Vixen - VMC200L 200mm Catadioptrical Reflector Telescope with GPD2 Mount

Vixen VMC200L with GPD2 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: 
The design of the GPD2 mount accomodates the atachment of heavier optical tubes and provides accurate tracking of objects. Bubble-level, fine adjustment knobs for altitude/azimuth , and two counterweights (3.7kg & 1.9kg) are standard. Optional motor-drives and controller make this your complete solution for long-exposure astrophotography
Choose this package if you think that you’ll want to own just one mount able to expand the optical system you put on it. Here you are getting a worm gear machined to 2/1000ths of a millimeter precision that allows for extremely critical tracking performance needed for Astrophotography. Definitely a package that will keep the best of Amateur Astronomers happy for years to come and still easy to use.

                              

 

Available Upgrades:

• Add the new Vixen Starbook S package for complete Go-To capabilities. 
  

• Add the D2M Motor Drive Set for easy tracking. The DD2 Motor Set includes DD-2 controller, two MT-1WT motors and a battery box.
   

  

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