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Track the Sky with Vixen's AXD Mount

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Track the Sky with Vixen's AXD Mount Equipment review Track the sky with Mount specifications Vixen Optics AXD Mount Maximum load weight: 70 pounds (31.8 kilograms) Vixen’s AXD Mount Power: 12 volts DC Spot-on accuracy and an ultra-cool controller place this mount Dimensions: 18 inches by 18 inches by 6 inches (45.7cm by 45.7cm at the top of the heap. by Michael E. Bakich by 15.2cm) Weight: 55 pounds (24.9 kg), hen a manufacturer as presti- What excited me just as much as the without counterweights gious as Vixen Optics offers to mount, however, was the chance to put Polar axis scope: Built-in, 6x20 Wlet Astronomy be the first to its computerized controller, Star Book with an illuminated reticle test the only example of its new mount in Ten, through its paces. This isn’t Vixen’s Price: $9,999 (includes Star Book Ten) the United States, we knew the procedure 10th version of the company’s controller. wouldn’t follow that of a standard review. Rather, the Japanese word ten means So, instead of sending the unit to a “heavens.” According to the company, with purchase, of course.) Vixen’s layout reviewer, I flew to California’s John that’s what the controller will show you. is intuitive, and its selection of connec- Wayne Airport to do the review myself. tors made it impossible for me to hook From there, I drove 2 hours to the Fit, finish, and control up anything incorrectly. Observer’s Inn in Julian. This astronomy Right out of the box, the mount’s All bolt holes and mated pieces bed-and-breakfast facility lies 22 miles machining and gleaming pearl lined up exactly with no gaps. (35 kilometers) from Palomar Mountain exterior with gray and red Optical tube assemblies — even Observatory. As it turns out, the Observ- lettering scream “high large ones — attach to the AXD er’s Inn is one of the closest dark-sky sites quality.” First-time Mount quickly and easily via Vixen’s to Vixen’s North American distributor, setup posed no prob- industry-standard dovetail plate. located in San Clemente. As soon as I lems, even without But as elegant as the mount arrived, I began setup for a 2-night test of a manual. (Vixen appears, it’s the Star Book Ten con- Vixen Optics’ new AXD Mount. includes one troller that steals the show. The AXD’s built-in 6x20 polar axis scope incorporates an illuminated reticle to help you rough-align the mount to the North Celestial Pole during setup. Vixen’s AXD Mount offers all-metal construction and a 70-pound (31.8 kg) maximum load. The company manufactures the mount in Japan and offers a 5-year warranty on it. All photos: Astronomy: Michael E. Bakich 68 Astronomy© 2011 • May Kalmbach 2011 Publishing Co. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. www.Astronomy.com The controller’s database contains the positions of more than a quarter-million objects, so you’ll never run out of targets. But that may be the least impressive feature of this superb controller. More importantly, the Star Book Ten is a treat to use. It displays a zoomable electronic color star chart that allows you to navi- gate to any object in the sky. One well-thought-out feature kicks in The base of Vixen Optics’ AXD Mount incorporates inputs for the Star Book Ten controller (left) and as the liquid-crystal display (LCD) the external 12-volt DC power supply (center). zooms: The Star Book Ten automatically adjusts the mount’s slewing speed. So, sky objects per night. Some chore, eh? when you go from a constellation-wide And because riding atop the mount were view of Cetus, for example, to a close-in Vixen’s 10.2-inch VMC260L optical tube map that shows M77, the controller slows assembly on the first night and its 13.2- the rate way down. inch VMC330L on the second, I couldn’t help but do a bit of observing as each tar- So many targets, so little time get entered the eyepiece’s field of view. As I put the mount and controller I had a variety of high-quality eye- through their paces, I decided to target pieces on hand to help with my testing. objects back and forth across the sky to Some large, well-known objects like the The counterweight shaft fully retracts within check the equipment’s accuracy. To do Helix Nebula (NGC 7293), the Dumbbell the AXD Mount for transport or storage. that, I selected approximately 50 deep- Nebula (M27), and the Salt and Pepper Cluster (M37) were highlights from the Contact information first night. But I also had superb views of Vixen Optics smaller deep-sky objects like Mirach’s 1023 Calle Sombra, Unit C Ghost (NGC 404), magnitude 13.5 spiral San Clemente, CA 92673 galaxy NGC 1 in Pegasus, and, surpris- [t] 949.429.6363 ingly, four of the five members of [w] www.vixenoptics.com Stephan’s Quintet (NGC 7317–20). In each case, the AXD Mount put the object at or near the center of the field of view As the night went on, the AXD Mount of a 22mm eyepiece. I could slew any that centered many other objects including weren’t dead-center to that point and the Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380), the Blue press the “Align” button. This technique Snowball (NGC 7662), the Phantom further improves the mount’s pointing Streak (NGC 6741), and dozens of galax- accuracy, and the controller stores the ies, before finishing with a high-power last 20 objects so aligned. view of Comet 103P/Hartley. The Star Book Ten controller’s screen (a 5-inch I began the second night setup by color liquid crystal display) employs an all-sky choosing Altair (Alpha [α] Aquilae), Precision pleasure star chart as the user interface. The controller Mirfak (Alpha Persei), and Jupiter as the It takes a lot to get me excited about a contains a quarter-million-plus object database three objects the drive would sync to. To telescope mount, but Vixen’s AXD Mount and features full dimming and automatic observe the planet briefly, I chose an and Star Book Ten controller had me slewing speed adjustment. 8mm eyepiece, which yielded a magnifi- drooling from the start. This combo cation of 537x. I then selected my first boasts amazing accuracy, a giant data- Controller specifications target, the Bow-Tie Nebula (NGC 40), base, and an interface that’s fun to use. Vixen Optics Star Book Ten which sat more than 76° across the sky in Indeed, buy this mount and your observ- Display: 5-inch color LCD, 800x480 pixels Cepheus. Amazingly, when the mount ing buddies will happily use the Star Tracking modes: sidereal, solar, lunar, stopped slewing, the planetary nebula sat Book Ten to move it to your next deep- planetary, comet, and satellite dead-center in the field of view at 537x. sky target for you — all night long. Brightness: Adjustable Database: 273,332 objects Michael E. Bakich is an Astronomy senior Read about the author’s observing for this review at www.Astronomy.com/toc. editor who loves high-tech astronomy gear. www.Astronomy.com 69 Put your eyes to the sky with ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE Subscribe to Astronomy magazine and turn a new interest into a lifelong hobby. You’ll get expert tips, explanations, and discoveries with every issue, turning you from a novice stargazer to a seasoned astronomer. Only the sky is the limit! With a subscription to ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE, you’ll receive UNLIMITED access to PREMIUM content on ASTRONOMY.COM such as: STARDOME PLUS — Your interactive guide for locating stars, planets, asteroids, and more! STAR ATLAS — 24 zoomable star charts show 45,000 stars and 800 deep-sky objects! THE SKY THIS MONTH — Your road map to each month’s observable celestial events! ASK ASTRO — Got questions about the universe? We have the answers! COLUMNS — Expert observers escort you to the sky’s best sights. WEB EXTRAS — Access articles, interviews, videos, and images that enhance and extend magazine stories. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Order online at www.Astronomy.com/sub or call 1-800-533-6644 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Central Time. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 262-796-8776 x661. P11772.
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