Electric Martini

Refracting Telescopes

Vixen ED103S Refractor Telescope with GPD2 Equatorial Mount

VIX057 Refracting Telescopes Discontinued

$3,149.00Last catalog price, November 2008

Catalog description

Vixen ED103S Refractor Telescope with GPD2 Equatorial Mount, part number VIX057, is a discontinued product from the 2007–2011 catalog. It was last listed at $3149.00, down from a high of $3499.00.

The Vixen ED103S is an apochromatic refractor which has fantastic contrast and 4 aperture sufficient for viewing most of the planets and many stars. With its ED glass elements chromatic aberration has been reduced to nearly undetectable levels permitting a much more practical use of the higher magnifications quoted in the specifications than when seemingly identical in a normal achromatic refractor.

Vixens ED Glass has brought refractors back to the forefront of premium telescope choices to compete with the 8 and larger ubiquitous Schmidt-Cassegrains that while bringing in enormous quantities of light simply cannot compare to the contrast of the apochromatic refractor.

The included flip-mirror adapter allows either 90-degrees or straight-through observing. With an eyepiece upon each end of the flip-mirror you can quickly switch between the two as the declination of your object of interest changes its location in the sky.

The GPD2 MountThe GPD2 equatorial mount is the stronger and heftier of the GP mounts. With its solid steel R. A. and declination axes and brass worm gears this mount will hold up to years of heavy use. In order to assure accurate tracking for astrophotography the worm gears are especially machined to a very high precision that minimizes periodic error.

The GPD2 holds almost 50% more weight than the GP2 and comes standard with tripod and counterweight. It is easy to use and functions well for both the visual observer and astrophotographer. Motion is controlled by included control knobs for accurate slewing. The polar altitude adjustment varies from 0-degrees to 62-degrees in altitude.

Catalog price history

ObservedListed priceChange
September 2007$3,099.00
October 2008$3,499.00+$400.00
November 2008$3,149.00−$350.00

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