Profiler
18-07-2011, 11:27 PM
I promised myself I would never sell this refractor and now I find myself listing it.
This is one of the three Vixen "S" range doublet refractors which are hand made/manufactured entirely by Vixen in Japan with the genuine Japanese optics (it is not one of the Vixen "f" range of refractors which are sub-contracted from the Chinese/Synta factories and thereafter quality controlled and rebadged/repainted by Vixen).
The short-cut/easy way to differentiate between the 'S' and 'f' range of Vixen refractors is that all of the "S" range refractors are approximately double the price of an equivalent sized 'f' range ota. For example, on various US websites a Vixen ED100sf OTA sells new for USD$999 and one of these ED103S OTA's sells new for USD$1999.
I would like to stress that there is a tangible difference between one of these Japanese made OTA's in the quality of the overall fit and finish and especially with the optics in comparison to the variety of mass produced Chinese and Taiwanese refractors around these days.
I contacted Astro Optical in Sydney (Vixen authorised dealer) and was quoted $2400.00 for a brand new ED103s OTA only (plus PPH). This 103S has a single speed focuser with the full specifications as well as tested optical properties on the following link:
http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Telescopes-Vixen.asp?p=0_10_1_4_1
As indicated by my photo the OTA also comes with Vixen OTA carry handle (very handy), tube rings, Vixen bar and I should be able to locate a finder scope.
I would rate the quality of these/this 'S' range refractor as on par with Televue and Takahashi. I don't make this claim lightly but feel that I am in a position to do so as I do actually own various refractors from all three brands - which is part of my reason for selling this one as I am simply not finding the time to use this ED103S either.
This is a particularly impressive OTA as it is built with a high grade aluminum yet only weighs 3.6kg - exactly the same weight as a TV85 but performs on par with a TV102 – hence I am able to put it quite comfortably on my TV Panoramic mount (this is the recommended mount by Televue for the TV76 and TV85 - not included) as seen in the photo. So this OTA can easily work as a grab-n-go as it is that light and easy to transport (especially with the carry handle) but gives you the resolving power and optical quality of genuine Japanese optic four inch refractor.
If you are interested in a very high quality 103mm refractor then this is a great scope which I can once again highly recommend.
Asking $1600 plus PPH.
Inspections welcome (naturally if you live in Sydney)
Happy to answer any questions but please make them by PM only and please do not add any posts to this listing.
Thank you for looking at my listing.
This is one of the three Vixen "S" range doublet refractors which are hand made/manufactured entirely by Vixen in Japan with the genuine Japanese optics (it is not one of the Vixen "f" range of refractors which are sub-contracted from the Chinese/Synta factories and thereafter quality controlled and rebadged/repainted by Vixen).
The short-cut/easy way to differentiate between the 'S' and 'f' range of Vixen refractors is that all of the "S" range refractors are approximately double the price of an equivalent sized 'f' range ota. For example, on various US websites a Vixen ED100sf OTA sells new for USD$999 and one of these ED103S OTA's sells new for USD$1999.
I would like to stress that there is a tangible difference between one of these Japanese made OTA's in the quality of the overall fit and finish and especially with the optics in comparison to the variety of mass produced Chinese and Taiwanese refractors around these days.
I contacted Astro Optical in Sydney (Vixen authorised dealer) and was quoted $2400.00 for a brand new ED103s OTA only (plus PPH). This 103S has a single speed focuser with the full specifications as well as tested optical properties on the following link:
http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Telescopes-Vixen.asp?p=0_10_1_4_1
As indicated by my photo the OTA also comes with Vixen OTA carry handle (very handy), tube rings, Vixen bar and I should be able to locate a finder scope.
I would rate the quality of these/this 'S' range refractor as on par with Televue and Takahashi. I don't make this claim lightly but feel that I am in a position to do so as I do actually own various refractors from all three brands - which is part of my reason for selling this one as I am simply not finding the time to use this ED103S either.
This is a particularly impressive OTA as it is built with a high grade aluminum yet only weighs 3.6kg - exactly the same weight as a TV85 but performs on par with a TV102 – hence I am able to put it quite comfortably on my TV Panoramic mount (this is the recommended mount by Televue for the TV76 and TV85 - not included) as seen in the photo. So this OTA can easily work as a grab-n-go as it is that light and easy to transport (especially with the carry handle) but gives you the resolving power and optical quality of genuine Japanese optic four inch refractor.
If you are interested in a very high quality 103mm refractor then this is a great scope which I can once again highly recommend.
Asking $1600 plus PPH.
Inspections welcome (naturally if you live in Sydney)
Happy to answer any questions but please make them by PM only and please do not add any posts to this listing.
Thank you for looking at my listing.