radiofm74

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am very attracted to the ES. I would also consider (and I do consider) a 68^ 24mm as a suitable replacement for the Pan, but the form factor is in favor of the Pan and if I can find one at a decent price (there seems to be a shortage) I think I’ll go for that one. But yes, other 24mm may come into play!

I had missed those! I read a review that looks very promising! Plus it’s the right weight, parfocal…. Seems like a great option to consider. How do they compare in your experience to ES or others that may enter consideration?

Hello dear eyepiece gurus! I've been in the hobby enough that I lust to upgrade my (much-used) Baader "Classic Plössl/Ortho" sets. I'll turn 50 soon and my beloved wife has allowed a ≈1000€ budget for a "lifetime eyepiece set". Here are the basic parameters: 1) there may or may not be a fast dob/newt in my future – I have a R200SS which might be on the way out (see separate thread on this: https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/419573-help-with-f4-newton-what-does-this-star-test-show/) – but my key scopes for now are C6, C8, 3" and 4" Vixen refractors (f/7.7 and f/9) and a smaller mostly photographic 70/420 ED refractor. 2) I travel to dark spots with light mounts, so I need to keep everything light and balanced: a set of 1.25" EPs ideally all weighting the same (I do have a 30mm UFF and 40mm Swan should the need arise, but I find myself using 2" EPs very seldom and almost never on my dark spot trips) 3) I want to trade long focal length (read 32 Plössl) for AFOV in order to achieve widefield. I've crunched the numbers and I think I want a 68° AFOV 24mm, then wider AFOV ≈ 14 - 9- 4.5. Seems right for exit pupils and magnification achieved. I might add a Barlow or a super-short eyepiece too. 4) I do not wear glasses, though I do not dislike comfortable eye relief (not wanting to jam my eye in the 5mm eye relief of my 6mm Ortho is part of why I do this…). 5) For just this once, I think I'll buy new eyepieces. 6) (I am in any case keeping the Baaders and for purely planetary/lunar I am also working on a set of Vixen LVs… that will be my secret, smaller gift to myself ;D) Option 1 would be to buy a 24mm Panoptic and complement it with Explore Scientific 82° 14mm, 8.8mm, and 4.67mm. All the EPs are very light and weight about the same (210-250g), the field would be generous, eye relief reasonable, and I'm reading excellent things about these. And I won't deny that I'd be excited to get some green lettering… The 24mm might also be taken by an ES 68° 24mm, or an UFF 24mm… but they're both heavier than the others, and no green lettering ;D Option 2 would be to go a little heavier (≈400g) and get the ES 68° 24mm (or UFF 24mm) with the Baader Morpheus "starter set" (14-9-4.5), which also includes a nice case. What do you think? Does the thinking seem right, and are the options chosen good? Thx for any feedback, especially from users of these eyepiece!

That's all… again, thanks for sharing your thoughts if any!!

Here we get very close to focus, then through. Note how the image is "messy" at focus: not a nice little airy disk but a bit of a rayed blob… that's what I also saw when focusing on bright stars under the night sky.

Hello all! I've recently gotten me a scarred old Vixen R200SS. I brought it to a respected tech in Italy who ran over it and collimated it. He said A-OK. Under stars, however, it has performed horrendously, with even stars at the center of the field not being in good focus, despite 2+ hours of acclimation and using orthoscopic EPs (with and without a coma corrector). I've wasted close to 7 hours of good nights on it and always let the eyepiece frustrated. It's my first "fast Newtonian" (I had no issues operating a 6", f/5 before it), so I thought "operator error". However, a first round of comments on CN unanimously questioned whether the mirror was good and/or well collimated and suggested I do a star test. I've done so, and being relatively new to fast Newts I was wondering if more experienced members might help me determine if anything is wrong with the mirror or collimation, and if so what. I am actually trying to determine whether I should keep the scope or move it on. And even if I move it on, in order to do a honest sale, I think I should first determine whether something is crucially amiss. Here's how I've done the test, at home (with a pile of tube extension so the dratted camera could reach focus on such a close object…). I've shot 12 exposures documenting the (artificial) star image from full outside focus to full inside focus going through (what I hope was an) at-focus image. These are very short exposures (20 milliseconds, and 10 milliseconds on the image at focus). I adjusted the histograms a little so the rings would show, and cropped just so the image would be large enough for your appreciation, trying to respect roughly the proportion from full outside to full inside but cropping more the images close to focus. Hope it's all clear and I've made no major mistakes. I am a complete newbie as far as f/4 newtonians are concerned so will refrain from offering any thought as to what these images show. I am very much looking forward to reading what you may have to say!! Thanks in advance for any comments! The first is with focuser fully racked out of focus. The next ones move towards focus, then to fully racked in. From here on I darkened them so rings would still be visible

I am glad to see the Advanced Polaris discussed here. Can't remember if I posted the pictures below already but I do have the AP (dual motors) and the APZ and they are absolutely crucial for my life as travelling astronomer. They may seem pricey at first, but in fact they're priceless. There is no other mount that combines portability and capability quite like the AP… I use the AP for imaging with a SD81S, much more rarely – and especially for lunar/planetary – with a C6. I've used it for visual for the Sd81s, C6, C8 and R200SS. The 8 inchers are a little at the limit but the C8 in particular is fine on it. The APZ carries all the aforementioned scopes without batting an eye and it's even more portable, although sometimes I find myself missing the nice tracking of the AP. Along with my Vixen refractors and the GP-DX, the AP and APZ are the pieces of kit that I know I'll never let go.

Last instalment of the ED102S story… Thanks to Justin, Tim, and a couple astro-friends in Italy, I've managed to put together the complete set-up as it might have come out of Vixen factory at the turn of the century: tube (in pristine condition optically), rings, plate, handle, original 1.25" visual back and 6x30 finder, all completed with a nice Baader T2 prism (acting also a fine-adjustment focuser) mounted on a now-complete and working GP-DX. For good measure, I have found and bought "new old stock" a spare Mt-1 motor with clutch (white, but it would go under the green cover, so… ). And for when I'll take the set-up DSO-hunting, I have a 7x50 finder and a nice 2" visual back and diagonal. Thought you might want to see it. Won't bother you with this scope any further … except if I find the half-pillar I'm seeking, that is ;D

The story of the ED102S goes on, thanks again in good part to SGL and its members… Today I came home to find this was in the mail An original vinyl handle that our fellow member @Franklin generously donated for the full restoration of the venerable ED102, and a pair of rings that I sourced out of sheer luck in an Italian shop as "new old stock". The screws that @Franklin had included helped me figuring out those I needed for the plate, and after a dash at the hardware shop I managed to put this together: I then realised that putting the rings on would not be easy: Vixen did not at the time believe in split rings! I did not feel confident enough to do what I was supposed to do – either remove the focuser, or unscrew the objective cell – so I went for the ignorant man's solution: I took off the focuser knobs and huffing and puffing got the rings on the tube… It was an anxious five minutes, but it's an understatement to say that I am pleased with the end result. To celebrate, we went out for a double stars romp…

Well, if I may contribute more corporate literature, here is a brochure depicting EXACTLY my scope, mount and motor controller. The filename reads "ED-S II" and the webpage displaying it dates it at 1999. Given that the graphics displayed in the 1997 and 2002 catalogues above are subtly different (no red "Vixen" logo near the focuser, no oversized "ED" sticker) I will assume that my big boy dates from around '99 and leave it at that ;D

Thanks Franklin, wonderful!

That's a magnificent scope Franklin! I'm trying to reconstruct the timeline of the Ed102S… all I find is rather generic info such as "in the mid- to late-nineties…". The only solid info I have is: - My specimen with the large "ED" sticker is the second version of the ED102S – and if I'm correct, the first version was f8.8 and this one is f9 - In the 2003 Vixen catalogue the ED102S is no longer offered, and the range of f7.7 ED81, ED103 and ED115 is presented. - Your scope would suggest that around 2002 or earlier Vixen moved to the white trim. Am I far wrong in thinking that my large-sticker, green hammerite tube should date from somewhere around 1997-2001? Ah… Sunday time curiosities ;D

New old scope day! After I posted on here that I was on the lookout for a Vixen doublet of 4" or more, a member of the forum – the nicest chap of all, whose name I won't disclose until he gives me permission – contacted me and we agreed on the sale of this beautiful ED102S + GPDX combo: We've yet to sort out together a couple of details to make the mount fully functional, but the OTA is wonderful in every respect. I am currently using it on my HEQ5 Pro, and since the drawtube accepts M60 threads, and I had the original visual back of my SD81S lying about, I've been able to put a 2" diagonal on, adding wide field capabilities to the scope. Indeed, my William Optics 40mm SWAN eyepiece – which showed too much aberrations in my faster refractors – is perfect for this scope. Here's the setup as I am using it: Fun little fact, it's precisely one of the two ED102s that Roger Vine used for his review of the model. You may recognise the faded "ED sticker" and the mismatched rings: http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/VixenED102S.htm Needless to say, that review was a big factor in getting me interested in this model in the first place! The tube and glass are in wonderful condition: First light was two nights ago, after suffering the customary meteorological sanction for acquiring new gear. I had bad seeing and so-so transparency gradually improving to good under the Bortle 9 sky of Milano. This is where the scope will reside for 99% of the time: it is to be my dedicated lunar, planetary and double star urban scope. I tested it accordingly. But first off, the physical impression is that the scope is handsome and, well, huge for my standards. When the HEQ5 was slewing to target I felt like I was in a professional observatory In my cramped little balcony, I think it's as big a scope as I can swing, and it will need a half pillar for added comfort. Mechanically everything is A-OK: the focuser is simple but fully satisfactory and I find that the f9 focal ratio makes finding optimal focus easier than I am accustomed to. Planetary observation was inconclusive due to seeing – but very promising, with Saturn showing a hint of planetary bands and a well-incised ring shadow, and Jupiter proudly displaying its larger belts and zones and in fleeting moments turning tiger-striped. Lunar was positively fun despite, again, very bad seeing: I could enjoy lots of detail in the tiny sliver of lunar surface that was not yet fully illuminated, including the area around Eddington and Krafft (Catena Krafft was well visible at very low power), and around Grimaldi and Riccioli. No false color to be seen even at close-to-full illumination. The real blast was hopping around for doubles: colourful ones showed me the fantastic transmission of the glass (Albireo, Almach, Delta Cephei); the Double Double was a beautifully clean split in spite of turbulence, as was lovely unequal double Sigma Cas. Achird, Polaris and the Engagement Ring, beautifully matched Mesarthim… it was just a joy wandering around. As a last treat, full Moon and city lights notwithstanding, I put on the big eyepiece and went for a peep at the Pleiades: the cluster was perfectly framed and very, very beautiful with pinpoint stars all across. Same for the Double Cluster, less bright but very detailed and with stunning colours in its red giants: bright DSOs will be fun even under metropolitan sky with this scope! The next night, yesterday, I had the opportunity to take it out again and enjoy a bit of the lunar eclipse – first time I saw one through a telescope and it was fitting that "Big Vic" should be the instrument used. With the Moon now at full, with a small part of it in Earth's shadow, I could really appreciate the albedo features – bright craters and rays, dark maria – and the lack of false colour. I think that it will be a lifer scope. Over time, there are details I want to improve, gradually. In order of importance: - First and foremost, of course, I need to get its matched mount up and running: the seller is busying himself with sending the missing parts, so that's just a matter of days - I'll be actively looking out for a Vixen Green half pillar. - I need to get a 140mm dust cap for the dust shield, and the internal 46.5 mm cap is borrowed from a scope that I'm selling so I'll need to source one… they're hard to get by! - The mismatched rings are OK, but if I find a set of green 115mm rings, I'll pounce - It would be nice to have the original 7x50 finder, and in the meantime I'll replace the Baader red dot (nice, but gets a little in the way) with a Vixen XY red dot If any of you has an idea where I could get these hard-to-get-by parts, I'm all ears! But the scope is already fully usable, and I intend to use it on every coming clear night ;D

Timely thread! I'll follow it as I was trying to wrap my head around this very problem yesterday and this morning. Being a little puzzled by the Vixen adapter I have at least for now bought this and am waiting for delivery: https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p202_TS-Optics-Adaptor-M60-to-T2---low-profile-adapter-for-photography.html The concept is a lot clearer, and it also allows for mounting a 2" filter inside, which is a good thing (Vixen adopts a much more uncommon 52mm filter thread). No grubscrews though.

Thanks a lot!

Thank you Tim! And indeed, the C8 usually goes on the APZ while I am imaging with the AP + SD81… BUT: could you satisfy my curiosity about which tube sits on the Advanced Polaris in Pixie's picture I have quoted just above? Thanks in advance!

Forgive me for asking almost a year later (I saw this picture just now), and forgive also the rookie question, but is it an ED103 or an ED115 perched on the AP? Or……? And how did the AP hold up with such a relatively large scope? As the AP is my "getaway under dark skies mount" I am always interested in knowing what scopes it can hold and how ;D I've done my bit of daring experimentation and if you're careful with the accessories and balancing, I've found it can pretty decently hold a C8 making for a truly powerful and portable set-up

Beautiful scopes! Well, both the ED/SD103 and the ED/SD115 are at the top of my "want" list. The news given by Tim just a few post above that the APZ can hold a 115 is great. I am also very attracted to the older designs, like the ED102 f9 (not to mention the Fluorite… should one pass by, I might have to snatch it!). I am sure that even with its bigger brethren around the house, my SD81 would retain a special place. It's a wonderful, easy-to-use imaging scope and just as wonderful and easy to use in visual. In past nights I've set it up on the AP on my balcony and spent a few hours in Draco, Lyra and Cygnus hunting for beautiful doubles. The views were so pleasing: the vibrant colours of Albireo, a perfectly clean split of the Double Double, the lovely trio of 16/17 Dra, the subtle lilac shades of Dziban's secondary… The C8 splits tighter doubles, of course, and shows me dimmer companions, but I have never in any other scope enjoyed the aesthetically pleasing views that "Vicky" has to offer. And not only doubles… give her a good sky, and she goes pretty deep!

Great tip! Right at the limit, it balances quite well, but a few millimetres more might be better. Thanks!

I am going dizzy with all the great Vixen scopes, mounts and eyepieces on display on this thread ;D I've started out during COVID on a (much-loved) Celestron OMNI 150 kit (6" Newt on a CG-4), acquired a C6 for an airline-friendly tube, then being a lover of EQ mounts and an urban dweller in need of a lot of portability I got a Vixen Advanced Polaris. It was a real eye-opener. Super-portable, precise… an amazing piece of kit. When I decided I'd do imaging too, I fitted it with motors and a polar scope, and got a used SD81S. A second w<yw-opener: what a wonderful scope! With the spare parts of the Advanced Polaris I made a fully manual APZ. Both mounts are fantastic, both can hold my (recently acquired) C8 if well balanced, not to speak of my other tubes. The SD81S is my favorite imaging scope and to my utter surprise and confusion also my favorite visual scope, especially for doubles, lunar, and clusters, even though it competes with a pair of good SCTs with much more aperture. I am now hopelessly hooked. I'd like a 4-5" apo and a nice motorised mount to sustain it, especially for doubles and planetary from my balcony, so my first choice are an old GP(D) and 4-5" Vixen ED doublet. I am so taken with my AP that I'd love to get a Sphinx to upgrade my HEQ5 Pro as my "static" imaging base. And if a R200SS passes by I won't let it go. I am even getting a bit of Vixen eyepiece fever. This thread ain't helping ;D

If I may ask, and if the OP does not express an interest, could you provide the contacts in case you think the scope is still up for sale? I am in Italy and would jump on the occasion!

Ciao SwiMatt! That Bortle 6 is in the centre of Lausanne, and quite frankly it's still enjoyable for DSOs when conditions are just right. I remember a couple memorable nights there, and even successfully hunting for Bode's Pair with a tiny 2.5" refractor ;D But indeed, my main observation site is in the hills and woods about 30' from my place by car. That's a good rural sky, and among many thrilling moments it gave me my first view of Zodiacal Light and Gegenschein … plus, taught me the cries of many a wild beastie ;D

Hello everyone! I've been stargazing since January 2021, and imaging since January 2022. Both sides of the hobby are important to me and I also like sketching (if only I were a little better at that ;D). I am a city dweller living between Milano (Bortle 9 or whatever is the definition of "worse skies around") and Lausanne (a much more decent Bortle 6) but I escape to rural skies whenever I have the occasion. It is not entirely a coincidence that my favorite gear is very portable… my faithful Vixen Advanced Polaris, Vixen 3" ED (SD81S), my C6, my recently purchased AsiAir, a bunch of light Baader eyepieces, my own naked eyes… But I also enjoy observing from my balcony in Milano with a bigger GoTo mount, hunting lunar features, planets and doubles. I've been an active member of CN for quite some time now, but I've long been lurking this forum and thought it was about time I'd start contributing here too! Clear skies to you all!

New member here and I cannot help commenting on Franklin's pic: I am afraid I suffer from the same condition, and your collection is a true inspiration! I have a lovely little Advanced Polaris, an APZ for even more grab'n'go and an SD81S. They are my most treasured pieces of astro-kit, especially the AP and the SD81S. I am now basically only considering Vixen stuff for my GAS plans. I'd like a 4-5" apo, and am on the lookout for a well-loved ED/SD103S or ED/SD115S. I'm also starting to want Vixen quality in my larger GoTo mount (currently a very nice and serviceable HEQ5 Pro), and I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a 2nd generation Sphinx mount. Meanwhile, if a nice old SP or GP comes on the market, or a R200SS, I might not be able to resist… So my hope is to go down that path ;D