14 replies to this topic

[Chris Lindsay]

I'm thinking of going this route if Meade doesn't come through on FB.

 

Just looking for budget build as I only do visual. I sold off everything with my last scope and want to start fresh. I think the Svbony 102 is going on sale next week.  So would like some basic good mount and dia and EP. Suggestions. Don't know if I need look elsewhere I've moved up my budget a little.   

 

This would be my first refractor 

 

[vtornado]

Celestron CG4 would be a good mount, it can be converted to Alt-Az.

 

Sky-Tee would be good pure alt-az. Some folks are liking the Svbony alt-az mount.  I'm not sure if it is up to a 4 inch frac. 

 

For eyepieces, it would be nice to have one 2 inch.  That also requires a two inch diagonal.  The APM-UFF 30/70   and Astro-Tech 28/80 are essentially perfect.  The Orion Q70 series (unsure of other branding)  Are not quite as good but are half the price.

 

For 1.25 I have limited myself to 60 degree eyepieces because of weight and cost.  I am using the Asto-tech paradigms and Celestron xcel-lx series.

 

If you want wider eyepieces many recommend the AT 80 series.  I don't have them.

Edited by vtornado, 20 March 2025 - 01:37 PM.

[jpcampbell]

My Svbony 90mm sv48p works very well on my SW AZ5 with the lightweight (same as GTI) tripod. I don't think the 102mm will be much different. I found their dielectric diagonal to be pretty good. 

https://www.amazon.c...08QRY4V97/?th=1

 

You could also pick up their SV225 mount and put on the GTI tripod. That combo also works very well with my 90mm.

[Chris Lindsay]

I was going to get a Celestron 102AZ but I missed it.  More than likely going to build this out.  That SV225 mount actually looks better than the twilight 1 I sold with my last scope.   There is a porta mini on CL for $50 but I'm afraid to max it out too quickly.

[LDW47]

I was going to get a Celestron 102AZ but I missed it.  More than likely going to build this out.  That SV225 mount actually looks better than the twilight 1 I sold with my last scope.   There is a porta mini on CL for $50 but I'm afraid to max it out too quickly.

I have a Porta Mini you won't enjoy it, I don't think. It has sat idle in my telescope room for a long time, an ST80 is as big as it gets.  If you can find a Porta II thats the one.

Edited by LDW47, 22 March 2025 - 05:28 PM.

[RichA]

My Svbony 90mm sv48p works very well on my SW AZ5 with the lightweight (same as GTI) tripod. I don't think the 102mm will be much different. I found their dielectric diagonal to be pretty good. 

https://www.amazon.c...08QRY4V97/?th=1

 

You could also pick up their SV225 mount and put on the GTI tripod. That combo also works very well with my 90mm.

The diagonal's light through-put claim is legitimate, it's noticeably brighter than a prism or unenhanced mirror.

[RichA]

I'm thinking of going this route if Meade doesn't come through on FB.

 

Just looking for budget build as I only do visual. I sold off everything with my last scope and want to start fresh. I think the Svbony 102 is going on sale next week.  So would like some basic good mount and dia and EP. Suggestions. Don't know if I need look elsewhere I've moved up my budget a little.   

 

This would be my first refractor 

Svbony "salts the mine" with reviews of the 90mm under the listing on Amazon for the 102mm.  Only review for the 102 was from an idiot who gave it "five stars" and hadn't even LOOKED through it yet!!

 

https://www.amazon.c...ype=all_reviews

[Chris Lindsay]

There is another one with a pretty lengthy  review.  I take those with a grain of salt and mostly stick with you guys on here that own them.  There are a lot more honest users on here so I feel like its pretty good for what it is at its price point.  Its going to have to be pieced together though so that will take a bit of time.

[Russell Swan]

To be certain you receive a good scope order directly from the SvBony website. Amazon venders may still have the defective originals in stock. 
 

I own the latest version and it performs well. 

[Chris Lindsay]

I have read their more difficult with to work with on returns but I will definitely keep that in mind for sure. Glad to hear you got a good one on the first round.

[Polyphemos]

If you order through Amazon and the “sold by” vender is SVBONY Direct, you’ll be purchasing it from SvBony’s North American distributor. I doubt they’ll have any old defective stock and if you’re unhappy with your purchase Amazon will usually side with you even though this particular scope isn’t covered by their “free returns” policy. What’s odd about that is that the 90mm version does have free returns, as does virtually every other item sold by SVBONY Direct on Amazon. You can make your own assumptions about why SvaBony doesn’t offer free returns with this particular item.

 

If you purchase from SVBONY on eBay it’s the same North American representative, but if you’re unhappy with your purchase for any reason other than it’s clearly defective you’ll be on the hock for shipping costs. What constitutes “defective” is what they say it is and customer service gets mixed reviews.

 

If you purchase from their store in Hong Kong I can’t say what their return policy is because I couldn’t find anything on their website about it, but if they feel the scope meets their quality standards you may be required to pay for shipping either to Hong Kong or to their North American distributor. Customer support gets mixed reviews here also.

 

Good luck

[Chris Lindsay]

Sounds like im going to need it for sure. Wonder why no free returns on the 102. Either way I will have to find something this is visual only so I guess I will have to weigh the options. There doesn't seem to be a lot of people with the 102. Appreciate all your input.

[Chris Lindsay]

If you order through Amazon and the “sold by” vender is SVBONY Direct, you’ll be purchasing it from SvBony’s North American distributor. I doubt they’ll have any old defective stock and if you’re unhappy with your purchase Amazon will usually side with you even though this particular scope isn’t covered by their “free returns” policy. What’s odd about that is that the 90mm version does have free returns, as does virtually every other item sold by SVBONY Direct on Amazon.

I just checked because I was curious if I missed something. It looks like free returns for 30 days only problem is I should have a mount setup before I purchase the OTA so I don't miss the window. I'm still keeping an eye open for a used OTA not necessarily AVBony. Guess see how it works out.

[Polyphemos]

I just checked because I was curious if I missed something. It looks like free returns for 30 days only problem is I should have a mount setup before I purchase the OTA so I don't miss the window. I'm still keeping an eye open for a used OTA not necessarily AVBony. Guess see how it works out.

You didn’t miss something, I did.

 

The offer I looked at had 30 day refund/replacement but not free returns; the offer with the $70 off coupon that I suspect you found does offer free returns. That’s the one to get.

 

Edited by Polyphemos, 23 March 2025 - 01:17 PM.

[jrussell]

As tempted as I am to buy one of these, the temptation is even greater to hit the make offer button on ebay and see if they'd be willing to knock another $20 off lol.