Vixen Optics AXD Mount

Spot-on accuracy and an ultra-cool controller place this mount at the top of the heap.

By Michael E. Bakich

Published: March 30, 2011

Photo by Michael E. Bakich

When a manufacturer as prestigious as Vixen Optics offers to let Astronomy be the first to test the only example of its new mount in the United States, we knew the procedure wouldn’t follow that of a standard review. So, instead of sending the unit to a reviewer, I flew to California’s John Wayne Airport to do the review myself.

From there, I drove 2 hours to the Observer’s Inn in Julian. This astronomy bed-and-breakfast facility lies 22 miles (35 kilometers) from Palomar Mountain Observatory. As it turns out, the Observer’s Inn is one of the closest dark-sky sites to Vixen’s North American distributor, located in San Clemente. As soon as I arrived, I began setup for a 2-night test of Vixen Optics’ new AXD Mount.

What excited me just as much as the mount, however, was the chance to put its computerized controller, Star Book Ten, through its paces. This isn’t Vixen’s 10th version of the company’s controller. Rather, the Japanese word ten means “heavens.” According to the company, that’s what the controller will show you.

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CARLA MAYS from FLORIDA said:

Problem was solved by changing browser setting under Tools/Options/Applications/Adobe Acrobat Document in Firefox to use my reader rather than to download. Don't know why only Astronomy site required this change but happy I don't have to cancel my subscription. Sorry for accusations of wrong-doing, but I have had this problem for months, posted several times and no one responded.

MIKE WALTERS from OHIO said:

I personally don't have a problem with Adobe reader and refuse to get my gutchies in a wad simply because I must use it on this sight.Having said that I agree with Jim Egstad that a much more informative article could and should have been writen.

JIM EGSTAD from WISCONSIN said:

I read the review in the paper-based magazine. Your author spent 2 days (nights) with the mount and comes back with a review that tells you the gotos work good? Awful. Period.

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