Stop Fighting Your Telescope and Start Exploring the Universe: The Vixen A80Mf with Porta-II Mount

• Virtually Zero Color Fringing: The long f/11.4 focal ratio delivers stunningly sharp, high-contrast images of bright objects, revealing the true colors of Jupiter and the crisp details of lunar craters without distracting purple halos.
• •The Legendary Porta-II Mount: Renowned for its buttery-smooth, zero-backlash controls and rock-solid stability. Point, track, and focus with absolute precision—the mount stays exactly where you put it.
• Set Up in Minutes, Explore for Hours: The ultimate in intelligent grab-and-go design. Its intuitive, lightweight setup means you spend less time assembling and more time in awe of the cosmos.
• •A Legacy of Quality: Feel the superior Japanese engineering in every component. This is an investment in a lifetime of reliable, enjoyable observing, not a disposable toy.
• •Ergonomic and Intuitive: From the variable-position control handles to the built-in tool compartment, every detail is designed for a comfortable and seamless user experience.
• •Universal Compatibility: The Vixen-standard dovetail bar means the telescope can grow with you, easily attaching to a wide range of other astronomical mounts.

Achromatic Refractors

Achromats represent the classic, popular, modern lens telescope design. An achromat consists of not one, but two, objective lenses, usually made of crown glass and flint glass, which have the effect of a positive and a negative lens. The Vixen A80Mf refractor telescope has such an achromatic objective lens.

You’ve seen the breathtaking photos. You know the majestic beauty that awaits in the night sky. But when you look through your own telescope, the reality is a world away. You spend ten minutes just trying to get the wobbles to stop after you touch the focuser. When you finally get a planet in view, it’s a blurry disappointment, surrounded by a frustrating purple haze that washes out all the detail. You try to track it as it moves across the sky, but the controls on your mount are sticky and imprecise, causing you to overshoot your target again and again.

This is the frustrating secret of the beginner telescope market. Many are built to a price, not a standard. They are plagued by unstable tripods, flimsy mounts with frustrating amounts of “play” or “backlash” in their controls, and optics that compromise on quality. The initial excitement of your new hobby quickly sours into a battle against your own equipment. Instead of feeling a connection to the cosmos, you feel a growing sense of disappointment.

You begin to think that maybe astronomy is just too hard, or that you don’t have the “knack” for it. The truth is, it’s not you—it’s your gear. Your telescope, the very tool meant to unlock the Universe, is actively preventing you from experiencing those incredible “wow” moments that make this hobby so magical.

Imagine a completely different experience. Imagine a telescope that feels like a natural extension of your own eyes. An instrument so stable and smooth that the Universe seems to hang motionless, waiting for you to explore its every detail. This is the experience Vixen delivers with the Vixen A80Mf telescope and the legendary Porta-II mount. This is not just a product; it’s a design philosophy.

Let’s start with the foundation: the Vixen A80Mf Porta-II mount. Widely regarded as the “Mercedes” of altazimuth mounts, it is a masterpiece of mechanical engineering. There is no wobble. There are no jerky motions. Thanks to its robust construction and precision friction brake system, the mount holds your telescope with unshakable stability.

When you point the Vixen A80Mf at Jupiter, it stays pointed at Jupiter. The two slow-motion control handles operate with a buttery smoothness that has to be felt to be believed. There is zero backlash, meaning the instant you turn the knob, the telescope moves. This allows for effortless, precise tracking of planets even at high magnification—a feat that is simply impossible on lesser mounts.

This unshakable platform supports an optical tube that is purpose-built for excellence. The Vixen A80Mf refractor features a long 910mm focal length, creating a very forgiving f/11.4 focal ratio. This optical design is the key to its stunning performance on bright objects. It naturally minimizes chromatic aberration—that distracting color fringing—to a negligible level, resulting in views that are incredibly sharp, rich in contrast, and true to life.

The Moon isn’t a purple-tinged blob; it’s a breathtaking world of crisp, monochrome craters and mountains. The Vixen A80Mf Porta-II system is the perfect synergy of mechanical precision and optical purity, engineered to eliminate frustration and deliver pure astronomical joy.

Technical specifications are meaningless until they translate into unforgettable experiences. The Vixen A80Mf Porta-II is designed to do exactly that, turning every feature into a tangible benefit for your observing sessions.

The f/11.4 focal ratio isn’t just a number; it’s the benefit of seeing the Cassini Division, the faint black gap in Saturn’s rings, with razor-sharp clarity. It’s the ability to distinguish the subtle, creamy cloud bands of Jupiter and watch the tiny, perfect discs of its moons transit across the planet. This feature means your views of the solar system’s brightest gems will be pure, detailed, and deeply satisfying.

The Porta-II’s friction brake system isn’t just a mechanism; it’s the freedom to let go. You can move the telescope to your desired position by hand, and the moment you release it, it stays put. Perfectly balanced. Perfectly still. This means you can easily share a view with family and friends without the telescope dipping or sagging, ensuring everyone gets that perfect, jaw-dropping look.

The variable-position slow-motion handles aren’t just a convenience; they are about ergonomic comfort during long observing sessions. No matter where the telescope is pointing, from the horizon to the zenith, you can adjust the handles to be in the most comfortable position for you. This means no more awkward reaching or straining. You can relax and become fully immersed in the view, enjoying hours of comfortable exploration.

The Vixen standard dovetail bar isn’t just a piece of metal; it’s an investment in your future. As your passion for astronomy grows, you may want to try astrophotography or use a larger mount. This universal connection system ensures that your high-quality Vixen optical tube can be easily moved to other mounts, protecting your initial investment and growing with you on your astronomical journey.

• “Excellent scope... I must say I’m perfectly happy with it. The views have rich contrast and the false colour is minimal, seeming perfectly on the low side of normal for an achromat at this focal length to me. Star test shows good collimation... On the whole I’m very happy with it, especially with a few upgrades - but I feel it could be better.” - H. W., Verified Buyer

You have a choice. You can continue to battle with frustrating equipment, or you can invest in an instrument that will reward you with a lifetime of breathtaking views. The Vixen A80Mf Porta-II is your entry into the world of high-performance, frustration-free astronomy. Order yours today and see the difference precision makes.

Think of the handful of perfectly clear, moonless nights you get each year. They are a scarce and precious resource. Why would you risk wasting one on a wobbly mount and blurry optics? The “buy cheap, buy twice” adage is painfully true in astronomy. Investing in the Vixen A80Mf Porta-II from the start is not just buying a telescope; it’s buying back your time and ensuring that every precious moment you spend under the stars is filled with awe, not aggravation.

This isn’t about a limited-time sale; it’s about the limited time you have to pursue your passion. The quality and precision of Vixen instruments are renowned, and demand from discerning beginners who understand the value of a solid foundation is consistently high. Make the decision to elevate your hobby from a struggle to a sublime experience. Secure your Vixen A80Mf Porta-II and be ready to truly capitalize on the next perfect night.

Why is the Vixen A80Mf better for the Moon and planets than others? Its long focal length (f/11.4) is the key. This “slow” optical design naturally minimizes chromatic aberration (color fringing), which is most noticeable on bright objects. The result is a sharper, higher-contrast image with truer colors.

What makes the Porta-II mount so special? In a word: stability. It’s engineered to eliminate the tiny vibrations and jerky movements that plague entry-level mounts. The smooth, precise slow-motion controls allow you to track planets effortlessly, making for a much more enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Is the Vixen A80Mf too advanced for a complete beginner? Not at all. In fact, it’s ideal for a beginner who values quality and wants to avoid the frustrations common with cheaper scopes. Its intuitive point-and-look operation is incredibly simple, but its performance is a significant step above typical starter packages.

The review mentions that the 6mm eyepiece is difficult to use. Why is that? High-power eyepieces like the included 6mm naturally have very short “eye relief,” meaning you must get your eye very close to the lens. While it provides the maximum magnification, many users prefer the comfort of a medium-power eyepiece for general viewing. The Vixen A80Mf itself performs beautifully with a wide variety of aftermarket eyepieces.

Can I use the Vixen A80Mf for looking at galaxies and nebulae? Yes, you can certainly view the brightest deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy. However, its design is optimized for higher-power, detailed views of the Moon and planets, rather than wide-field sweeping of the deep sky. For that, we recommend the Skywatcher AC 120.

Is it easy to transport? Absolutely. The entire Vixen A80Mf system weighs only 9 kg. The mount can be detached from the tripod with a single hand-screw, allowing you to carry it in two light, manageable pieces, making it the perfect “grab-and-go” instrument for the discerning observer.