Vixen Optics' VC200L Telescope is neither a Schmidt-Cassegrain nor a Maksutov-Cassegrain, but instead a unique creation all its own: a catadioptric VISAC (Vixen Sixth-Order Aspheric Cassegrain)
optical system, amongst the most sophisticated optical designs on
today's market. This scope is free of coma, field curvature, spherical
aberration, and chromatic aberration. Especially noteworthy is its edge
sharpness and flatness, far exceeding 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain
systems. It provides pinpoint (<15 microns) star images,
even at the edges of its 42mm image circle. If you're looking for a
photographic catadioptric tube, this is the choice.
The Vixen VISAC optical system consists of a concave primary mirror,
convex secondary mirror, and 3-element field corrector next to the
focuser. The VC200L's open tube design eliminates the typical chunk of
glass up front, lowering weight and minimizing dewing problems. It
broad 60mm focuser barrel and elevated optics give uniform brightness,
aiding auto guide cameras & off-axis guiders. Because its
rack-and-pinion focusing system's outside the scope, instead of upon the
primary mirror, focusing the VC200L doesn't mess with the illumination
or view. For a viewing catadioptric, it combines large aperture with
fast focal ratio, making it well suited to our solar system and deep sky
observing.
This version of the VC200L does include the dovetail rail, but no
other accessories. It is immediately ready to be mounted upon Vixen's
equatorial mounts, Celestron's CG-5 and CGEM equatorial mounts, and
Meade's LXD75 mount.
Note:
No accessories are included.
Optical Design
Catadioptric
Optical Lens Diameter
7.9" (
)
Focal Length
1800mm
Focal Ratio
f/9.0
Maximum Useful Magnification
393x
Resolving Power
0.58
Optical Tube Dimensions
9.1 x 24.4" (
) WxL
Eyepiece Barrel Diameter
2.4" (
)
Finderscope
None
Weight
13.2 lbs (