Vixen X000103 AXD 2 Mount with Starbook TEN

Vixen X000103 AXD 2 Mount with Starbook TEN

In the past, there were two different models of mount, such as the ATLUX mount. There was also the StarBook controller. Each of these devices was, at the time, innovative and powerful. With increasing use of DSLR cameras with high sensitivities which allow photographers to take truly breath-taking images, the demand for accuracy and more state-of-the-art technology has increased. Vixen has responded to these developments by developing the Vixen AXD2 mount. The aim was to create a powerful mountwith high accuracy, developed for both astro photography novices and professional photographers. Even advanced astronomers will find that the high performance and precise tracking pay off handsomely in observation and photography, and that they can achieve outstanding photographic results. Thanks to user-friendly operation, the AXD mount also offers novice astronomers the opportunity to get involved with astro photography, without having to have expert knowledge. Whichever kind of astronomy interests you, whether photographer or observer, you’ll be able to operate the mount with ease.

The AXD2 mount in detail

Robust construction and lightweight housing
The A7075 super-alloy, the strongest aluminium alloy, is used for the R.A. and DEC axes. The stability of the A7075 super-alloy is stronger than titanium, which is known for its strength as a lightweight material. Its thickness is 38% less than titanium. Using the A7075 super-alloy for the axes ensures that the AXD mount is both lightweight and stable.

21 bearings
The rotating parts of the AXD mount have a total of 21 bearings. These ensure uniform motion in order to swivel the telescope and track objects.

Stepper motors
Vixen uses precise stepper motors for the mount in order to ensure optimal performance. The motors are controlled via a micro-step motion control system, which eliminates the disadvantage of stepper motors with large steps. The system generates 400 impulses per second at a high speed. This results in very quiet scanning with no vibrations. The stepper motors on the AXD mount have sufficient torques. This is most significant when working at high magnifications and photographing with a CCD camera with small pixel sizes.

Worm gears
The sizes of the worm gears were increased in the latest Atlux version. The AXD mount has 270 teeth in the R.A. axis and 216 teeth in the DC axis. Both axes are 50 mm in diameter. This ensures that the mount operates with precision and stability.

Low backlash
The Vixen micro-step motion control system ensures that the stepper motors run uniformly at low and high speeds. This eliminates the need for reduction gears in the motor and therefore reduces the backlash in the gears.

Elegant design
The flat sides of the mount were designed based on previous generations of the New Atlux range. The white and silver housing provides a modern and elegant exterior with high functionality. The AXD2 is the flagship model in the Vixen mount range.

Original motor layout
The solid R.A. and DEC motor units are arranged in the lower part of the mount. This means that they automatically act as a counterweight. As a result, you require far fewer weights on the counterweight bar. On small devices, no counterweight is required. The counterweight bar can be slid fully into the housing.

Polar finder scope
The AXD2 mount is equipped with a 6x20 polar finder as standard. The polar finder features an integrated scale, which provides a quick and accurate way to polar align the telescope in the northern hemisphere. For observations in southern latitudes, the polar finder features an image of the Octans constellation, which can be aligned with the night sky.

VPEC periodic error correction
Periodic errors on mounts are usually measured and corrected by the user. Unlike the old StarBook controller, the STAR BOOK TEN controller saves these errors permanently. The periodic error of the mount is measured in the factory and corrected before delivery. This is known as VPEC and functions automatically as soon as you use the mount. It delivers an accuracy of +/- 2.8 arc seconds. You can increase the tracking accuracy further by saving your own recorded periodic errors.

Additional features
The silver pitch circles have verniers. The German structure has been maintained in the development of the robust, lightweight AXD mount. All electronic components in the mount are fitted to a circuit board to simplify wiring. The mount is equipped with an extremely reliable electrical circuit board.

Modern STAR BOOK TEN controller in detail

High Definition Color LCD
The side 5-inch TFT color LCD of the STAR BOOK TEN displays stars and constellations of the night sky similar to those seen in a planetarium.Its high definition screen (High resolution of 800 x 480 dots, Multicolor display panel of approximately 65,000 colors) shows you vivid images of stars.The night vision feature illuminates the whole screen in red, if applied, and will limit the brightness to the observer´s eyes.

Accurate tracking
In machines with complicated gear combinations like the equatorial drive, it is inevitable that backlash occurs. STAR BOOK TEN corrects and suppresses backlash by precise control.In addition, Periodic error corrections you have done to improve tracking accuracy of the mount are saved and retained if you turn off the power. The P-PEC data can be called up next time you use the mount for astrophotography. It is available for SXP and AXD only.

Convenient numeric keys
STAR BOOK TEN assigns frequently used commands to numeric keys, so you can select the desired menu with one push. Furthermore, it is also possible to select the Bayer designation of a star belonging to a constellation.

Celestial Objects Database
The STAR BOOK TEN contains more than 272,000 celestial objects including approximately 260,000 stars from the SAO catalogue, 109 Messier objects, 7,840 NGC objects and 5,380 IC objects as well as the sun, moon, and planets.

You can set what is displayed on the star chart. It is possible to customize the display by limiting the type, name and magnitude of the deep sky objects to be displayed. This allows you to limit the number of stars displayed on the star chart so that you can prevent the screen from being full of luminous stars.

Display auto guide screen and star chart at the same time
You can display the star image captured by an auto guide camera (optional) simultaneously with the star chart.

Improvements

Orbital elements of comets and artificial satellites can be registered. By connecting to your PC, you can also register from the browser.

The automatic Go-To slewing is available. Also, tracking celestial objects is possible.

User coordinates can be registered. It is possible to register not only RA.DEC coordinates but also ALT.AZ coordinates of the ground objects.

Alignment information can be stored. If you do not move the telescope, you can maintain alignment information even if you turn off the power.

Alignment information can be deleted. Traditionally, once it is stored as an alignment point it can not be erased, and in case of redoing it had to be reset after turning off the power. STARBOOK TEN can erase arbitrary alignment data.

Avoid meridian reversal. The user can set the timing of Optical tube inversion.

Orbital elements of comets and artificial satellites can be registered. By connecting to your PC, you can also register from the browser.

The automatic Go-To slewing is available. Also, tracking celestial objects is possible.

User coordinates can be registered. It is possible to register not only RA.DEC coordinates but also ALT.AZ coordinates of the ground objects.

Alignment information can be stored. If you do not move the telescope, you can maintain alignment information even if you turn off the power.

Alignment information can be deleted. Traditionally, once it is stored as an alignment point it can not be erased, and in case of redoing it had to be reset after turning off the power. STARBOOK TEN can erase arbitrary alignment data.

Avoid meridian reversal. The user can set the timing of optical tube inversion.

Features

30 kg load (photographic)

Illuminated polar finder with direct star setting

Periodic error: accuracy of +/-2.8 arc seconds

VPEC periodic error correction

Retractable counterweight bar

Modern STARBOOK TEN controller with autoguider input

More than 270,000 stored celestial objects

Dimensions: 457 x 465 x 152 mm

Weight of equatorial head: 25 kg without counterweight