Customer Reviews
T
SVX090T
I have owned this scope a little over two years and it is my main imaging scope. I agree with all the positives in the other reviews. The only thing I can add is after two years, I love the scope! Best one I have ever owned.
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K
SVX90T
Incredible workmanship. Wonderful focuser. Crisp clear images. Finest in its class IMHO. Highly recommended.
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J
SXV090T
This is the scope that could. I received this wonderful scope yesterday. It was packed very well double boxed and lots of packing foam. After opening and unpacking you can only admire the craftmanship. I consider myself to be an avid beginner in astronomy. I did purchase the imaging version. Everything was just right, The feeling of built like a tank comes to mind, hey it's a Stellarvue. After dabbling with a sv28/82 ep for a little bit. I attached the field flattener and my ASI 533mc pro and got down to business. The included bahtinov mask made focusing a snap. mounted on my AM5 this was a instantly a well balanced rig ready togo. I did shoot a lot of different targets last night to be sure. Everything worked flawless to be sure. My favorite was M16 This was the best image I have ever produced. I can say the scope is what made it so much better. Thank you Vic,
and your Stellarvue crew,
Jon Allee
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S
Blockbuster without being a budget buster
I bought this right before the 2024 total solar eclipse, with an eye towards getting better optics than my Nikon telephoto lens (800PF f/6.3). While the eclipse dictated the timing of the purchase, I plan to use the scope for lunar photography and general astrophotography. For solar photos (Baader ASTF-filtered images of the solar disk and partial eclipse), I'd say the image quality is comparable to the Nikon lens, but focusing (both ease of getting focus and robustness in holding focus) is infinitely better on the SVX090. The SV-brand focuser is perfectly happy with a Z9 DSLM body hanging off it. This ease of focus is going to make deep-sky imaging far easier than trying to do it with camera lenses. I fully expect the intrinsic image quality of the SV optics will also be way better, but I haven't tested that yet. I greatly appreciate the time Vic took to explain the SV offerings and to get me to the correct product for my needs. I am supremely happy with the quality of the eclipse shots I got with the SVX090T. This scope is a first-rate product from a great company!
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J
SVX-90T
I purchased a SVX-90T at the Stellarvue (SV) NEAF 2023 booth. It was the latest purchase in two decades of experience using, learning and upgrading several SV refractors, and was delivered the following month. I currently own a 2004 SV-80S and a 2014 SVR-102T. Both continue to serve me very well. I am predominantly a visual nighttime observer, but include some solar white light observation, and some astrophotography. Additionally, I purchased a SV Spectrum Telescopes white-light glass objective filter, with a Baader 7.5 nm solar continuum filter for the SVX-90T. This combination provides a good level of white light detail, that rivals performance of Herschel wedge diagonals.
The SVX-90T was purchased with a SV M2C alt-az mount on a Denali wooden tripod, my favorite mode of quick setup and break down observing at home during the work week. It’s rock solid stable, with no discernible vibration. OTA movement is aided by use of a SV mount handle, so no grabbing of the OTA is necessary - great for steady movements to keep targets within the field of view. I also use a Celestron AVX go-to GEM mount, tailor made for these size and weight SV telescopes - which is great for stable fixed high-magnification views on planets and other dim DSOs.
The new SVX-90T itself, in combination with a FeatherTouch focuser is both precise and smooth and is simply exquisite. The optics in this triplet are outstanding, as is rapid acclimation to outside temperatures. Though not heavy, with all gear loaded including a Losmandy plate, it’s solid and even dense in comparison to my other SV scopes. Another keeper, with wonderful nights (and days) ahead!
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J
SVX90T
I ordered the SVX90T because I already own and image with the SVX130T on my Astro-Physics 1100GTO-AEL mount. My wife and I travel together in our Arctic Fox 22G travel trailer. I recently bought an ZWO AM3 mount for a lightweight imaging rig. I wanted to use the SVX90T on the AM3 mount because my SVX90T and ASKAR 200mm long Vixen style plate, 32mm guide scope, ASI174MM guide camera, ASI2400MC-Pro imaging camera and ASIAir Plus and cables only weigh 6.75 kilograms so I don't need a counterweight. I bought the imaging version of the scope with the Losmandy style plate and risers which I will use on the larger Astro-Physics mount. It also came with the flattener. At f/6 the scope is plenty fast for imaging and will work well with my full framed ASI2400MC-Pro, ASI6200MM-Pro or ASI2600MC-Pro cameras. The scope quality and machining is top notch. I am able to carry the scope with imaging gear on the AM3 mount and Gitzo 5541LS carbon fiber tripod as a complete unit without difficulty. I can leave the scope with imaging gear attached an put it in my Leer truck cap at the end of the session and leave the AM3 mount and tripod together for ease of setup the next nights of use. My first Stellarvue telescope is the SV115T20 purchased about 13 years ago. I know own 5 Stellarvue refractors and enjoy them all. This SVX90T on the AM3 mount will reduce the effort to setup, image and take down gear on a nightly basis. This should lead to more successful imaging sessions each year.
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B
Outperforms expectations
I've been using the SVX90T to image for about 4 months now and I am continually shocked and amazed at the razor sharp details and pinpoint stars this scope captures. Even at a relatively modest image scale it blows my 8" newt out of the water when I go back and compare objects shot with both scopes and the same image train. I don't have to wonder anymore if the scope is the limiting factor on my images...now it's either the sky conditions or my processing skills. The AAPOD2 for Sh 2-86 means it's literally an award winning scope, with hopefully more to come. Thank you to all the folks at Stellarvue for a great product and great customer service!
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B
SVX90T - The little scope that could:-)
Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by this scope. My first impression was how well built and solid this scope is. This is a good thing since I will be traveling with the scope and doing educational trips with it. My first night out with the scope was under clear Bortle 4 skies. The views took my breath away. The detail in the Orion Nebula and the trapezium was great. The Rosette Nebula showed faint nebulosity. I was able to pick out the galaxies M81, M82, M65, M66, M95 and M96 without issue. I put the Stellarvue 28mm 82 degree eyepiece in the scope and the Perseus Double Cluster and Pleiades looked liked diamonds on a black velvet cloth. I also really just enjoyed scanning the winter Milky Way with the scope. So if you are looking for a small, compact, power house of a telescope. Look no further!
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A
Setting a New Standard
I finally got some decent skies to evaluate my 90. I’ve only used it visually but plans include astrophotography in the future. I’m pleased to report that the view is exceptional. Stars are pinpoint with absolutely no false color. Same for moon and planets.
Engineering and construction are of the highest caliber. It has the classic ‘built like a tank feeling’. This makes for a slightly heavy scope at 90mm. If there was an option for composite tube rings and dew shield, I would gladly take it to shave a few pounds.
The FSV-3B focuser is seriously smooth and solid. I like that it rotates.
In summary, I am extremely pleased with this scope. Anyone looking for something in the 85-90mm range should have this on their short list.
Thank you for your review. So happy that you love your 90! I just wanted to clarify one thing about the carbon fiber versus aluminum tube. The difference in weight is actually less than 1 lb since the tube is short. We decided to do it it only in aluminum since the weight difference was minimal and the cool down time is faster in aluminum.
Enjoy the views!
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R
Amazing, simply amazing.
Finally got first light with this amazing telescope. It goes without saying build quality, fit and finish, are top notch. What a great experience imaging as well. First test image had zero tilt & perfect stars edge to edge, that's never happened before with a new scope. Back focus was exactly as spec'd. Everything was great right from the start, didn't have to mess with anything. Shot M81 to see how far I could push it and it was barely a challenge for this scope in less than great skies. Great detail in the images and processing time was cut in half by the quality of the subs. Couldn't be happier with this purchase.
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