Vixen SXD2 Lunar tracking ?

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Cliff
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Vixen SXD2 Lunar tracking ?

#1

Post by Cliff »


Hi all,

Been a while since I was here, I bought a used Vixen SXD2 with SB10 ,Hal Tripod and for the most part love it.
Much lighter and smoother than the AZEQ6 I have.

The problem I have is when trying to image the Moon it stays in Sidereal tracking can't see how to change the rate ?
The Moon slowly drifts out of the view in my 6"Meade SCT at 1800mm focal length now it has a longer imaging train.
Even when remote through the Intel Nuc the Ascom Hub shows the Solar and Lunar tracking rates keyed out.

Missing something ? I have used it for Solar and it seemed to track ok

Appreciate your input
Cliff
Cliff

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Scopes Meade LT6 6" ACF SCT, Tak 76DS , Tak 106ED, Vixen VMC200L
Mounts Vixen SXD2
Camera ZWO533MC, ZWO178mc, ZWO174mm, ZWO120mm-s, QHY163C, QHY163M
Access Combo Quark, ES2X, 4X PM, 5X PM
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Lady Fraktor Slovakia
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Re: Vixen SXD2 Lunar tracking ?

#2

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Hello Cliff, I assume the setup in question is in your avatar?

The speed should automatically switch if you have initiated a goto from the menu.
There are some things that will effect tracking speed though.

1. What is the total weight of your setup? If about 9kg (20lb) make sure your Motor Power is set to 4.
This determines how much power/ torque is available for tracking/ goto functions.

2. Are you guiding? This automatically overrides Solar, Sidereal and Lunar rates.
You can still adjust tracking speed from the keypad direction buttons.

3. Make sure your Motor Speed is above 3.
This can help if things are a bit out of balance.

4. If guiding make sure atmospheric refraction is turned off.

5. Have you set the backlash settings?

This is all I can think of straight from my damaged brain...
If you do not have a manual here is a link for one: http://psygr.belxm.servertrust.com/v/vs ... s/SXD2.pdf
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Cliff
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Re: Vixen SXD2 Lunar tracking ?

#3

Post by Cliff »


Thanks for the reply as always Lady Fraktor

Yes that's my overweight 6"ACF Meade SCT you are close yes around 9Kg using two 3.7kg counterweights.
Balancing is a breeze with the Vixen mount so smooth.
I thought the tracking rate would change automatically though the symbols don't change on the SB10 or my remote software when using that.
Was pretty good tracking yesterday on the Moon though not perfect.

Have motor speed at 5 I think, only guiding for Deepsky and only started that in recent weeks.
Haven't noticed backlash though I guess it has to have some nothing like my AZEQ6 though.
My SXD2 has been fitted with the SXP Dec by a previous owner and a dual fit Vixen/Losmandy saddle.

"2. Are you guiding? This automatically overrides Solar, Sidereal and Lunar rates.
You can still adjust tracking speed from the keypad direction buttons."

That is what I thought I could change the tracking rate from the keypad but don't see how ?,
I can change slew speed by zooming in and out of the star chart.

Cliff
Cliff

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Scopes Meade LT6 6" ACF SCT, Tak 76DS , Tak 106ED, Vixen VMC200L
Mounts Vixen SXD2
Camera ZWO533MC, ZWO178mc, ZWO174mm, ZWO120mm-s, QHY163C, QHY163M
Access Combo Quark, ES2X, 4X PM, 5X PM
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Re: Vixen SXD2 Lunar tracking ?

#4

Post by Graeme1858 »


Hello Cliff

There is no fixed rate for tracking the Moon because it varies as the Moon moves between perigee and apogee and as it moves in declination north or south through the nodes of it's orbit.

The best you can do is to ensure good alignment and good polar alignment.

Regards

Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
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https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
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Cliff
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Re: Vixen SXD2 Lunar tracking ?

#5

Post by Cliff »


Thanks Graeme,

I hadn't considered that, I have switchable rates on the AZEQ6
So basically there will always be some drift ?

Appreciate your input,
Cliff
Cliff

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Scopes Meade LT6 6" ACF SCT, Tak 76DS , Tak 106ED, Vixen VMC200L
Mounts Vixen SXD2
Camera ZWO533MC, ZWO178mc, ZWO174mm, ZWO120mm-s, QHY163C, QHY163M
Access Combo Quark, ES2X, 4X PM, 5X PM
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Re: Vixen SXD2 Lunar tracking ?

#6

Post by Lady Fraktor »


guiding speeds are on pg. 74 of your manual, be sure to check both motor speed and motor power, they do different things.

Have fun with the mount, I love my SXP.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
The only culture I have is from yogurt
My day was going well until... people
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Cliff
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Re: Vixen SXD2 Lunar tracking ?

#7

Post by Cliff »


Its a great mount no complaints , just the Lunar anomoly might try the feature tracking in Sharpcap .

I set motor power to max but dropped the motor speed down one so slew is a little slower. Running off a LiPO4 24AH battery so plenty of power available.

On page 74 as you said there is a way to adjust tracking by small amounts seems to be only for auto guiding though.
Cliff

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Scopes Meade LT6 6" ACF SCT, Tak 76DS , Tak 106ED, Vixen VMC200L
Mounts Vixen SXD2
Camera ZWO533MC, ZWO178mc, ZWO174mm, ZWO120mm-s, QHY163C, QHY163M
Access Combo Quark, ES2X, 4X PM, 5X PM
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Lady Fraktor Slovakia
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Re: Vixen SXD2 Lunar tracking ?

#8

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Sorry it is not something I do so was just skimming the SXD2 manual during a break at work :)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
The only culture I have is from yogurt
My day was going well until... people
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