This BUDGET f4.5 refractor TROUNCES the RedCat 51! SVBony SV555 FULL REVIEW!

Thanks so much for doing this review as I've been looking for a cost effective sollution with this approximate FOV. In the example stars that you show, was this achieved with manual or EAF focusing?

you said you didn't check but I think you said you got the gemini EAF, could you check and see if it fits? it looks the same size

Is this usable visually or is it really just a photographic setup?

Hello Cuiv! Thanks for the great test (as always)! In distant Germany I have been waiting for your test. Immediately, after watching your recession twice, ordered with coupon. Thanks again for your great and entertaining contributions. Artur

I got my first telescope (Celestron C-8) in 1978, still have it and use it. Didn't really get into astrophotography until 2018. Since that time there has been an explosion of gear, much of it focused on the budget hobbyist.
This scope here just adds to that, and seems like a fantastic scope for the money. Star shapes definitely good enough for me.Them thinking forward to auto focus is something you wouldn't think would be at the price point.

I am looking for more aperture and focal length but SBvony definitely on my list, for future pieces of gear. Great review.

Great review Cuiv. You've wet my appetite! I ordered this lens over 1-1/2 months ago for SVBONY (along with their 7nm UV-IR cut filter) and am still waiting for it to show up on my doorstep (supposedly it cleared customs yesterday. Yeah!). I also purchased a ASI2600MC Pro to use with it, so seeing your images using that camera make me think I didn't make the wrong choice. You've left me thinking this will be a fantastic "grab and go" astrograph! I do have 2 questions, if you don't mind: What spacers did you use to achieve 55mm of back spacing and which UV-IR filter did you use? Thanks!

How would you compare this with the Askar V @ 60mm and reducer (270mm F4.5)?

Hey there Cuiv, thanks so much for the video, and... it's all your fault 😂😂😂
No, seriously, your review came at just the right moment. And Svbony is on my radar, because they build good quality for a more budgeted market. I already own a few parts of equipment from them and I am satisfied. So, thanks again to encourage me to the next piece e of equipment. Turns out, I am on my way to make a copy of my S50 😊
It is so amazing, how much one can learn while watching insightful videos from enthusiasts like you. Not just your reviews, but your tutorials too 👍🤩 Happy Holiday season and CS 🔭🎅

As an apprentice lazy geek, I'm always conflicted with a review like this. Go and buy the SV555 and be done, you'll get great shots and have to do virtually no setup. Instead for about the same new or even less used, buy a Quattro150, spend hours flocking, changing spider ring, changing the focuser, collimating and you will eventually get better photos. But is it worth all the hassle to do all of that? Another enthusiastic review, thanks.

At $519 with free shipping using your disc code this is a no brainer! Might have to pull the trigger now! Excellent review brother!

Could you also check even smaller more widefield scopes? The big question for example is always ASKAR FMA180Pro or FMA230 or ALC200 or FMA135.. Hard to decide here between this three.
Never know which one has the best star shape in the corners and the least chromatic abberations.. Just an idea for a video.. KR

Superb video!
I have been using the Askar ALC200 with focuser and an ASI6200MC for almost three years... the result is impressive, this other SV555 lens is I think identical with a better package and a much lower price...

Hi, great review. On a different matter: could you perhaps make a video regarding the difference physics between green and blue ar-coatings on lenses? Perhaps an insight into the aspects of these coatings with regards to wavelenght transmission and reflectivity and other things that might be relevant for this topic?

If they make a 90-120mm with this correction, I am in :)

Btw, thanks for the video with the touptek OAG + filter drawer combo. Got myself a kit of OAG-X + filter drawer + GPM462 + touptek 2600c in the current sales. Pretty sweet deal wellllllll under 2k.

Have been waiting on a review of this scope. Incredible! Ordered with your code. Thanks!

Big fan of your videos especially those like this one. Been on the fence and this pushed me over. Thanks for the coupon code--more money to buy something else!

SVBony really upping their game for affordable quality!

Ordered the bundle using your code. 700 for the scope ,filter drawer, dual band filter, 30mm guide scope.

I wouldn't call it a budget option, it's firmly a mid range option.

If you are only looking for a telescope that is a tiny refractor under f/5 then it seems like a good option.
But why not get a similarly priced Newtonian? You can have much bigger aperture and good image quality.

It looks impressive! If I didn’t already have the Askar 65PHQ with a 0.75x reducer, which gives me 312mm at f/4.8, I would definitely buy the SV555!

Good review Cuiv, but I think your RedCat51 is a poor example. I suggest you contact William Optics to see if they can refigure the optics because that is subpar and not doing justice to what it is capable of. Considering your notoriety and platform, I would think William Optics would be more than HAPPY to fix or replace your RC51. My RC51 appears to perform significantly better than your copy. The SV555 is an impressive value, but I see more chromatic aberration with it than my RC51, although I think the stars are slightly more round and tighter on the SV555, at least out to APS-C, which is what I use. I can't wait to see your review of the SQA55, because I think it will really trounce the RC51. One note about cost. The RedCat51 does actually have Ohara FPL-53 SD glass, which we know is more expensive. The SV555 uses ED glass, so not as good (and CA is apparent) and the SQA55 does state that is uses one ED and one SD element (presumably Hoya FCD-100), so should have superior CA performance to SV555. Nowadays, FCD-100 seems more popular than FPL-53 with about same performance for lower cost.

When I restarted my computer and launched pixinsight your script disappeared on me. I checked the managed depositories and your link is there so but your script is no longer there. When I installed for the first time it showed up but after the reboot it has disappeared and suggestions on getting it back?

Have you tried fixing a vixen dovetail plate on the side of the ring where those 4 holes are? If it fits we might be able to attach an asiair right there!

For the spikes, you can try move your lens ring to another position or not screw the ring too tight, to remove the residual stress. Maybe it is introduced by the pressure to the lens.

How well does this lens work with a M43 sensor?

How about a comparison revue of this compared with an Askar 135mm f4.5 APO Astro Camera Lens - FMA135. The SVBony 555 goes for $805.00 Canadian where the Asker goes for $413.00 Canadian

Svbony is seriously becoming the budget king of astronomy and astrophotography. I have a few of their accessories and a couple of their cameras and the only thing I must say is that ZWO's version of a camera with an IMX585 sensor has a larger RAM cache and so is better for planetary work, but other than that I am very happy with all of their products I have used so far. I had been looking at maybe getting one of Askar's lenses/telescopes of the same design, but that was before I knew this existed! I would also love to see them come out with some newtonians, but they seem really focused on cameras and refractors at the moment. I guess that is just what most of the astrophotography community wants right now. Speaking of, have you had a look at any of their ED doublets or their Maksutovs?

Amazon seems to have it for $300 right now.

Budget for who?

I have looked at this one. Can you tell me how to add a Barlow to the OTA to double the F/l?

Thanks for this review, it's amazing. I would like a review that compares a takahashi telescope (babyQ 85 or Fsq106ED) with some equivalent telescope and that way see if the extra money is really worth it or not. THANK YOU AGAIN..

Just finished a first light with an SV555 bought based on this video (used your coupon - Thanks). All good, as reviewed, very happy with my purchase. Camera used was a ZWO ASI1533 MCPRO.

does gemini EAF can be fit in this telescope?

Thank you, Cuiv, for a really useful review. Can this refractor be used with an OAG?

Can’t put an EAF on it….

It’s got to be better than MiniCat51 corners. Petzval yes! Though I see spacers in the setup.

I went to svbony website and saw you can buy this is multiple ways. just the refractor , cmos camera , and dlsr. what would I lose if I used my sony a1 $6500 body vs a cmos dedicated astro camera? I wouldn't be able to shoot in Fits but ny sony 50mp camera shoots in RAW. what else do I need to know. my sister says my camera will most likely have IR filter so that will be a limiting factor on what I can photograph.

Thanks for this excellent review Quiv! When you compared spot sizes, did you compensate for the fact that the scales are different for the Askar (200 micron) vs svbony (100 micron)?

Ordered one because of you. <grin> I liked the EAF setup better than the SQA55's, even though I'm predisposed to prefer Askar (I own a ZWO FF80/80PHQ). Much more compact with the EAF between the rail and scope rather than sticking out the side with a more complex pully system.

A couple questions, if you don't mind: Did you have to use a 54mm-to-48mm adapter to get the M54-16.5mm spacer to screw onto the lens? Does the EAF belt match the grooves on the focus ring? Thanks!

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I wonder if 1) you can put the EAF on that mount point to the side of the ring 2) the timing belt will still fit. If yes, you'd end up with a rig with a lower center of gravity (good for smaller, lower-capacity mounts). Use the handle for the miniPC/ASIAir, then position an OAG* so it's sticking out to the left (ie to serve as a counterbalance for the EAF), and you'd have a really compact setup

* yes overkill for this focal length but if you have multiple OTAs, OAG is the way. The camera, EFW, and OAG basically lives as a unit, and you just swap out the OTA depending on the target.

Ive pre ordered one. Waiting patiently for delivery.

Some on FB and Cloudy Nights reporting difficulties getting back focus correct - has anyone seen that? Mine is on its way...

Got first light on mine this evening. Glad to say focus achieved with no issues. Phew.

can you use it with a real camera or is it only for those astro webcams?