· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 chboss professor emeritus Reged: 03/24/08 Loc: Zurich Switzerland Vixen SXD2 - Back to the future?       #5518970 - 11/14/12 12:56 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Just noticed that Vixen is coming out with the SXD2 mount which features a new controller named "StarBook Ten". It seems that the problems they were facing with the servo motors on their Spynx mounts lead to the conclusion to go back to stepper motors. I always liked the mechanical design of Vixen mounts but the gameboy like controller never got me excited, just too much light and too many buttons for night time use. But at least they have understood that proper guiding is important and they took the appropriate measures to go back to a drive technology they mastered in the past. http://www.vixen.co.jp/en/lp/at_sxd2.html BTW in Japan they offer some price reduction plans if you return your old mount namely the former Sphynx - best regards Chris Post Extras:       mgwhittle scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 08/24/11 Loc: Chattanooga, TN Re: Vixen SXD2 - Back to the future? [Re: chboss]       #5518985 - 11/14/12 01:30 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Looks like some of the other mounts are being updated also. I agree that the Starbook just has a strange look to it but it does have some interesting features including the ability to compensate for atmospheric diffraction affecting goto pointing accuracy. Post Extras:       orlyandico Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/10/09 Loc: Singapore Re: Vixen SXD2 - Back to the future? [Re: mgwhittle]       #5519501 - 11/14/12 12:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The Starbook Ten is also used in the AXD and Vixen SXP, as far as I know... Post Extras:       chboss professor emeritus Reged: 03/24/08 Loc: Zurich Switzerland Re: Vixen SXD2 - Back to the future? [Re: orlyandico]       #5520133 - 11/14/12 08:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Orly Yes you are correct it was first introduced on the AXD and seems now to trickle down to the smaller mounts. Still quite surprising that they decided to go back to stepper motors while all the other companies are set on servo's. I have to say I like this decision. best regards Chris Post Extras:       Joe Cipriano Entropy Personified Reged: 09/03/05 Loc: Uh... anyone have a GPS? Re: Vixen SXD2 - Back to the future? [Re: chboss]       #5520223 - 11/14/12 09:57 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I heard from Vixen at ASAE that the GPD2 will be getting a smaller version of the Starbook 10 (Starbook Lite?); it will be approximately the same size as the current Starbook S, but with a lot of the functionality of the 10. Supposed to debut sometime next year. Post Extras:       orlyandico Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/10/09 Loc: Singapore Re: Vixen SXD2 - Back to the future? [Re: Joe Cipriano]       #5520249 - 11/14/12 10:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I actually find this decision to be puzzling, to be honest. I mean, Vixen has demonstrated that they can make a good, working servo implementation - the 15-year old SS2K!!! So why the step back... unless they came upon a warehouse full of Nippon Pulse gearhead steppers or something.. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 27 registered and 38 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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