Vixen ED80Sf on Porta Mount

[codenamejag]

hi singastorians, am thinking if the Vixen ED80Sf coupled with the Vixen Porta mount is a good scope to get... please keep your views coming in... thank u in advance!

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=6960

[rcj]

Hi,

Sorry for the "intrusion". I have a 4-inch refractor for sale at the moment at http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=6106 which you might be keen in. It is bigger than the 80mm, and comes already complete with full accessories including a 2-inch diagonal, and two eyepieces, plus a bigger finderscope. Nevertheless, a 3-inch refractor nowadays is a tad small for one to start out with. Nevermind if it is labelled ED, it is a semi-apochromat, and the chromatic aberration control is (and i would stand by this statement) not much better than the Kenko. You will also appreciate the greater light gathering power of it through the brighter DSOs. It does not come with a Porta mount though, but it is quite straight forward to get from our local supporting dealers or I could help u in that too. Price wise, it would be similar to the one featured in OPT, but you get a bigger refractor, and more accessories.

2cents!

[acc]

hi singastorians, am thinking if the Vixen ED80Sf coupled with the Vixen Porta mount is a good scope to get... please keep your views coming in... thank u in advance!

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=6960

The Vixen is a good scope on a good quality, portable, and easy-to-use mount. However, getting this scope from opt may not be worthwhile cos' of the shipping costs. Another disadvantage is the somewhat limited aperture. You may want to check with Robin from Staroptics http://www.singastro.org/viewtopic.php?t=6239 to see if he can offer a nice package that includes a William Optics OTA and Portamount. Either way, you will have a great starter package. Happy shopping

[swat_pup6433]

actually the 102 SE remus is recommending is indeed a really good scope for beginner. I am having one of it too as my guide scope. its really well made, and optics wise there's no compromise. considering portability and apeture, the 102 short tubes are one of the best i could recommend for a first scope. with the clear advantage of light gathering power over the 80mm and 90mm counterparts at the same time retains the portability and weight of the small scope. other options for apeture / portability would the the 5" scts out there. but if you are gonna find collimating ur scope a hassle, retractor might be the better choice they hold their collimation well as long as you don't "man-handle" them..

cheers