LDW1

Are you not splitting hairs when you start talking about 0.5kg +/- weight wise vs losing important, maximum performance b y downsizing the scope ? Every time you look through the smaller scope the ? will always be there, the ? ‘ should I have bought the larger ... ‘ all for a kg. Its your choice but get something that will last a life time !

Why would you question the ability / quality of any of these scopes to perform ? As well, with all things being equal, why would you not go with either of the 80mm scopes as normally larger diameter usually wins out ? I own an Equinox and it has everything the others have, this is a solid, well built scope that is at least as comparable to the one you are leaning towards incl. weight with more diameter. You can’t get any better than the Schott / fpl53 glass and you are talking scope weights on average of 2.5kg, no big deal unless some one has a disability. My advise is get the Equinox, it doesn’t matter whether I own one, its a great scope.

Has anyone owned / played around with a Celestron CO-62, f4.8 refractor from the mid 80’s ? They were built by Vixen about the time of Halley’s Comet appearance.

If you don’t already know or just haven’t done it, the next time you go to an optometrist or ophthalmologist have them measure your pupil diameter, they will gladly do it at least where I live. Then you will know, have a base to determine on and have both eyes checked, there are so many floaters in my right eye that I trained myself to view / use my left that has literally no floaters, works well.

For the most part I don’t get too exited about exit pupil, I just point the scope and view, lol ! As I mentioned it is a good guide, a starting point if you will, a quick check when buying a scope or an eyepiece to give you an idea as to what kind of performance you are going to get as a start. Its a good reference.

Google / download the NAA Telescope Calculator, this will give you the best case parameters for any scope based on scope specs and the observers age etc., its a fill in the blanks thing and it calculates the theoreticals but it doesn’t mean a particular situation can’t go above the numbers, if you are lucky I guess ! Thats where the numbers I gave you came from so check it out, I use it all the time to check a scopes characteristics when looking at buying a particular scope to give me an idea as to whether I want it or not or might already have one that is quite similar.

The math says that with that scope, to maximize its performance, you are restricted to eps between 18mm - 36mm so with the 6mm ep the brightness factor should / will be practically at zero, you may just make out a bright DSO, a planet or the moon? You figure it out, is that what you want to spend quite a bit of money on when you already have it in a pretty fair set of eps already ? Clear Skies to you !

They sure are unless you are a perfectionist that just likes to spend money in the pursuit of prestige !

I have a 2” WO 40mm, 70° ep that I use for low power, wide field views in all my refractors from f6 to f11.4. It puts up some great views when skies are at their best ! I also have 2”, 30, 50, & 65 mm eps as well ! How can you tell I like low power wide views, lol !

If you can move up to a couple of 2” low power, wide field eps in the range of $80 - $120 US ! They are a great compliment to the smaller 1.25” eps ! You sure don’t have to spend too much but they should be a level or two above the ones that come with most scopes !

The problem is for most, are we collecting boxes or viewing the night sky on those great seeing nites, if its the boxes its the wrong hobby, lol ! If its the nite sky its out of this world, lol !

Many observers keep their eps in either a case or separate bolt cases all the box does is collect dust, lots of it, on a shelf somewhere else never to be used again !

It sure is a keeper, have it mounted on my Twilight I and its pretty stable !

I just got the scope, it was superbly wrapped and is in perfect condition ! I may post a pic when I mount it later today ! Thanx every one for looking / commenting !

I agree ! Its the first refractor that I have owned with a weight of around 15lb ! It will be interesting to see how my AZ4’s / Twilight I perform ! I know one thing, I will never own another EQ mount, one was enough ! I will figure this out as I go !

Someone mentioned on CN, that Antares scopes weren’t stopped down contrary to some peoples beliefs / statements !

It should be in Mississauga now via Canada Post, 200mi south of me, from Montreal I would hopefully expect to get it tomorrow or Tues. at the latest !

Some of the Antares scopes also reference ‘ Vixen Grade ‘ lens, designed to the specs of the older Japanese Vixen scopes so there appears to be something in their wording / meaning ! My understanding and I read it somewhere, but where, was that they were quite selective in obtaining their lens glass and that they were supplied with ED glass which they used in that line that I reference !

I have learned a bit over the years, my only question was where does the word ‘semi’ come in and what does it all mean incl other observers interpretations ! Are you actually getting a little more again for your $ ?

I have an Antares 102mm, f6.2 refrac. and had an 80mm, f6 as well ! Both put up great views on those great nights but they weren’t professed to be semi anything just excellent quality achros and they were ! This 127mm if you read the old literature from back in 2005-2007, from the Canadian Company that built / put together these scopes they reference semi ed or apo or both for the 2 127mm and 1 154mm models ! As well the chinese company that you reference built scopes for various scope companies is probably correct but my understanding is, like a lot of others do, is that they are built to specs, requirements, wants of the individual scope companies which means the quality / functional ability of each brand of scope could be more or less than another and my understanding of the Antares scopes is that they are closer to the top end of the scale due to stricter controls / requirements of the company ! I have heard / read that a few times through the years from various sources and witnessed it personally with my two vs the half dozen other brands and sizes that I have owned and operated ! So semi or not I am very sure I will get a good scope for what I paid ie approx $300 C !

Nothing to do with ES, Antares is a Canadian company ( BC ) who manufacture the tubes etc.here in Canada, select the glass from other sources to higher specs and assemble everything here in Canada ! Testing is extensive, thats well known ! Its doubtful with ES !

Its the 127mm Antares that I mentioned this week in another post ! No one on here seems to recognize this Canadian scope !

What is the understanding over here as to the meaning of semi ED / APO that you still see reference to regarding older, used refractors ! I am interested in interpretations as I have one coming this week, circa 2005-2007 !

I have a chance to buy a 2” / 1.25”, 13mm, 70° Olivon ep for $75 Canadian in like new condition ! Does / has anyone owned one of these and if so what was their experience / opinion of it ? The price sure seems right !

I just bought a 127mm Antares f6.4 refractor for $350 C. incl. ship ! These scopes are assembled in Canada using Canadian and foreign parts and are highly rated in quality / functionality ! Has anyone owned / had experience with one of these scopes ? I should get it in 1-2 weeks !