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This page is designed to illustrate some of the the differences and similarities
between two generations of Vixen mounts:
The GPDX mount was lent to me by a friend, who also lent me the Takahashi wooden tripod shown at left. The idea was that the tripod + my SP mount would serve as a travel setup for my C8. I took the opportunity to test the GPDX on my concrete pillar :-) All images on this page have been shot by Carsten Arnholm senior, using his Canon 1DS digital SLR camera. |
 north_east_gpdx.jpg 56.09 KB |
 north_east_sp.jpg 58.73 KB |
North-east view: The GPDX has the Astromeccanica motors mounted. Notice the big manual setting circles on the SP, better than the ones on the GPDX. Also notice the dual altitude adjustment screws on the GPDX, while the SP has only one + a locking plate on the side. |
 east_gpdx.jpg 37.98 KB |
 east_sp.jpg 55.27 KB |
East view: The GPDX looks somewhat more substantial. |
 ota_interface_gpdx.jpg 47.14 KB |
 ota_interface_sp.jpg 39.38 KB |
OTA Interface: The GPDX has a dovetail interface, while the SP expects tube rings. In order to mount a dovetail-based OTA (Optical Tube Assembly) on the SP, some adapter must be used. I have used 2 dovetail brackets to mount my C8 on the SP.See also and These videos require DivX codec available from http://www.divx.com/divx/. |
 ra_detail_gpdx.jpg 58.89 KB |
 ra_detail_sp.jpg 52.52 KB |
RA detail view: The GPDX has a bolt hole that goes through the mount (in parallel with RA axis) and secures the RA motor. There is no such hole on the SP mount, the RA motor is secured using 4 small set screws instead. This is less secure, but sufficient. It also allows finer adjustments than on the GPDX. On the DEC axis, the SP has a mounting bolt + 4 adjustment screws, while the GPDX has a mounting bolt only. |
 altitude_gpdx.jpg 42.70 KB |
 altitude_sp.jpg 37.08 KB |
Altitude scale view: The GPDX has a bolt hole that goes through the mount (in parallel with RA axis) and secures the RA motor. There is no such hole on the SP mount, the RA motor is secured using 4 small set screws instead. This is less secure, but sufficient. On the other hand, it allows finer adjustments than on the GPDX. |
 west_gpdx.jpg 59.03 KB |
West view: A view of the GPDX mount from the western side. |