Vixen SXD2WL AX103S Telescope Set

Complete Telescope Set SXD2WL AX103S with Wifi-GoTo Mount, Tripod, and Eyepieces

This high-quality apochromatic refractor telescope set impresses with its intricate 103mm Triplet ED lens construction. The telescope is made in Japan and stands out for its excellent workmanship, sharpness, and contrast performance. The advantage of this APO refractor lies in its short build length and the completely corrected, edge-sharp optics.

The AX103S is a top-class ED apochromat in the refractor range. It offers a Triplet ED lens and, in the rear area, a field flattener lens. The f8.0 refractor is equipped with a central ED lens in the objective and reduces chromatic aberration to an absolute minimum. An optional focal reducer can decrease the aperture ratio to 1:5.6 to achieve quicker results in astrophotography.

The Vixen telescope belongs to the new Generation II with improved temperature-resistant lens cell. The integrated field flattener lens ensures a sharp image right to the edge of the field of view, which is very important in astrophotography. The AX103S is specifically developed for photographic purposes, but also visually a real highlight, especially for observing the moon and planets. You will be thrilled when you observe the moon's surface with its craters or Saturn with its ring system. On Jupiter, on a good night, the two bright cloud bands and many smaller details will be visible, as well as the great red spot on the planet. On moonless nights, you can observe the Andromeda Nebula, Orion Nebula, Eagle Nebula, Lagoon Nebula, and many other interesting objects. But even weaker celestial objects become visible with this large aperture under a good sky.

This telescope set “Made in Japan” simply leaves no wishes unfulfilled. The AX103S is corrected up to full-frame photography and delivers razor-sharp images right into the corners of the image field. The large 60mm eyepiece drawtube also allows for attaching heavy cameras without tilting. Furthermore, the supplied flip mirror enables comfortable observing even in challenging viewing situations and additionally offers a T2 thread for connecting a DSLR camera. Thus, you can observe in straight view or at a 90° angle. The carrying handle attached to the tube clamps ensures a safe transport of the telescope. The dew cap can be retracted for transport or storage.

The sturdy metal tripod allows for vibration-free mounting of the telescope and mount even in windy weather. The SXD2WL mount is simply operated via a Wifi module with a smartphone or tablet. For user-friendly control of the mount, the free STAR BOOK Wireless app is available. This allows you to use practical features of celestial navigation such as automatic GoTo slewing 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%. Thus, astronomical observations and astrophotography are possible over longer periods.

By tapping the desired celestial object from a list, it is automatically slewed 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 flagship model, the AXD mount, the SXD2WL brings a new standard of performance and precision into the Vixen mount family.

The axis cross of the mount has a photographic carrying capacity of 15 kg for only 9.2 kg and is thus excellently suited for mobile observations. In addition, the motors located in the lower part of the mount also serve as a counterweight. This means the mount needs fewer weights for balancing.

The SXD2 Mount in Detail

Precision stepper motors and Micro-Step Motion Control System
The heart of the SXD2 are the precision stepper motors, which offer better performance and response than previous models. The Micro-Step Motion Control System is characterised by powerful yet very quiet drive properties, both in fine movements and in fast slews.

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. This allows the motors to move much more quietly than in previous models.

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

Declination axis as counterweight
The massive motor units are built into the lower part of the declination axis, so that the centre of gravity of the SXD2 is below the intersection point of the RA and DEC axes. This means you need fewer 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 tangent screw head, approx. 0.8 degrees per rotation.

Built-in PFL-II polar finder with illumination
The built-in 5x20mm polar finder with 10° field of view features a 3-star alignment system. This eliminates the need to set date and time. The illuminated reticle with variable brightness and automatic shutdown is adjustable in 8 stages and illuminated in red. The adjustment accuracy is 3 arc minutes.

The Wireless Module in Detail

The Vixen Wifi adapter for EQ mounts allows you to control your Vixen mount via a smartphone or tablet. With the smartphone app STAR BOOK Wireless (free), you can perform celestial navigation without any wiring. Thus, the app instantly transforms your mobile device into a control for the equatorial mount. The response delay of the mount, considered the biggest disadvantage of wireless connections, has been reduced to a level comparable to wired solutions.

Reduced power consumption compared to conventional controls with LCD monitor
The power consumption of the mount is reduced by up to 20% and thus allows longer observations than with conventional wired controls like the STAR BOOK TEN.

Operation similar to STAR BOOK TEN control
The STAR BOOK Wireless app is designed similarly to what you already know from the STAR BOOK TEN control. It contains up to 259,000 celestial objects depending on the star chart settings. Tap a celestial object in the object list and start the GoTo. The mount now automatically moves to this target and brings it into the field of view of the telescope. All popular features of the STAR BOOK TEN remain available.

Convenient operation
While looking through the telescope, you control the mount by swiping on the star chart of the app. Since there are no buttons, you simply slide your finger over the star chart, allowing you to conveniently operate the mount.

Extensive 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 gives you quite an accurate positioning of the mount. By aligning with three or more stars, a very precise alignment of the mount for high magnifications can be carried out. The objects are then positioned exactly and centrally in the field of view of your telescope. The alignment information is saved 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 automatic installation with the same settings during the next observation.

Individual Adjustment Options
The app offers various individual settings such as gear backlash compensation, red night mode, autoguider, variable GoTo speed, and LED brightness, just like the STAR BOOK TEN control. You can also set the timing of the objective tube reversal (Meridian Flip) according to your wishes. Even if the object moves south during tracking, you can prevent the telescope tube from reversing.

Important Information
Not usable on old SX mounts with the old blue Star Book

Technical Information on the Wifi Module
CPU with 32-bit CISC processor 120 MHz
The unit is connected to the mount with a D-SUB 9PIN connector as with the STAR BOOK TEN.
It has 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


FEATURES

AX102S Apochromatic Refractor

• Optimised for full-frame photography
• 103 mm aperture, 825 mm focal length, f8.0
• Resolving power: 1.13
• Visual limiting magnitude: 11.8
• Fully coated Triplet ED lens with flattener
• Very high sharpness and contrast
• Optional reducer available
• Backfocus without reducer: 150.0 mm
• Backfocus with reducer: 63.5 mm

SXD2WL Mount

• RA gear ring: 180 teeth
• DEC gear ring: 180 teeth
• Axis material and diameter: Carbon steel / Dec. 35 mm, RA 40 mm
• Polar finder telescope: 6x20 mm, PFL-II polar finder
• Height fine adjustment: 0° to 70°, (fine adjustment +/- 15°, height)
• Counterweight bar: 20 mm diameter
• Azimuth adjustment: Worm gear fine adjustment
• Power supply: DC12 V; 0.4~1.7 A
• Maximum payload: 15 kg, photographic, without counterweight
• Counterweights: 1x 1.9 kg and 1x 3.7 kg
• Tripod connection: 45 mm pin
• Dimensions: 36 cm (H) x 12 cm (W) x 36 cm (L)
• Weight: 8.8 kg (19.4 lb), without counterweight
• 32-bit CISC processor 120 MHz
• Operating system: Android 6 or higher, iOS 9.0 or higher
• Connection: D-SUB 9PIN connector
• Autoguider input ST4
• Power consumption SXD2WL+Wireless unit: DC12V / 0.3–2.0 A (load 10 kg), 0.4–2.2 A (load 15 kg)

SCOPE OF DELIVERY

• SXD2WL Mount
• Wireless Unit
• Counterweight: 1.9 kg and 3.7 kg
• Illuminated polar finder telescope
• Mounting tools
• Car lighter cable
• AX103S Apochromatic Refractor
• Flip mirror
• 2 eyepieces (SLV 20, SLV 5)
• Tube clamps
• Dovetail plate
• 7x50 finder, illuminated
• SXG Aluminium tripod