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Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User
Kokanee
newbie
Reged: 07/28/09
Posts: 3
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Hi folks,
I have a great opportunity to purchase a Sphinx SXD mount for about 40% less than a new one, once I factor in the included accessories. The external appearance is excellent, however, because I haven't used this kind of mount before, I'm a little concerned about the internal motor, gears, and Starbook controller.
A question that I have for current owners of an SXD mount is how can I quickly check whether the mount is functioning properly? The seller has agreed to let me test it using the included AC adapter, so is there something I can do to test whether the internals and Starbook controller are working properly?
Any comments would be appreciated!
Cheers,
Anu.
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Doubleglaze
sage
Reged: 11/01/07
Posts: 232
Loc: Pacific NW
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Hi Anu -
Should be easy to test out even in the daytime. Turn on the mount and the star book controller lights up. Navigate to the OK selection it the menu and press the select key on the controller (right hand set of buttons, bottom left side of that grouping). There should be a warning to not point at the sun, then "Confirm". Then the controller will ask you to move the mount to the "right" horizon. What it really wants you to do is point the scope to the west (for northern hemisphere). After that, select "Scope" mode. You should see a star map on the LCD. You can select a star or other object and use the GoTo button, or you can go to the "Object" menu and select something to slew to. Even if you're not polar aligned the mount should move to where it thinks the object is. From there you can slew in RA and DEC, change speeds, etc.
Think that's correct, I'm away from the mount now but think I got the sequence right.
It's pretty intuitive to use, should make sense if you can get to the normal set of screens on the LCD.
Mark
--------------------
Vixen VMC260L / Sphinx SXD
Pentax 75 SDHF
Canon 40D / 50mm f1.4 / 100mm f2.8 macro / 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 / 200mm f2.8L
http://www.astrophotogallery.org/u166-doubleglaze.html
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Scott Rose
sage
Reged: 04/20/08
Posts: 329
Loc: beachwood ohio
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when you initially set up the mount in home position the dec and RA marks should be lined up. after you go through some initial alignments like Mark said, have it go back to home and see if the marks line up again. If they are off , you may want to have this looked at before you buy.
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Scott Rose
sage
Reged: 04/20/08
Posts: 329
Loc: beachwood ohio
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what scope are you thinking of putting on that mount?
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Kokanee
newbie
Reged: 07/28/09
Posts: 3
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Mark & Scott,
thank you for your input. I actually opted out of the SXD and purchased an SXW. The five year warranty and current mail-in discounts were too good to pass up.
BTW, I've already purchased the mount and used it with my Stellarvue SV102ED telescope. With about 15 lb's of gear on the mount+tripod, it's super stable. And the Starbook controller is pretty intuitive to use.
Cheers,
Anu.
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adamsp123
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/20/08
Posts: 559
Loc: welshpool mid wales UK
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Quote:
Mark & Scott,
thank you for your input. I actually opted out of the SXD and purchased an SXW. The five year warranty and current mail-in discounts were too good to pass up.
BTW, I've already purchased the mount and used it with my Stellarvue SV102ED telescope. With about 15 lb's of gear on the mount+tripod, it's super stable. And the Starbook controller is pretty intuitive to use.
Anu.
Nice choice IMO, the SXW is very portable and I image with mine using a SW 120ED refractor, and the mount on the HAL tripod handles it without a hiccup.
Pete
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SkyWatcher 120ED PRO, GSO 200mm F4 Astrograph, Meade 10" SNT, WO 72ED & 66ED
Vixen Sphinx and Vixen Atlux with starbook,
QHY5 guider, Modded Canon 1000D, Baader MPCC.
WO Flattener III
Don't you wish there were a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence? There's one marked 'Brightness,' but it doesn't work."
TV is called a "medium" because it is neither rare nor well done.
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Scott Rose
sage
Reged: 04/20/08
Posts: 329
Loc: beachwood ohio
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congrats on hour mount.
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sctchun
sage
Reged: 03/26/06
Posts: 210
Loc: HI
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Congrat Anu,
I love my SXW, right now I'm stress testing it with a AT 8" F4 Newt, and it seems to be working well.
Steven
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AT 8" IN
Meade 8" LX200-R (ACF)
Meade Series 5000 80mm
Vixen Sphinx SXW
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