When I stepped into the offices of Stellarvue to grab an extension ring for my SVX140T and catch up with my buddy Vic Maris, the owner, I was in for a treat. There, I witnessed the meticulous preparation of an SVX180T 180mm f/7 refractor for shipping to a fortunate customer.
Up until then, I'd been content with my Stellarvue 140mm f/6.7, but the sheer power of the 180mm model left me in awe. Completely mesmerized, I decided to put a deposit down on one, knowing full well that these hand-crafted marvels can take months to build. Luckily, Stellarvue was working at full capacity, and just four months later, I received the long-awaited call informing me that my scope was ready for pickup.
The first thing that strikes you about this telescope is its sheer size. No expense was spared in making it the ultimate refracting telescope. For instance, despite the objective being 180mm, the fully baffled tube measures 8 inches (203 millimeters) across. This design enhances thermal stability by keeping heat currents out of the optical path. Additionally, the dew shield is generously sized to allow ample airflow around the objective and accommodate dew control. The 180mm scope offers three focuser options; I opted for the rugged and finely crafted Starlight Instruments 3.5″ focuser. Stellarvue also developed a substantial field flattener for imaging, available as an optional add-on, which attaches directly to the focuser and accommodates cameras of any size with the appropriate adapters.
To test how effectively a telescope baffles light, try this experiment: Place a well-lit white board in front of the telescope, remove the eyepiece and diagonal, and peer through the scope. What do you see? A well-made refractor should reveal nothing but the bright white circle of the lens against a black background, whereas a poorly made one may result in a colorful blur around bright objects. When conducting this test on the Stellarvue 180mm refractor, you'll observe a crisp, bright point exactly as expected. The scope's exceptional baffling ensures that any stray light is effectively blocked from reaching the eyepiece or camera.
substantial field flattener for imaging,