194 replies to this topic

[cougarone]

Has anyone placed an order for the new reducer/flattner (SFFRX 130140)?

[dariv]

I called and talked to Vic today about it and got on the waitlist. I’m #14. He said they are assembling them now and it will be a few weeks before mine is ready at which time they will email me. I believe they are knocking off $150 for the first batch and future batches will probably go up in price due to glass supply issues. I would not wait to call and get on the waitlist if you are interested.

[TelescopeGreg]

I just looked on line...  Yikes!  Is the reducer / flattener really over $1,200 now?  I put off getting one a few years ago when it was $650, figuring I would get one later.  Are we talking about the same product? 

 

Is this just tariffs, or did something else change?  If it's because of the tariffs, I can wait...

[Oberon510]

I think it is today's real cost of the glass they use for their in-house units. As a (loose) comparison AP sells theirs for $1550 (130GTX) and $1450 (110GTX).

 

This is the best crystal ball perspective I have.

[dariv]

The price of the flattener has been reduced to $1099 from $1249. This is a new flattener they have produced in-house for the SVX 130 and 140. It is better corrected than the previous unit and contains more glass elements. Yes it’s more expensive but not more than what other top brands charge for an AP or TEC reducer.

[AstroCub]

From the April 2025 Stellarvue Nesletter:

 

"The Process: We are currently assembling the dedicated SFFRX-130/140 reducer flatteners that took so long to develop. We are shipping these to those who have been waiting. These reducer/flatteners are full frame and made exclusively for our SVX130T and SVX140T. This long process required we make six prototype flattener/reducers that we supplied to six of our focus-group members for evaluation. These were those who own either our SVX130T or SVX140T refractors. Making only six units to start with was expensive. We felt it was important to do this to ensure these perform as designed. They did."

 

"Pricing:  When these (SFFRX-130140) appeared on our website, we originally priced them at $1249 based on what they cost us. Vic then realized that in the future, the price of this reducer/flattener may be increasing due to tariffs. This unit uses two fluoro-phosphate elements only available in the Far East. Tariffs will be charged, and no one knows what they will be when we reorder. For this reason, Vic decided to write off the prototype cost and this reduced the current, base, sale price by $150 each. So, the existing stock of these reducer/flatteners will sell for $1099. We do not know what the next run will cost. "

 

"Order Process: We are reaching out to those on the wait list as each unit is completed. If you are not on the wait list, you can get on it by ordering these reducer flatteners on the web at the reduced price. Please allow a few weeks for delivery as we carefully assemble and then align them. We are currently quite busy getting out our telescopes and we do all of our work based on the order/payment date."

 

https://www.stellarvue.com/sffrx-130140/

Edited by AstroCub, 18 April 2025 - 10:09 PM.

[SilverLitz]

I just looked on line...  Yikes!  Is the reducer / flattener really over $1,200 now?  I put off getting one a few years ago when it was $650, figuring I would get one later.  Are we talking about the same product? 

 

Is this just tariffs, or did something else change?  If it's because of the tariffs, I can wait...

The FR is totally new and made inhouse, while the old one was imported.  The new one also used 2x ED glass elements.  Supposedly, the new FR will do better with full-frame sensors, while the old FR was good for APS-C.

 

The old SFFX-2 was an inhouse design, as is the new SFFX-3.  The new SFFX-3 can work with both the 3.5" FT or Moonlight as well as SV's inhouse 3" focuser, while the old SFFX-2 only worked with the 3.5" focusers.

[AstroCub]

The FR is totally new and made inhouse, while the old one was imported.  The new one also used 2x ED glass elements.  Supposedly, the new FR will do better with full-frame sensors, while the old FR was good for APS-C.

 

The old SFFX-2 was an inhouse design, as is the new SFFX-3.  The new SFFX-3 can work with both the 3.5" FT or Moonlight as well as SV's inhouse 3" focuser, while the old SFFX-2 only worked with the 3.5" focusers.

Hey there

 

That's a great summary.

 

I'm fortunate because I'll be able to use my SFFX-2 from my SVX180 with my SVX140 when it arrives.

 

Siouxsie

[TelescopeGreg]

Ah, thanks.  Seems like I should probably get on the preorder list, but...

 

One last question, probably for Vic.  My scope is the older SVA130EDT (single digit S/N, an honor to be its owner), and it came with the FeatherTouch focuser, 3", I believe.  Is the new Flattener / Reducer compatible with that scope?  The website's description only discusses the 3.5" focuser, and the newer (T-series) scopes.  My camera is an APS-C size, and I have no need or plans to go larger.

 

Also, a question for me...  It appears that the reduction factor isn't quite as strong as the older one (0.8 vs 0.7?); is it worth it going from 910mm focal length at f/7 to 728mm and f/5.6?  That's not a huge improvement in field of view, and not quite a full stop in speed improvement.  I'm otherwise pretty happy with the scope as it is.  Any thoughts that I should consider?

Edited by TelescopeGreg, 19 April 2025 - 01:19 PM.

[johnsoda]

Just noticed this topic.  I started a topic six years ago, when I got one of the first SVX130Ts.  It’s here, with lots of pictures, for those who are interested.  Here’s a tease (below).  I’ve since replaced the CEM60EC with an Astro-Physics Mach2 (second picture).  Check my AstroBin for lots of images I’ve done with the SVX130T.

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

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[AstroCub]

Hey there

 

Looking forward to the arrival of Phoebe (one of Leda's daughters) my new SVX140 later this week 

 

I'll do an unboxing thread which will probably take me 3 years due to Stellarvue's legendary packing! 

 

Excited to share my adventures with Phoebe on this thread! 

 

 

Best wishes

 

Siouxsie 

[Elusivephotons]

Congrats on your new addition! I'm looking forward to your evaluation of the SVX140 compared to the SVX180.

I recently ordered the new Reducer/Flattener for my SVX130. I'll share some results/info in this thread after I've used it some. (IMX571)

[jmarin]

I received the Reducer/Flattener for my SVX140T, haven't had time to install it yet. Chunky piece of glass and metal. Only clouds in the forecast for the next week or so, it might take me some time to test it (ASI2400MC)

[dariv]

Do you know what number you were on the waitlist?

[Bill Barlow]

I hope you enjoy your new SV telescope, Siouxsie.

 

Bill

[AstroCub]

I hope you enjoy your new SV telescope, Siouxsie.

 

Bill

 Thanks, Bill! Very sweet

 

Hope all is well with you.

 

Best wishes

 

Siouxsie 

[Bill Barlow]

Hi Siouxsie,

 

Thanks for the kind words.  I am doing okay.  Trying to get out with my telescopes when I can.  Glad to see you are getting back out under the night sky again.  Would love to look through your collection of larger aperture SV refractors.  They must show some pretty special views through the eyepiece.

 

Bill

[AstroCub]

Hi Siouxsie,

 

Thanks for the kind words.  I am doing okay.  Trying to get out with my telescopes when I can.  Glad to see you are getting back out under the night sky again.  Would love to look through your collection of larger aperture SV refractors.  They must show some pretty special views through the eyepiece.

 

Bill

The planetary and lunar views through the SVX180 are mind bending, as recorded in the dedicated SVX180 Owners Thread. 

 

I am really looking forward to the SVX140 as It will enable a more portable set up for visual (and some imaging) but still utilising the legendary Stellarvue SVX optics. 

 

Hopefully one day soon you'll be part of the Stellar Crew, too!! 

 

Best wishes

 

Siouxsie 

[GADify]

I'm having some serious FOMO, as is common with we gear-heads. 

 

When I got my 140T I opted for the SV 3" focuser because I liked it on my 127D and figured I'd buy the new reducer/flattener when it came out, only to later discover that it only works with the 3.5" FT and Moonlight focusers. I have the import reducer/flattener that I got with my 127D and SV helped me to convert it for use with the 140T (more excellent service), but my 140T was supposed to be my "best" scope so now I'm lamenting not getting the FT focuser because I can't use the new reducer/flattener. 

 

I talked to SV today and they were as great as ever. Basically, if I want the FT focuser I have to ship my 140T back to them so they can put the FT on and match the SV-built reducer flattener. Money-wise it's not an issue, but the idea of shipping that enormous coffin of a case cross-country and being without my beloved 140T for a couple of months doesn't sound fun. Had I known it would be cloudy for almost two months straight maybe I would have done it two months ago! 

 

When I bought the 140T I only had the ASI2600 so the 3" focuser was no big deal, but now I have an ASI6200 and am lusting after that bigger tube. As I understand it the 3" is fine but there "may be some vignetting" with full frame. Anyone care to comment on FF use with the 3" SV focuser? As stated it's been cloudy for two months here so I haven't had a chance to try it yet. 

[dariv]

I just picked up a QHY600C full frame camera to use with the SVX140T. The flattener has a 48mm camera adapter on it for use with an ASI2600. The QHY600 has 54mm threads at the tilt plate but comes with an adapter kit that gives you 55mm backfocus and terminates with a 48mm thread. I plan to purchase the new 0.8x reducer/flattener when it's ready. If I plug the numbers into astronomy tools it looks like there could be some vignetting. Does anyone here have experience with the QHY600 camera? 

 

 

Edited by dariv, 14 May 2025 - 01:19 PM.