RobertI

Can you post the image so we can guage how elongated and the type of elongation? Is it the same in all four corners? I seem to recall my ZS66+WO Flattener 6+Canon EOS1100D was producing slight flaring in the corners, but nothing major.

Stunning. Please keep us posted on your progress with the poster, I would pay good money to see an 8 metre version of this! In the meatime I shall have some fun tonight identifying the various DSOs on the image.

Ah i think i understand what you are trying to say, i think the confusion comes from when you say ".......when you look in the EP, that blue circle and everything in it, will only look the same size as red circle"; You are referring to apparent field of view but referencing a diagram which is showing actual field of view? Or am i missing something?

So just to be clear a 0.63 reducer will increase the actual field of view?

Rob

Hi Russell, this has confused me somewhat! I realise that using a 0.63 reducer will not change the apparent field of view, ie: 40 degrees will remain 40 degrees, but surely it will change the actual field of view, ie: lower magnification means wider actual field of view?

Rob

I reviewed mine here

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/227554-celestron-evolution-c925-first-look-half-light-report/

Since then have used it a few times and it has been very good and a pleasure to use. I haven't used the wi fi side of it as I wanted to try this out on my tablet which has only just received an update to the android software and now connects. My phone worked fine with it though.

Stability is not an issue, the 9 has a very solid tripod, and is very sturdy on the mount, certainly there is a very minor shake after focussing but no different to my small refractor on a push to or many other combos I have used.

The internal battery is excellent, this saves lugging a leisure battery to the dark site. GOTO works a breeze as long as you feed it the right info and choose a good selection of stars for alignment.

Not much to complain about really , lose the rdf for a raci finder and what's not to like ? I think the wi fi aspect is unfinished work but you do get a handset.

Nice report. It does look like a very carefully thought out package with some nice touches. Well built too from what you say.

The Celestron 0.63 Focal Reducer will increase the field of view significantly. A lot of SCT users have this for visual (I have one).

They can be had for only £99 from FLO.

I echo Ronin's concern about the ability of the single arm to solidly support the scope. They didn't offer a 9.25 on the old SE single arm, and even if it is beefed up on the Evo, the 9.25 is 9kg compared to 5.5kg for the C8; a LOT heavier. I'd research carefully before buying.

Rob

Welcome back to the 66 fold Chris! Congratulations on your purchase. My 66D still doing good service, in fact I have just bought a Horizon Tripod for some quick grab and go with either of the two WOs.

I have a superb pair of Bausch and Lomb Classic 10x50s. They have a pretty wide field of 7.5 degrees and an extremely bright image. The stars are not pin sharp to the edges but I have had some very impressive deep sky views and have not found another pair of 10x50s as good, although I have never had the opportunity to compare it to really top quality binocs.

You guys continue to impress! I can see this developing in to the 'one stop shop' for imaging and observing preparation.

I also got the WO Flattener 2

Actually it's the WO Flattener 6.......just in case anyone cares.......

Bit late on this one, just read your great review Stratis thanks for taking the time to post it. I was interested to hear you views as I also have the ZS66 SD - mine is the orange tube version (possibly even more blingy!) I 'lucked in' really as I bought it as a super finder for my C8, but soon got into astro photography and realised it made a perfect light weight imaging scope which would not tax my modest CG5 mount. I also got the WO Flattener 2 which works great and has the added advantage that the focusser is almost completely wound in when in focus, meaning no 'droop' occurs, which I have heard can be an issue, though not witnessed it myself. I agree with all your comments about build quality and optics, I love this scope. You mention stiff axial rotation - I assume you mean rotating the focusser tube? I too had this problem, but cured it by undoing the three grub screws holding the focuser, removing the focusser and lightly greasing the rotating joint. It now rotates very smoothly and easily. I also have the megrez 72, which has the advantage of taking 2" eyepieces and a wider focusser tube but is significantly heavier (at least a kilogram heavier). The ZS66 SD is an incredibly versatile scope which I will definitely be keeping.