Vixen ED81SWT Refractor OTA

Comments about Vixen ED81SWT Refractor OTA:

I agree the black knobs, although oversize for ease of control, are too cheap for this quality scope. Its not a true apo, only a doublet, but I certainly can't see any fringing, not even a little, I use the Lanthanum Vixen EP's and a dslr on back of the flip-mirror, focus is almost perfect between two. I have had a much better experience, and seen more in a few nights with this little 3" scope, then my SCT 6" gave me over two years. now my interest is peaked, looking at a reflector, but as a dual OTA :) as I don't want to sell this, I dropped the scope, (not too bad, I actually caught it halfway) knocked it out of collamination, just reached in, tightened the ring inside, it perfectly squared itself up, and when checked with held breath, relieved it was dead on, a tribute to how its made at factory, these units are still made IN japan not china like the 80mm

Comments about Vixen ED81SWT Refractor OTA:

This is a great OTA I have used it for about a year now and it is perfect. Very light and easy to mount and handle. I mount it on mt Celestron CG5 goto mount. Perfect pin point stars and no false color. All my photos have come out perfect with color and nebula photos with awsome detail. [...] If you are looking for a shot tube ED scope this is the deal hands down. Can perfectly split Polaris with pin point detail.

Comments about Vixen ED81SWT Refractor OTA:

I couldn't afford a Sky 90, and the "short-tube" 80's weren't apo's, so I gave this little gem of a Vixen a try.



I split pi aquila at the Lowell Star Party. Pretty good for an 80mm scope. No colors at all on bright stars (Vega), and Alberio was gorgeous. Very nice optics, mechanics and price.