Vixen Cassegrain telescope MC 260/3000 VMC260L Atlux Delux AXD2 Starbook Ten GoTo (61419)

The VMC260L is a Maksutov Cassegrain (MC) telescope, more specifically a Field Maksutov Cassegrain. Its unique optical design features special correction lenses mounted in front of the secondary mirror. This allows the secondary mirror to be spherically ground, which is both more affordable and precise compared to parabolic or hyperbolic shaping. Thanks to these correction lenses, there is no need for a correction plate at the front end of the tube.

This design, developed by Vixen in Japan, merges the benefits of Maksutov and Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. The telescope tube is very compact and relatively lightweight, with optimal positioning for eyepieces and accessories. Since it lacks a Schmidt plate, the telescope reaches ambient temperature more quickly and is less prone to condensation. The secondary mirror is supported by four thin struts, only 1.3 millimeters thick, which do not negatively impact astrophotography image quality.

With its high focal length, the VMC260L is ideal for observing the Moon and planets. Its large aperture also makes it suitable for professional-level deep sky observations and astrophotography. The dielectrically coated mirror ensures high brightness and definition.

An optional reducer can decrease the aperture to f/7, reducing exposure times for photography and providing a wider field of view. No additional corrector is needed due to the telescope’s optical design. The package includes a dovetail bar and a carrying handle, which can also serve as a camera mount for wide-field star images.

Atlux Deluxe AXD2 Mount and Star Book Ten Controller

The Atlux Deluxe (AXD) is Vixen’s flagship astronomical mount, designed to meet the demands of both advanced and beginner astrophotographers. Earlier models like the Atlux mount and Star Book controller were innovative in their time, but the AXD mount addresses the modern need for higher accuracy and advanced technology, especially with the rise of sensitive DSLR cameras.

Advanced users benefit from the mount’s precise tracking and performance, while beginners will find the AXD user-friendly, enabling successful astrophotography without expert knowledge.

Key Features of the AXD Mount:

• Rugged yet lightweight construction: The RA and Dec axes use A7075 super alloy, which is stronger and lighter than titanium.

• Smooth motion: The mount features 21 bearings for smooth slewing and tracking.

• Accurate stepper motors: Stepper motors with micro-step motion control (400 pulses per second) ensure smooth, vibration-free tracking and sufficient torque for high magnification and CCD imaging.

• Large worm gears: The mount uses 270 teeth in RA and 216 in Dec, with 50 mm diameter axes, providing high accuracy and stability.

• Low backlash: The micro-step system eliminates the need for reduction gears, reducing backlash.

• Efficient motor layout: RA and Dec motors are positioned to act as counterweights, often eliminating the need for additional counterweights.

• Integrated polar finder: A 6x20 polar finder with built-in scales simplifies polar alignment in both hemispheres.

• VPEC (Vixen Periodic Error Correction): Periodic error is measured and corrected at the factory, achieving tracking accuracy of +/- 4 arcseconds. Users can further refine this correction.

The AXD mount maintains a robust yet lightweight German equatorial structure, with all electronics on a reliable printed circuit board.

Star Book Ten Controller

The Star Book Ten controller is included with the AXD2 mount and is not backward compatible with previous Star Book models. It offers a multilingual database of 270,000 objects, PEC correction, and an internal clock, but does not include GPS or WiFi.

Included Items

• Vixen Cassegrain telescope MC 260/3000 VMC260L OTA

• Vixen Mount Atlux Deluxe AXD2 Starbook Ten GoTo

• Vixen AXD TR102 tripod

• Vixen Polarie PF-L II polar finder

Specifications

Optics

• Type: Reflector, Cassegrain build

• Aperture: 260 mm

• Focal length: 3020 mm

• Aperture ratio: f/11.6

• Resolving capacity: 0.44 arcseconds

• Limiting magnitude: 13.9

• Light gathering capacity: 1380x the human eye

• Maximum useful magnification: 520x

• Tube weight: 10 kg

• Tube diameter: 304 mm

• Tube length: 670 mm

• Tube material: Aluminium

• Coating: Multiple layers

• Tube construction: Full tube

• Main and secondary mirrors: Spherical

• Secondary mirror spider: 4 struts, 1.3 mm thick

• Focuser: Internal, 2" eyepiece connection, M60 camera thread

Mount

• Type: Sphinx, Equatorial

• Saddle: Vixen-Style

• Motors: Stepper motors (400PPS)

• Polar elevation setting: 0–70°

• Load capacity: 30 kg

• Mount weight: 2.5 kg

• GoTo control: Yes, multilingual

• Database: 270,000 objects

• PEC correction: Yes

• Encoder: Yes

• Internal cable guide and clock: Yes

• Counterweight bar diameter: 25 mm

Tripod

• Type: Tripod

• Maximum height: 91.5 cm

• Weight: 10.3 kg

• Material: Aluminium

Accessories

• Finder scope: 7x50

• Polar finder scope: Yes

• Counterweights: 1.5 kg and 7.0 kg

• Integrated corrector

• Carrying handle

• Flip mirror and prism rail

General

• Series: AXD2

• Total weight: 55 kg

Recommended Uses

• Astrophotography: Very good

• Moon and Planets: Yes

• Nebulae and Galaxies: Yes

• Sun: Only with appropriate solar filter

• Nature Observation: No

• Suitable for advanced users and observatories, not recommended for beginners