Vixen VMC260L - anyone with experience with one of these?

[mental4astro]

Hi everyone,

With all the discussions I've been having about Cassegrains, and after my recent experience with a 250 Mewlon, I am none the wiser about the large Vixen Cassegrains. I am most curious about the VMC260L.

Does anyone here have one of these scopes?

I am most interested in the visual use of these rather than their photo application.

I have noticed that Vixen has dropped the dark green colour of the OTA for these, I have the feeling that there may have been some other changes too, in particular with the coatings. I could be mistaken though.

Any info on your experience with this scope, whether you own one or have looked through one, would be most appreciated.

Alex.

[billdan]

Alex, the only links I could find on SGL are all imagers.

[mental4astro]

Thanks Bill.

Odd, really. Bit of a love-or-hate thing with these. Mixed reviews, though more favourable than negative.

I was thinking as the vanes of this scope can be easily removed, about swapping them with curved vanes, and then no more diffraction spikes...

Anyone using one of these scopes here?

Alex.

[AnakChan]

I've seen folks shave the VC200L vanes and I gather that can be done to the VMC260L too.

The VMC260L was one I did research about a few years back but eventually settled with the Takahashi µ250CRS instead. The central obstruction of the VMC260L and mirror shift wasn't to my preference.

[mental4astro]

Thanks Sean.

The vanes of the 200 are not the same as on the 260. Those of the 200 are a single piece thick casting - that is why some people grind them thinner.

The vanes on the 260 are made out of thin sheet metal so the are not only thinner to begin with, but are attached with screws. This is why I've been thinking it's a good curved vane candidate.

[mental4astro]

I found a thread from 2014 here on IIS where the OP is asking help on what to ask for a VMC260L and mount that were part of a deceased estate. But nothing more found about that instrument.

Might anyone know of someone who has one of these scopes?

PM me if you prefer.

Curious that there is so little to be found on this scope here on IIS. A lot of speculation, but nothing much more. I'm still hoping someone has one or knows of one somewhere.

Thanks for looking,

Alex.

[glend]

Alex, there are a number of threads on CN regarding the VMC260L, including this first light report:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/537605-first-light-report-vmc-260l/?hl=%2Bvmc260l#entry7496303

I did a quick search over there and found a few reports. You could try sending a PM to user "tazer" over there.

[mental4astro]

Thanks Glen for the link.

I am familiar with that thread. I am not posting here without having done some homework first.

I may PM tazer if I can't find anyone local, which I prefer.

Alex.

[LewisM]

Ask Steve. I think Steve has experience with them besides selling them.

I had a love-love affair with all the VC-200L's I had, but never once even saw a VMC-260 in the flesh.