Product Description
Optics
Our SVX 130T apochromatic telescopes use objectives that have the highest optical ratings as measured and documented on our Zygo Phase-Shifting Laser Interferometer. Our 130 mm SVX series optics are rated at .99 - .996 Strehl with excellent optical correction of aberrations commonly seen in mass-produced optics. To attain this level of optical accuracy we must go beyond machine polishing. Our experienced opticians use specially made tools to hand-figure objectives here in our optical shop in Auburn, CA. Stellarvue Premier (SVX) Series refractors are for the astronomer who recognizes the best when they see it. Each 130T refractor comes with a Zygo interferometric test report taken in our shop, documenting the accuracy of your individual objective.
Each lens focuses light precisely, and the extreme broadband coatings on each surface enhance it even further. The stars appear vivid and the background, velvet black. Since these coatings transmit more than 99% in the visual spectrum and far above and below it, reflections seen on CCD images are eliminated.
Lenses
The air-spaced lenses are 5" and larger are often mounted in aluminum cells. These cells expand and contract many times more than the glass. The larger the lens, the more important it is to have it mounted in a cell with a similar coefficient of expansion (CTE). LZOS in Russia has always provided their 130 mm and larger lenses in a steel cell for this reason. Many other 127 - 130 mm refractors use simple aluminum cells which expand and contract around the glass, distorting the image. Using a material that closely approximates the expansion and contraction rate of the glass is heavier and much more expensive, but it maintains the performance of the lens despite dropping temperatures.
What's Included
- CNC mounting rings
- Your choice of three different 3 1/2" focusers
- a retracting dew shield
- metal dust cap
- Thickly padded C130L case
Focuser Options
Each 130T comes with a 3 1/2" focuser. Select one of the following:
- Stellarvue 3.5
- Feathertouch 3.5
- MoonLite NightCrawler
Cases
The Stellarvue C130L case comes standard with the SVX130T. This is our largest heavy duty soft case. It is made of the same rugged material construction as our other thickly-padded travel cases. Exterior dimensions are 39" x 10 1/2" x 10 1/2"; interior dimensions are 36" x 8" x 8". The case has two internal dividers that are held in place by Velcro and can be easily removed and rearranged.
Optional Visual Accessories
You will need a star diagonal, eyepieces, mount, and tripod to observe with this telescope. You will find a finder scope helpful in locating objects. We recommend the following:
Finder Scope: Optional. We recommend the F050W2 finder scope. The proper ring system for this finder is the R050DA ring system.
Diagonal: Available separately. Please note: You can purchase our best 2" diagonal above and save $50.
Eyepieces: Available separately. We recommend a complete set of the Stellarvue Optimus eyepieces for this telescope. Save an additional $159 on the star diagonal and eyepieces when you select "
Mounts: For strictly visual use, the M002CS is a basic alt-azimuth mount that will hold the SVX130T with stability.
For imaging we recommend:
Losmandy GM8-11G - A good portable tripod/mount
Losmandy G11 - Offers the best stability
Paramount MYT - A great choice for accurate long-exposure imaging
Imaging Accessories
A field flattener or reducer/flattener turns your SVX130T into a stunning astro-graph.
Field Flattener: Shoot at 910 mm focal length at f-7. Use the giant SFFX-2. This flattener produces an image circle over 60 mm in diameter! Save $200 when you buy this flattener with the telescope; just select this option above.
Focal Reducer/Field Flattener: Shoot at 680 mm focal length f-5.25. Use the SFFRR.72-130-48. This reducer/flattener produces an image circle over 40 mm in diameter. Save $200 when you buy this flattener with the telescope; just select this option above.
Save a total of $400 when you purchase both photographic flatteners with your telescope! We will align both with your telescope prior to shipping.
Specifications
OBJECTIVE LENS:
Air-spaced 130 mm, 910 mm focal length (f-7) fully multi-coated apochromatic triplet. The front lens is a durable, conventional glass, the second is a very expensive super low-dispersion (vD =94.93 - 95.10) element and the third is a Lanthanum element. Read more information on glass types here. Combining the best, high homogeneity optical glass with extreme wave front accuracy (.99 Strehl or better) these are the best 130 objectives we have ever offered. Each objective is meticulously figured in our optical shop in Auburn, California. Our final Zygo optical test report is included.
TUBE ASSEMBLY:
All aluminum, Instrument White, fully baffled, 5.5” diameter tube. Telescope is 29.5" long with dew shield retracted and 35" long when extended.
DEW SHIELD:
6 5/8" (168 mm) diameter, 9 5/8" long retracting aluminum dew shield in Instrument White with black anodized fittings.
DIMENSIONS:
OTA: 5.5" diameter, 29.5" long with dew shield retracted and 35" long when extended.
WEIGHT:
OTA: 20.6 pounds. Rings weigh 1.4 pounds each. Slightly heavier with the Feather Touch focuser option.
FOCUSER:
Included at the base price is Stellarvue's 3.5" dual-speed rack and pinion focuser with 2" and 1.25" adapters. Customers may upgrade to a 3.5" Feather Touch focuser which is our most popular version of this telescope as it works well for both imaging and visual observation. Either of these two versions come with our standard FBB dovetail shoe for use with our finder scope rings. A third version is often chosen by advanced astro-photographers who only use their telescope for imaging. This third version comes with the fully computerized Moonlight Nightcrawler 3.5" focuser.
*Please note that the default color for the Nitecrawler will be RED unless specified otherwise. For a full list of available color options visit ww.focuser.com.
RINGS:
Very heavy duty American-made CNC mounting rings using 6061 T6 aluminum plate. Five threaded 1/4-20 holes top and bottom spaced 1.5" and 60 mm apart with one in the center. 5 mm side hole for reflect finder mounting.
CASE:
C130L thickly-padded heavy duty case
LIGHT GAIN:
345x (human eye = 1)
CONTRAST AND COLOR CORRECTION (1-10):
10
Additional Information
Click here for financing information.
Click here for our online operator's manual: SVX130T
Other Details
STELLARVUE LIMITED WARRANTY FOR U.S.A. AND CANADA END PURCHASERS ONLY Stellarvue (SV) warrants that each SV brand telescope and accessory shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship for two years from the date of purchase. SV will repair or replace such product or part thereof, which upon inspection by SV is found defective in materials or workmanship. As a condition to the obligation of SV to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to SV as specified in this warranty. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES THAT MAY EXIST UNDER STATE LAW APPLY ONLY TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER AND LASTS ONLY AS LONG AS THE PURCHASER OWNS THE PRODUCT. Warranty and repair return requirements: • Proof of purchase acceptable to SV must accompany any return for warranty work. • A return Authorization must be obtained from SV in advance of return. E-mail Stellarvue at mail@stellarvue.com or call (530) 823-7796 to receive the authorization & packing instructions. • The authorization code must be written on the outside of the container. • All returns must be accompanied by a written note stating the model number of the product, authorization code, name, address, e-mail address and daytime telephone number of the owner, and an explanation of the problem. Replaced parts shall become the property of SV. • The customer shall be responsible for all costs of transportation and insurance, both to and from SV. SV Requirements • SV shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any product covered by this limited warranty within thirty days of acceptance. If repair will take longer, SV shall notify the customer. • SV may replace any product that has been discontinued with a new product of comparable value and function. Products that have been damaged, dropped, disassembled, abused, misused, mishandled, subjected to temperature or weather extremes, subjected to unusual wear or modified in any way will not be covered by this warranty. In these instances, this warranty shall be null and void. THESE WARRANTIES REPLACE ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SV MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES BEYOND THOSE STATED HERE AND DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF SV UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE COVERED PRODUCT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SET FORTH HEREIN. SV DISCLAIMS ANY LOST PROFITS, GENERAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY, OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY SV PRODUCT FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION. WARNING: LOOKING AT THE SUN CAN CAUSE SERIOUS EYE INJURY AND BLINDNESS. NEVER POINT A TELESCOPE AT OR NEAR THE SUN. VIEWING THE SUN WITHOUT A PROPER SOLAR FILTER MAY RESULT IN BLINDNESS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO THE INSTRUMENT. NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN TO USE BINOCULARS OR TELESCOPES DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS, UNLESS THEY ARE SUPERVISED BY AN ADULT WHO UNDERSTANDS THE DANGER OF POINTING ANY OPTICAL INSTRUMENT IN THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE SUN.Product Videos
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Product Reviews
6 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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SVX130T
First light was 3/25/2020 so I have used this for the past year. Color free viewing with lots of contrast and detail. On nights of good seeing I have had this at 303x and could go higher if I had the eyepieces. Excellent for the 2020 Jupiter/Saturn conjunction and Mars opposition. Able to see details in Jupiter’s belts and GRS. Shadow and lunar transits visible. Splitting tight double stars of different magnitudes easy that I couldn’t split with my other 127 mm APO and needed my 11 inch SCT to do. I have been using this visually on my AVX mount with the 10 1/2 inch V rail. I also use a 10 1/2 inch V rail on top as a convenient handle. A great scope even when compared to other AP and Tak refractors that I have looked through.
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All I Could Ask For
I've owned 4 other SV telescopes from 80 to 115mm over the past 16 years. When it was time to upgrade from my SV115 the SVX130T was a no brainer. I knew I would get outstanding build quality and amazing optics. When the scope arrived it was as expected. The 3.5" FT focuser is a beast! I travel with my scope whether it's to the back yard or to a dark site. The scope with rings, plate, diagonal, eyepiece and finder weighs in at about 28lbs. With my GM811 it's about as much as I want to deal with. I've had it out a few times over the past few weeks. Stars are pinpoint and free of false color. At high power a perfect airy disk. Cruising along the Moons terminator at 260X is a wow experience. I'm looking forward to the reappearance of Jupiter and Saturn later this year.
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SVX130T
Well, if you are reading this review you are obviously interested in a Top Of The Line Refractor!
I have waited a long time to acquire such quality....since the night I had my first view at the double cluster through a TMB 130 back in late 1990's a top line refractor has been my dream......dream over!
What an impressive instrument. Just the way everything moves, tight but smooth, certainly attests to the attention paid to doing things right.
I am using my 130 primarily for imaging but before I put the camera in I most certainly did some casual observing....clear, crisp views! Now I've been at this for 25 years and this is the FIRST time I can say that I could see the diffractions rings on an out of focus star so plainly and let me tell you they were ALL concentric. A sight in itself for me!
No regrets, not one! This is quality through and through! I purchased the flattener also..... and imaging....round stars all across the frame with my QSI 660. I am truly enjoying this scope. When I think of the top 3 or 4 makers of quality scopes......I am sure everyone has their own preference but my money said Stellarvue ...you will not be disappointed.
And now service : ) Communication was great! Amanda and Issac are the wizards behind the curtain!
Courteous and Knowledgeable
To the whole team at Stellarvue, Thank you! -
SVX130T
I'll provide a more detailed review after my first use. However, the telescope arrived in perfect condition. It was securely packed with no visible damage to the box indicating it was well handled during shipping. As promised, the Strehl report was included and came in at an impressive .997! The only minor issue is the small ring adaptor for my ATIK 16200; The threads bind with increasing resistance when attempting to screw it onto both the large field flattener or the focal reducer/flattener. This occurs on the M48 female thread of the ring. My M48 Canon adaptor screws on smoothly without any resistance. Customer support has been excellent and I'm just waiting thru the weekend on a response to the adaptor ring issue. The Scope and it's accessories are truly a work of art. I look forward to getting out in the field this week for first light.
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Best Refractor
If you are looking for the best glass available and the highest specifications that produce the best views and images the SVX line is the one to buy. I have the SVX080T and the SVX130T and both are superb.
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SVX130T
2019 marks my 55th year as an amateur astronomer since my father brought me to the Philadelphia Planetarium when I was 10 years old. During this period I have been fortunate to have owned the following high performance telescopes: Questar 3.5, Quantum 6, TEC 10" f12 Mak, Spica Eyes 22" Dob, Celestron 14, and several other telescopes. I also was an optical technician for the Celestron matching division where I had the opportunity to evaluate several thousand optical systems.
I purchased A Stellarvue SVX 130T serial # 009 in December 2018 and have had the opportunity to evaluate the telescope over the last several months.
Telescope mechanical construction:
Quite simply the construction of all elements of this telescope system is simply exquisite. The performance of the Stellarvue 3.5" dual speed rack and pinion focuser that comes standard with the telescope is every bit as good as the Feather touch focuser. The finish on the tube is beautiful, and several times before I have pulled the telescope out of its case, I have simply stopped to marvel at the exquisite beauty of the OTA assembly.
I ordered my scope with the Stellarvue highest grade quartz 2'" diagonal which I highly recommend. I also bought the Stellarvue 50mm finder scope and was simply blown away by the smoothness of its focuser, and the pinpoint star images it produced. I have never seen a better finder in all my years in astronomy.
Lastly I bought the entire set of Stellarvue Optimus eyepieces all of which have 100-110 degree FOV. At first, being a avid Nagler user for many years, I was thinking that these extraordinary fields of view would result in poor performance at the very edge of the field of view. I could not have been more wrong. Quite simply, and this is no exaggeration, the star were pinpoint right to the edge of the field. This performance, together with the 100-110 degree FOV, has resulted in the most exciting visual astronomical experience of my life.
I just returned from the 2019 GSSP in northeastern California. During that time I had the opportunity to observe Jupiter and Saturn side by side with several other high quality refractors and reflectors. Quite simply, there was a total absence of residual color, and the delicacy of the shades of color were unrivaled verses all other telescopes that I used at GSSP. I have never had a scope that has performed to this high level of performance.
Lastly, one important point that was the deciding point in having me buy a Stellarvue telescope rather than another high quality brand refractor such as Astro Physics or Takahashi, was that Vic guarantees a strehl ratio with these telescopes of .98-.99. No other manufacturer of refractor telescopes worldwide provides the customer with this guaranteed level of performance. Without this data one it just relying on the reputation of the manufacturer, and they will give you absolutely no guarantee that their telescopes will perform to any standard. I was NOT willing to take this risk. I was given a strehl printout of the telescopes performance at no additional cost.
In closing, I give this telescope my highest rating, and plan to put in an order for a 152mm soon.
