Stellarvue SV4

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Brand and Model:	Stellarvue SV4
Price ($USD):	2695
Type:	Apochromatic Refractor
Attributes:	Go-To PEC
Aperture:	102 mm
f Ratio:	6.4
Focal Length:	650 mm
Finder:	Red-dot
Electric Power:
Mount:
Tripod:
Weight (lbs):	12.5
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:	Specifications and Performance: The scope comes with several accessories, including case, 2 inch to 1.25 inch adapter, dielectric diagonal mirror, rings, captive dew shield, and a red-dot finder. The OTA is 22 inches long with the dewshield retracted, making it fairly easy to handle. The cap is a metal, screw-on type.

Vote Highlights

Stellarvue SV4

I have had the SV4 since 2003 (SN 006) and have been very pleased with the purchase. The apo optics are color-free and provide a text-book star test (under stable seeing conditions). Construction is very solid; I have transported mine for 1000s of miles with no problems. I would not hesitate to purchase the scope again.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:9
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date: 02/29/2008 08:06:22 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.237.195)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=575720

Reply Replies: 0

Stellarvue SV4

[Note: Vote moved from description by webmaster]

Specifications and Performance:

The scope comes with several accessories, including case, 2 inch to 1.25 inch adapter, dielectric diagonal mirror, rings, captive dew shield, and a red-dot finder. The OTA is 22 inches long with the dewshield retracted, making it fairly easy to handle. The cap is a metal, screw-on type.

The star images both in and out of focus are identical, with clear diffraction rings. On our first night out, we split the Double Double at 65X. This was a clean split, showing a black line between each component.

There is no false color when viewing Jupiter. Galilean moons appear with different brightnesses at 16X and at 90X, as disks. Low contrast and high contrast detail are readily apparent, even when used at just 90-130X. The moon is stunning! Contrast of the moon's features is impeccable, with no grey areas or color appearing off the limb.

Performance on darker and widefield objects is also equally wonderful: Nebulosity surrounding M17 and the Veil are within easy grasp using an UHC filter or OIII filter. Comparing the views with larger dobs, I think that the SV4 provides a better view. Granted, more nebulosity is visible in larger scopes, yet the SV4 shows crisp focus across the whole field.

The precision of the two-speed focuser has been a blessing. When doing lunar observing, the fine adjust allows just the right touch to lock in the best focus. Makes observing a breeze!

A Ronchi screen diffraction pattern is straight and clear through to the edge and shows high contrast.

Conclusion and Next Steps:

We have been extremely pleased with the SV4 and would purchase it again. We like that we're able to support a small manufacturer, that each scope is hand-assembled and tested, and that the direct connection to the manufacturer via the online community creates a sense of comraderie. Additionally, the price was right for all the included accessories!

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date: 07/16/2004 10:36:51 am PST
By: smigol
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=368542

Reply Replies: 0

Stellarvue SV4

I am third owner of my particular SV4 102 f/6.4 with Lomo optics. This is a well built scope with a heavy duty Feathertouch focuser. You may find the back focus less than you like for modern imaging requirements, which is why my friend sold it to me. Back focus is also limited relative to the needs of a Daystar Quark Combo (but the focal ratio is not optimum for that h-alpha application anyhow).

At this time (2018) it is hard to tell what the market value is because it is extremely scarce. In fact, so far, it has only one Astromart used record. I think less than ten were made but don't hold me to that. Rumor is that LOMO had other priorities and couldn't regularly supply the lenses. My sense of the optics is that they are better than the tidal waves of China doublets and triplets out there, but you know, it's a very difficult judgment to make even when one has the scope side by side with other four inch refractors. Conditions are just too variable....you're trying to make wavelength judgments and your buddy with the other scope hasn't cleaned his eyepieces recently. And what if he had? They're different eyepieces. Different glass specs, etc. And of course, differences in our eyes are actually greater than the wavelength level differences we're trying to detect. In great seeing this scope showed terrific detail on Jupiter, complex festoons and belt detail, color on GRS, detectable blue in the festoons. It delivers a nice wide field and takes magnification.

The people who bought this new got great value for the price and superior value relative to the inexpensive triplets that gushed out five or six years later, because of the superior focuser. But in 2018 I am not in a position to rate it's market price except to say I'm glad I have it...but if you have a 3 inch apo and a five inch apo I'm not sure why you need a four inch, but sometimes you just pick things up.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 05/10/2018 07:50:34 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.136.214)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=617870

Reply Replies: 0

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