368 replies to this topic

[Uranotopia]

As some of my favourite eyepieces are these Vixen LV, I would like to ask, who also likes and still uses these eyepieces.

 

My first Vixen LV I bought about six years ago, not new one, but in very good condition. It was the LV  6mm. I used it on different types of telescopes (from Celestron C8 to "fast" achromats as the Skywatcher 120/600) and had never any problems with it. IMO the 20mm eye relief is comfortable, I found no kidney beaning (like in some of my UWA eyepieces) and I don't need all the time wide angle fields of view. And important fact for me is, that these eyepieces are not huge and heavy, as most of the modern wide angle ones are (and for example the newer Vixen LVW).

Step for step I bought more and more, first a LV 4mm, then LV 9mm and LV 12mm, later the LV 18mm and LV 10mm - all of them were used. Two years ago I could get a collection of many more of them (2,5 - 4 - 5 - 7 - 9 - 15 - 20mm) and a 2" LV 50mm. The last one I didn't find so nice, the image seemed not as good, as I was used to see in the other LV's. That was why I sold this one.

Until today I like these eyepieces, especially for my refractors, cause of the image quality and the light weight and comfortable size (I can put three or four in my jacket pockets).

[photoracer18]

I use a set for travel as my Pentaxes are too big and bulky. 2.5, 4, 5, 10, 20, plus a 40mm Plossl and a Proxima 8-24 zoom.

[SeattleScott]

Excellent eyepieces, but I found myself missing the wider AFOV of LVWS. Still had a 9LV for a while in my grab and go kit. They are smaller, lighter and cheaper than LVWS. If one wants long ER and excellent contrast, and doesn’t want to pay $250 per eyepiece, these are an excellent choice.

Scott

[csrlice12]

I use them in my PST.

[25585]

I have the entire range from 2.5 to 50mm. Those I use most are pairs of 20mm & 25mm in binoviewers, also a pair of 18mm.

 

The 5, 6 & 10mm were my first, and I slowly added the rest. Prefer the rubber turn-down eyecups to screw-up-down ones on NLVs and SLVs. 

Edited by 25585, 27 January 2020 - 07:51 PM.

[JohnBear]

I got an LV 4mm not long ago. It is really crisp and sharp across the FOV, and the eye relieve is terrific. I was hoping it would be my "really good" planetary EP, but, unfortunately, 4mm is just too much for my current scopes to handle in this location. So I'll be relying on my less powerful Baader Hyperions and ESs.  If you know of anyone that wants a 4mm LV for a really good price, let me know.

Edited by JohnBear, 28 January 2020 - 01:31 AM.

[mikeDnight]

I had most of the range in pairs for use in my binoviewer and only sold them a short time back. They were excellent eyepieces and the field didn't bother me because the optics were outstanding. I just didn't like the rubber eye cup. Silly I know!

I have a 100mm Takahashi refractor, and the pair of 15mm LV's in my binoviewer with a 2X barlow attached to the nose piece, gave me the most incredible view or the central rille in the Alpine Valley that I've ever had. Part of me wishes I hadn't parted with them, and I have a slight yearning starting to develop deep within, to reacquire a set of LV's again, as they are exquisite eyepieces for a lunar and planetary observer.

[Sergey Stern]

How they compare to the Tkahashi TOE or Vixen HR?

Maybe does someone made a comparison of respective focal lengths?

Sergey

[KevH]

I use the 4mm and 5mm NLVs... which I believe are optically the same.  I've yet to use similar priced eyepieces that can beat them.  They are excellent eyepieces as far as I am concerned.

[Uranotopia]

I use them in my PST.

Very interesting idea!

Now I wonder, why I haven't tried these excellent eyepieces for solar observation with my PST! I'll try this next time when I will be able to observe the sun!

[Uranotopia]

I use the 4mm and 5mm NLVs... which I believe are optically the same.  I've yet to use similar priced eyepieces that can beat them.  They are excellent eyepieces as far as I am concerned.

I've read some articles in German astronomy sites about these eyepieces. It is told that they are optically the same (or very similar to each other), one difference are the eyecups. As I haven't any Vixen NLV (or also SLV ?) I cannot report anything from my own experience.

[25585]

They appear on Classifieds fairly frequently, its just a waiting game. There are some on UK ABS as well, & ebay occasionally.

[SeattleScott]

The original LV series were made in Japan while the newer ones are from China. But they seem to have the same specs and optical design, and from what I hear the Chinese ones are just as sharp. So for all practical purposes the eyecup is the main difference as far as I can tell.

They are very sharp and good for planetary because of the long ER available at short focal lengths, and their relatively narrow AFOV isn’t a problem for planetary. They are also good where long ER and light weight trump the need for wide AFOV, like binoview or travel/GNG set. The one negative you hear is some people have reported an issue with internal reflections when viewing the Moon due to a shiny ring inside the eyepiece. Others say it has never been an issue. Mine was a 9mm, which didn’t get much use on the Moon in my scopes, so I cannot really say.

Scott

[25585]

Only shiny ring I have noticed is in the 40mm LV, a rare model. Its from a semi-matt retaining ring.  

[csrlice12]

Very interesting idea!

Now I wonder, why I haven't tried these excellent eyepieces for solar observation with my PST! I'll try this next time when I will be able to observe the sun!

They work great with the PST.  Even the 5mm, which really shows the proms.

[25585]

FLO in the UK have a big Vixen sale on, as the sole distributors, Opticron, have given up importing Vixen products.

 

https://www.firstlig...-eyepieces.html

 

https://stargazerslo...ixen-eyepieces/

[luxo II]

I still have 5, 10 and 15mm LVs, though I sold most of the rest (including a 50mm) when upgrading some years ago.

Always liked the 50mm for the "diamonds on black velvet" view that it gave.

 

Now have a mix of SSW and SLVs

[Uranotopia]

I still have 5, 10 and 15mm LVs, though I sold most of the rest (including a 50mm) when upgrading some years ago.

Always liked the 50mm for the "diamonds on black velvet" view that it gave.

 

Now have a mix of SSW and SLVs

Very interesting experiences about the LV 50mm.

I wasn't so satisfied with my Vixen LV 50mm - so after the description of your LV 50mm, I think something wasn't ok with my LV 50mm.

I bought it used from another amateur astronomer, perhaps this one was damaged (although I couldn't find any hint of damage or scratches...). Because I found this eyepiece not so good, I sold it a few weeks later.
 

[25585]

I have both 50 LV & NLV, very nice like my 55mm Plossl. The LV feels more solid, but neither is too heavy. 

[mikeDnight]

How they compare to the Tkahashi TOE or Vixen HR?

Maybe does someone made a comparison of respective focal lengths?

Sergey

I used the 2.5mm LV as my high power planetary eyepiece for a long time. It gave excellent, sharp and contrasty views of Mars showing a wealth of detail even when the planet was around 5"arc at 296X in my FC100DC. By contrast I find the 2.4mm HR much more transparent with less of a tunnel view effect. I much prefer the HR's and secretly hope Vixen will extend the range, perhaps up to 25mm. If that were possible I don't think I'd want to use anything else.

[Kutno]

As some of my favourite eyepieces are these Vixen LV, I would like to ask, who also likes and still uses these eyepieces.

 

 

 

Still have the 4mm LV.  Like it ergonomically - it fits my orbit.  Use it now, primarily, to share views of the Moon and planets with newbies in a Ranger and Pronto, at 120x.  

 

LVs deserve a place of honor as being the pioneer 20mm long-eye-relief line.

[25585]

Still have the 4mm LV.  Like it ergonomically - it fits my orbit.  Use it now, primarily, to share views of the Moon and planets with newbies in a Ranger and Pronto, at 120x.  

 

LVs deserve a place of honor as being the pioneer 20mm long-eye-relief line.

I absolutely agree. When my only refractor was a 500mm, Vixen LVs let me go to high magnifications in comfort, without Barlows. 

[Sergey Stern]

I used the 2.5mm LV as my high power planetary eyepiece for a long time. It gave excellent, sharp and contrasty views of Mars showing a wealth of detail even when the planet was around 5"arc at 296X in my FC100DC. By contrast I find the 2.4mm HR much more transparent with less of a tunnel view effect. I much prefer the HR's and secretly hope Vixen will extend the range, perhaps up to 25mm. If that were possible I don't think I'd want to use anything else.

Thanks, Mike!
I wanted to buy the LV 2.5 and 4, but now, after your reviewer, I beter wait and save, till I can buy the TOE.

Thus I can be sure, my scope deliver maximum resolution it can.

 

Sergey

Edited by semej, 29 January 2020 - 12:38 PM.

[Uranotopia]

Still have the 4mm LV.  Like it ergonomically - it fits my orbit.  Use it now, primarily, to share views of the Moon and planets with newbies in a Ranger and Pronto, at 120x.  

 

LVs deserve a place of honor as being the pioneer 20mm long-eye-relief line.

Yes, I do agree! If there would be a "Hall of Fame" for innovative eyepieces of the past, the Vixen LV should be a famous member there!
 

Edited by Uranotopia, 29 January 2020 - 04:55 PM.

[eros312]

FLO in the UK have a big Vixen sale on, as the sole distributors, Opticron, have given up importing Vixen products.

 

https://www.firstlig...-eyepieces.html

 

https://stargazerslo...ixen-eyepieces/

Thanks for the FLO link. I just purchased the 5 and 6mm SLVs for a total of $153.06, including shipping.