SVX130T

After a detailed and long search in a vast ocean of options for my dream telescope, I decided to invest in the SVX130T in 2022. Staff was extremely attentive. Vic was awesome throughout my experience at Stellarvue. I say this because for me, this purchase was more than an acquisition, it was an inspiration by my dad who introduced me to astronomy way back when I was a kid. Vic seemed to understand this. In short, I can truly say that there is no online digital order at any level that can compare to the human effect inherent in a personalized, one on one human experience like that at Stellarvue. Very impressed and so very much worth it. It was a busy time, getting married the same time the scope arrived, but it all worked out. We went up to Manitoulin Island for a week to relax from it all where the skies are known to be excellent. Waited for the right weather and set everything up. Finally, alone by the water, everyone was sleeping, I was just doing astronomy. There was a waxing gibbous moon out which was perfect as I am primarily a lunar observer at heart. I was also using a new mount so the learning curve was high that night. I aimed the 130 at the terminator and stayed there for 40 minutes! Detail was overwhelming. Contrast is indeed a 10. I get it, this is an easy target, but I have never seen lunar detail like this in my 38 years of observing. It shames the online photos I have seen. I’ve used refractors, Maks and large SCT’s but this is some next level viewing. 3D, shadows, terrain and big rocks, making out their relative character to each other. Jupiter was out so I slewed over to it. There it was, something else new to my eyes, swirls! I could actually see swirls in the cloud belts on Jupiter. I jumped from eyepiece to eyepiece and noticed no image degradation as I increased power; an unexpected pleasure. Stars were indeed points of light but with that stunning slow shimmering quality that a summer sky delivers. I also did a side-by-side comparison, for fun, of some older Plossls and Naglers to newer premium eyepieces and for the first time, saw a definitive, not marginal difference in quality. I was stunned at everything I was seeing because it was all new….again, after all these years. The quest for a dream scope was now my reality because I was seeing things for the first time just like when my dad introduced me to the hobby. A world class telescope was the next logical step for me, and I think it should be for most other astronomers as well. An SVX removes the curtain from your observing sessions that you simply didn’t even know was there! By now, I realized that there is a benefit in investing in a premium, hand crafted U.S. made instrument like the SVX130T. I opted for the Feather Touch 3.5 inch focuser. Stellarvue agreed to my request to install a Baader clicklock adaptor made for the FT focuser as I see it’s superior utility a match with such top end gear. I sent them a new one and they professionally put it all together for me. The scope is imposing. It is solid, beautiful with clean lines. Operates at a very high level in all respects. Comes in a nice carry case with special paperwork. It’s all mine! I am a proud owner of a Stallarvue telescope. Vic, if you’re reading this, life is about the experience. The Lamborghini I drove at my wedding was fun. Over time, even a telescope, but only when properly hand crafted like this, leaves a very long-lasting impression just as well. Thanks for your help. Dream accomplished.

I ordered this scope because I wanted one of the best refractors made. I was looking for an ~30 lb refractor that had excellent imaging capabilities. The quality and attention to detail shows right away. The packaging was extreme compared to any run of the mill scopes I have received prior. This scope was packed carefully in the transport case. Then that was packed in another box well lined with protection. Then that box was also packed in another well-lined box. It was received in perfect condition. I bought the scope with the standard Stellarvue FSV-3B focuser. The focuser is very well made and although I have not had a Feather Touch, I believe the quality approaches it. The SFFX1 flattener fits well and makes a tight fit for my imaging train. I called Stellarvue for advice on extensions for my system. The person who answered was Vic, which is a common statement from Stellarvue users. He advised me on what I needed to purchase. This configuration was easily connected to my camera. The focuser also has a built-in rotator which is very smooth and will be a nice addition in my astrophotography. I was also easily able to connect my ZWO EAF to the focuser. My first impressions of the images I produced were excellent. I have not had a good night to go out in the whole 5 days I have had it! I was able to go out as the temperatures were rapidly dropping and with a high wind blowing. The scope performed as well as hoped. The stars are point on with sharp images, even in the tough conditions. This scope was up and taking good sub-frames immediately and consistently. My previous reflector took about a month before I thought I had it dialed in and even then, was never consistent. This scope was a difficult decision to purchase. I was apprehensive about the cost when compared to ‘cheaper’ commercial scopes as well as the lead times. This has been completely settled by my experience with it and with Stellarvue. When I compare this with my ‘name brand’ scopes, the quality and commitment Stellarvue has is evident. I wish I had bought this scope first! Where else can I say that when I needed assistance, I talked with the owner on the first call, where I know that Alex figured my lenses to a high degree of accuracy and that Brea handled, expertly packed and shipped it. Overall, I think that the SVX-130T and Stellarvue are great representations of what excellence can be!

First light was 3/25/2020 so I have used this for the past year. Color free viewing with lots of contrast and detail. On nights of good seeing I have had this at 303x and could go higher if I had the eyepieces. Excellent for the 2020 Jupiter/Saturn conjunction and Mars opposition. Able to see details in Jupiter’s belts and GRS. Shadow and lunar transits visible. Splitting tight double stars of different magnitudes easy that I couldn’t split with my other 127 mm APO and needed my 11 inch SCT to do. I have been using this visually on my AVX mount with the 10 1/2 inch V rail. I also use a 10 1/2 inch V rail on top as a convenient handle. A great scope even when compared to other AP and Tak refractors that I have looked through.

I've owned 4 other SV telescopes from 80 to 115mm over the past 16 years. When it was time to upgrade from my SV115 the SVX130T was a no brainer. I knew I would get outstanding build quality and amazing optics. When the scope arrived it was as expected. The 3.5" FT focuser is a beast! I travel with my scope whether it's to the back yard or to a dark site. The scope with rings, plate, diagonal, eyepiece and finder weighs in at about 28lbs. With my GM811 it's about as much as I want to deal with. I've had it out a few times over the past few weeks. Stars are pinpoint and free of false color. At high power a perfect airy disk. Cruising along the Moons terminator at 260X is a wow experience. I'm looking forward to the reappearance of Jupiter and Saturn later this year.

Well, if you are reading this review you are obviously interested in a Top Of The Line Refractor! I have waited a long time to acquire such quality....since the night I had my first view at the double cluster through a TMB 130 back in late 1990's a top line refractor has been my dream......dream over! What an impressive instrument. Just the way everything moves, tight but smooth, certainly attests to the attention paid to doing things right. I am using my 130 primarily for imaging but before I put the camera in I most certainly did some casual observing....clear, crisp views! Now I've been at this for 25 years and this is the FIRST time I can say that I could see the diffractions rings on an out of focus star so plainly and let me tell you they were ALL concentric. A sight in itself for me! No regrets, not one! This is quality through and through! I purchased the flattener also..... and imaging....round stars all across the frame with my QSI 660. I am truly enjoying this scope. When I think of the top 3 or 4 makers of quality scopes......I am sure everyone has their own preference but my money said Stellarvue ...you will not be disappointed. And now service : ) Communication was great! Amanda and Issac are the wizards behind the curtain! Courteous and Knowledgeable To the whole team at Stellarvue, Thank you!

I'll provide a more detailed review after my first use. However, the telescope arrived in perfect condition. It was securely packed with no visible damage to the box indicating it was well handled during shipping. As promised, the Strehl report was included and came in at an impressive .997! The only minor issue is the small ring adaptor for my ATIK 16200; The threads bind with increasing resistance when attempting to screw it onto both the large field flattener or the focal reducer/flattener. This occurs on the M48 female thread of the ring. My M48 Canon adaptor screws on smoothly without any resistance. Customer support has been excellent and I'm just waiting thru the weekend on a response to the adaptor ring issue. The Scope and it's accessories are truly a work of art. I look forward to getting out in the field this week for first light.

If you are looking for the best glass available and the highest specifications that produce the best views and images the SVX line is the one to buy. I have the SVX080T and the SVX130T and both are superb.

2019 marks my 55th year as an amateur astronomer since my father brought me to the Philadelphia Planetarium when I was 10 years old. During this period I have been fortunate to have owned the following high performance telescopes: Questar 3.5, Quantum 6, TEC 10" f12 Mak, Spica Eyes 22" Dob, Celestron 14, and several other telescopes. I also was an optical technician for the Celestron matching division where I had the opportunity to evaluate several thousand optical systems. I purchased A Stellarvue SVX 130T serial # 009 in December 2018 and have had the opportunity to evaluate the telescope over the last several months. Telescope mechanical construction: Quite simply the construction of all elements of this telescope system is simply exquisite. The performance of the Stellarvue 3.5" dual speed rack and pinion focuser that comes standard with the telescope is every bit as good as the Feather touch focuser. The finish on the tube is beautiful, and several times before I have pulled the telescope out of its case, I have simply stopped to marvel at the exquisite beauty of the OTA assembly. I ordered my scope with the Stellarvue highest grade quartz 2'" diagonal which I highly recommend. I also bought the Stellarvue 50mm finder scope and was simply blown away by the smoothness of its focuser, and the pinpoint star images it produced. I have never seen a better finder in all my years in astronomy. Lastly I bought the entire set of Stellarvue Optimus eyepieces all of which have 100-110 degree FOV. At first, being a avid Nagler user for many years, I was thinking that these extraordinary fields of view would result in poor performance at the very edge of the field of view. I could not have been more wrong. Quite simply, and this is no exaggeration, the star were pinpoint right to the edge of the field. This performance, together with the 100-110 degree FOV, has resulted in the most exciting visual astronomical experience of my life. I just returned from the 2019 GSSP in northeastern California. During that time I had the opportunity to observe Jupiter and Saturn side by side with several other high quality refractors and reflectors. Quite simply, there was a total absence of residual color, and the delicacy of the shades of color were unrivaled verses all other telescopes that I used at GSSP. I have never had a scope that has performed to this high level of performance. Lastly, one important point that was the deciding point in having me buy a Stellarvue telescope rather than another high quality brand refractor such as Astro Physics or Takahashi, was that Vic guarantees a strehl ratio with these telescopes of .98-.99. No other manufacturer of refractor telescopes worldwide provides the customer with this guaranteed level of performance. Without this data one it just relying on the reputation of the manufacturer, and they will give you absolutely no guarantee that their telescopes will perform to any standard. I was NOT willing to take this risk. I was given a strehl printout of the telescopes performance at no additional cost. In closing, I give this telescope my highest rating, and plan to put in an order for a 152mm soon.