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ST80 Refractor Replacement/Upgrade


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Hi, 

I’m looking to benefit from SGLs excellent advice again. I’m considering an upgraded replacement to my ST80 refractor. Its part of my lightweight grab and go kit (visual), so the replacement needs to be small and compact, suitable for 2” accessories, and ideally under £500. At the moment I’m considering the following…..

 

William Optics Zenithstar ZS71 ED 2013

 

Explore Scientific ED APO 80mm f/6 Essential

 

Skywatcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro OTA

 

…but would welcome your opinions and suggestions.

 

Many thanks

Rob

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William Optics Zenithstar ZS71 ED 2013: I like the WO's but I have the impression that his would show a bit of CA, maybe's more then a bit. It is one of the reasons I have held off buying one. Wish they had produced it like the Megrez series with FPL-53 and a bit slower.


 


Explore Scientific ED APO 80mm f/6 Essential: Apparently pretty good but if I recall it is set up for imaging and you would need an extension tube for visual, will be heavier as it is a triplet if I recall correctly.


 


Skywatcher Evostar 80ED DS-Pro OTA: Many people have this, gets good reports, does show some CA, not sure if the CA is apparent for visual usage.


 


Myself I would probably go for the ES.


 


The text as I type keeps going very very "dim", so not sure if anything readable will actually post. :eek: :eek: :eek:


Seems that "automatic" is not white text, at least on mine, but a grey.


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I have an ED80 and use it purely for AP (as lots of people do). CA for me has never been an issue with this scope.

I love it, but can not compare to others as never owned them.

Never spend 'so little money' for something that got/gets so much use...

Kind regards, Graem

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Thanks for your insight guys.

My head says I should go with the 80ED; its cheaper, the rings and dovetail give more flexibility in getting it balanced, it's tried and tested and I already have a spare finder incase my Rigel doesn't quite do the job.

However, my heart says I should go with the ES; its such as sweet looking scope. Thanks Ronin for the heads up about the extension, apparently it should come with two. It's quite light at around 3.5kg, but I wonder if the inbuilt L shaped bracket will make it it tricky to balance on my Porta II. 

Thanks again!

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