SVX102T-R Raptor™

I have only had a couple of clear nights, but I am amazed at the quality of this telescope. The scope arrived safely with very thoughtful packing to protect it. Mechanically it all feels very precise and solid. The focuser (3" Stellarvue) is buttery smooth and very precise. I've had it out for a couple of clear nights of astrophotography and it is optically fantastic. With the reducer in, I get pinpoint stars from corner to corner. No hint of chromatic aberration. This is my first Stellarvue scope and it lives up to all the stories I've heard about them. Now I just need to save up for a bigger one!

Every now and then the world sees a new refractor series from multiple companies across the world that advertise on their features as being sharp, contrasty, and made with fancy ED glass (which usually contains fluorite). The market is full of similar looking tubes, sometimes from the same manufacture oversees, but with a different logo. This is not what this refractor is. If ever there was an era of ultra compact “super planetary” refractors, this is it. We all know a 4” class APO triplet design loses on detail and resolution compared to a 6” or 7” refractor. I would not have believed that pushing the theoretical Strehl envelope this far would land this refractor as a heavy hitter. But believe me it does. This is a case where words alone cannot convey or impress upon the optical performance of this refractor. You have to use it to believe it—you have to see for yourself. A portable refracting telescope that takes on the appearance of art, but delivers a view that one can only try to convey. When your friends and family tell you that they see the red spot of Jupiter as looking like rust/vivid red, or the dark dust lanes in Andromeda so clearly, and the six stars of the Trapezium… especially with inexperienced observers—that’s the mark of a marvel of engineering and care taken to design the perfect lens. I still use a 6” APO frequently, but this 4” “travel scope” as I intended it for, I always set up now. The unusually high Strehl number I think might change lucky imaging as well. I’m thinking this is now a goal I will pursue with this refractor. I like Astro-Physics products, and I’ve been watching the growth of Stellarvue for a while. Vic and his team clearly know what they are doing, and I know with every improvement and new goal of optical precision—comes the next advancement and pioneering of literally the next generation of refractor design. No compromise, no cut corner. Stellarvue, Astro-Physics, and Takahashi I think are the best telescope makers for 3”-6” refractors, despite what people may say about optics and the technicality of lens making and aberration orders, very few individuals know how to properly design a lens element and complete lens cell system. Most people reading this probably have scopes from all the telescope makers I just mentioned, or may be new to the world of refractors. Either way, this refractor is not just a keeper for me, but is something that I love to share. It is something that is meant to be shared, and I think it sits at the perfect balance being f/7 at 102mm aperture. Lastly, as with many fast APO triplets field curvature is something that you will have to correct depending on your eyepiece design. Some of my low power eyepieces have no trouble at all, some TeleVue eyepieces struggle a bit. This however applies to low powers only, and I have found that using a visual/photographic field flattener eliminates the field curvature effect. Also, every time I pull this refractor out of the bag, somehow I get some AP traveler vibes. What a terrific instrument. Happy observing/imaging to you all, and I do hope that those who decide to buy this refractor or the bigger 5” version get some spectacular seeing and views as I have.

This is absolutely the finest telescope that I have ever owned. It is flawless!

The Stellarvue SVX102 Raptor is a wonderful instrument. The only think I found better than the Telescope in the service Vic and his team provides. 1st class all the way

Fantastic scope. Beautifully assembled, superb optics. Exactly the high quality I was looking for.

Let me first say I'm no expert and would describe myself as a 74 year old advanced beginner amateur astronomer who has spent most of my time in the last 10 years frustrated and struggling with entry level equipment. After researching the equipment market and "Cloudy Nights" for the past year and nearly going down the Chinese rabbit hole I bought the Berlebach Uni 18 tripod, the Losmandy GM8G mount to support the Stellarvue SVX 102T-R. I bought the tripod and mount and used my modified ETX90 to get familiar with the mount while I waited for the SVX 102T-R to be manufactured, about 4 months. 2 nights ago was first light and it was like a door opened to the night sky. Using the TeleVue Delos 14mm eyepiece and the SVX everything I look at was so much more clear and detailed especially Uranus Jupiter and the Moon than I had ever seen before. Mind you Jupiter with this magnification wasn't larger but clearly was more detailed and the black background, well you'd have to see it for yourself! I went on letting the Gemini 2 take me on a tour of the Messier Catalog even though in Las Vegas my house blocks a good part of the eastern sky I have good western exposure. Beyond the obvious beauty of M45 and M31 I was struck by M37, 38 and 39 open clusters and how much there was to see and study. Moving on to Orion at 51x that was truly eye candy however I swapped out my 14mm for my 6mm orthoscopic (40 deg FOV) along with a 2x TeleVue barlow just to see what the Raptor would show me. To my surprise there was still a good amount of light and more detail than I've ever seen even though the sharpness was ever so slightly degraded. All I can say is "Quality, Quality, Quality. Having worked my entire 36 year career for a German company I've worked with quality imaging and mechanics. Stellarvue clearly has that to their credit and represents the value for the price they charge hands down. I very much like that they are not only raising the bar here for American companies but providing some light away from the flood of imported equipment. I'm grateful for the direct support I've had from Isaac and Vic Maris and the whole manufacturing staff at Stellarvue. Keep up the good work!

It has been absolute pleasure to purchase a Stellarvue scope which is my first. This will not be the last. This scope is by far the best I have ever had. I just recently used their 4.7mm 100° eyepiece and with 102mm refractor and Jupiter looked nearly as good as with my C14HD with 9mm. I think I’m converted to refractors.

I love this telescope. Images are so sharp. Built like a work of art. High strehl rating makes a difference. A handle would be nice.

This scope may well become my forever scope. The views are flawless, almost 3D at times. Build quality is second to none. It strikes an excellent balance between the SV130 I sold(you’re gonna need a bigger mount) and the SV80 I had (not enough aperture). It’s strength is lunar and planetary, but it’s no slouch for the brighter deep sky objects. I really like the focuser. I’ve owned 3 scopes with FT focuser prior. I agree that the FT has the edge, but the SV focuser exudes quality as well. This scope gets my highest recommendation.