Vixen R130Sf 130mm Newtonian Reflector w/Porta II Mount
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Vixen R130Sf 130mm Newtonian Reflector w/Porta II Mount
This lightweight 130 mm (5-inch) aperture reflector on an altitude-azimuth mount is a favorite of many new astronomers because it features remarkable light gathering with sharp images for its price and size. With a standard 20 mm Plossl and a Vixen R130Sf Newtonian Reflector, more than the entire Moon fills the eyepiece. You'll view innumerable star clusters and dark clouds, not to mention nebulae and galaxies. Add a 32 mm eyepiece and the heavens open up with a remarkable 2.5 degree field of view! All of the stars in the Pleiades can be viewed at the same time. The visual observer will enjoy wide views of deep sky objects with a a Vixen R130Sf. Actual groups of nebula or clusters can be viewed at the same time with this instrument.
The Vixen R130Sf comes standard with the 6 x 30 optical finder scope and dovetail tube plate that fits very well on all the Vixen mounts. This is a scope you can start with on a basic user-friendly Vixen Porta II Mount and later move up to one of our electronic mounts such as the Vixen Skypod or Sphinx.
What makes the Vixen R130Sf Newtonian Reflector Telescope package even more special is the Vixen Porta II Mount. The lightweight alt-az Porta mount can be the heart of an exceptionally portable telescope/mount system. The Vixen Porta II mount features a newly designed friction system for quickly pointing toward the target and tracking it with the 360-degree slow-motion controls. No fumbling with clutches or sectional slow-motion controls! Leave the heavy counterweights with the equatorial mounts: simply balance scopes up to 155 mm diameter on the altitude axis and start viewing!
The Vixen Porta Mount II comes equipped with two fine adjustment handles for whole circle slow motion in both directions - a necessity when searching for and tracking celestial objects. Or how about adjusting the friction level so the mount simply stays where you put it? In addition, the Vixen Porta is a great mount for terrestrial viewing, too. Its gear drives make it a simple matter to precisely track a planet or a ship on the horizon by just turning the elevation and/or azimuth control handles.
The Porta in this Vixen mount's name stands for portability, and with good reason. It weighs only 12 pounds including tripod - yet will support a payload of 20. The World-Standard dovetail attachment system on Porta II was developed by Vixen. This allows the Vixen Porta II Mount to accept various dovetail mounted optical tubes and binoculars - making it a splendid travel companion for hikers, birdwatchers, traveling astronomers and more!
Standard Vixen dovetail mounting slot with lock and safety screw is fully Vixen Sphinx and Great Polaris-compatible. Mounting slot removes to reveal T-20 and M8-1.25 threaded holes for custom mounting solutions for your scope, too!. The PortaMount II features switchable slow-motion knobs, tension adjustment and disassembly tools, built-in tool storage bay, tripod tray and aluminum legs.
Vixen R130Sf - 5-inch Newtonian Reflector Telescope on a Vixen Porta II Mount Features:
- 650 mm focal length operating at a fast f/5 focal ratio for a wide, true field of view.
- Multi-coated optics for bright, crisp images.
- Impressive resolving power of 0.89-inch and limiting stellar magnitude of 12.3.
- Optical tube assembly weighs only 9 pounds.
- Vixen Porta II Mount with locking extension legs and accessory tray.
- Vixen Porta II Mount includes slow motion controls and adjustment tool set.
- The world-standard dovetail attachment accepts various dovetail-mounted optical tubes.
- Friction on the axes can be adjusted with tools conveniently located in the compartment under the rubber covering.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Alignment Procedure | Manual Alignment |
|---|---|
| AP | 176mm) |
| Aperture | 127 mm (5") |
| Computerized | Manual |
| Exterior Color | Gloss White |
| Finder Included | 6 x 30 Optical Finder |
| Focal Ratio | f/5 |
| FR | f/7 |
| Head Design | Altitude Azimuth |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude | 12.3 |
| Manufacturer | Vixen |
| Mount Weight | 15 lbs. |
| Optical Coatings | Fully Multi Coated |
| Optical Design | Newtonian |
| OTA Length | 22.6" |
| OTA Outer Diameter | 160mm |
| OTA Weight | 8.8 lbs. |
| Telescope Series | Vixen R |
| Tripod Type Included | Adjustable with Aluminum Legs |
| Warranty | 5 Year Warranty |
INCLUDED ITEMS
- Reviews
- Questions
Excellent love it! Great Service great scope
Steady focuser does not drift, easily adjusted finder alignment. I too see vibrations from the mount, but these go away quickly. Considering the price a few seconds for vibration to damp out seems like a good trade. With the 20mm eyepiece in I don't notice the vibration as much.
This Telescope gives eye watering views, I take her out on every clear night, and it always impresses. This is no Toy. Just a pure scope that is a joy to own. I suggest a ***** 30 mm Wide View eyepiece plus a 2-X shorty Barlow, and lastly Vixens 8-24 mm Zoom, and you are Good. Lastly, its Pretty with the white paint and red Vix. lettering in my Mancave...
I ordered this scope after the 2012 SCAE event. 2 1/2 days later it was on m doorstep. Now that's service. Scope and tripod came in separate, well protected packages. Owner's manual has no instructions for collimation -- fortunately I know how but a newbie.... When assembled I checked the collimation with a laser and found it was slightly out. Primary mirror adjusts with the common 3 adjusting screws and 3 locking screws. Last Saturday was the official first light. I was surprised bordering on amazed that a scope this inexpensive could produce images as good as I saw. I used various TV Radians and Hyperions, finally settling on the 13mm Hyp for all-round use that night. On axis the stars were classic pinpoints. There was a little coma around the edges but this is an f/5 scope with no Parecor afterall. If there is a weak spot it is the Porta II not the tripod as many have said in vrs. reviews. I don't mean disastrously weak, just that it can take 1 - 3 seconds to settle down after moving the scope or focusing. This can be helped some with anti-vibration pads and judicious use of the plastic R&P focuser, but the mount itself wiggles a bit when you move the scope. Definitely not a deal killer though. If I were to put this scope on my CG5 or my heavy duty SV M3 alt/az there would be NO vibe at all. I'm normally a refractor snob but this ***** definitely impressed me. Bottom line: I would recommend this scope for any beginner or for an experienced observer who wants a decent second or third scope to chuck in the trunk and take to an outreach or for a quick session in the back yard. The mirror in mine is very, very good. I hope all the R130's are as good. Great job *****.
At 130mm this scope yields high definition views when used with quality eyepieces. The apparent brightness and clarity exceeds that of a prior owned 8 scope from a well-known manufacturer. Construction is highest quality. The Porta II Mount and tripod are rock steady and the worm geared altitude and azimuth controls are extremely smooth with perfect motion ratio and no Xbacklash. Portability is excellent when tube and mount are carried and transported as two pieces. This is a much better scope than any of the popular well-known automatic 8 Newtonians, and would be a bargain at twice the price. Have had it more than two years and its imaging and mechanical performance have been unbeatable. This is an honest appraisal - try one and you'll buy one.