Vixen - Mounts & Tripods

Building on the continuing success of the Sphinx SXD mount Vixen now has
the NEW ATLUX MOUNT with STARBOOK controller coming in, in limited
quantities.

The NEW ATLUX is a midsized Go‐To equatorial mount newly designed to
work with the STARBOOK hand controller. The mount is engineered and
manufactured to offer the best slewing and tracking performance in an
easily transportable package.  

The GP2 equatorial mount comes standard with tripod and counterweight. It
is easy to use and functions well for both the visual observer and
astrophotography. The declination and right-ascension functions with
144-tooth aluminum worm gears allowing accurate tracking. Motion is
controlled by included control knobs for accurate slewing.

The polar altitude adjustment varies from 0° to 62° in altitude.
Optional single axis or dual axis motors and controllers are available as
is a polar alignment telescope and setting circles.

The GPD2 equatorial mount is the stronger and heftier of the GP mounts.
With it's solid steel R. A. and Declination axes and brass worm gears this
mount will hold up to years of heavy use. In order to assure accurate
tracking for astrophotography the worm, gears are especially machined to a
very high precision that minimizes periodic error.

The GPD2 holds almost 50% more weight than the GP2 and comes standard with
tripod and counterweight. It is easy to use and functions well for both the
visual observer and astrophotography. Motion is controlled by included
control knobs for accurate slewing. The polar altitude adjustment varies
from 0° to 62° in altitude.

The New Mini-Porta comes equipped with two fine adjustment handles for
whole circle slow motion in both directions, very useful in searching and
tracking celestial objects. In addition, this is a great mount for
terrestrial viewing. Vixen's gear drives make it a simple matter to
precisely track a planet or a ship on the horizon by simply turning the
elevation and or azimuth control handles. The "World-Standard" dovetail
attachment system on PORTA was developed by Vixen. This allows the PORTA to
accept various dovetail mounted optical tubes and binoculars. 

For so many years the beginning astronomer was forced to buy a mount that
was unstable and almost useless when viewing at high power. More often than
not, the frustration of using an unstable mount resulted in the telescope
only being used for one night and being left in a closet to collect dust.
The Porta mount changes all that. It is one of our proudest designs. The
combination of smooth movement, rigid design and stable platform makes your
first use a pleasure and will bring you back to view more and more of the
night sky.

The PORTA comes equipped with two fine adjustment handles for whole circle
slow motion in both directions. It is useful for fine motion used in
searching and tracking of celestial objects. In addition it is a great
mount for terrestrial viewing. Our gear drives it make it a simple matter
to precisely track a planet or a ship on the horizon by simply turning the
elevation and or azimuth control handles. The "World-Standard" dovetail
attachment system on PORTA was developed by Vixen. This allows the PORTA to
accept various dovetail mounted optical tubes and binoculars.

The Skypod is a unique portable alt-azimuth computer controlled "Go To"
mount that evolved from the very successful Vixen Sphinx mount. (Image
shows Skypod with optional tabletop stand) The Skypod incorporates a
compact computer controlled Alt-Az system that automatically slews the
telescope from one object to another. The 27,000 plus object data base
provides an endless variety of object to view and is upgradeable.

This new and portable GoTo travel mount uses the modified Starbook S hand
controller that offers the same practical user concept of the Sphinx
controller. A display will show you a map of the sky so that you always
know where you are.

The controller is integrated into the mount. You can take it off for
remote control, but you can always put it back for save storage and
transport. This means that for transport you can avoid all the separate
small parts that are otherwise easily lost.

The Vixen SX or SPHINX mount and STAR BOOK hand controller are
groundbreaking advancements in high speed, portable GOTO mount technology.
The SPHINX is a solid, well built mount that has the look and feel of Vixen
quality.

Beginners and seasoned hobbyists will benefit from the portability of the
mount, ease of use of the controller, the ability to download future
upgrades directly to the controller and the versatility of placing a
variety of optical tubes on this equatorial mount.

The innovative STAR BOOK hand controller offers astronomical navigation
with a large full-color LCD screen! The color screen is a detailed star
chart that acts as a navigational and GOTO guide for the mount.

While the outsides might look similar to the standard Sphinx Mount, the
changes that have happened under the hood are huge! Incorporating one piece
hardened steel RA and DEC shafts with needle bearings throughout, the new
Sphinx D can handle a load capacity up to 50 lbs. This now comes standard
with PEC and the incredibly accurate SX Polare Finder Scope.

Astronomers with larger optical tubes and all level of astrophotographers
are sure to feel right at home with the intuitive controls that so many
have become accustomed to with the standard Sphinx Mount. Its 4.7″
Color LCD Display gives an exact position against its scrolling star chart,
any object is a point and look away! 

The innovative STAR BOOK hand controller offers astronomical navigation
with a large full-color LCD screen! The color screen is a detailed star
chart that acts as a navigational and GOTO guide for the mount.

Zoom-In/Out buttons for the color star chart display also control the
motor speed. As you zoom in closer to an object on the display screen, the
motor speed automatically becomes finer and as you zoom out the motor speed
increases to cover larger distances.

Features and menu options are displayed on the large color screen and are
easily navigated with simple buttons on the controller. The STAR BOOK is
amazingly easy to use and makes the SPHINX available to a wide range of
ages and experience levels.