159 replies to this topic

[Jon Isaacs]

Well, I lasted almost 24hrs before I caved and ordered one for $9.59. My plan is to remove the solar filter using an Xacto knife and turn it into a spotting/wide field Astro scope to play with a bit before gifting it to some youngster at our next star party. It’ll be lots of fun for not much more than the cost of one of my wife’s foofy coffees.

 

Tony Spina gave me a 60mm Svbony to give away.,  I could send it to you but it would cost more to send it than for you to buy one.. 

 

Jon

[Polyphemos]

Tony Spina gave me a 60mm Svbony to give away.,  I could send it to you but it would cost more to send it than for you to buy one.. 

 

Jon

That’s a nice offer, Jon, and I appreciate it, but like you and Tony I pick up scopes locally to give away to young people at Star parties. There are times I have scopes practically coming out of my ears but by the end of the summer, after several parties, they all gone and the cycle begins again. It’s great fun to get someone started in astronomy with their first scope; something you and Tony are well aware of.

[SporadicGazer]

Maybe this was they’re final push to get rid of them. ...

Seems like this is the second time they've closed these out....  (If I were to guess, they get a big batch every so often and after they've sat around at the regular price, (competitive with Celestron's equivalent offering, but no bargain,) for a while they decide to cash out.  Maybe?
 

  ...  ETA: So I guess I was right. I had posted in our local club's e-group about the sale and someone said it's up to $299.99 now. I asked where they saw it for that price and he said he'd clicked my link. So I clicked it and there is a whole other telescope that it goes to now. I went to SVbony's website and searched for SV510 and it brought up the link with the image of the 510, but clicking it takes you to this new scope. This is what's there now.

That scope, the SV520 has been discussed for it's own merits* and might be a really good deal at 90/800 with decent accessories and an adequate mount.  I haven't seen any reviews of it though as it doesn't seem widely distributed (yet?).

 

    (*probably in the "Unusually inexpensive refractors" thread, I forget exactly.)

 

Also a regular scope with a solar filter is much more flexible and general purpose than a dedicated scope.  It's just not as fool proof for careless users.  The new offering is honestly a better scope for most newbies (who don't already have the necessary upgrades to successfully play with the cheap solar toy.)

[jrussell]

I just bought another one.  I'm thinking about removing their solar film and replacing it with Baader film.  Then doing a side by side comparison.

Did you ever remove the film and do the side by side?

[Skywatchr]

Did you ever remove the film and do the side by side?

Haven't had the chance to yet.  The sub zeroF and howling winds made it impossible.  Hopefully that will change real soon!

[Polyphemos]

I received my $9.59 SV510 today which gave me two of them to play with so I de-filtered one of them thinking I’d leave it in the car as a spotting scope.

 

The doublet objective, which in my case appears to be air-spaced using three small tape rectangles, has very poor anti-reflection coatings. Judging by the pale lavender color reflected it appears that at least some of the objective surfaces are coated, but not enough are or they done very badly because the amount of reflection off of the front surface is impressive. Looking through the eye piece in the direction of the setting sun there’s probably more glare, ghosts, and eyeball reflections from this scope than any I’ve ever looked through. It’s pretty bad.

 

I’ll see if I can have a look at the moon, Venus, Jupiter, and Orion tonight if the weather holds. Hopefully the night view will be better than the day light view but my preliminary assessment so far is that the SV510 makes a much better solar scope than it does a spotting scope.

 

 

 

 

 

[jrussell]

Mine arrived late yesterday as well. I didn't have the chance to try it out as we had quite the weather yesterday. Severe thunderstorms in the morning, ridiculously high winds, dust blown in from West Texas in the afternoon, then more clouds late afternoon. Hopefully I'll get to try it later today.

[Skywatchr]

I received my $9.59 SV510 today which gave me two of them to play with so I de-filtered one of them thinking I’d leave it in the car as a spotting scope.

 

The doublet objective, which in my case appears to be air-spaced using three small tape rectangles, has very poor anti-reflection coatings. Judging by the pale lavender color reflected it appears that at least some of the objective surfaces are coated, but not enough are or they done very badly because the amount of reflection off of the front surface is impressive. Looking through the eye piece in the direction of the setting sun there’s probably more glare, ghosts, and eyeball reflections from this scope than any I’ve ever looked through. It’s pretty bad.

 

I’ll see if I can have a look at the moon, Venus, Jupiter, and Orion tonight if the weather holds. Hopefully the night view will be better than the day light view but my preliminary assessment so far is that the SV510 makes a much better solar scope than it does a spotting scope.

 

IMG_3395.jpeg
 

IMG_3396.jpeg

With a solar filter, the coatings wouldn't have the problems it might have without it.

[zizzapnia]

Still clearing out the remaining stock apparently. SV510 available as of 11:50 a.m. EST from Ali Express for $9.49 with free shipping in U.S. from SvBony Official Store.

[Polyphemos]

Uncooperative weather has prevented me from making a detailed assessment of the the nighttime optical capability of the de-filtered scope but preliminary looks at the moon, Jupiter, Venus, and M42 are promising.

 

For $9.49 it’s a great solar recon scope, and it might be a decent Astro scope as well. Stray light control is probably inadequate for it to be a good spotting scope.

[jrussell]

Still clearing out the remaining stock apparently. SV510 available as of 11:50 a.m. EST from Ali Express for $9.49 with free shipping in U.S. from SvBony Official Store.

And it shows that it's the last one. The $9.49 price is a new user price. If you already have an ali account it's $14.99 so still not too bad. I'm tempted but I'm already a little in the doghouse with the missus for the one I did get. Seems I have too many telescopes.

[jrussell]

Uncooperative weather has prevented me from making a detailed assessment of the the nighttime optical capability of the de-filtered scope but preliminary looks at the moon, Jupiter, Venus, and M42 are promising.

 

For $9.49 it’s a great solar recon scope, and it might be a decent Astro scope as well. Stray light control is probably inadequate for it to be a good spotting scope.

Can the filter be removed and put back?

[Polyphemos]

Can the filter be removed and put back?

Not in any manner I’d attempt.

[maniack]

Not in any manner I’d attempt.

You can just put a homemade filter on it using a Thousand Oaks or Baader solar filter sheet.

 

But from Polyphemos's initial report this doesn't look like a good option for non-solar use.

 

I pulled the trigger this time, and I'll probably gift it to someone for safe solar viewing. It's a lot safer for a beginner compared to a filter attached to a regular scope.

[Maranatha]

Purchased and tested. For $10 its hard to pass this up. 

 

Works fine. Eyepiece is the weakest link in the chain but still gives decent views. When I put a better diagonal and EP in it was noticably sharper, as expected. Oh and the tripod, flimsy. I used it but oof. As others have stated could be nice to gift to a sun curious person. I also like that it comes in a backpack.

 

Questions here about removing the filter, no to that. Its permanent, I tried.

[RichA]

This looks a lot like the SvBony scope:

 

https://www.amazon.c...0BTQ7RY7X&psc=1

[jrussell]

You can just put a homemade filter on it using a Thousand Oaks or Baader solar filter sheet.

 

But from Polyphemos's initial report this doesn't look like a good option for non-solar use.

 

I pulled the trigger this time, and I'll probably gift it to someone for safe solar viewing. It's a lot safer for a beginner compared to a filter attached to a regular scope.

Yeah I was curious about being able to remove and replace the filter to make it multi-use. But from his initial findings it doesn't sound promising. I'll probably just use it for solar grab n go and outreach.

[Polyphemos]

Yeah I was curious about being able to remove and replace the filter to make it multi-use. But from his initial findings it doesn't sound promising. I'll probably just use it for solar grab n go and outreach.

It seems like SvBony glued the lens cell threads together to prevent disassembly to access the filter from the eye side, and from witness marks it also appears that the filter holder was pressed into the assembled lens cell. Perhaps the filter holder can be pulled out, bit I’d expect it’s glued also. This wasn’t a scope SvBony wanted users to have easy access to the solar filter on. I cut out my filter with an Xacto knife.

 

 

This looks a lot like the SvBony scope:

 

https://www.amazon.c...0BTQ7RY7X&psc=1

It sure does, except for the correct image diagonal and other bits and bobs. I wonder if it’s got better coatings than the solar scope?

Edited by Polyphemos, 06 March 2025 - 07:24 PM.

[Polyphemos]

The included mirror diagonal isn’t bad:

 

 

The biggest problem with the mount, and there are multiple problems, is that the movements when slewing are jerky which prevents you from being able to reliably center the desired object. The solution is to lubricate the plain plastic bearings with that magical lubricant, “damping grease”. I used Nye PG-44A, and while expensive you use very little and it’s useful for a wide range of Astro equipment including mounts and Synta focusers. You can find it on eBay.

 

Before applying the damping grease sand or file down any mold marks or other flaws using a fine grit abrasive. Then apply the grease - I use my finger - and reassemble. WD-40 on a rag or paper towel cleans up the grease quickly and easily.

 

I’m still struggling to determine the quality of the optics but the atmosphere has been uncooperative. Low power views through the included 3 lens eyepiece (Kellner?) are great, but high magnifications are a struggle. It may be the scope, but maybe not, as my AT72EDII which I use as a reference shows the same poor views under the recent seeing conditions.

Edited by Polyphemos, 08 March 2025 - 07:53 PM.

[jrussell]

I finally got to try mine yesterday. The other day I found our old camera tripod since I knew it would be better to use it rather than the one that came with the scope. Unfortunately the pan/tilt handle has been long lost and the scope was just enough weight to tilt it so I had to hold it. From what I could tell when it wasn't shaking because of that looked good. Of course it would be nice to be able to use it without having to fight the tripod.

[jrussell]

Just FYI if anyone is still interested in getting one of these aliexpress shows 4 in stock at $14.99.

[maniack]

Just FYI if anyone is still interested in getting one of these aliexpress shows 4 in stock at $14.99.

Plenty available on eBay as well, for $15.99.

[Polyphemos]

In the category, “Mission Creep”….

 

 

I compared the view through a mostly stock SV510 with that of a de-filtered SV510 with a SkyRover 1.25” solar prism installed.

 

I’ll say that at the 20x magnification provided by the included 20mm eyepiece the stock SV510 did not embarrass itself. It wasn’t until I increased the magnification that the stock scope showed itself to have significantly less resolution than the solar prism equipped SV510. SvBony made a good choice when they chose the eyepiece they did in that it plays to the system’s strengths and not it’s weaknesses.

 

I only increased magnification in the solar prism equipped scope to 40x because there was a lot of moisture haze in the atmosphere, but resolution was surprisingly sharp through the de filtered scope. If the moisture burns off I’ll go higher.

[dmgriff]

I came across a Svbony ebay store 19.99 offer and purchased one with coupon for 17.24usd shipped. 

 

The included tripod is not very usable as we know. 

 

If you do not have another pan head photo tripod and want a upgrade that will fit in the backpack, I purchased this 19-74 inch on Amazon Prime with coupon for 25usd shipped. They are usually 35-37usd under various brands. Remove the detachable head and it all fits in the backpack. More stable and larger legs, I still need to hold the tripod to use the finder, but, the padding on the legs is comfortable and good for that purpose.

 

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

 

 

Makes the little scope more pleasing to use. If you pass it on, the new owner will benefit.

 

Of course, there are many inexpensive options available. I found this one interesting at a slightly cheaper price. It will also fit in the pack.

https://www.amazon.c...lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Edited by dmgriff, 24 March 2025 - 11:50 AM.

[jrussell]

Well if you don't have an aliexpress account and want one of these, or want another one (create a new account with a different email), new user special for one is $5.99. Have to admit I'm tempted to get another, cut out the solar film, add an RDF and take it along on vacation. Surely the Mrs can't complain if I take along a scope that small right?