Version 2: Stellarvue practices continual improvement. We experiment with different glass types as we develop new and improved figuring techniques. We measure outcomes and when an improvement can be made, we do it. This philosophy has been ongoing since we started Stellarvue back in 1998. Version 2 of the SVX180T follows in this tradition. The hand figuring process we use is described on our SVX Optics Page. Customers who purchase SVX180T-2 refractors will receive a copy of the Zygo test report and unlike our other telescopes, we will also include Ronchigrams in green, red and blue light.
SVX180T optics (version one and two) are used to make the highest resolution Stellarvue refractors we have ever made. They are different designs but both versions have undergone the same meticulous, in-house figuring process. They provide crisp, high-contrast and color free visual performance and in terms of imaging, follow this review link: Review on the SVX180T. Once you have read about the performance of these optics, see the actual results on the astro-images section of our website. Click on the AstroBin links to enlarge these images and be amazed. Our new SVX180T-2 optics produce images that are equally sharp, contrasty and detailed. So, these version one images demonstrate the real-world imaging performance of Stellarvue SVX180T telescopes. Included accessories and price: The basic model of the SVX180T-2 comes with cnc machined dual mounting rings, TP019 Losmandy-style rail, carrying handle, choice of three large, dual speed focusers with threaded, 2" and 1.25" adapters, an American-made, heavy duty roadie case with internal padding, handle and wheels.
Light gathering and magnification power: A 180mm refractor gathers 661 more times the amount of light than the naked eye. Although Dawes limit states maximum magnification power for telescopes under good conditions is about 420 powers for a telescope of this size, this high-Strehl APO refractor can exceed this power on steady nights. Check the Recommended Accessories section to make the best choice for eyepieces.
Two Year warranty and Stellarvue Service: We are your friends for life. Stellarvue telescopes and accessories are covered by a two-year warranty. But it does not stop there. Since we are a telescope maker, we can repair your telescope for a very nominal fee years after it goes out of warranty, should you accidentally drop it on concrete or otherwise damage it. Buy a Stellarvue Telescope with confidence.
Specifications:
Objective Lens:
180 mm clear aperture, 1,260mm focal length (F-7), apochromatic triplet using super low dispersion (SD) and Lanthanum optical glasses.
Tube Assembly:
Machined, fully baffled, aluminum tube painted instrument white outside, ultra-flat back inside.
Weight:
Telescope tube weighs just under 38 lbs. with caps in place. 44.5 pounds with mounting rings and TP019A Losmandy-style rail.
Tube Dimensions:
The main tube is about 7.95" in diameter. The complete telescope is 54” long with dew shield extended and focuser all the way in. With the dew shield retracted the length is reduced to 44 1/4".
Dew shield:
About 9.1" diameter, fully retracting dew shield with threaded aluminum cap.
Focuser choices:
- The Stellarvue 3" focuser. This focuser has 4.5" of travel and 2" and 1.25" compression ring adapters. This is our brand focuser that is well known as a stable and smooth 3" focuser with a highly accurate 8 to 1 reduction that allows absolutely precise focusing. This is the same focuser used on our smaller aperture telescopes. Both Optec and ZWO motors attach directly to this focuser allowing for even more precise focusing. This focuser weighs 3.12 lbs.
- The Starlight Instruments 3.5" focuser, with 4.5" of travel and 2" and 1.25" compression ring adapters. This is an American-made focuser that is equally smooth to the focuser above but is larger. Both Optec and Starlight Instruments make motors for these focusers. This focuser weighs 5.8 lbs.
- The Moonlight Nightcrawler 3.5" focuser with various extension tubes and 2" and 1.25" adapters. This is an advanced, electronic, computerized focuser preferred by dedicated imagers. It is the most expensive upgrade, but for those who want perfection when it comes to imaging, this is considered one of the best. The downside is a very short focuser draw tube length which is great for imaging stability but requires various extensions when converting to visual use. Since most high-end imagers rarely, if ever look through their instrument, this is usually no big deal. This focuser weighs 8 lbs.
*Please note that the default color for the Nitecrawler will be RED unless specified otherwise. For a full list of available color options visit www.focuser.com.
Rings:
R180 CNC-machined mounting ring set with five 1/4"-20 threaded holes top and bottom. Holes are spaced 1.5” and 60mm apart respectively, with one in the center.
Mounting Rail: Your choice between the Losmandy-Style TP013A or TP019, or the Vixen-Style TP012 mounting rail.
Handle: The Stellarvue #HAN-2 handle is included.
Case:
C180 hard case made with 3/8" plywood, with latches, side handles and wheels. The heavy-duty case is 52" long, 15 3/4" wide and 15 3/4" high.
Photographic Field Flatteners
Field Flattener: Note: Field testing with the new SFFX-3 flattener has now been completed with the SVX180T. We highly recommend this new Stellarvue-created flattener to convert your telescope into a full-frame imaging platform.
Reducer Flattener: We have developed a very large, wide-field, dedicated reducer/flattener for this telescope. We are now seeing much higher glass costs due to tariffs (rare earth materials used in extra low dispersion glass come from China). At this time we are planning to purchase glass at the increased price and scheduling to have these units finished by the end of 2025 but it will depend on many factors currently out of our control.
When you buy these photographic correctors with the telescope, we will contact you individually to determine your camera thread size and total back focus. We will work with you at no additional charge to get the flattener and reducer/flattener matched to your camera system. Dialing a telescope in for perfect performance is important and we want to work with you to advise you and get it up and running.
Click here for our online operator's manual: SVX180T Manual
*Our Zygo is a 6-inch Zygo Verifire, phase-shifting laser interferometer with precision Zygo test spheres, Zygo 1/20 wave reference flat and when needed, a Zerodur 1/20 wave optical flat.
** Our double-pass autocollimator utilizes a Zeodur 1/20 wave optical flat, precision glass ruled 150-line Ronchi, three Thorlabs optical Light emitting diodes with lenses at 630nm, 545nm and 490nm. It is mounted on our Thorlabs anti-vibration table with a Zygo optical bench and digital readout.
