F15Rules

Bit of a Vixen "Love in" going on here..🤔

Count me in!! 😍🤣

Dave

1 hour ago, osbourne one-nil said:

I didn't know Barry Norman was into astronomy!

 

I've seen Bresser reduce the price of scopes before. The reductions never last long. I'm VERY tempted. 

Just get out the Drastic Plastic!!😁😂

16 hours ago, F15Rules said:

If you dig around the Bresser website I think there was something about the recent change to the mk II version.

No disrespect to the StellaMira 125 ED, but I don't like carbon fibre tubes, but more importantly I've owned a number of Vixen refractors including 2 ED103s examples, so I know how.good they are optically.

I will go so far as to say that inch for inch, my ED103s and older ED103SWT matched the FS128 in the views it delivered..of course, the Tak had more resolution and brightness, but I hope and believe that for my own current observing needs and limitations, the SD115S will meet my hopes for it and be literally a good "halfway house" between 4" and 5" aperture. 

Finally, a used Tak 100mm would have cost as much as the bigger Vixen..

Oh, forgot to mention as well.."Proper" refractors are of course always white!!🙃😂

Dave

4 hours ago, bosun21 said:

Absolutely beautiful telescope in typical @Franklin condition. Great acquisition Dave!

 

Thanks Ian.

Yes, I can't speak highly enough of Tim and how he looks after his kit. And, his knowledge of Vixens, past and present, is astounding!!😊👍

Dave

21 minutes ago, osbourne one-nil said:

Is the new model available? I couldn’t find it. 

I'm pretty sure that Vixen are now only shipping the latest model..but a quick email to Bresser would give you the latest position, I'm sure..

23 minutes ago, Deadlake said:

The SD115S Mark II is £2789. 

One question I have is why choose the Vixen when the StellaLira 125 mm is around 4 kg in weight. 

I probably would have brought the Vixen as I suspect it has better optics, however I've really only got the SD103S to base my view off.

If you dig around the Bresser website I think there was something about the recent change to the mk II version.

No disrespect to the StellaMira 125 ED, but I don't like carbon fibre tubes, but more importantly I've owned a number of Vixen refractors including 2 ED103s examples, so I know how.good they are optically.

I will go so far as to say that inch for inch, my ED103s and older ED103SWT matched the FS128 in the views it delivered..of course, the Tak had more resolution and brightness, but I hope and believe that for my own current observing needs and limitations, the SD115S will meet my hopes for it and be literally a good "halfway house" between 4" and 5" aperture. 

Finally, a used Tak 100mm would have cost as much as the bigger Vixen..

On 04/02/2024 at 23:05, paulastro said:

My ultimate visual telescope is the telescope which allows me to see the amount of detail I want to see, in the objects I like to observe which is commensurate with my current age, fitness and finances.

At the current time this is a a Celestron 10 inch Dobsonian Starsense Explorer.  The Starsense Explorer push-to app based location system allows me to find any object I want quickly, easily, accurately, silently and  without any pain, WiFi connection. or an electricity supply - other than my phones battery!

Luckily for me, I already have one 😊.

Paul, I never thought I'd  "Like" a Ship's Funnel photo, but your description of your ideal scope combination of Wants, Needs, Finances, Health etc at this time nailed the OP's question. Thank you for your post.

In the past 10 years I have owned 3 main scopes, each of which met all the above criteria for me at that particular time..

2014 -Beautiful D&G USA 5" F15 achromat, customised by Moonraker, London, and fitted with a Moonlite 2" focuser and tube optimised for Binoviewers. Completely undermounted as I had no funds left for an upgrade after the scope was done. Still got some amazing views though!

2017

I fulfilled a lifetime ambition to own one of the finest 5" refractors ever built..the Tak FS128. Owned her for 7 years.

2024 February

Vixen SD115S 

Sadly I had to recognise that deteriorating eyesight, especially in my right eye, plus the significant bulk and weight of the Tak setup and awful recent weather was working against my getting out under the stars so often..and I was probably not able to detect the very best images that the Tak could deliver.

My new setup is significantly smaller, lighter and less bulky. With the proceeds of the Tak sale I've been able to acquire this lovely and still premium quality and powerful refractor, plus an almost complete set of Vixen LVW eyepieces. So I hope this is now my personal ultimate setup for the observing time I still have to look forward to..

Dave😊

50 minutes ago, Deadlake said:

I sold my SD103S as I had a 105 mm LZOS that has better optics however does not have the lightweight freedom of the Vixen that I miss. 

I was tempted to get another one, but took a look at the SD115, the old model is £100 more then the new model, see

https://www.bresseruk.com/Astronomy/Telescopes/Vixen-SD115S-apochromatic-Refractor.html

Crazy, maybe they withhave a sale on the old model?

My new to me SD115S (bought 5 days ago in mint condition) was bought new in March 2023 and  at that time cost £2835 including shipping.

The very latest model launched in summer 2023 is identical to mine, with the sole exception that the 3 foil spacers have been replaced with a spacer ring between the optical elements..said to eliminate any artifacts from the spacers whilst imaging.

As I am visual only this change is irrelevant to me..and my previous scope, the Tak FS128 also had foil spacers..which were totally invisible when observing.

Dave

29 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

Ouch!  

I think the last laugh is with you Mike...I hit 68 orbits next Tuesday!🤦‍♂️😱

On 04/02/2024 at 22:22, JeremyS said:

Can't fool me, Jeremy..

I know that that finder is actually a handle!!😁

On 04/02/2024 at 21:32, mikeDnight said:

Dito!

I've just had a look and what do you know - I've got one! 

 

Lovely, Mike..

But isn't it hideous how scopes age so much better than we do?😏🤭

Dave

1 hour ago, Alan White said:

I love my SD103, the sale is for the first SD such as my one and its super.
They have brought out a SD103ii, the only change is no foil spacers between the two elements and its now a ring spacer now.

These scopes are so under appreciated but they are a gem.

Same with my SD115 Alan..it has the foil spacers, they seem to have introduced the ring spacer for our imaging friend's benefit, but I very much doubt that for visual you would see any difference whatsoever..

It appears that Bresser UK (now the UK Vixen Distributor) is having a sale on these wonderful fracs..you wont get a brand new Tak 4" apo for this price!

https://www.bresseruk.com/Astronomy/Vixen-SD103S-apochromatic-Refractor.html?mtm_campaign=Google_Shopping&mtm_kwd=X000062&mtm_source=English&mtm_medium=CPC&mtm_cid=UK&mtm_group=PLA&gclid=CjwKCAiA8YyuBhBSEiwA5R3-E90PW_ZGZNehsC4y9v2xANwIFa_KI_zKg08Aj1ojiK7AXIq2EJ2XQhoC3FgQAvD_BwE

(..and the Vixen has a full 3mm extra aperture!!😋😂).

Hurry!!😈😈

Dave

4 hours ago, osbourne one-nil said:

So jealous! I'd love one of these. I already have the SD81SII which I adore, but I also have the flattener/reducer which would work with both of its bigger siblings. I've also got an R200SS so logically it would make no sense whatsoever for imaging, but when did logic ever come in to gear?

I noticed the Italian one, but am put off by the import duty and VAT which would be added on, making it almost as cheap to import a brand new one from Japan. 

I hope you're very happy together. 

 

Thanks 😊.

I seem to recall you had an ED103s (or SD?) in the past? I had two of those and they both impressed me deeply..to the point that when I seriously considered a modest downsizing from my 5" Tak, I had no hesitation in pursuing this lovely 4.5" Vixen apo👍..

PS. Heads up..

https://www.bresseruk.com/Astronomy/Vixen-SD103S-apochromatic-Refractor.html?mtm_campaign=Google_Shopping&mtm_kwd=X000062&mtm_source=English&mtm_medium=CPC&mtm_cid=UK&mtm_group=PLA&gclid=CjwKCAiA8YyuBhBSEiwA5R3-E90PW_ZGZNehsC4y9v2xANwIFa_KI_zKg08Aj1ojiK7AXIq2EJ2XQhoC3FgQAvD_BwE

A cracking good deal on a cracking good Japanese top quality refractor!!

Dave

Not THE Postman..but huge thanks to Tim (@Franklin) for personally delivering this beautiful scope and case of LVW eyepieces on Sunday.

Great to meet Tim, and a real nice gent!👍

With grateful thanks!

Dave

On 04/02/2024 at 16:48, DirkSteele said:

Technically I was the postman as I picked these bad boys up at AstroFest yesterday. Looking forward to trying them out.

Did you pick them up with a Fork Lift, Matthew??😄

Dave

Hi all,

Well, due to the Monsoon like weather,  I've been fiddling out in "The Barn", having fitted Superfox with a solid sliding mounting bar bought from Tim, which enables the scope to be slid easily fore and aft for rebalancing, but which has a "nut or stud" at each end of the left hand side, to prevent the scope from sliding out of or off the plate..

I've also now got the OTA perfectly balanced in RA & DEC on the Tak EM2s mount..amazingly, the scope will balance at the same point with Binoviewers AND 2" diagonal with 23mm decloaked Axiom LX!

I've got my RACI finder installed too, but not aligned yet..

A few pics and close ups of the rings, plate and MoreBlue microfocuser...

I just want First Light!!!😝😂

Dave

l

54 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

No need to tender your resignation Dave. Vixen are cousins, and so still the same family in my mind. Do you know if Canon Optron made your objective? I'd imagine they did!

I really dont know, Mike. I thought I read somewhere that Vixen design and build their high end lenses in house? But they definitely had their earlier Fluorite objectives made by Canon..

49 minutes ago, Nicola Fletcher said:

Congratulations Dave on your very handsome new acquisition. It looks fantastic and I am sure you’ll be very happy with it. I wish Trinity’s new owner the very best also!

Looking forward to your observing reports.

Nicola

Many thanks, Nicola!

I feel I did the right thing for me personally. I traded a fantastic scope for a fantastic slightly smaller scope plus a set of 6 excellent LVW eyepieces.

The new scope is a good deal smaller all around than the Tak:

The Vixen will save me I estimate around 4 -5kg in weight between the OTA tubes (Tak 7.5kg (plus the clamshell, see below), vs Vixen 6.2kg, tube only,

It will also save around 24cm in maximum extended tube length    (Tak 1176mm vs Vixen 930mm).

..and tube diameter (Tak FS128 145mm vs Vixen 125mm), so less bulky all round. 

In addition, the Tak's cast aluminium dewshield  is a hefty 185mm in diameter, and it's cast aluminium dewshield "manhole" cover (which is great), must add another 500gms or so, compared to the almost weightless, but efficient Vixen plastic dewshield.

Finally, the Tak Clamshell (which is fantastic!) must weigh 1.5 to 2 kg, much more than the Vixens' tube rings and dovetail.

All that said, in the flesh, the Vixen does still look like quite a large refractor..just not pretty huge like the Tak!

My Tak mount (think similar to Vixen GPDX capacity, perhaps slightly more) worked well with the FS128, thanks partly due to the heavy duty custom made wooden tripod..but the Vixen feels totally planted on this mount/tripod setup, like a glove on a hand!

And its nice to still be a Tak owner mountwise!👍

Dave

49 minutes ago, Telescope40 said:

Dave. This has been a great read. The Vixen has already hit the mark with you, if I may be so bold. 
As others have said I’m looking forward to your adventures with “Superfox”. 
 I’m immediately thinking it will be giving you as much viewing pleasure as you got from the Tak and maybe more so given your reasons for your very measured change of kit. 

BTW - my 128 is staying put with me and I’m still grateful for  your help when I was looking to become its custodian. 
John 

Thanks John.

I'm really glad you're hanging on to your FS128..they are Special, Legendary scopes and few and far between in the UK. I will always remember fondly my 7 years of owning one.

Which reminds me, now that I am Takless, to whom should I tender my resignation from the UK FS128 Owner's Club?? Mr Mike Hezzlewood (aka mikeDnight)? Or perhaps JeremyS should handle it??😆😂

Dave

Oops, double post!

Thanks Ian, glad you enjoyed the story😉.

I'm really looking forward to first light, but I fear it may be delayed for a bit looking at the weather forecast..so my apologies to all for that!🤦‍♂️😂

Dave

Thanks Robert, much appreciated. I feel very blessed and fortunate!

Dave

Thanks Jeremy..

Not yet, but I'll probably start with 3 of my favourites as viewed when I last used the FS128 for the last time, ie M42, The Pleiades and the Double Cluster in Perseus. And Rigel and Alnitak doubles.

Dave

Well... please bear with me, as the story that follows is true, and illustrates just how,  sometimes, a small event can lead to something very unexpected!

..after a somewhat stressed, hectic and overall exhilarating past week, the deals are done. Trinity, the Tak FS128 has now gone to her new keeper, someone who owned one 20 years ago and has regretted it ever since ( no, not @MikeDnight!😂..), and Superfox, formerly Tim's (@Franklin) wonderful Vixen SD115S, has today come to Lincolnshire..🤩

I had been contemplating the unthinkable (ie selling the FS128) for around 6 months, due to a combination of truly awful autumn and winter weather, slow but definite deterioration of eyesight, lack of "Mojo", and physical bulk of the FS128 setup. 

I've mentioned more on this in the recent thread about the sale of the Tak, but suffice to say, I had by Christmas more or less decided to downsize a bit, it was just a question of when.. I just needed that "nudge" to get on and do it. 

As far back as last March, when Tim (@Franklin) revealed his lovely new Vixen SD115S, I had decided that for me, I could only move from a Tak to another Tak..or to a big Vixen.. I've owned 2 fabulous 4" ED103S's, one of which, Foxy, is now lovingly owned by my good friend Steve (@Saganite).

The decision as to which way to go wasn't too difficult, as Takahashi only do the TSA 120 which is too expensive new, and quite heavy, and a Triplet (I've always been wary of Triplets, probably unnecessarily so) due to the 3 elements, possible expensive misalignments, etc..and not much if any of a weight saving versus the FS128.

The 100mm Tak doublets are optically superb, but I didn't want to drop down from a full 5" apo to a skinny 4 incher, (NO offence to owners, I just like a somewhat larger tube such as the oversized, but quite lightweight tubes the older Vixens and FS Taks had).

Takahashi make lovely 4" scopes but I've always loved Vixens, right back to the 1970s/80s when I drooled over their legendary SP102 F10 achromats on equally legendary GP mounts - good quality astro gear for the masses!

The problem was, the SD115S (the largest Vixen refractor they currently offer), was and is as rare as hen's teeth in the UK, (rarer, it seems than FS128s!) and very expensive new (not far short of £3k)..at which point many buyers would automatically go for a Tak, as much for the resale values as much as the optical quality.

Anyway, whizz forward to last Monday 29th January..Steve messaged me to say that Tim (@Franklin) had put up for sale his Vixen LVW set..still highly rated oculars (rightly so).. so, Steve knew that I'd wanted for some years to get some more LVWs, especially the 22mm, and he wanted a 3.5mm, so he said I should contact Tim asap before someone bought the set!

I pondered for a short while then asked Tim by message if the set was still available, and if so, would he would hold it for me for a few days while I put my FS128 up for sale. Tim very kindly said yes, but that Steve had offered first on the 3.5mm, so he felt he should have first refusal. I was very happy with that, since without Steve's heads up I'd never have even known they were available!

Moving on. On Monday I took the plunge and put the FS128 up for sale on SGL. In the meantime I remembered I'd actually seen an SD115S for sale on UKABS a few weeks back...but in Italy, so I hadnt then pursued it.

I found the advert and opened a message dialogue with the seller to confirm if it was still available.. I must he say is a lovely guy and has a longstanding history of problem free sales to the UK. He confirmed it was/is still for sale, and that he would offer  free shipping to the UK, too.

Anyway, just as I was convincing myself that the Italian SD115S was worth taking the risk of shipping from Italy, I had a message via SGL from Tim..

To my astonishment, Tim said he'd been thinking a lot about his plans for this year, and that, if I was interested, he would offer to sell me his SD115S (11 months old!), and his LVW set (minus the 3.5mm going to Steve).. and he would deliver them all in person to my home !! I was genuinely shocked..and delighted!

I was fortunate enough to have 2 firm offers to buy the FS128, plus another seriously interested party, within c 7 or 8 hours of advertising, so I was able to properly accept Tim's offer..

I also contacted the Italian seller in fairness to him..he was superb, and said that the newer scope, located in the UK, was too good a chance to miss, and he positively encouraged me to proceed!

So, there it is. I have now wound up with, for me, probably the best possible replacement for my Tak that I could have hoped for. And I will always be grateful to Steve for that heads up, and to Tim for selling me such a wonderful bundle of astro kit!

Thanks for staying with my ramblings..here are more photos of Superfox, and I"ll post much more on the scope as I get used to it in the coming weeks...Weather permitting!!😊

Dave