3 replies to this topic

[Bomber Bob]

I've been so happy with the refractor-like performance of my 40-year old Mizar Comet (100mm F8 Newt) that when this 130SL popped-up on ZEN, I just had to buy it...  Why?  Because of that little Lambda sticker by the focuser -- and its 1/20th Wave optics:

 

 

Mizar's SL Series competed against other "fast" reflectors from ASTRO, EIKOW, KENKO, TAK, & VIXEN for deep-sky film photography -- remember 35mm SLRs?

 

First Light was last night, and I did its final collimation, then a dozen or more star tests, starting with Arcturus.  The 130 gave me one of the best of views of Venus that I've ever seen in one of my scopes.  Ultra-sharp limb -- and the seeing wasn't perfect, with thin cloud stripes drifting across the field -- in the clear zones.  Despite the Moon, I got some excellent deep-sky views, too.

 

Second Light, I'll compare the 130's star colors & resolution against my 1984 Tak FC-76 -- hopefully tonight.

[Henrik R]

Uh..

I had a Mizar 130mm f/5,6 around year 2000, when i was still using films (and compact-cameras), so i remember it well

The "1/20", was that particular for the SL-series or did it apply for all their newtonians?

 

Btw: I noticed You have a small "Jaeger" refractor. I have frequently used a 150mm f/15 Jaeger - great telescopes!!

 

BR Henrik

Edited by Henrik R, 04 June 2023 - 04:29 AM.

[Jon Isaacs]

I had a Bausch and Lomb RV-5+ which I believe was manufactured by Mizar and was a 130mm F/5.5 Newtonian with a non-rotating helical focuser.  I believe it was manufactured after Bausch and Lomb purchased Criterion. 

 

The RV-5+ with an RV-6

 

 

And incidental photo:

 

 

The scope in now with a Cloudy Nights member in Monterrey, Mexico.

 

Jon

[Bomber Bob]

Only a small % of the SL Series had the Lambda optics -- maybe 20%?  Hard to get a precise number now, but I see a lot more SL reflectors on ZEN than SL+Lambda.  I have 2 x 1970s Jaegers:  A 50mm F12 that I built using an original kit; and, a 6" F5 RFT that I bought here on CN.  Both are excellent.

 

Actually, the B&L / Bushnell scopes were made by Kenko.  I had a Banner 1000 (80mm F12); and, like your RV-5+, it came with the Kenko NES EQ -- a lighter version of Vixen's SP (it can use the original SP drive motors).  I lucked out last year, and found a B&L Bushnell quartz drive with hand-controller made for (I think) their last traditional GEM before the NorthStar (go-to) Series.  It's better than the NES single-axis drive that came with my Banner 1000 -- it really is "whisper-quiet" -- even when fast-slewing across the sky.  And, its rechargeable battery-pack is good for 100's of hours between re-charges.

 

 

Some Kenko owners on the Classics have found that the 1970s (K) 60mm F15 / F12 refractors are sub-par.  I wasn't impressed by the lens on my Banner.  But... the Borg-like KDS 63x800 had an outstanding objective.  And, my 1983 SC125L is the most refractor-like SCT that I've used.

 

After the Comet & 130SL, I can recommend Mizar Newtonians.  In fact, ALL of the Mizar scopes I've tested have been excellent to outstanding.  FYI:  The 150SL shows up on ZEN occasionally...  usually, these are bundled with the Mizar AR-1 EQ (or a TAK EM-1), so the kit is $$$$ to buy, and the shipping from Japan to the USA.... Yikes!  But, I can just imagine how great a mint 150SL + Lambda would be...

Edited by Bomber Bob, 04 June 2023 - 04:09 PM.