Telescope Reviews: Vixen Sphinx vs SXD

Like Amy, I too have (had) the Sphinx SXW. I found it to be plenty quiet enough... Slewing was a tad slow for my preference, but sufficient. Accuracy of the Gotos was never an issue (especially since I had an almost perfect - they never are totally perfect) polar alignment on my pier.

The Polar scope certainly gets you close enough.

I just (yesterday!) sold my Sphinx SXW, because I needed a LOT MORE capacity. Replaced with a CGE. If I hadn't gotten a fair price, I would have kept it as I used it literally all the time with NO PROBLEMS for over 18 months.

Couple of things I will miss A LOT:

1) I really liked the Starbook; once you get used to it (takes about 30 minutes maybe?) it really does make setup and finding things VERY easy and you can forgo skycharts for some objects

2) it was very compact, not too heavy (yet solid), and "clean lined" - no protrusions to catch cables like other mounts.

I originally went with the Sphinx over the Atlas due to portability; now, almost 2 years later, I went CGE over Atlas due to capacity. So, you can see my needs changed.

I won't miss:

1) 25 pound weight limit (and despite what you read there is NO WAY that you can put a OTA/Camera load of 50# on the SXD - no way. Vixen Japan (www.vixen.co.jp) rate it at 15Kg, versus rating the SXW at 12Kg - those are more believable (note these limits I'm stating are for photo uses!)

2) "stiffness" in RA/DEC that made balancing quite challenging - there are instructions on Peter Enzerink's Site but I never got up the nerve to try loosening things up.

I too followed the Vixen Sphinx Yahoo group; there is an inordinate number of issues/complaints about the SXD from what I could see.

I'm going to posit a GUESS on the SXD noise reports: I'm guessing that some people may just be loading their SXDs too heavily (being encouraged by that rather awkward claim of 50# total capacity), and, perhaps not getting the balance right (due to stiffness), and hence leading to a lot of motor strain (which would definitely make a lot of noise).

I still think the Sphinx (in SXW trim, I can't say firsthand for SXD) is the best all around combination of portability/ease of setup and use, coupled with 25# capacity, coupled with under $2K.

The Atlas is, in many respects, a "better mount", certainly has more capacity. But its BIG and HEAVY. That was an issue with me when I was first selecting (no observatory, wanted easy/quick setup/teardown, etc.)

The CGE (from what I can tell about my new one) is in most respects a much better mount, way more capacity, much easier to balance; but it is noisier by far than the Sphinx, and is not at all portable. Of course, it is $1K more than Sphinx SXW...

I would say to carefully balance your TRUE needs; and try to go "hands on" sometime if at all possible.

Clear enough skies

Edited by Bowmoreman (05/06/08 05:03 PM)