Vixen Sky Sensor 2000PC

Info	Votes	Messages	More Stats	Up One Level

Brand and Model:	Vixen Sky Sensor 2000PC
Price ($USD):	900
Type:	DSC
Description:	Complete GOTO system for Vixen GP/GP-DX and compatible mounts. Comes with hand controller, two motor drives, cables, battery pack, installation instructions, and owners manual. A 12V portable power source (e.g. lead acid battery) is highly recommended. Features: - over 14,000 object database included all NGC, IC, planetary, moon. - track and store satellite and comet trajectories - telescope control from PC/Mac using commercial astronomy software (LX200 emulation built-in) - 3-pt alignment - PEC - ports for external encoders, auto-guider, RS-232 - save settings for different configurations/telescopes - save user and land objects - loaded with many other features

Vote Highlights

Vixen Sky Sensor 2000PC

This is an excellent goto system for the GP-DX mount, esp. for photography

What I liked about it:
- good pointing accuracy. Can do local star re-alignment for better accuracy.
- can save different settings for different scopes and observing locations
- easy to navigate and use the hand controller
- auto-guider and PEC for astrophotography capability
- feature loaded. You can tweak just about anything

What I disliked about it:
- motors must be installed and adjusted very carefully. I can't tell you how long I've spent tweaking the worm tension to eliminate backlash.
- motors emit a sort of purring sound when idle (i.e. not slewing). I've put in some noise insulation inside the motor casing.
- mount had to be overhauled and regreased to perform at its best.
- no clutch for motors to allow manual operation. This means _all_ movement must be done through the hand controller or else alignment is lost.
- ROM chips should be of the flash variety and be upgradable by the end user. You have to pay $$ to upgrade the ROM.
- it is expensive

Overall, I'm quite pleased with it. One must know that for best performance, the mount should be regreased and the motor and worm interface carefully adjusted. An assortment of other parameters will need to be adjusted using the hand controller - a tweaker's dream. This will take time.

I highly recommended it as the best way to add GOTO to your GP mount.

Overall Rating: 9
Performance:10 Value:8
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date: 04/12/2002 11:46:17 am PST
By: schung
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=82044

Reply Replies: 0

Click here to see all votes (1 total)