SVBONY · Apochromat Refractor
SVBONY SV503 80mm ED Refractor
Sharp, colour-true views at f/7 make the SVBONY SV503 80ED a capable first step into serious amateur astronomy.
Performance Scores
Overview
The SVBONY SV503 is an 80mm apochromatic refractor with a 560mm focal length running at f/7, built around extra-low dispersion glass to control chromatic aberration, the colour fringing that plagues cheaper refractors. In practical terms, you get noticeably crisper, truer colours when looking at the moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects like star clusters and nebulae. At f/7, it sits in a useful middle ground: wide enough for pleasing deep-sky views, yet long enough to deliver decent planetary detail.
The dual-speed rack and pinion focuser with a 1:10 fine adjustment ratio is a genuine asset here, letting you dial in focus with precision rather than hunting back and forth. This matters especially for astrophotography, where even slight focus errors show up in your images. At 3.69kg, the optical tube is manageable on a modest mount, though you will want something stable, as refractors at this focal length amplify vibration.
Priced at $399.99, the SV503 competes well against comparable ED refractors, and its compatibility with SVBONY's own camera, reducer, and filter accessories makes it a reasonable foundation for a growing setup.
At a Glance
80mm
Aperture
f/7
Focal Ratio
3.69kg
Weight
560mm
Focal Length
Specifications
Key Features
- 80mm ED glass objective reduces chromatic aberration significantly compared to achromatic refractors at this price point
- f/7 focal ratio suits both visual observation and entry-level astrophotography without requiring aggressive field flattening
- Dual-speed 2-inch focuser with 1:10 gear ratio allows precise, repeatable focus adjustments
- Fully multi-coated optics across all surfaces improve light transmission and contrast in low-light conditions
- At 3.69kg, the tube is portable enough for travel but requires a stable, well-balanced mount to perform well
- Compatible with SVBONY's range of cameras, reducers, and filters, making future upgrades straightforward
- Includes a dovetail bar and 2-inch to 1.25-inch adapter, so it works with most standard mounts and eyepiece collections out of the box
Customer Reviews
335 reviews
I purchased the SVBONY SV503 70ED refractor telescope last summer, but due to weather (two hurricanes!) I was unable to try it out until late November. It performed beautifully! The first few targets were the Pleiades, Andromeda, and the North American Nebula. All came out fantastic. The FPL51 glass...
This is a very nice scope, especially for its price point. I've taken some lovely images using this scope. From the start, I've used the focal reducer and found I could never get round stars to the corners; it doesn't give a very flat image. This scope is undoubtedly a good buy and perfect for getti...
Purchased this scope because I figured with the Ohara FPL51 ED optics it should be half way decent but was really surprised with it performance vs price ratio. I owned way too many scopes in the past 30 years but wanted a decent ED refractor with a good built quality and a focuser that would not sli...