Vixen has developed a new generation of SX mounts for demanding observers and astrophotographers.
The SX2WL mount is simply operated via a Wifi module with a smartphone or tablet. By controlling the mount with your smartphone using the free STAR BOOK Wireless app, you can easily use sky navigation functions such as automatic GoTo panning of celestial objects via your smartphone or tablet. By eliminating the power consumption of the conventional LCD (STAR BOOK TEN), the power consumption on the mount is reduced by up to 20%, thus enabling longer astronomical observation and astrophotography.
When the desired celestial object is selected from a list, it is automatically panned into the telescope's field of view and tracking begins.
An existing STAR BOOK TEN controller can also be used on this mount without any problems. Equipped with the same precision stepper motors as the top model, the AXD mount, the SXD2WL brings a new standard of performance and precision to the Vixen mount family.
With a photographic load capacity of 12 kg, the axis cross of the mount weighs just 7.0 kg (15.4 lbs) making it ideal for mobile observations.
In addition, the motors mounted in the lower part of the mount also serve as a counterweight, so the mount requires fewer weights for balancing.
The wireless module in detail
The Vixen Wifi adapter for EQ mounts allows you to control your Vixen mount via a smartphone or tablet. With the smartphone app STAR BOOK Wireless (free of charge) you can navigate the sky without any cables. The app turns your smartphone or tablet into a control unit for the equatorial mount in no time at all. The response delay of the mount, which is considered the biggest disadvantage of wireless connections, has been reduced to a level comparable to wired connections.
Reduced power consumption compared to conventional controllers with LCD monitor
The power consumption of the mount is reduced by up to 20%, allowing longer observations than with conventional wired controllers such as the STAR BOOK TEN.
Operation similar to the STAR BOOK TEN controller
The STAR BOOK Wireless app has a similar structure to the STAR BOOK TEN controller. Depending on the star map setting, it contains up to 259,000 celestial objects. Tap on a celestial object in the object list and start the GoTo. The mount will now automatically move to this target and bring it into the telescope's field of view. All the popular features of the STAR BOOK TEN are retained.
Convenient operation
When looking through the telescope operate the mount by swiping on the app's star chart. As there are no buttons, simply slide your finger over the star chart to operate the mount conveniently.
Extensive astronomical data included
In addition to data on easily observable celestial bodies such as Messier objects, NGC objects and IC objects, this also includes the sun, moon, planets, comets and dwarf planets.
High-precision alignment
By aligning the mount to one or two stars, you can already achieve fairly precise positioning. By aligning the mount to three or more stars, you can achieve high-precision alignment of the mount for high magnifications. The objects are then approached precisely and centrally in your telescope's field of view. The alignment information is saved and can be retained even when the device is switched off. By leaving the telescope in its current state after completing an observation without moving it, you can start the automatic installation with the same settings for the next observation.
Individual setting options
As with the STAR BOOK TEN control unit, the app offers various individual settings, such as gear backlash compensation, night mode in red, autoguider and variable GoTo speed and LED brightness. You can also set the timing of the reversal of the objective tube (meridian flip) as desired. Even if the object moves to the south during tracking, you can prevent the telescope tube from reversing.
Important note: Cannot be used on old SX mounts with the old blue Star Book!
Technical information about the Wifi module: CPU with 32-bit CISC processor 120 MHz
The unit is connected to the mount via a D-SUB 9PIN connector as with the STAR BOOK TEN. It has a 6-pin 6-wire modular plug for external autoguider operation. Supported operating systems are Android 6 or higher, iOS 9.0 or higher, WLAN standard: IEEE 802.11b/g/n.
