say Cartes Du Ciel and control everything from there - but I'd be confident its capable.

What I do hear about the starbook is it keeps getting better (it's up to software release version 35 now), but even with a dimmer function the display is too bright - some astro sites in the US sell it with a slab of red perspex to go over the display!

I'll be very interested to see how this develops. I'm guessing the load will be 15kgs - which isn't bad for its load carrying, pointing, tracking capabilities at the recommended price point, but at 22kgs it would have been fantastic!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

If it is 15kg then it's in the same weight limit as the Losmandy G8, but at $2600 the G8 doesn't come with Gemini for goto. At that weight to price ratio with goto it is looking like a very good option.

[g__day (Matthew)]

Yep, last I looked the G8 was around $4,000 with Goto, has a 13kg weight limit, looks sexy, has some risk of motor burnout if not well balanced and appears to be within 1 acrsec of the Vixen's tracking performance for the SXW mount.

So Vixen may have a winner here.

Interestingly I read that the local distributors - Astro Optical - who seem switched on to me - apparently didn't know of this mounts existence for the last 3 months until a customer queried them why they didn't stock it!

[beren]

looks sexy

The G8 price puts it temptingly close to the G11

[g__day (Matthew)]

The G11 seems to range with goto between $5,000 to $5,500 - for much sturdier design and carrying capacity - a much better buy IMHO.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by g__day

Certainly the Yanks seems to be saying you sold it to us (and still do on six of the largest scope sites in the USA) as having a carrying capacity of 50 lbs - so if it's really only 33lbs welcome to a class action suit.

I have read that Vixen rates the load carrying capacity quite conservatively compared to other makers. Could it just be American dealers taking licence based on that assumption?

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Starkler

I have read that Vixen rates the load carrying capacity quite conservatively compared to other makers. Could it just be American dealers taking licence based on that assumption?

Quite possibly – I once heard that e.g. Takahashi specify their mounts load carrying rating for imaging/auto guiding, whilst e.g. Losmandy specify their mounts load carrying rating for visual use and it is recommended to de-rate it for imaging?

Cheers

Dennis

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I've just noticed the Vixen is "Without Tripod". Why would you sell a mount without a tripod? I've noticed this with a number of mounts.

[Kal (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Quite possibly – I once heard that e.g. Takahashi specify their mounts load carrying rating for imaging/auto guiding, whilst e.g. Losmandy specify their mounts load carrying rating for visual use and it is recommended to de-rate it for imaging?

Cheers

Dennis

This sounds quite logical. I suppose if they are trying to market this mount in Japan against the low end tak mounts then stating the maximum capacity with regards to astrophotography makes sense. On the other hand, if you are marketing it in the US and your competition is more for visual use then stating a 'maximum capacity' with reference to visual capacity also makes sense. The different capacity figures would then be 15kg maximum recommended for photography, and 22kg maximum for visual.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I guess a fair proportion of people buying high end large mounts will fix them to a pier and don't want to pay for a tripod they wont use