17 replies to this topic

[Stopforths]

I've owned this scope for a few years now and have been really enjoying it as a quick look scope with excellent optics.

 

Made with fpl53 glass and f7.7 its very light on an eq6 rock solid

features 

-rack and pinion focuser (Ok but has some issues)

-superb build quality overall.

 

-All and all on the negatives I's say the focuser is ok but could be better.

-the focal length means barlow lenses for high power and this lens loves high magnification.

-cheap plastic end cap compared to rest of build which is high end.

 

Positives

-amazing colour correction with fpl53 doublet and  sharp lens.

-cools very fast.

-wonderful correction of spherical aberration sharp pinpoint stars visible.

-lightweight short length tube.

 

So mainly use for planets and its a big step up from a quality 4 inch f-14 achromat which I also own an example of.  Better colour correction at least as sharp and a lot more to see on Jupiter for example.

 

I have to use a barlow lens to use high power and an excellent intes 2.4 x seems to work well.

 

I also prefer to use a Takahashi 1.25 inch prism diagonal and quality ortho and plossl eyepieces.  In good seeing 8mm televue 2.4 x barlow and diagonal combo great for jupiter and saturn.  

 

deepsky with a 2 inch dielectric diagonal is superb also pinpoint sharp to the edge.

 

I have 2 interesting skywatcher scopes a 6 inch f5 newt with great optics and a 180mm Mak.    The Vixen is a whisker ahead of the newt on planets and a whisker behind the sw180 on jupiter in good seeing.   Typically the newt is great at 180 on jupter and the refractor around 200 the Mak around 225-250.  By this they are all exhibiting plenty of contrast and detail.

Edited by Stopforths, 15 April 2020 - 05:40 PM.

[SteveG]

Those lightweight Vixen ED refractors always get good marks in these forums. Probably worthy of a Moonlite!

[Stopforths]

Those lightweight Vixen ED refractors always get good marks in these forums. Probably worthy of a Moonlite!

Yes really snaps into focus at high power but the old rack and pinion even a good one makes this challenging.  Will look into a moonlight at some stage when the current crisis is over.   

[SeattleScott]

Yes really snaps into focus at high power but the old rack and pinion even a good one makes this challenging. Will look into a moonlight at some stage when the current crisis is over.

Most of the high end refractors have R&P focusers. If machined precisely like my Vixen ones, with no slop, they are preferable to a Crayford because of their ability to handle heavy eyepieces or cameras. I certainly prefer the Vixen R&P to the Crayford on my 100ED.

Now the dual speed attachment leaves a bit to be desired.

Also no need to barlow. Just look at Vixen HR or Tak TOE eyepieces. Of course a barlow might be more practical than spending $300 on an eyepiece to use in one scope during excellent seeing .

Scott

Edited by SeattleScott, 15 April 2020 - 06:00 PM.

[Stopforths]

Most of the high end refractors have R&P focusers. If machined precisely like my Vixen ones, with no slop, they are preferable to a Crayford because of their ability to handle heavy eyepieces or cameras. I certainly prefer the Vixen R&P to the Crayford on my 100ED.

Now the dual speed attachment leaves a bit to be desired.

Also no need to barlow. Just look at Vixen HR or Tak TOE eyepieces. Of course a barlow might be more practical than spending $300 on an eyepiece to use in one scope during excellent seeing .

Scott

Those eyepieces you mention have barlows in them as part of the design anyway to allow the eye relief they offer.  Its a lot cheaper to have one good barlow and then use quality ortho and plossl eyepieces.  I have a 3 x ed barlow that isn't as good as the intes.

 

I have used a 100ed skywatcher and it seemed ok to focus it was a nice scope.   The best 100 I've ever used was brother kev's apq100 it was on another page correction wise Jupiter was like a fine pen etching just a stunning view.    The 115 is close to that i would say lots of fine detail in the festoons etc.  The other night there was a long river like festoon between the neb and seb which seemed to come from a dark spot like feature.  seeing was 3.5/5   I get one of the bigger scopes out when seeing is better it will be interesting to see that in the 10 inch Mak cass  in good air.  From Hokitika New Zealand Jupiter, Mars and Saturn are very high in the sky but I am close to a mountain range and this can affect the seeing after snow which we just had.

Edited by Stopforths, 15 April 2020 - 07:35 PM.

[Nippon]

I have the 115's smaller brother the 103 and all said by the OP applies except I have a Moonlight focuser for it that I eventually replaced with the original focuser. I found the stock focuser is better baffled and will hold more weight. I took time and carefully adjusted my 103's stock focuser and it's smooth a free of play. I should mention that my 103 came with the dual speed unit. I'll admit the Moonlight has a smoother feel and I do like the fact that it can be rotated to put the finder in a more comfortable position when on an EQ mount but overall I ended up preferring the stock Vixen over the Moonlight.

[GOLGO13]

Lovely scope. I have the 103s and 81s. Both are perfect optics. Glad to hear your 115s is also.

I prefer the moonlite but will do some comparisons to see if I see any difference as mentioned on baffling. I have the original on the 81s and can swap the two between scopes.

I agree the two speed attachment is only ok. Think they could have done a better job on it. At least the one that was an add on later. Not sure if the new focusers are the same design or a new design.

Feathertouch is another possibility for these scopes, but a bit pricey.

[Tyson M]

Lovely scope. I have the 103s and 81s. Both are perfect optics. Glad to hear your 115s is also.

I prefer the moonlite but will do some comparisons to see if I see any difference as mentioned on baffling. I have the original on the 81s and can swap the two between scopes.

I agree the two speed attachment is only ok. Think they could have done a better job on it. At least the one that was an add on later. Not sure if the new focusers are the same design or a new design.

Feathertouch is another possibility for these scopes, but a bit pricey.

I too have always preferred moonlites.  As you said, perfect optics for visual doublets.  Light weight too, just the non sliding dew shield is the only thing that gets me. 

[Tyson M]

vixen 115.jpgI've owned this scope for a few years now and have been really enjoying it as a quick look scope with excellent optics.

 

Made with fpl53 glass and f7.7 its very light on an eq6 rock solid

features 

-rack and pinion focuser (Ok but has some issues)

-superb build quality overall.

 

-All and all on the negatives I's say the focuser is ok but could be better.

-the focal length means barlow lenses for high power and this lens loves high magnification.

-cheap plastic end cap compared to rest of build which is high end.

 

Positives

-amazing colour correction with fpl53 doublet and  sharp lens.

-cools very fast.

-wonderful correction of spherical aberration sharp pinpoint stars visible.

-lightweight short length tube.

 

So mainly use for planets and its a big step up from a quality 4 inch f-14 achromat which I also own an example of.  Better colour correction at least as sharp and a lot more to see on Jupiter for example.

 

I have to use a barlow lens to use high power and an excellent intes 2.4 x seems to work well.

 

I also prefer to use a Takahashi 1.25 inch prism diagonal and quality ortho and plossl eyepieces.  In good seeing 8mm televue 2.4 x barlow and diagonal combo great for jupiter and saturn.  

 

deepsky with a 2 inch dielectric diagonal is superb also pinpoint sharp to the edge.

 

I have 2 interesting skywatcher scopes a 6 inch f5 newt with great optics and a 180mm Mak.    The Vixen is a whisker ahead of the newt on planets and a whisker behind the sw180 on jupiter in good seeing.   Typically the newt is great at 180 on jupter and the refractor around 200 the Mak around 225-250.  By this they are all exhibiting plenty of contrast and detail.

I have always wanted to try a Vixen 115S but the long length has always deterred me a bit.  It's a powerful refractor though I am sure. 

[Stopforths]

I have always wanted to try a Vixen 115S but the long length has always deterred me a bit.  It's a powerful refractor though I am sure. 

It really takes high power well 300 plus on Saturn works well.  I had a good 5 inch f9.5 surplus shed achromat that maxed out at around 260 CA basically came into play and nothing gained above this.  That lens showed incredible detail on jupiter but I think the 115 is better.

 

You do lust for more aperture the 115 is that sharp I can only imagine what a tec fl140 would be like or the apm 140 f7 with fpl53.

Edited by Stopforths, 16 April 2020 - 03:35 PM.

[GOLGO13]

It really takes high power well 300 plus on Saturn works well. I had a good 5 inch f12 surplus shed achromat that maxed out at around 260 CA basically came into play and nothing gained above this. That lens showed incredible detail on jupiter but I think the 115 is better.

You do lust for more aperture the 115 is that sharp I can only imagine what a tec fl140 would be like or the apm 140 f7 with fpl53.

The good part of the 115s is it can easily be mounted. As you go up to the 140 to 150 it takes pretty robust mounting.

I did have the Vixen 130SS refractor (pretty rare) and it was lightweight. 15 pounds with a moonlite. Was a nice scope, but needed funds.

I find I'm ok with the 103, but I did pick up a 6 inch F5 for low power and night vision work.

115 is a nice aperture though in my opinion. But agree a 140 would be sweet. However, another issue with the larger refractors is cool down. There was a pretty big difference between the 103 and the 130.

Edited by GOLGO13, 16 April 2020 - 07:42 AM.

[Lookitup]

Selling currently for $2,199. https://www.vixenopt...tor-p/26148.htm

Really liked mine a lot. Lightweight with similar color correction then my Tak DF. 

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[Stopforths]

Had scope out again this morning and noticed very fast cooldown from inside to out a 5-8 degree C difference.

 

Basically got good views of Jupiter off the bat lovely details in the bands etc at 200 X.  

 

Done a bit of adjusting on the focuser and it seemed to pay off loosened the  screws that put tension on the rack and pinion.

 

Nice detailed view of saturn at 250X  not bad for 115mm of aperture have to say. 

[Kutno]

 

 

Nice detailed view of saturn at 250X  not bad for 115mm of aperture have to say. 

 

 The Vixen ED115S provided one of the finest views of Saturn’s cloud deck I can recall, with a 3.5mm Delos sitting in its focuser.  Detail seen therein was truly something to behold.

[dscarpa]

 I'm liking my had for 7 months bigger version  nice and light for the size 130ED SS a lot!  Very pinpoint stars, oh so pretty DSOs and excellent L@P details. My IM715D mak outperforms it but the difference isn't that great and the refractor has tighter stars and more clarity for lack of a better word.  Mines got a blue Moonlite. David

Edited by dscarpa, 24 April 2020 - 04:36 PM.

[Stopforths]

 I'm liking my had for 7 months bigger version  nice and light for the size 130ED SS a lot!  Very pinpoint stars, oh so pretty DSOs and excellent L@P details. My IM715D mak outperforms it but the difference isn't that great and the refractor has tighter stars and more clarity for lack of a better word.  Mines got a blue Moonlite. David

 

I had a 715D and foolishly sold it.  Superb optics have to say.  Didn't know they made a ed130ss  have to look that up.              My sw180 mak also  edges out the 115 in good seeing only as it should.  Gotto love IM now have a 1008delux 10 inch f-10.  Haven't had out for a while...... 

[GOLGO13]

I had a 715D and foolishly sold it. Superb optics have to say. Didn't know they made a ed130ss have to look that up. My sw180 mak also edges out the 115 in good seeing only as it should. Gotto love IM now have a 1008delux 10 inch f-10. Haven't had out for a while......

The ED130SS is a pretty rare scope. They were very expensive when they came out. Around 4600. Even less common in the US where Orion imported a few.

This Italian review is pretty good. Translate it to English https://www.dark-sta...vixen-ed130-ss/

It's a pretty nice scope. Lightweight for its size.

[junomike]

 I'm liking my had for 7 months bigger version  nice and light for the size 130ED SS a lot!  Very pinpoint stars, oh so pretty DSOs and excellent L@P details. My IM715D mak outperforms it but the difference isn't that great and the refractor has tighter stars and more clarity for lack of a better word.  Mines got a blue Moonlite. David

 

 

 I'm liking my had for 7 months bigger version  nice and light for the size 130ED SS a lot!  Very pinpoint stars, oh so pretty DSOs and excellent L@P details. My IM715D mak outperforms it but the difference isn't that great and the refractor has tighter stars and more clarity for lack of a better word.  Mines got a blue Moonlite. David

Found the same thing with my (at the time) APM 130 F6 (LZOS) when compared to my (then) M703D.