159 replies to this topic

[Nautilus]

A fellow CNer recommended this scope to me. Well, heck for a measly Jackson how could I lose?

 

In looking at the specs and accessories why not give it a try.  It meets the ISO 12312-2:2015 Standard, the focuser and diagonal have compression rings, and it has a sun finder. Also two users who posted on YouTube gave it reasonable ratings.

 

Due to the weather we have not taken it out yet … chagrin.  But one modification I will make is rotate the focuser inside the OTA by one screw hole.  That should make the plastic dovetail almost parallel to mounts with their clamps on the  right hand side. I guess if you rotate it the other direction then you are set for mount clamps on the LHS.

 

We will put the tripod to good use. It will be used to hold wet coats in the patio during rainy days.

 

So what is your take CNers?  Not hearsay but real users.  I am sure that there are a number of you who purchased one.

Edited by Nautilus, 12 November 2024 - 12:44 AM.

[MisterDan]

https://www.svbony.c...avel-telescope/

 

Cheers.

Dan

[RichA]

https://www.svbony.c...avel-telescope/

 

Cheers.

Dan

thank you, it didn't come up in a google search.  $20 is much more reasonable than the $80 the other plastic scope cost.

[RichA]

thank you, it didn't come up in a google search.  $20 is much more reasonable than the $80 the other plastic scope cost.

However, Svbony is padding shipping to areas outside U.S. 

Go to this link, shipping is free.

 

https://www.aliexpre...o.home.search.0

[edsmx5]

I'll just put it this way, had it not been for this inexpensive little scope, I never would have considered looking at the sun. So in that respect it was a good buy. The tripod LOL is something to behold though.

[RichA]

I'll just put it this way, had it not been for this inexpensive little scope, I never would have considered looking at the sun. So in that respect it was a good buy. The tripod LOL is something to behold though.

Good part is, they had the sense to use a Vixen mounting plate so it should mount on any mount that takes that and if the Vixen plate is drilled with 1/4-20 threaded hole, any decent tripod will hold it.  

[edsmx5]

Good part is, they had the sense to use a Vixen mounting plate so it should mount on any mount that takes that and if the Vixen plate is drilled with 1/4-20 threaded hole, any decent tripod will hold it.

I sent one of these to Jon Isaacs, it will be interesting to read his report.

[Jon Isaacs]

I sent one of these to Jon Isaacs, it will be interesting to read his report.

Ed:  Thank you..

 

I received the scope last night after sunset so I haven't had a chance to actually use it.  It's all quite decent looking except for the tripod. I have another 60mm Svbony and these little scopes, despite their plastic focusers, are really quite good optically. And the focuser seems to work reasonably well.  The diagonal and eyepiece, they look decent, the backpack is probably worth the $20 all by itself.  The solar filter looks workable, a nice addition.

 

I have several solar filters, a mishmash that are workable with some of my scopes but none that are great fits.. I am looking forward to tomorrow morning, it's supposed to be clear so this little guy will see first light.   

 

Jon

[Polyphemos]

Some of us purchased ours for $19.95 through Amazon, and it appears they’re still in stock,

 

https://www.amazon.c..._fed_asin_title

 

AngelEyes sells a solar filter mounted in a very nice aluminum cell which looks similar to the filter on the SvBony SV510, but which is different and gives a very much inferior view. Here’s a link:

 

https://www.aliexpre...ler|query_from:

 

The filter mounted in the SV510 is more similar to Baader AstroSolar film in that it’s mounted loosely like the Baader film, and needs to be for maximum resolution. In terms of performance it’s far better than the AngelEyes filter, but not as good as the Baader AstroSolar film. In combination with the scope it’s surprisingly good, and for $19.95 a perfectly acceptable instrument to introduce anyone to solar viewing.

 

The included mount is pretty much unusable as a telescope tripod but might be handy as a portable hat stand?

 

 

 

 

[edsmx5]

Some of us purchased ours for $19.95 through Amazon, and it appears they’re still in stock,

https://www.amazon.c..._fed_asin_title

AngelEyes sells a solar filter mounted in a very nice aluminum cell which looks similar to the filter on the SvBony SV510, but which is different and gives a very much inferior view. Here’s a link:

https://www.aliexpre...ler|query_from:

The filter mounted in the SV510 is more similar to Baader AstroSolar film in that it’s mounted loosely like the Baader film, and needs to be for maximum resolution. In terms of performance it’s far better than the AngelEyes filter, but not as good as the Baader AstroSolar film. In combination with the scope it’s surprisingly good, and for $19.95 a perfectly acceptable instrument to introduce anyone to solar viewing.

The included mount is pretty much unusable as a telescope tripod but might be handy as a portable hat stand?

I wouldn't put a 10 gallon hat on it, it might collapse

[Nautilus]

Hats off to you Mr Polyphemus.

[Polyphemos]

I wouldn't put a 10 gallon hat on it, it might collapse

 

Not true! It makes an excellent portable hat rack for the fashionable Cavalry soldier.

Edited by Polyphemos, 12 November 2024 - 08:03 PM.

[Polyphemos]

Hats off to you Mr Polyphemus.

Sun’s up, Senior Nautilus! We’re all awaiting your full report.

[edsmx5]

IMG_3142.jpeg

Not true! It makes an excellent portable hat rack for the fashionable Calvary soldier.

Lol lol lol lol

[Nautilus]

Or a conversation piece in the living room

[RichA]

IMG_3142.jpeg

 

Not true! It makes an excellent portable hat rack for the fashionable Calvary soldier.

How dare you!  Some Chinese engineer who graduated 204th in his class at Grenada University worked hard on that design!

[Nautilus]

Well, we unpacked the scope this afternoon and took it out for its first light.

 

The shipping box it came in was nice, and in addition there was a box that the scope came it.  Nicely packaged.

 

The scope is teeny weeny.  Almost as small as my 9X50 RACI finder!

The OTA appears to be made of plastic but I cannot confirm that. Everything was nicely set in a backpack that has separate compartments for the scope and tripod.  The diagonal and eyepiece is in a separate pouch.

 

The diagonal really surprised me. It was relatively heavy, has a compression ring, is made of metal, and much better than the diagonals that come with the Celestron scopes. The eyepiece is on par with Celestron scopes.

 

Overall weight appears under three lbs including the diagonal, eyepiece and a tripod that I used instead of the one that came with the scope.

 

The focus knobs are half the size of normal focus knobs, and the focuser was relatively smooth.

 

It is back heavy with the diagonal in it.

 

I first viewed the sun with the 20mm EP supplied by Svbony.  The image was sharp. And there was a wide range of sunspots you could see. 

 

The sun only took half the fov in the scope.  I then trialed a Vixen 10mm plossel and the entire Sun remained in view.

 

I am quite surprised by this puppy and it is good value for money.  Even my wife was surprised.  Now we have something we can easily take out during the day to check the sun out.

 

A super deal for the price of an Andrew Jackson.

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 
• 

[edsmx5]

Well, we unpacked the scope this afternoon and took it out for its first light.

The shipping box it came in was nice, and in addition there was a box that the scope came it. Nicely packaged.

The scope is teeny weeny. Almost as small as my 9X50 RACI finder!
The OTA appears to be made of plastic but I cannot confirm that. Everything was nicely set in a backpack that has separate compartments for the scope and tripod. The diagonal and eyepiece is in a separate pouch.

The diagonal really surprised me. It was relatively heavy, has a compression ring, is made of metal, and much better than the diagonals that come with the Celestron scopes. The eyepiece is on par with Celestron scopes.

Overall weight appears under three lbs including the diagonal, eyepiece and a tripod that I used instead of the one that came with the scope.

The focus knobs are half the size of normal focus knobs, and the focuser was relatively smooth.

It is back heavy with the diagonal in it.

I first viewed the sun with the 20mm EP supplied by Svbony. The image was sharp. And there was a wide range of sunspots you could see.

The sun only took half the fov in the scope. I then trialed a Vixen 10mm plossel and the entire Sun remained in view.

I am quite surprised by this puppy and it is good value for money. Even my wife was surprised. Now we have something we can easily take out during the day to check the sun out.

A super deal for the price of an Andrew Jackson.

You nailed it! Aside from the tripod, it's a surprising scope. ( again ,that takes price into account. Had I paid full price, my opinion would probably be a bit more harsh.
Ed

[Jon Isaacs]

You nailed it! Aside from the tripod, it's a surprising scope. ( again ,that takes price into account. Had I paid full price, my opinion would probably be a bit more harsh.
Ed

 

 

Mine saw first light this morning and I agree with everything Nautilus wrote. There's a lot of plastic but the optics good, the focuser smooth. The views are good.

 

If they don't already, Svbony should market the solar finder with a Vixen shoe. It's very simple but works like a charm.

 

I haven't tried the tripod. I will. It's pretty flaky but if it's at all usable, this could be a great present for someone with any sort of interest in astronomy.

 

Jon

[Polyphemos]

Nice report, Nautilus

[Nautilus]

I looked at the three screws that affix the focuser to the OTA and they appear to be about 90 degrees apart meaning that you can remove the screws and turn the focuser 90 degrees to make it easy to mount where the mount clamp is on the rhs or lhs.

[Nautilus]

I wouldn't put a 10 gallon hat on it, it might collapse

Nowadays with inflation and shrinkage the 10 gallon hat would now be 8.5 gallons.

[Jon Isaacs]

I did try the stock tripod.  The sun was low in the southwest and I was able to get a clear view at 20x.. Not ideal but possible.

 

The scope complete with diagonal and eyepiece:  1.3 lbs.

 

Jon

[Nautilus]

Unbelievable weight. I thought about less than 2 lbs.   The diagonal probably contributes 20% of the weight.

A very good value for $20.

Edited by Nautilus, 12 November 2024 - 07:50 PM.

[scout]

A reviewer on Amazon measured the actual objective diameter as 52-53mm instead of 60mm. Here's his picture of him measuring it. Does this seem accurate?