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SX Equatorial Mount | Achromatic Refractor Set | ED Refractor Set
Newtonian Reflector Set | Catadioptric Optical Tube Set
The origin of the name, SPHINX
The "SPHINX (SX)" originates from the appearacne of the tabletop SXC similar to the enshrined sphinx next to the pyramid..
What is SPHINX？
Sphinx is a legendary monster that lives alone in a mountain. In Greek mythology, it had a face and breast of a woman, a body of a lion, and wings. Sphinx also had a high intelligence and asked all passersby the famous riddle; "Which creature walks on four feet in the morning, two at noon, adn three at night?" She is also known as "Harmakhis," which means the ancient god, Horus, who rules in the horizens at sunrise and at sunset.. It was said to symbolize a high intelligence, power, unity, truth of the universe.
SX Equatorial Mounts are equipped with celestial navigation system.
The built-in motor drive, the controller, "STAR BOOK," with the world's first large color LCD screen, are also attached. Beautiful coloring and design, high-precision go-to system & auto-guider are all produced by detailed processings employed in every step.
Features of SX Equatorial Mounts
1. High-Speed / High-Precision Automatic Go-To System
By shortening the declination axis on the optical tube side and including counterweights in the built-in motor, the movement around the polar axis was dramatically improved. The energy-saving high speed rotations and accurate motor controls are also available.
2. Built-In Motor
An intelligent model is created by installing all the motors inside. The setup becomes very easy since it does not have many cords as a model without built-in motors would.
3. Reduced Weight
It employs an unprecedented inside layout with two motors in the lower part of the declination axis unit. Since motors themselves work as the weight, the optical tube can be balanced by adding a few light counterweights. There are a few types that do not need any counterweight added.
4. Adjustable Counterweight Bar
Stainless material that prevents a corrosion is used for the weight axis. In addition, the adjustable counterweight bar that is inserted inside the main body of equatorial mount has made installment and setting much easier.
5. Polar Axis Scope
No setting is necessary at installment, since you just need to screw it in the equatorial mount. The level part rotates, so you do not need to rotate the equatorial mount to adjust the polar axis as before. The polar axis is adjusted accurately with the newly implemented precession correction scale.
6. Large Tripod
A highly durable special tripod (SX-HAL130) that prevents twists around the installing part would enable a
stable observation.
※Attached in the set. SXW Mount and SXC Mountsets do not include this.
The Controller with a Large Color LCD, "STAR BOOK"
The world's first controller with a large color LCD screen. The map that shows the positons of stars and their detailed information are stored.
1. Large Color LCD
4.7" color LCD, 320×240 dots.
2. Easy Control Buttons like a Home Game Player
The intuitive operation is possible just by following the instructions displayed on the LCD screen.
3. The Interactive Telescope Control
The magnification of the star map and the motor speed of the equatorial mount are interactive in the Telescope Mode.
4. Speakers Built-in
Sound alarms like "Automatic go-to system complete" are installed.
5. Version Upgrades are Possible
The program can be upgraded to the latest version with the built-in LAN connection terminal. The addition functions are available after downloading from the upgrade information page and installing.
6. Possible Use as a Single Unit
The STAR BOOK can be used as a standalone unit by using the built-in 12-V power input terminal. You can see the star map, constellation commentary, planet information, and other abundant data.
7. PC Compatibility
Compatible with the celestial navigation software sold in the market, Stellar Navigator Ver.8.0 and Stellar Gear.
8. Vertical / Horizontal Movement
The horizontal/vertical movement resembling that of an altazimuth mount is possible.
9. Autoguider Function
The automatic guiding is possible by connecting a separately-sold guide scope, CCD camera, and autoguide adapter. The autoaguide function processes the signal it receives from the CCD camera installed on the guide scope, and it automatically guides the telescope with a high precision for long hours. It is a powerful feature especially in the photography in which long exposures are used.
10. PEC Function
It is the function which corrects the mechanical error (PE / periodic error) that occurs during celestial tracking. It is a powerful feature in astrophotography and celestial tracking with a high precision.
11. Comet Go-To Function
Enter the comet's orbital data directly or download the orbital data from the upgrade information page to carry out the comet go-to system.
12. Available in 6 Languages
The versions in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish are available.
SX Equatorial Mount（with the controller STAR BOOK attached）can be purchased as a single unit.
Combining with your optical tube and tripod, enjoy the observation of stars with the celestial navigation function.
SX Equatorial Mount（Single Unit）
SXC Mount
- A weightless (no weight is attached) type on which a light optical tube can be mounted.
- Designed to work as a tabletop type by attaching an SX tabletop leg (sold separately).
- The controller STAR BOOK attached
Product No.2501-03
※SX Weight Shaft Unit, Weight, SX Decl. Axis Clamp Unit are not provided（sold separately）
SXW Mount
- Counterweight is attached to allow a large optical tube to be mounted.
- The controller STAR BOOK attached
Product No.2502-02
SX Equatorial Mount (with STAR BOOK), an optical tube, a tripod, two eyepieces are
offered in a pack.
Optical tubes included in the SX Equatorial Mount series are the following types:
Achromatic Refractor + SX Equatorial Mount
A80SS-SXC
- By combining an SX equatorial mount and a small refracting-type optical tube, a weightless & tabletop type can be created.
- A completely new model which lets you enjoy serious star watching by a high-precision equatorial mount.
- XY spot finder which performs an automatic go-to function just by setting the target object over the red dot seen through the scope is installed.
- The attached flip mirror enables you to change the optical path by one-touch. You can switch betweek star watching and astro-photography quickly.
Product No.2701-01
Objective Lens Effective Diameter: 80mm
Optical Tube Length : 362mm
Finderscope : XY spot finder(Equal size)
Attached Eyepieces : PL 8mm, PL 8mm + Barlow
A80M-SXW
- Achromatic lens which employs the coating that reduces aberration.
- Its ease of use makes it applicable for a wide range from observing to astro-photography.
- Most appropriate model for the beginners starting serious star watching.
- Highly satisfactory in every category such as performance, appearance, and price.
- The best seller among the SX Equatorial Mount series with tripods.
※As of the export data in 2006
Product No.2706-06
Objective Lens Effective Diameter: 80mm
Optical Tube Length : 915mm
Finderscope : XY spot finder (Equal size)
Attached Eyepieces : PL 20mm, PL 6mm
A102M-SXW
- Achromatic lens which employs the coating that reduces aberration.
- Its ease of use makes it applicable for a wide range from observing to astro-photography.
- Most appropriate model for the beginners starting serious star watching.
- You will realize a difference in the light gathering power compared to A80M-SXW when you use high magnification or observe faint celestial objects.
Product No.2707-05
Objective Lens Effective Diameter : 102mm
Optical Tube Length : 1,060mm
Finderscope : XY spot finder (Equal size)
Attached Eyepieces : PL 20mm, PL 6mm
A105M-SXW
- The excellent light gathering power produced by the aperture size of 105mm can be proven especially when observing with a high magnification or when observing finat nebulae or star clusters.
Product No.27261-7
Objective Lens Effective Diameter : 105mm
Focal Distance : 1,000mm
Optical Tube Length : 1,060mm
Finderscope : XY Spot Finder（equal size）
Attached Eyepieces : NPL20mm, NPL6mm
ED Refractor + SX Equatorial Mount
ED81S-SXW
- Apochromatic optical tube with the chromatic aberration reduced by the ED (Extremely low dispersion glass) lens.
- A clear high-contrast image with few blurrs can be obtained.
- In spite of the smallest aperture size, 18mm, you will be satisfied by the high quality of the ED lens.
Product No.2708-04
Objective Lens Effective Diameter : 81mm
Optical Tube Length : 600mm
Finderscope : XY spot finder (Equal size)
Attached Eyepieces : LV 20mm, LV 5mm
ED103S-SXW
- Apochromatic optical tube with the chromatic aberration reduced by the ED (Extremely low dispersion glass) lens.
- A clear high-contrast image with few blurrs can be obtained.
- The 103-mm ED lens is applicable in a broad area from observation to astro-photography.
- For those who want to enjoy the starry night sky thoroughly.
Product No.2709-03
Objective Lens Effective Diameter : 103mm
Optical Tube Length : 820mm
Finderscope : Dark Field of View 7x50mm
Attached Eyepieces : LV 20mm, LV 5mm
Newtonian Reflector + SX Equatorial Mount
R150S-SXW
- A reflecting-type optical tube with an excellent optical performance developed by Vixen's mirror manufacturing technology with a very high precision.
- Cost effective despite its large aperture size, > 100mm, and is offered at a reasonable price.
- A 150-mm aperture is recommended for those who need to use a higher light gathering power.
- A cleear difference in the light gathering power will show when you observe faint objects such as star clusters or nebulae.
Product No.2741-09
Objective Lens Effective Diameter : 150mm
Optical Tube Length : 715mm
Finderscope : XY spot finder (Equal size)
Attached Eyepieces : PL 20mm, PL 6mm
R200SS-SXW
- A reflecting-type optical tube with an excellent optical performance developed by Vixen's mirror manufacturing technology with a very high precision.
- Cost effective despite its large aperture size, > 100mm, and is offered at a reasonable price.
- A popular model among all the reflecting types that has been improved over and over for more than ten years yet has maintained a high popularity.
Product No.2742-08
Objective Lens Effective Diameter :200mm
Optical Tube Length : 700mm
Finderscope : Dark Field of View 7x50mm
Attached Eyepieces : LV 20mm, LV 5mm
Catadioptric-type Optical Tube + SX Equatorial Mount
VMC110L-SXC
- Tabletop type which is provided as a set with a compact new type, VMC 110L optical tube.
-
The effect of light diffraction in the VMC110L optical tube is reduced by a
newly designed curvature spider.
Product No.27012-5
Objective Lens Effective Diameter : 110mm
Optical Tube Length : 360mm
Finderscope : XY spot finder (Equal size)
Attached Eyepieces : PL 20mm, PL 6mm
VMC200L-SXW
- Meniscus lens is placed in front of the secondary mirror.
- Vixen's original catadioptric-type optical tube which employs spherical optics on all surface that makes high-precision manufacturing easier.
- A high cost performance in reduction of chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, and correction of field curvature to a very high degree.
- The compact shape of the optical tube is easy to carry around and to store.
- Highly valued by observers because of the clear central image it obtains. It can also be used for astrophotography.
Product No.2733-00
Objective Lens Effective Diameter : 200mm
Optical Tube Length : 535mm
Finderscope : Dark Field of View 7x50mm
Attached Eyepieces : LV 20mm, LV 9mm
VC200L-SXW
- Coma aberration, spherical aberration, curvature of field are all corrected at a high degree with the high-precision 6th order aspherical primary mirror, originally developed by Vixen, and three-element field correction lens.
- A ring fixing metal for the objective primary mirror that reduces flare and anti-reflection fiber black coating that helps obtain high-contrast images are employed.
- A powerful model for astrophotography since it can obtain a very clear image tol the edge of a wide field of view.
- The past winners of the photo contests by an astronomical magazines include VISAC users. This model has obtained some notable results.
Product No.2732-01
Objective Lens Effective Diameter : 200mm
Optical Tube Length : 620mm
Finderscope : Dark Field of View 7x50mm
Attached Eyepieces : LV 20mm, LV 9mm
The optional parts which can be used with SX Equatorial Mount Series
NLV Eyepieces
Eye Projection Photography Camera Adapter, T ring（connection example）
SX Aluminum Case
- SX Polar Axis Scope
Initial setup not required. Just screw the knob in the equatorial mount. The newly implemented precession correction scale enables a very accurate adjustment of the polar axis. - Eyepieces
Observation with various magnifications is possible by swapping the eyepiece. - Extender R
Doubles the focal distance of optical tube. Enables the observation and photography with a high magnification with your eyepiece.
※For R150S only - Extender R200SS
Extends the focal distnace of optical tube by 1.9x.Enables the observation and photography with a high magnification with your eyepiece.
※For R200SS only - Reducer VMC
Shortens the focal distance by 0.62x, decreasing the F-number, and widens the field of view.
※For VMC200L, VMC260L only - Reducer VC200L
Shortens the focal distance by 0.71x, decreasing the F-number, and widens the field of view.
※For VC200L only - Coma Corrector 2 R200SS
Enables the astrophotography clear to the edge of the field of view.
※For R200SS only - Eye Projection Photography Camera Adapter, T Ring
The accessory to connect to a SLR camera for eye projection photography
※See Adaptation Table
- 200-mm Hood E
Shuns the city light that affects the photography at night
※For R200SS, VC200L, VMC200L - SX-HAL130 Tripod
Length : 81⇔130cm, Weight : 5.5kg - Desktop Leg
The desktop leg to operate an SX Equatorial Mount on a desk - STAR BOOK LCD Screen Cover
The sheet like smoke film. It can reduce the brightness of the lLCD screen. - SX Aluminum Case
Can store counterweights and controller. - VC200L Optical Tube Aluminum Case
※For VMC200L, VC200L
There are other optional parts that help you enjoy astronomical observation further. See the Optional Parts for Astronomical Telescopes for more detail.
※ Specification and appearance may change without a notice for improvement.
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