Up for sale is my very much treasured Vixen ED81s refractor (OTA).
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.
I contacted Astro Optical in Sydney (Vixen authorised dealer) about 6 weeks ago and was quoted $1340.00 for a brand new ED81s OTA (plus PPH). Various web-sites in the USA list them at USD$1149.00. This ED81s has a single speed focuser with the full specifications on these refractors as well as their tested optical properties on the following link:
http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astrono...p?p=0_10_1_4_0
The OTA and optics in particular are in mint condition with one exception. There are two small tears (approximately 3mm in length each) on the paper warning sticker (about not looking into the sun).
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 it.
If you are interested in a very high quality 81mm refractor then this is a great scope which I can highly recommend.
Asking $700 plus PPH.
Inspections welcome (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 my listing
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Thank you for looking at my listing.