Vixen Porta II Altaz Mount

The Porta II has all the same features you have come to love in the Original Porta Mount. This solid altimazimuth mount with a 20 lbs payload capacity, features Slow Motion Flexible Handles to minimize vibrations and keep your view sharp,very useful in searching and tracking celestial objects. The mount head is easily removed to allow for a switch to a heavier tripod. In addition, this is a great mount for terrestrial viewing. Our gear drives make it a simple matter to precisely track a planet or a ship on the horizon by 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. Five Year Warranty.

WHAT'S NEW:
1 Bolt Standardized for easy Tripod change
Flexible Handles

Vixen SkyPod GOTO Altaz Mount

The Skypod is a unique portable alt-azimuth computer controlled "Go To" mount that evolved from the very successful Vixen Sphinx mount. The Skypod incorporates a compact computer controlled Alt-Az system that automatically slews the telescope from one object to another. 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 shows you a map of the sky so that you always know where you are. Navigate by object name or use the starchart to plan your observing session. The 22,000 plus object, upgradeable data base, provides an endless variety of objects to view.

The controller is integrated into the mount. You can take it off for remote control, but you can always put it back for safe storage and transport. This means that for transport you can avoid all the separate small parts that are otherwise easily lost. Because the Skypod it is based on Vixen's flexible mounting system, a wide variety of telescopes will easily and quickly attach to this mount. Skypod provides good portability combined with ease of use and versatility.

Skypod Mount Details:

* Newly developed and sturdy alt-azimuth GoTo mount
* Electrical slow motion control in both axes
* Self-Contained Batteries and Starbook-S storage
* Integrated Starbook S controller, can be removed for cable-remote control
* Internal battery compartment (batteries not included) or 12V external power supply available
* Telescope connection by Vixen dovetail saddle plate
* Mount motion linked to star chart
* Mount Capacity: 15 lbs.
* Weight: 2.8kg/ 6 lbs
* Optional Counterweight

Vixen GPD2 Mount

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 degrees to 62 degrees in altitude.

GPD2 Mount Technical Data

# R.A Axis: 144 tooth worm gears
# Declination Axis: 144 tooth worm gears
# R.A. graduations: RA 10 min. increment
# Dec graduations 2 deg. Increments
# Polar Axis Scope: 6x20 wide field
# Mount includes pre-installed variable intensity illuminator
# Polar Axis Altitude adjustment 0 to 62 degrees
# Counter weight 1 x 3.7kg and 1 x 1.9kg
# Maximum loading weight 16kg (35 lbs)

Vixen GPD2 StarBook S GOTO EQ Mount

The latest option for the GP2 and GPD2 mounts is the new STARBOOK S which incorporates Vixen’s legendary GOTO controller with BUILT IN STAR CHART that shows you exactly where the telescope is pointing and displays “what’s up” right now. The included (and upgradeable) software contains a 22,000 object database giving the user an endless variety of objects to view. Included are drop down menus of different categories of celestial objects, including Stars, Planets, Messier, NGC and other famous objects. Each sub menu only lists the objects that are available to be viewed at that time. This eliminates the frustration of other GOTO systems that don’t tell you the object is below the horizon until after you have selected it. With the Vixen Starbook you will spend more time viewing and less time searching.

The package includes advanced encoded motors for accurate tracking and an auto-guider port and PEC (periodic error correction) are standard features. All of this makes the GP2 and GPD2 with STARBOOK S the most affordable, quality astro-photographer’s mount available.

Vixen Sphinx SXW GOTO EQ Mount w/StarBook

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 alike will benefit from the portability of the mount, the easy-to-use 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 SX HAL130 tripod comes with this mount. If you'd like a very portable option, the SX Table-Top Tripod is recommended, and is sold separately.

The SPHINX Mount has the Following Features...

* The mount uses a 180-tooth worm gear for fine full circle motion.

* Built-in motors allow for improved motion of the polar axis rotation and reduces the need for heavy counterweights. The counterweight shaft is stored inside the mount for convenience.

* An optional internally illuminated polar axis scope can be easily threaded into the mount body.

* The SX mount easily handles Vixen’s 8 inch aperture optical tubes and utilizes the standard Vixen dovetail bracket.

* The recommended loading capacity of the SPHINX mount is 28 lbs.

* A Half Pillar accessory option adds height adjustment and viewing location versatility.

Vixen Sphinx SXD GOTO EQ Mount w/StarBook

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 SXD can handle a load capacity up to 38 lbs. The Sphinx SXD comes complete with PEC and the incredibly accurate SX Polar 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.

The SPHINX Mount has the Following Features...

* The mount uses a 180-tooth worm gear for fine full circle motion.

* Built-in motors allow for improved motion of the polar axis rotation and reduces the need for heavy counterweights. The counterweight shaft is stored inside the mount for convenience.

* Standard internally illuminated polar axis scope.

* The recommended loading capacity of the SPHINX mount is 38 lbs.

* A Half Pillar accessory option adds height adjustment and viewing location versatility.