Vixen or Orion catadioptric?

[Sundog]

There are 2 telescopes in classifieds that I am interested in, but I would like some advice on them.

1) Vixen VMC200L Mak-Cassegraine (+ Sphinx Goto mount).
2) Orion 190ml Mak-Newt OTA.

The Vixen seller is willing to sell mount separate so I am actually considering it for either telescope.

I only do visual observing. I intend to get a goto mount so there is very small possibility I may do imaging later (but it is not really something I want to get into).

Anyway, it seems both will be good for visual planetary & deep space.

The Vixen is smaller size, lighter and will have shorter cool down time.

The Orion has no mirror spider, will not need mirrors to be recoated later on, has smaller obstruction (secondary mirror.

Mainly I am wondering which will give better views (very subjective of course).

Will the Orion have better contrast?

Does one perform better on deep space than the other?

I am leaning towards the Vixen mainly due to size & weight.

It seems the mount will be able to handle either telescopes.

Any advice or thoughts appreciated.

[Amaranthus]

The Vixen has a longer focal length, so your field of view will be more restricted with that one. I suspect the Orion would be a better visual scope.

[Sundog]

In some reviews of the VMC they said field of view was slight issue on Orion nebula and Andromeda galaxy. I would be happy with that. The same reviews and others said the VMC was good for both planetary & deep space.

But the Orion does get exceptional visual reviews.

[dannat]

The Orion smaller CO should give better contrast, the vixen as a slightly over sized secondary so will operate below full aperture..it also has the thicknpider vanes to want to get machined down

The Orion I much heavier though, requires much more mount, have you thought about sct? Its smaller like vixen but has small all secondary

[The Mekon]

Much as I like Vixen stuff (it is good) I would buy the Orion 190 and put it on a EQ6 mount. There is one available now on the classifieds for less than $1000, so you should have a really nice piece of equipment for just over $2K.

[Wavytone]

Paul, these are rather different scopes and the right one for you depends on what you want to do with it.

The Vixen VMC is f/10, quite similar to that of an 8" Meade or Celestron. From past experience with this kind of scope I would not buy an f/10 scope - it's trying to be all things to all users and frankly not great at anything. It's field of view is to small to be wide field, and its not optimal for deepsky stuff. It's not optimal for lunar and planetary, either, where its all about magnification and maximum resolution - a long focal ratio Newtonian or an f/15 Maksutov are both distinctly better than a scope at f/10 with a fat secondary. f/10 is also too slow photographically to be much use for photography.

The Orion on the other hand is a fine scope for wider field, deep sky visual use and quite a good choice for photography. It can be pushed to higher power for the moon and planets but if you are really into that you might consider a second optical tube later on specifically for that.

One other consideration is the question of the open tube of the Vixen vs the closed tube of the Orion - the Orion will last many, many years without any issues, whereas with the Vixen you will need to very careful to keep it sealed unless using it, and with moderate use will probably require cleaning the optics every 2-3 years.

One other thing to consider is that the mirror reflectivity declines slowly with age. After 2-3 years the light losses in both of these scopes reduce their transmission to being equivalent to a good 5-6" refractor and the optical resolution is much the same on most nights - for the simple reason the seeing will be the limiting factor, not the scope.

[Sundog]

Thanks Daniel & John. The Orion does seem to be the more suitable telescope in regards to viewing.

I found correct specs on the Vixen SXW mount and the Orion will be too heavy. I will have a look at the EQ6 mount.

And thankyou Wavy, some good points for me to consider. Again the Orion comes out tops.

[Sundog]

Thanks to everyone for your helpful advice but . . .

I had a look through a 12" dobson a few nights ago. WOW! The views are fantastic! And they come with goto.

I have a 6" maksutov but the views are only ok, even on planets (This will have to go).

I think definately I will get a goto. Prices are great compared to a telescope + goto mount. Probably though I will get a 10" (the 12" is a bit big).

So thanks again for taking the time to post - your advice was still helpful in deciding that those telescopes were perhaps not going to make me happy.

Now just got to wait until things settle after xmas.