Stellarvue SVX 102R - If I could only own one scope would this be it?

[@keithhanssen7413]

I’ve had my SVR102T for 10 years now and it always performs flawlessly. Crisp details and accurate colors. Plenty of reach, too.

[@johnpreston9064]

Ryan, I’ve owned the SV105t for over a decade and is by far the best apo I ever had. I will never give it up. Stellarvue for the quality cannot be beat.

[@shorty1474]

Put my order in for one yesterday. Was going to get a tak, this is way better value for money.

[@darkrangersinc]

@@shorty1474 tough to be made in the US with best glass, you can find for less money than even some of the more mass produced scopes

[@shorty1474]

And the best customer support i have ever experienced.

[@davidheflin5847]

I own an SVX102T, love this scope.

[@matthewpaige1085]

SVX102T owner since 2021. That scope has been a joy to use! It also happens to be my favorite scope for visual observing as well as Astrophotography.

[@darkrangersinc]

@@matthewpaige1085 glad you are also enjoying it, it’s truly one of the best scopes for the money you can get

[@doncarter1414]

Hello from Tucson, I love my SVR102T-RA and I use an AM5n

[@darkrangersinc]

Glad to hear it’s a great little versatile scope, and it’s nice to see everyone having a similar experience

[@astrofromhome]

Hey Ryan! Great video! I also have a 102 aperture f/7 Apo for half a year now. You are totally right. This is a an amazing size. I also use it with a 1.0x flattner and a 0.8x reducer depending on the target. It is a massive step up from a 70mm Apo. The Stellarvue 102 would have blown my budget so I went with a different brand (TS Optics) which using FPL55 glass. I am happy that my copy that achieves 0.981 Strehl. Not as good as Stellarvue but I am very happy with the figures as it is 1400$ cheaper. In terms of telescopes that I afforded so far the 102 size is best buy that I madein terms of versatility.

[@psyire9913]

❤ my SVX130T- R! Great review!

[@markmruczek4391]

Bought one off the used market that was less than 12 months old. Put in a call to Vic gave him the serial number and it checked out. Just got it up on my mount as I concluded my last 4 months with my Celestron C6. Very excited to get it gathering some photons and do some imagining. Using the ZWO EAF but need to 3D print an extender so I can use a second screw to Mount the bracket. One is holding it good for now but want the extra insurance. Will be using with the flatter only for now as I hear that Stellarvue will be making their own reducers that may be released in 2025 so I will wait.

[@mikelockwood2104]

I love my Stellarvue SVX102T-R thank you for this video

[@darkrangersinc]

@@mikelockwood2104 glad to hear!

[@MrMrduke1975]

Looks like a great scope! I know mine doesn’t have the pedigree like what you guys are used to, but my Askar 120mm has been a work horse.

[@thomasphennigan]

Been waiting for this Ryan as I’m saving up for it . That was an outstanding review !! I’m a beginner but I believe you get what you pay for . Also the 102 is made in America and Vic and Stellarvue really back up the product . Only issue is it doesn’t have degree markings on the camera/ focus rotator but I think I can surely get around that . Much thanks for this review Ryan !!

[@darkrangersinc]

Absolutely, I understand being the beginner and maybe not wanting to spend a lot, but it ends up costing you more in the long run because you have to buy two scopes. I wish I would’ve known about these guys when I got into hobby and so just trying to pass along the information I would’ve wanted years ago!

[@ScottHall.]

The SVX102T with Moonlight focuser/rotator has been my go-to scope for the last year. Amazing piece of gear. My only regret is that I only have one of them. :) One note: with the SFFR my focal length is measured at 524mm and f/5.14, and with the SFFX my focal length is measured at 739mm and f/7.25. This is using the Pixinsight image solver. This is good in my opinion as it's a slightly wider range.

[@derekbaker3279]

Hi Scott. Given that you went for the Nitecrawler, do you also image with a full-frame sensor? I am curious how well Stellarvue's reducer (*) performs at the edges & corners of a full-frame sensor . (*) the reducer that has been sold for a number of years, not the new reducer we are all looking forward to...

[@ScottHall.]

@@derekbaker3279 Hi Derek, I haven't attempted using a full-frame sensor yet. I mostly use the Player One Poseidon-M Pro and Player One Uranus-C Pro. Vic advised me that SFFR isn't really designed for Full Frame, but he was aware some people were getting decent results. For me APS-C is just easier to manage. I haven't had major issues with APS-C and the 102T outside dealing with backfocus. For reference I also use the Player One filter wheel, and OAG MAX. The M54 adapter that comes with the Nitecrawler to connect to my filter wheel doesn't have a lot of threads to add spacer rings and I think I got up to 2mm of spacers before I stopped adding more. There weren't enough threads on the adapter to hold the filter wheel safely. I probably could have used another 0.3 of spacers to dial in backfocus perfectly with the SFFR. I haven't had the same backfocus challenges with the SFFX. I think I have 1.7 or 1.8mm of spacers with the SFFX. Depending on the flattener you use and extension tubes, consider testing for reflections in your image train with your flats. I detailed my steps testing and fixing this problem with the SFFX and the supplied extension tubes on Astrobin. www.astrobin.com/forum/post/174497/

[@woody5109]

A dream scope for sure, unfortunately wife’s cancer comes first, maybe in the new year. Great video.

[@darkrangersinc]

@@woody5109 prayer still going out to you guys hopefully she recovers soon 🙏🏼. Definitely a much bigger priority!

[@j.s.3407]

Have you looked at the SVX140 as compared to the SVX102 like you did with the SVX102 against the WO111 at around 6:58 in the video? Is it the same but just at a bigger focal length? I ask because that's a huge improvement in S/N and would totally be worth the $$$.

[@quadbot5229]

I’ve been having a hard time deciding between the 102, 130, and 140 but have found your reviews very helpful! How would you compare using the 102 vs the 140? Also the 102 and 111 comparison image is almost unbelievable, I would have expected the results to be much more similar to each other!

[@darkrangersinc]

The 140 is probably my favorite scope it’s just so good the edge to edge on a full frame is as close to perfect with the stars as I’ve ever seen. But the 102 is so versatile. They’re both just good for different reasons. When the reducer finally drops for the 140 and I can use it at F5.X I’ll like it even more. But there’s no way I’m taking it to a dark skies site. It’s a chore to take up and down with all of the kit on there. It’s close to 50 pounds. That’s with an Eagle, flatpanel and motor, motorized rotator, and with a larger full frame camera by QSI and filter wheel. it isn’t so bad if you just run it with a lighter set up but the way I have it once I set it up it’s not moving lol. The 102 packs up easy as any other scope I’ve used. So it’s just all in how you want to use it. We definitely op for the 140/130 the reducer that’s coming out won’t work with the 130 but it will with the 140-180. They’ve been working on it literally for a year and I’ve tried so many different blends of glasses and designs to make sure that you get perfect stars across the entire FOV.

[@quadbot5229]

@ Thank you for taking the time to respond! Those are very helpful things to note! Would you reasonably expect an am5n to be able to handle the 130/140 if I already own one? One paper, with a sturdy tripod, it seems like it would be feasible and make for quite the travel setup if only the necessities were mounted on the scope itself. Would love to get your opinion, you’re one of the few that seem uniquely qualified to answer such a question given you experience and time with the aforementioned equipment.

[@garyschnettler3678]

Can you even get the carbon fiber version anymore? I looked at their website and all I see is the T and RA versions which seem to be the same (both aluminum), the only difference being the available colors.

[@darkrangersinc]

@@garyschnettler3678 If you are really interested in a carbon fiber version shoot me an email

[@derekbaker3279]

Hi Gary. Send Vic and email or give him a call. He is SUPER helpful. What I have noticed is that the Raptor versions disappear & often return (perhaps due to availability of the CF tubing?). Vic will fill you in. Also, keep a close eye on AstroMart and the Cloudy Nights buy & sell, as the 102T Raptor does come up for sale (I purchased my 102T Raptor via AstroMart....) Best of luck!

[@j.s.3407]

What kind of guiding numbers are you getting on those mounts with the 140SVXT and 102 Raptor?

[@darkrangersinc]

.4-.6 on the G11 the G811 .4-.8 or so. I think the main difference is mostly the heavy duty tripod. It’s not going to be affected by the wind nearly as much. I’ve also spent a little bit more time trying to dial in the settings on the G11 in Nina because I need the .6 or better for the longer focal length. Whereas the image scale on the 102 reduced is well over 1.0

[@j.s.3407]

@@darkrangersinc Exactly the situation I'm facing except I've got a reduced C8 at 1460mm so I need something like 0.3 rms or better ... crazy you need a $12k mount to properly use a $1k telescope :-)

[@darkrangersinc]

@ yeah everybody just looks at capacity, but I don’t look at the resolution of their set up and realize that while their AM5 or whatever can handle the weight, it typically cannot guide accurate enough. To consistently get .3 yeah you’re stepping into premium territory. You could probably get away with SBs lowest MYT model for around 8000.

[@darkrangersinc]

@ this is why I kind of limit myself to around the 1000 millimeter mark. I was able to use the 1300 mm SCA260 with a good amount of success. I was right at .6/pixel resolution so I typically can average better than that you could look at a camera with a bigger pixel size or go to bin 2

[@AmatureAstronomer]

If I could only have one telescope, I would kinda like the Hale telescope at Mount Palomar.

[@sdevine49]

Do you think an AM5 could handle the Carbon Fiber version?

[@darkrangersinc]

The 102 carbon or aluminum should be fine. As long as it’s working well it has plenty of capacity.

[@sdevine49]

Thanks for the quick reply. I’m going to look into one of these once my qhy268m comes back from repair.

[@huffbanger]

Without a doubt. I use my AM5 with my SVX102T and it pairs up perfectly. I feel like it's damn near the perfect mobile setup.

[@darkrangersinc]

@@sdevine49 definitely recommend the QHY over the ZWO as well! Multiple shooting modes and I just find the quality better for nearly the same price. If you can get the bundle with the OAG and EFW it all works together really well. They have a bunch of extra spacers they include and I’d highly recommend it. Check out the link in the description for Agena if you want to support the channel link will work same with high point. I recently added them for astronomik filters.