Any views on Vixen Sphinx Mount?

tanguan2001 · Post by **tanguan2001** » Sun May 23, 2004 11:23 am

Hi all,

I joined the forum last year when I knew I would be moving to S'pore, but have not had time until now to get back into astronomy.

Anyway I am looking for a replacement mount for my CG5. Main purpose is astrophotography. For more info about what I've done so far, go to:

http://www.angelfire.com/space2/tgtan/

I am thinking about the Vixen Sphinx, but have not been able to find any info on the web about it tracking accuracy, ie periodic error. Also I had heard that the auto-guiding uses a proprietary Vixen protocol. I'd like to use Iris to autoguide with a webcam (my SAC7), but is uses the LX200 protocol, I believe.

Any info or help appreciated.

TG

MCYM · Post by **MCYM** » Sun May 23, 2004 1:50 pm

Hi TG Welcome back in action

Long to time no hear. The images you have taken with SAC7 were extraordinary. Along with your new setup, continual update with these excellent images would be a real treat to all of us.

WRT to sphinx periodic error, i have seen report of PE at 18" pp w/o correction in a relevant yahoo groups.
As far as i can tell, PEC and autoguider has not yet been made available via starbook update. So as it is, we have yet to see its full potential as a imaging platform.

If you are shopping for a new mount, Do lookout for LXD75 debut in the coming months (replacement for LXD55). Although it is not in the same genre as vixen, it is definitely catching up. The software breakthrough is that they have managed to include PEC feature on Autostar which was within LX200 domain. Autoguiding with LX200 protocol could be easily handle by IRIS, K3CCD, astrosnap etc. Comes in fashionable white and low price tag. Actual performance is anyone's call at this moment.

Best Regards

Matthew

shoelevy · Post by **shoelevy** » Sun May 23, 2004 2:02 pm

hi tanguan2001...i don't know much about your mount but wat i do know is groups.yahoo.com have alot of interested groups available for u to post any questions u haf on any particular thing. i had questions with my cg5 mount and it was enthusiasts there which help me.
so u can try

dew · Post by **dew** » Sun May 23, 2004 4:23 pm

i happen to have the vixen sphinx and right now im just crossing my fingers and hope that vixen will follow through in its promise to provide updates for the starbook software and auto guiding + PEC. if your in no hurry i would advise to wait a while (i dont know how long it will take vixen though) cause as of right now the sphinx is just not ready to be a proper ap mount. there are also alot of other issues which are discussed at the vixen sphinx yahoo group like inconsistant goto pointing accuracy sometimes and underdeveloped starbook software..

eu-wen

tanguan2001 · Post by **tanguan2001** » Sun May 23, 2004 9:10 pm

dew wrote:i happen to have the vixen sphinx and right now im just crossing my fingers and hope that vixen will follow through in its promise to provide updates for the starbook software and auto guiding + PEC. if your in no hurry i would advise to wait a while (i dont know how long it will take vixen though) cause as of right now the sphinx is just not ready to be a proper ap mount. there are also alot of other issues which are discussed at the vixen sphinx yahoo group like inconsistant goto pointing accuracy sometimes and underdeveloped starbook software..

eu-wen

Eu Wen,

Thanks all. Found the Vixen Spinx Yahoo Group as well as the scopemounts group. I hadn't realised that the mount can't do autoguiding yet! In that case I will probably have to avoid it. Which leaves other options ie GP-DX w SS2000 (but more in total more expensive than the Sphinx), Losmandy G8 or 11, or Takahashi (much more expensive). I've also read it's possible to fit the SS2000 motors and GoTo to the CG5 - don't much trust the mechanical quality of the CG5, though.

TG

Post by **Airconvent** » Mon May 24, 2004 2:51 am

Hi TG,
Welcome to Singastro..
wow.. you images are great! You managed to capture Uranus. How about Neptune?

Your home in Sarawak must have pretty clear and dark skies, in contrast to the ever bright skies we have. But still look forward to seeing your imaging efforts here in Singapore.

I think Weixing would love to talk to you as he's doing imaging on his 6" Skywatcher Newtonian, except that instead of CCD, he uses a CP4500.
Do join in our regular observation sessions...and don't forget to update your equipment list on the Equipment Database section.

rich

tanguan2001 · Post by **tanguan2001** » Mon May 24, 2004 10:23 pm

Thanks Rich,

No, haven't imaged Neptune. Must admit I've not been very good at planets due to limitations of the scope resolution. Also my interest is more in deep sky. The challenge was in actually finding the thing - as in the eyepiece it was indistinguishable from a star.

The skies in Miri were dark, but as here, often cloudy. I don't really know how much the skyglow will affect imaging here yet - haven't brought out the telescope yet.

TG

Post by **Airconvent** » Tue May 25, 2004 1:29 am

tanguan2001 wrote:Thanks Rich,

No, haven't imaged Neptune. Must admit I've not been very good at planets due to limitations of the scope resolution. Also my interest is more in deep sky. The challenge was in actually finding the thing - as in the eyepiece it was indistinguishable from a star.

The skies in Miri were dark, but as here, often cloudy. I don't really know how much the skyglow will affect imaging here yet - haven't brought out the telescope yet.

TG

Hi,
I think a broad band filter would help here....
Personally, for the bad skies in Sinagpore, I prefer a 6x30 finder but in dark and clear skies such as those in Mersing, I'm a red dot finder convert!
I guess Samuel, a hard core red dot finder advocate would be happy to hear this!
Due to unpredictable skies here, you need to be "on call" everynight.
I suggest you join the Clear Sky Network (CSN), so that CC can sms you whenever a session is on. Would help if you drive too so no place to too remote for you!

rich

Post by **Lee** » Tue May 25, 2004 3:45 pm

Airconvent wrote:
tanguan2001 wrote:Thanks Rich,

No, haven't imaged Neptune. Must admit I've not been very good at planets due to limitations of the scope resolution. Also my interest is more in deep sky. The challenge was in actually finding the thing - as in the eyepiece it was indistinguishable from a star.

The skies in Miri were dark, but as here, often cloudy. I don't really know how much the skyglow will affect imaging here yet - haven't brought out the telescope yet.

TG
Hi,
I think a broad band filter would help here....
Personally, for the bad skies in Sinagpore, I prefer a 6x30 finder but in dark and clear skies such as those in Mersing, I'm a red dot finder convert!
I guess Samuel, a hard core red dot finder advocate would be happy to hear this!
Due to unpredictable skies here, you need to be "on call" everynight.
I suggest you join the Clear Sky Network (CSN), so that CC can sms you whenever a session is on. Would help if you drive too so no place to too remote for you!

rich

Is this off-topic ?

Post by **Airconvent** » Tue May 25, 2004 5:19 pm

Lee wrote:Is this off-topic ?

Hi
Yeah...moving a little off topic. Perhaps we can start a new thread under "General Astronomy" if we want to discuss on this further.
In the meantime, reply here if you have further comments on the Vixen Spinx drive.
Cheers

rich
Moderator