The Vixen Optics AXD2-VMC260L (WT) GoTo Catadioptric Telescope is a top-tier astroimaging platform with user-friendly functions and a corrector lens that flattens the field and eliminates spherical aberration. Also excellent for observation, the 260mm OTA sits on Vixen's flagship AXD2 motorized go-to equatorial mount and the sturdy AXD-TR102 aluminum tripod. The Star Book Ten controller will guide your exploration of the night sky.
Vixen Optics modified the classic catadioptric design and created a unique Cassegrain reflector: The VMC260L 260mm f/11.5 Catadioptric Telescope, which outperforms a traditional Schmidt-Cassegrain. The design consists of two mirrors and a double meniscus corrector lens. The incoming light is reflected off the primary mirror and then passes through the corrector in front of the secondary, eliminating spherical aberration and field curvature while delivering outstanding contrast, and the meniscus correcting lens offers a large corrected field for today's imaging sensors. With its open tube design, the telescope cools down quicker than a conventional Cassegrain, making it ideal for imaging and astrophotography.
This version of the VMC260L comes with a large 2" visual back for observation purposes and 60mm and T-2 threads for imaging systems and astrophotography rigs. It is designed for use with AXD2, AXJ, or SXP2 mounts. The telescope includes a dovetail rail and a convenient carry handle that makes setup and breakdown easier and safer. The handle is outfitted with a piggyback mount that allows you to mount a camera to perform wide-field astrophotography during your observation or imaging sessions without the need to set up a second tracking system.
Representing their flagship equatorial mount, the Vixen Optics AXD2 GoTo Equatorial Mount with Star Book Ten combines a precision mount with their venerable Star Book Ten computer control system to give you a precise and capable full GoTo mount head for advanced astronomy and astrophotography.
The AXD2 mount is built with 400 pulse/sec dual-axis stepper motors set in the base of the mount over its center of gravity that add counterbalance for heavier loads and provide smooth and precise tracking capabilities. This iteration of the mount is offered here without a tripod for users who already have a reliable support system. The included polar axis scope has an illuminated star-pattern reticle that requires the user to simply superimpose the star pattern over the three prominent stars over the North Pole for proper polar alignment.
With the mount properly polar aligned, the Star Book Ten controller can be used to provide full GoTo capabilities with a color display and intuitive menu system. Outfitted with an internal and updatable database of over 272,000 objects, the controller offers phased star charts, customized guided tours of the night sky, the ability to program out tracking errors using the Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) and Vixen's Periodic Error Correction (VPEC) systems, and backlash compensation to improve the precision of the tracking system during long-duration observation sessions.
Avid amateur astronomers and astrophotographers will appreciate the advanced design and performance provided by this pinnacle of Vixen's mounts.
- German equatorial design is ideal for long-exposure astrophotography and viewing without field rotation
- Threaded holes on the head enable an array of optional mounting plates to be attached depending on the optical tube assembly (OTA) used
- 66-pound maximum payload capacity allows large OTAs with accessories and imaging systems to be easily carried without straining gears and motors
- Latitude adjustment range: Full 360° rotation, with two tangent screws for coarse and fine adjustments
- Altitude adjustment: 0-70°; divided in 3 zones for high, middle, and low altitude with ±15°/zone; altitude scale in 2° increments; fine adjustment of 0.5°/rotation
- 25mm retractable counterweight shaft enables easy breakdown and storage while reducing interference with gear and equipment
- 15.4-pound counterweight to precisely balance OTA and accessories
- Size: 18.3 x 18 x 6"
- Weight: 55 pounds, without counterweights
- Runs on 12 VDC power using included car/vehicle plug and cord
- Mount head only; tripod or other support system required for proper use
- Center-balanced design puts the motors over the mount's center of gravity, making them part of the counterbalance system for smoother movement with reduced vibration and backlash
- Micro-stepper motors with a precision 400 pulse/sec
- 21 total roller bearings throughout mount provide smooth movement on all axes with greatly reduced vibration
- 14mm-diameter brass worm gears
- 216-tooth 360° full-circle micro-movement gear, with 108mm-diameter brass worm wheels
- 50mm-diameter A7075 aluminum right ascension and declination axes provide strength and sturdiness while reducing weight
- Allows for full GoTo control of mount
- "SEE-TO" technology shows the sky on the screen before the GoTo system gets the OTA there for better reference
- Variable tracking rates for planets, Sun, Moon, and sidereal
- 272,000+ celestial object database with ability to customize and add user-defined objects
- Proprietary Vixen Periodic Error Protection (VPEC): Precision ±2.8 arcsec tracking accuracy; intrinsic errors are measured and entered into memory at the factory for precision tracking out of the box; use with PPEC to boost tracking performance
- Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) enables you to train out tracking errors for more accurate tracking over extended periods of time, such as long-exposure astrophotography
- Backlash compensation allows you to train out the play inherent in all gears for more precise tracking
- Hibernate mode for power saving without losing settings
- Variable slew speeds up to 800x sidereal maximum
- Autoguiding capable with the Vixen Advance Unit
- Working voltage: 12 VDC
- Size: 6.6x6x1"
- Weight: 13.4 oz
- CPU: 32bit RISC Processor
- 5" color LCD screen with easy-to-use menus and night vision setting
Database details:
- 272,342 objects
- NC objects: 784
- IC objects: 5386
- Messier objects:109
- 7 planets
- 1 quasi-planet
- Moon
- Sun
- Use for precise polar alignment required for accurate tracking and GoTo functions
- Built in for convenience and ease of use
- 6x power magnifies view while maintaining a wide 8° angle of view
- 20mm objective lens diameter
- <3 arcminute setting accuracy
- Ease of use: In the Northern Hemisphere, align three bright stars (Polaris, delta UMI, 51 Cep) with the corresponding pattern on the scope's illuminated reticle; Octantis stars in the Southern Hemisphere
- Accurate through the year 2040
- Red illumination allows reticle to be easily seen without affecting night-adjusted vision
- Eight adjustable intensity levels allow precise brightness control
- Automatic off function after 2 minutes conserves battery power
The Vixen AXD-TR102 Aluminum Tripod for the AXD equatorial mount features robust construction with 2.2"-diameter legs.
