Vixen or not Vixen 60mm refractor?

[Jason Bowers]

I recently picked up a small 60mm refractor from an estate sale. I was
told it was a Vixen, but there are no markings on the scope to confirm.

It looks similar to the one seen here:


https://astromart.com/classifieds/astromart-classifieds/telescope-refractor/show/orionvixen-60mm-f116-guide-scope

However, there are no ID markings on the scope anywhere. Where it looks
like there may have been an ID plate on the bottom side of the focuser,
there is none. The lens cap has what looks like Chinese writing. When
removed, there is a small container for silica gel.

Is there any way I can confirm whether or not this is Vixen?

[Martin Brown]

Vixen is a Japanese company so if it is authentic it will be in
Japanese. It may say Bi-Ku-Se-N in Katakana (phonetic spelling) -
although their export models usually say "Vixen" in Romanji.

My recollection is that older Vixen stuff all says at least JAPAN on it
no matter how small the part - but things may have changed recently. I'm
pretty sure a lot of their stuff is now made in China.

If it is any other sort of dense looking Kanji then the scope is most
likely a Chinese copy. The eyepieces with it should be a very good clue.

From your description my money would be on a Chinese clone.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

[StarDust]

Ask Vixen!
Not sure if Vixen made anything in China?
Chines did copy many Vixen astro gears, including the mounts.

Of course all were inferior quality!

[RichA]

Post this on the "classic telescope" forum of Cloudynights.com. I've never seen that scope before.