Neil27

Thanks everyone for the contributions, appreciated.

I’m closely looking at the WO GT 81, triplet 53 glass.

The other option is the esprit 80, triplet and slightly faster at F5 but a well liked and great performing scope.

Both are also checked and tuned for peace of mind.

Enjoy Lee, I missed the sale of the scope by about 45 minutes, so glad to hear it went to a good home.

As the title states, looking for recommendations for a suitable 70 to 80mm triplet around the 400 to 500mm focal length.

Uses will be as a guide scope and then also a grab and go travel scope, and third wide field imaging.

Budget is up to £1000, but could squeeze a few more pennies if necessary.

Not brand loyal, whatever fits the bill. Any real world advice from current users and images are most welcome.

Many thanks,

Gorgeous scope, never sell it is my advice. I regret selling mine around 9 years ago.

They are without doubt one of the best 5 inch refractors ever made.

Clear skies my friend 👍

27 minutes ago, Northernlight said:

Hi Neil,  I've lost count how many times JTW claimed to have been shipping these mounts, so i would take anything they post with a truck load of salt, not just a pinch. This is why i'm asking if there is anyone on the  forum who actually has one in their possession, as not seen anyone posting about the mount praising it or otherwise.  If it has genuinely started shipping i would have expected people to be posting review of the mount and it performance. 

I think it is shipping, but alas too late for me as I went the Mesu route. I really hope it is a success and wished Mark all the best after a lengthy correspondence. Only time will tell regarding its performance.

6 hours ago, Robindonne said:

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3668385146550363&id=174295462626033&set=pcb.3668407113214833&source=49
 

in the category of always overmount, this mount showed up as a good alternative for the premium-becoming eastern mounts.

100kg payload for under €3000,-

is anyone using one of their products?  

You may want to view this thread - 

it’s an interesting design, just too similar to the Mesu, which is a known quantity. Also the pre production models had a fair delay, and didn’t get released until JTW were happy with the results. Part of the reason I decided to go with the Mesu.

4 minutes ago, old_eyes said:

The Mesu group is not very busy, but there are knowledgeable people there.

You will also need the Sitech group https://groups.io/g/Sitechservo.

This is livelier and covers all uses of the Sitech controller system, so you need to dig for Mesu info, but it is full of people who really understand the Sitech in detail. The company use the forum so you can ask anything and get an authoritative answer pretty quickly.

Thanks and now saved in bookmarks 👍😊

Thanks @old_eyes that will be useful when I receive my Mesu mount.

Shipping it seems, 

On 06/03/2021 at 12:07, steppenwolf said:

I was in this fortunate position three years ago and my forever telescope was also for imaging. My budget may have been less than yours if you are now thinking ‘Tak’ but don’t just be swayed by the brand and do your research carefully but for what it’s worth, my forever telescope turned out to be an Esprit 150 and it was a really good decision. I also considered the Esprit 120 as it too is an excellent imaging ‘scope but in the end, as this was ‘forever’, the 150 won through!

I have had a Tak (actually two) and I don’t get what all the fuss is about!!

Good luck with your research!

Just like to add and similar to Steve, my life long scope turned out to be an Esprit 150. And I want to add it certainly doesn’t feel second best to the green brigade (Taks) or the oily lense brigade (TEC) 😉😊👍

1 hour ago, tooth_dr said:

I hadn’t considered a WO to be honest. I must look into them though, just been put off with reading about issues from other in the past. This example seems a bit expensive - a new FLT98 is £1899, and now comes with a decent 3.5” focuser.

I think it comes with a hefty quantity of extras, feather touch focused, flattener and reducer/flattener and a few other extras, hence the price. Like all things though I’m sure it’s up for negotiation 😊

Is it this one > https://www.365astronomy.com/APM-Telescopes-Super-ED-APO-Astrograph-107-700-Apochromatic-Refractor-Telescope-with-3-APM-Focuser.html

With the reducer fitted it will get you to just over 500mm, and you also have the flexibility of a longer focal length as well. 
This would / will be one of my choices when the time comes.

Have you considered something like this, it’s a triplet but with the reducer / flattener will get you to the 500mm FL?

https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=170298

Nothing really to add Adam, but following the post as I would like to hear the recommendations as well. Just acquired an esprit 150 so I am looking for a suitable ‘wide field’ scope in the focal length range you mention.

I have a suspicion it’s going to get expensive!

Great shot of Orion 👍, really impressed with the level of detail this chip is able to pull out.

Looking forward to getting mine soon.

I always thought the esprit range (in particular the 120) was extremely good value anyway, so although I’ll be paying around 10% more than a few weeks ago it won’t stop me from ordering one when funds are available late March. I guess it’s just a sign of the times at the moment - over ..... 😊

I have coveted an Esprit 120 for a few years now, and now the reducer is available even more so. My pension pot becomes available at the end of March so I will will be paying the increased prices unfortunately. Even with the 10% price increase they still represent (to me anyway) a good deal. I would rather pay the old price but I think those price points are long gone now.

What I do find strange is the requirement to pay for the goods in full with no option to place a deposit for something that is likely not to turn up for many months? After speaking to David at FLO this was confirmed via email. I’ll just have to wait until March when I have the full amount and then wait for 6 months for the scope to arrive 🤔

39 minutes ago, david_taurus83 said:

Thankfully I have all the astro equipment I should ever need with no intention of spending another penny! Yep, that's me sorted!! 🤣🤣🤣

I love your optimism David 😆🔭🔭🔭🔭

Again @Jonk great advice.

Just to be clear I don’t have my mount yet so this is in the virtual world for me at the moment, it is fun though doing a Goto and seeing the mount ‘virtually’ move to its target. Must say these Mesu mounts are very quiet 😊😉

Duly noted regarding the software update, I did wonder when it said it was a 2017 version on the main website. And will check the GEM option as it will be mounted on a standard pier.

Also another query guys,

The PointXP software that I guess is similar to what Tpoint does in the sky10 software, how do you add points to it? I open the PointXP application but there doesn't seem a way to add calibration points, I'm using CdC by the way. Do I have to use Skyview for PointXP to work?

Cheers,

Hi @Jonk

So managed to download the Sitech software and been playing with the current version of it, think it is 94nWin. It then opens up skyview and after doing want you suggested, a simple offset init it seems to just track. Moved the mount to other parts of the sky without any issue. Explored the 'change config' and scope info and set location, seems fairly basic.

One question though, what do I set the Mount Parms to, is it an EQ or GEM mount, as when selecting the EQ mount the GEM functions grey out and can't be selected?  

I didn’t know you can use the Sitech software beforehand in ‘simulation’ mode. That is a very good idea for Mesu virgins like myself.

Also good idea for starting this thread 👍 

Update, deposit now paid 😊

Thanks to @Skipper Billy , @tooth_dr, @Jonk and lastly special thanks to @Xsubmariner for all the advice and bouncing ideas off you all regarding my set up.

More questions will follow no doubt.

17 minutes ago, FLO said:

Sky-Watcher's price increases are largely (but not entirely) a result of increased shipping costs so we expect they will remain until shipping costs return to normal. Not sure when that will be, perhaps 6-12x months. 

HTH, 

Steve 

 

Thanks Steve for the update.

18 hours ago, FLO said:

Back in January we mentioned Sky-Watcher's importer/distributor would increase prices in response to higher factory and shipping costs. 

Today we have received the new prices and applied them at our website. 

Nobody likes price increases so we want to stress the following 😇

• On 28th Jan we were advised we could no longer source Sky-Watcher products at pre-increase prices, but details of the increased prices were not available until today. 
• Though we were sailing in the dark (without price information) we continued to accept customer orders. 
• All our existing customer backorders are unaffected. We will fulfil them at pre-increase prices. 
• Some competitors take longer to update their websites so we are monitoring prices and will reduce ours where necessary to ensure we remain competitive.
• We expect prices will settle after a week or two. If you place an order at FLO then, when stock arrives, our price has reduced we will refund the difference in FLO Gift vouchers. 

Thank-you for your patience and understanding during these extraordinary times. 

Steve & the FLO team ☕ 

Ouch, well we were forewarned and a 10% increase on a 120 esprit is better than a 20% increase that was mooted. Just glad I managed to snag the last pre Brexit Mesu from Bernard 😊

Quick question are these higher prices likely to be in place for several weeks, months?