Sphinx Mount

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.

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.

The SPHINX mount and STAR BOOK controller with the counterweight shaft and 1.9kg weight included. This will allow for use and balance with a wide range of optical tubes. For using the mount with heavier optical tubes, additional counterweights are available

The SPHINX mount can be purchased with or without the HAL 110 tripod.
The SX HAL110 tripod provides ample stability and has no wobble points in its design. The new SX HAL110 has a larger base to carry the SX mount. The tripod extends from 70cm to 110cm and weighs 11 lbs. (4.75 kg.) This is the only tripod offered for the SX mount

Sphinx SX Mount 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 mount comes with either a table top stand or the improved SX-HAL110 heavy duty aluminum tripod.
• 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 10kg.
• The weight of the SPHINX mount head (without counterweight) is 15lbs.
• A Half Pillar accessory option adds height adjustment and viewing location versatility.

Star Book Hand Controller Features:

• Large color liquid crystal display. (4.7 inch, 320x420 pixels, STN, 4096 colors)
• High Speed Internal CPU ( 32 bit RISC processor, 75MHz, 8MB SDRAM, 4MB Flash ROM upgradeable)
• Zoom-In/Out buttons for the color star chart display also control the motor speed.
• Features and menu options are displayed on the large color screen
• The STAR BOOK is amazingly easy to use & makes the SPHINX available to a wide range of ages and experience levels.
• A large astronomical database with 22,725 celestial objects is stored.
• A LAN Port within the controller will allow for computer control and network connectivity once downloads are available from Vixen. Vixen will offer flash upgrade downloads from their website.
• A future flash ROM download will allow for compatibility with a variety of auto guiders (including SBIG). The auto-guider port is standard on all controllers.
• The STAR BOOK controller can be used as a stand alone star atlas from anywhere, anytime.