Antares "Vixen-Spec" Refractors (with pictures now! - scroll down thread)

One of the nicest refractors in terms of image quality I've ever owned was a Vixen-made, Celestron-branded 102mm f/9.8 achromat, since donated along with an Ultima 2000 8" SCT to the local Junior High School's science department. I think that it was a particularly good example of the Vixen achromat as on a couple of occasions it clearly outperformed other Vixen 102s and at one public outreach event several years ago it actually out-performed (meaning in this case split tight doubles more cleanly and showed more banding detail on Jupiter) an Astro-Physics Traveler. I realize that there are many explanations for its apparently excellent optics ranging from (1) the optics really were good to (2) the other scopes it was compared to had been mishandled, were out of collimation, were dewed up, etc. I like to think the answer was closer to (1) than to (2).

In any event, I have a lingering fondness for Vixen achromats. Coincidentally, recently I stumbled on listings for Antares "Vixen-Spec" achromats on several Candaian sites and on one US site, though the US site appears to no longer offer the 105mm units I would be most interested in. The 105mm units are available in three focal lengths: 1000mm, 1300mm and 1500mm.

Questions, questions, questions:

1. Does anyone on the forum have one of these?
2. If so, how do you like it (optically, mechanically, etc.).
3. Would there me significant difference in suppression of CA between the 1300mm and 1500mm examples of the 105mm?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

- Jim

Get either an Orion 100ED or Skywatcher 100ED and never look back.

I am serious. Even the 1500 still has false color and not to mention the 6 foot tall OTA.

UPDATE:

I just received shipping notice from Clear Vue Optical that my 105mm, F14.4 Vixen-Spec is on the way.

I'll do a quick and dirty shootout between it and the Orion 100ED when I receive the Antares scope. I'm planning a longer term comparison between the two too.

Cheers,

Jim

"They" being the Antares "Vixen Spec" 105mm f/14.4 Achromat and Antares 48" Pier.

My first impression is "What a BEAST!" It's not heavy (maybe 9.5# with the finder attached), but it is LONG. Really, really long. It will see first light this weekend, but I ave formed some opinions about the contruction quality. I would characterize it as "first rate". A bit better overall assembly and finish quality than my 5" D&G. Significantly better fit and finish than my Orion 100ED.

I opted for a 7x50 RA Finder in lieu of the standard straight through model. If you haven't seen one in person, these are el-premo finders. Unlike Meade and Orion finders, these have a very deep dew shield, multi-coated objectives and a focusable eyepiece. The stock tube rings are the standard Chinese made Orion-style 100mm units. The OTA must be a hair over 100mm in diameter (perhaps 102-105mm) because they barely fit the OTA. One of the contributors to this thread who owns one warned me of this, so I have on order some beefier Stellervue Deluxe rings for their 4" OTAs.

I also opted for the 10:1 Micro Focuser rather than the standard one-speed Crayford. Very smooth, but with a little weight installed (diagonal and an eyepiece) it tends to slip unless you tighten the tension knob. I'll tweak it a bit this weekend.

Althought the objective is hawked a fully multi-coated, it appears to instead be coated on all 4 surfaces with MgFl yielding a bluish tint. This seems to be confirmed by ad copy on cetain websites selling this OTA. The spacers are metal, and the objective looks pretty similar to the objective in an old Vixen 102mm f/9.8 I used to own.

The dew shield is an impressive affair. Very long with the interior flocked with black felt.

The attention to detail is impressive; particularly at the modest $650 pricepoint. The overall effect is somewhat breathtaking. I can't wait to capture some photons with it. I will update this thread after first light.

Also after I've played with it for a couple of weeks, I have a face-off between the Antares and the 100ED planned.

Cheers!

Jim