Vixen - VMC200L 200mm Catadioptrical Reflector Telescope OTA with Sphinx Mount

Vixen VMC200L with SPHINX SXW Mount

The Scope:  The VMC200L Reflector Telescope is a unique 200mm, 8" catadioptric optical system.  It incorporates a primary mirror and a meniscus corrector just before a secondary mirror.  By doing so, light is corrected twice on the optical path. The end result is that spherical aberration and field curvature are corrected to a high degree of optical performance. The VMC200L’s primary mirror is f/2.5; the compound optical system is f/9.75. This makes the system much more compact and portable than its competition. With the optical correction placed before the secondary mirror, the VMC200L avoids the necessity of having a corrector plate and all the dewing problems associated with a closed optical tube. An additional key feature is the rack and pinion focusing that is placed behind the primary mirror. The use of this focusing system eliminates the image shift associated with most other SCT systems. This is especially important when using high power magnification or astro-photography. When focusing, the image is stable and easy to adjust.  Astronomy Technology says "the f/9.75 focal ratio is noticeably faster than the typical Maksutov design ..which translates into a wider true field of view. Reaching focus is easy...Lightweight, portable, 8 inches of aperture, fast cool down, zero image shift, and reasonably priced".  The VMC200L Reflector is made in Japan and is covered by a Five Year Warranty

The Mount:  Vixen's Sphinx SXW Equatorial Mount features leading edge innovations developed through decades of experience in building German Equatorial Mounts. The Vixen SPHINX SXW mount and STAR BOOK hand controller are groundbreaking advancements in high speed, portable GoTo mount technology.

It is now possible to explore the beauty of the night sky with greater ease and stability. The SPHINX equatorial mount and STARBOOK controller have been intelligently engineered for high-speed automatic location of celestial objects. 

.The SPHINX comes standard with built in motors and the world's first star chart go-to controller, STARBOOK, with a large full color LCD display. The Sphinx’s design is exceptional and the exterior styling is equally attractive. The STARBOOK features a display on the large color screen and are navigated with simple buttons on the controller. The STARBOOK is easy to use and makes the SPHINX available to a wide range of ages and experience levels. The STARBOOK incorporates a large astronomical database with 22,725 celestial objects. A LAN Port within the controller allows for computer control and network connectivity.

The VMC200L is a unique catadioptric optical system. It incorporates a primary mirror and a meniscus corrector just before a secondary mirror. By doing so, light is corrected twice on the optical path. The end result is that spherical aberration and field curvature are corrected to a high degree of optical performance. The VMC200L's primary mirror is f/2.5; the compound optical system is f/9.75. This makes the system much more compact and portable than its competition.

TELESCOPE SPECIFICATIONS • Design: Reflector, Modified Cassegrain • Objective Diameter: 200mm • Focal Length: 1950mm F/9.75 • Diagonal: 1.25" Star Flip Mirror • Available: Hard Case and Camera Adapters • Finder Scope: 7 x 50 • Focuser: 2" Rack and Pinion with 1.25" adapter and Tension adjustment • Portable Metal Carry Handle • Includes Rings and Universal GP Dovetail to fit all Vixen and many other mounts • Weight: 13lbs