Quote:
Originally Posted by Larryp
I once had a VMC110, and the image was incredibly dim. I didn't find it satisfactory for anything other than the moon. I think if you want to go that small, buy a refractor.
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The thing is, those two links I gave, one a very positive review the other with the conclusion "Not really recommended" said respectively:
" I can’t think of anything I don’t like about it, and it collects a lot of light considering its size" (
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2704)
"Compact DSOs – The Ring, Dumbbell, Orion Nebula etc - generally looked good in the VMC at low-medium powers, with the large (for its size) aperture and flat field working in its favour. In particular, M13 looked brighter and resolved more deeply than with most small refractors. So the VMC 95L might prove a satisfying compact deep-sky tool." (
http://scopeviews.co.uk/VixenVMC95.htm)
The latter comment, part of the "Not really recommended" review, suggests that the smaller VMC95L is working better in terms of light gathering than most small refractors.
Also remember that I am looking for something I can easily travel overseas with. If we consider the Vixen ED80Sf as a possible "small refractor" candidate, it is 22.4" long and weights 7.5 lb. The VMC95L is 14" long and weighs 4 lb so it is significantly more compact.