Vixen Optics Sphinx SX2 Equatorial Mount with Star Book Ten

Made for long observation sessions, Vixen's Sphinx SX2 Equatorial Mount features precision motors and gears for accurate long-duration tracking. Dual stepper motors provide smooth and virtually vibration-free tracking that run at up to 250 pps. Its full-circle brass wheel gear allows the mount to track over extremely long periods with little error. The RA and DEC motors are situated inside the mount to reduce interference, and act as counterbalance for smaller scopes, eliminating the need for the counterweights and shaft. When not in use, the counterweight shaft retracts into the mount and out of the way.

The Sphinx comes with the Star Book Ten (SB10) computerized hand controller that is loaded with a database of 272,342 celestial objects such as the Moon, Sun, and planets, plus astronomical catalogs including SAO, NGC, and Messier. The SB10 has a 5" 800x400 resolution LED backlit TFT LCD screen that displays star charts, maps, as well as menu options. To aid set-up, there is a built-in 6x20 polar alignment scope that is set inside the mount. It has an 8° wide angle field of view and an illuminated reticle. The Polaris guide scale, for use in the Northern hemisphere, is accurate through the year 2025. An Octant 4-star pattern is also set on the reticle for use in the Southern hemisphere.

The Sphinx is offered here without an optical tube assembly, tripod, or pier.

Gears and Motors

• Two stepping (pulse) motors at 250 pulses per second
• 180-tooth full circle micro-movement wheel gear
• 40mm aluminum-alloy die-cast Right Ascension axis
• 35mm aluminum-alloy Declination axis
• ±7° azimuth adjustment, twin tangent screws/knobs with about 1.2°/rotation
• 0-70° altitude adjustment, 3-altitude zone settings, 2° increment altitude scale, twin T-bar handles with 0.8°/rotation

Star Book Ten

• Powered by mount through connector port, button-battery included to keep internal clock running
• 5" TFT LCD display with LED backlight
• 800x480 WVGA resolution
• Red backlit keypad
• Independent screen and keypad dimming control
• ST-4 compatible integrated autoguider port
• "GOTO" slewing with up to 1000x sidereal rate
• 272,342 celestial object database: SAO: 258997, NGC objects: 7840, IC objects: 5386, Messier objects: 109, 7 Planets, 1 quasi-planet, Moon, and Sun
• Programmable user-defined objects
• Automatic and manual GoTo Slewing
• Sidereal tracking with different tracking speeds for the Sun, the Moon, planets, comets, and artificial satellites including the International Space Station
• Backlash compensation
• Periodic error correction (PEC) removes inaccuracies inherent in gears and allows for more accurate tracking, especially for long-exposure astrophotography
• Adjustable screen brightness
• Hibernate mode
• Built-in speaker
• Software updates using LAN connection
• Compatible with Windows SP, Vista, 7, 8, & 8 Pro
• Not compatible with Mac, Linux, and Unix operating systems
• 6.7x6.1x1.2" weighing 13.4 oz

Specifications