Vixen SXD2WL SD103SII Telescope Set

Complete SXD2WL SD103SII Telescope Set with GoTo Mount, Tripod, and Eyepieces
With the new Vixen SD103SII, no spacer shims are used anymore, leading to a significantly better image quality for bright stars. Therefore, no spikes are seen on stars in photographs, which were otherwise caused by the spacer shims.

In combination with the optional SD Reducer HD Kit or SD Flattener HD (not included), this refractor telescope enables illumination with a 44-mm image circle for full-frame SLR cameras. The older ED81SII, ED103S, ED115S refractors were originally designed for visual observers and photographers with APS-C cameras developed. However, the new SD series is also optimized for the use of full-frame cameras due to the use of new internal apertures. The large 60-mm eyepiece extractor also allows for the attachment of heavy cameras without tilting. Moreover, the supplied folding mirror enables comfortable observation even in unfavorable observation situations and also provides a T2 thread for connecting a DSLR camera. Thus, you can observe in direct view or at a 90° angle . The carrying handle attached to the tube clamps ensures a safe hold during transport of the telescope. The stable metal tripod allows for a vibration-free recording of the telescope and mount even in windy weather.

The SXD2WL mount is easily operated via a Wifi module with a smartphone or tablet. The free STAR BOOK Wireless app is available for user-friendly control of the mount. This allows you to use practical celestial navigation functions such as the automatic GoTo swiveling to specific celestial objects very easily via your smartphone or tablet. As the power consumption of the conventional LCD screen (STAR BOOK TEN) is eliminated, the power consumption of the mount is reduced by up to 20%. This enables longer astronomical observations and astrophotography.

When you tap on the desired celestial object from a list, it automatically swivels into the telescope's field of view, and tracking begins. An existing STAR BOOK TEN control can also be used on this mount without any problems. Equipped with the same precision stepper motors as the top model, the AXD mount, the SXD2WL introduces a new standard of performance and precision in the Vixen mount family.

The axis cross of the mount has a photographic load capacity of 15 kg and weighs just 9.2 kg, making it excellent for mobile observations. In addition, the motors located in the lower part of the mount simultaneously serve as counterweights. This means that the mount needs fewer weights for balance.

Details of the SXD2 Mount

Precision stepper motors and Micro-Step Motion Control System
The heart of the SXD2 is the precision stepper motors, offering better performance and response than previous models. The Micro-Step Motion Control System boasts powerful yet very quiet drive properties, suitable for both fine movements and rapid sweeps.

Built-in bearings
The bearings of the RA and DEC axes and the worm shafts have been significantly improved to reduce the load on the motors. As a result, the motors move much more quietly than previous models.

High-precision worm gears
Advanced manufacturing technologies have eliminated errors in the worm drives. The edges of both the worms and worm gears are particularly smooth, allowing very precise tracking.

DEC axis as counterweight
The massive motor units are built into the lower part of the DEC axis, so the center of gravity of the SXD2 is just below the intersection point of the RA and DEC axes. This reduces the need for additional counterweights.

Latitude adjustment
The latitude is adjustable between 0 and 70 degrees (divided into 3 zones and adjustable +/- 15 degrees per zone, for high, medium, and low latitudes); latitude scale in 2-degree steps; fine adjustment with a tangential screw head, about 0.8 degrees per rotation.

Built-in PFL-II polar finder with illumination
The built-in 5x20 mm polar finder with a 10° field of view has a 3-star alignment system. This eliminates the need to set the date and time. The illuminated reticle with variable brightness and automatic shut-off is adjustable in 8 steps and is red illuminated. The alignment accuracy is 3 arc minutes.

Details of the Wireless Module

The Vixen Wifi adapter for EQ mounts allows you to control your Vixen mount via a smartphone or tablet. With the free STAR BOOK Wireless smartphone app, celestial navigation becomes easy and wireless. This way, the app instantly transforms your mobile device into a controller for the equatorial mount. The reaction delay of the mount, the biggest disadvantage of wireless connections, has been reduced to a level comparable to wired solutions.

Reduced power consumption compared to traditional controllers with LCD monitor
The power consumption of the mount is reduced by up to 20%, allowing for longer observations than with traditional wired controllers like the STAR BOOK TEN.

Operation similar to the STAR BOOK TEN controller
The STAR BOOK Wireless App is set up similarly to the STAR BOOK TEN controller. Depending on the star chart setting, it contains up to 259,000 celestial objects. Tap on a celestial object in the object list and start the GoTo. The mount automatically moves to this target and brings it into the telescope's field of view. All the popular features of the STAR BOOK TEN are retained.

Comfortable operation
While looking through the telescope, you control the mount by swiping on the star chart in the app. Since there are no buttons, you simply swipe your finger over the star chart to comfortably control the mount.

Comprehensive astronomical data included
This includes data on easily observable celestial bodies such as Messier objects, NGC objects, IC objects, as well as the sun, moon, planets, comets, and dwarf planets.

High-precision alignment
Alignment on one or two stars already provides a reasonably accurate positioning of the mount. By aligning on three or more stars, a highly precise alignment of the mount for high magnifications can be performed. The objects are then accurately and centrally placed in the telescope's field of view. The alignment information is stored and can also be retained when the device is turned off. By leaving the telescope in its current state after an observation, without moving it, you can start the next observation with the same settings.

Individual adjustment options
The app offers various individual adjustment options such as gear play compensation, red night mode, autoguider, variable GoTo speed, and LED brightness, similar to the STAR BOOK TEN controller. You can also set the time of the reversal of the objective tube (Meridian Flip) as desired. Even if the object moves south during tracking, you can prevent the telescope tube from reversing.

Important information
Not suitable for old SX mounts with the old blue Star Book

Technical information about the Wifi module
CPU with 32-bit CISC processor 120 MHz
The unit is connected to the mount via a D-SUB 9PIN connector, similar to the STAR BOOK TEN.
Equipped with a 6-pin, 6-wire modular connector for external autoguider operation.
Supported operating systems are Android 6 or higher, iOS 9.0 or higher, WLAN standard: IEEE 802.11b/g/n


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