73 replies to this topic

[bob midiri]

I have this amazing classic C102F refractor, and I'm really not sure how many of them are out there, but every time I use this fine telescope, I just can't wipe the smile from my face. No matter what I look at , the moon, double stars, planets even some DSO, the image just snaps into focus, the contrast the image fidelity make it feel like Im using a bigger aperture telescope. Its the perfect grab and go  scope to me. Its like perfection in a tube. I wonder how many classic aficionados own this fine classic refractor. 

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[coopman]

I just checked AM - not many of them have been offered for sale going all the way back to 2001.  Some of the ones shown there may actually be the same OTA too.  You may indeed have a pretty rare classic there Bob. 

[Mountaineer370]

I had the good fortune to acquire one of these late last fall.  I'm really looking forward to getting a lot of use out of it as the weather is getting nicer.  I have no idea how many are still out there, but I believe there are quite a few among our CN members.

[ngc7319_20]

Vixen 102FL is the same scope.  Yes, amazing.

[Littlegreenman]

I just checked AM - not many of them have been offered for sale going all the way back to 2001.  Some of the ones shown there may actually be the same OTA too.  You may indeed have a pretty rare classic there Bob. 

It may not be as rare as one would think from looking for those listed on AM:

1. some sellers delete their ads after it sells, or if they decide to keep it

2. when an AM member's membership expires (a new round of dues is required, or they quit AM willingly or not , um, better not go there!), their past activity on AM "goes dark" and cannot be seen. This includes ads. I think If they re-up their past activity lights up again.

3. Held back items. I just read about the concept, and there is a term for it which may be held-back or held-on items. Imagine there are two similar telescopes, and 1,000 of each exist.  But one has 'fans' and people hang onto them, and the other one no one really cares than much about.

If you are in the market for something, though, you only care about how often they come up for sale.

Edited by Littlegreenman, 18 March 2019 - 08:54 PM.

[bob midiri]

I had the good fortune to acquire one of these late last fall.  I'm really looking forward to getting a lot of use out of it as the weather is getting nicer.  I have no idea how many are still out there, but I believe there are quite a few among our CN members.

I think the older I get the more I appreciate the ability to enjoy the less complicated optical equipment that delivers such exquisite detail in a simple and small package.

[CHASLX200]

Never tried one yet.

[Defenderslideguitar]

The incomparable lightweight 102fl... I set my sights on one well over a year ago. Nothing out there  So I ran a want ad  but was offered the FC-100(1990) instead. Bought it love it. Shortly afterwards the C-102FL found me and I was not ready with the money because of the Tak FC-100. I asked the seller to hold it for me and give me 3 weeks to finagle the funds. I ended up with the one owner C-102fl. Ed sold it he said because his age demanded it  (89) He had it 25 years  I should be lucky to have it 25 years...

 

The focuser and mechanics are not the same as the Tak    but I added a focuser and presto ... marvelous scope in lighter weight easy peasy package....I am lucky to have it. While I originally wanted and still love the Vixen white with green/gray trim..I have to keep this one...........BTW    There is one of those Vixen102fl's from Martin in Mexico City for 1439.00 presently for sale.

 

The C-102fl came with all original paperwork   and pictures of how Ed had it set up over the  years. I offer to mail copies of the original owners manual paperwork to anyone who would like a copy.  Love this one my favorite "F" word-Fluorite

p.s.  Sometimes a scope find you.

 

 

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[shredder1656]

Thanks to you, Bob, I lucked into one. Switched it up a bit and ended up with another. Thus, another contributor to this thread snagged one too. 😁

It's a scope that's out of my league.

[Mountaineer370]

Thanks to you, Bob, I lucked into one. Switched it up a bit and ended up with another. Thus, another contributor to this thread snagged one too.

I confess, I'm the guilty party.   I looked for well over a year before I got lucky -- the forces of the cosmos aligned and I had the funds available at the same time as shredder put one of his up for sale.

Edited by Mountaineer370, 18 March 2019 - 08:49 PM.

[starman876]

I have had a couple of these and they are amazing. One of the best scopes in the 4" size in the world.   If one becomes available and you have the cash do not hesitate.  You will only be sorry after you sell it.

[Steve Allison]

I envy the light weight of the C102F, much as I love my heavier FS-102NSV. There something about a simple fluorite doublet that makes for relaxed viewing and for me as a visual observer, the color correction is all that I could ask for. 

 

Love 'em!

[rolo]

My favorite refractors are Vixen Fluorites...Affordable, light and killer optics!

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[Defenderslideguitar]

My favorite refractors are Vixen Fluorites...Affordable, light and killer optics!

There they are...……...Vixen white with that Vixen green/gray trim color  and all hardware  the rings the mount the finders  all match    

 

One fluorite piggy back on another     kind of like little fish on big fish

 the Symbiosis between little Remoras fish and Sharks

 

that pic makes my day   thanks

[rolo]

There they are...……...Vixen white with that Vixen green/gray trim color  and all hardware  the rings the mount the finders  all match    

 

One fluorite piggy back on another     kind of like little fish on big fish

 the Symbiosis between little Remoras fish and Sharks

 

that pic makes my day   thanks

On a Vixen GPDX. What a nice set that I should kept....

[CHASLX200]

I liked the early and mid 90's Orion - Vixen stuff.  I don't see many of the short 80mm OTA's for sale used.

[starman876]

you got to love Vixen Fluorites.  Still have a couple.  Some of the best scopes in the world.

[rolo]

Here's my first Celestron/Vixen f/8.8 fluorite. It forever changed the hobby for me!

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[semiosteve]

Here's my first Celestron/Vixen f/8.8 fluorite. It forever changed the hobby for me!

If you had to place them in an evolutionary tree for refractors where would they fit?

[Defenderslideguitar]

I liked the early and mid 90's Orion - Vixen stuff.  I don't see many of the short 80mm OTA's for sale use

Yes  Orion st80     sounds like what I need for the wide field short tube  easy travel refractor   They never seem very expensive but finding the older ones can be more difficult

After NEAF   or I mean after I recover from buying stuff at NEAF       I can see myself keeping an eye out for one

 

 

 and the Orion Vixen 102fl  in white is a sweet looking Vixen fluorite as well.....

just saying

Edited by Defenderslideguitar, 20 March 2019 - 08:42 AM.

[Defenderslideguitar]

Here's my first Celestron/Vixen f/8.8 fluorite. It forever changed the hobby for me!

This is exactly what I have the Celestron/Vixen-102fl   f8.8 all original parts finder rings focuser etc

 I did update the focuser but I keep the original one for vintage originality

 

Edit  why is celstron Celestron the word I misspell the most here?

Edited by Defenderslideguitar, 20 March 2019 - 08:46 AM.

[CHASLX200]

Yes  Orion st80     sounds like what I need for the wide field short tube  easy travel refractor   They never seem very expensive but finding the older ones can be more difficult

After NEAF   or I mean after I recover from buying stuff at NEAF       I can see myself keeping an eye out for one

 

 

 and the Orion Vixen 102fl  in white is a sweet looking Vixen fluorite as well.....

just saying

If i remember right Vixen made some short tube ED scopes in the 80mm to 102mm size. Like F/7 or around there in the early 90's for Orion.

[memento]

The C-102fl came with all original paperwork   and pictures of how Ed had it set up over the  years. I offer to mail copies of the original owners manual paperwork to anyone who would like a copy.  Love this one my favorite "F" word-Fluorite

p.s.  Sometimes a scope find you.

I love that he gave you all these photos where the scope was set up.

[bobhen]

I believe Canon/Optron, the same manufacturer that produces lenses for Takahashi, produced the lenses in these scopes. Probably why the lenses are so good.

 

Optron developed fluorite crystal technology back in the 60s and was purchased by Canon in 1983.

 

Bob

[bob midiri]

I believe Canon/Optron, the same manufacturer that produces lenses for Takahashi, produced the lenses in these scopes. Probably why the lenses are so good.

 

Optron developed fluorite crystal technology back in the 60s and was purchased by Canon in 1983.

 

Bob

Thanks for this interesting info as I have never heard of this before.