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Swap 12" LX200GPS for APO Refractor?


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Hi all

A while ago I pulled my LX200GPS from sale because I was basically getting no sensible offers. The reason for my wanting to sell it was because my back is not functioning any more.

If I were to sell/trade it on a William Optics FLT 132 Triplet APO would I be visually satisfied? After purchasing the little WO 66mm the other day (semi APO) I'm sure that a 132mm version would be stunning. The mechanical quality is superb and I've heard the optics are extremely good as well. I'd like a Tak but don't think my budget would stretch that far. It's a lot less weighty so I'd use it far more than a 12" SCT. Should be very good for photography if mounted on an EQ6 or some other meaty mount (G11??? )

Any advice from anyone?

Cheers

Chris

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I'm the first to admit that APO's are great 'scopes. I've owned cheap APO's and looked through expensive ones. However at the end of the day aperture is aperture and there is a HUGE difference from a 12" 'scope to a 5" 'scope. You simply cannot expect to see the same things. However that said it's purely personal preference if a 5" 'scope will show you the targets that you enjoy seeing. If you are a planetary observer then I would say you would be more than happy, but if you enjoy finding those faint fuzzies then you may be disapointed. One thing to consider is an obs as you could then mount the 12" permantly and there is no back problem then. A simple roll off doesn't have to cost much. Just a thought

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I agree with Gordon. I owned a WO Megrez 90 for a while and, while it was very nicely made and performed very well, at the end of the day it was "only" a 90mm scope. When I sold it I was able to buy an 8 inch SCT and an ED80 for more or less what the Megrez was worth. The views through the 8 inch SCT, when it's in good collimation, are simply miles better than the Megrez 90.

I wonder if a smaller SCT might be the answer for you ? - an 8 inch shows a lot and is a lot more portable than even a 10 inch SCT.

John

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Probabaly no help me saying this, but I have just seen an Apo for sale on Astro Buysell UK. It's a 175mm triplet, and the guy selling it actually lives in my own County Cumbria. He said Saturn through this scope is a life changing experience. But, so is the price. A cool £7,500 will net you this baby.

Good luck with your scope swap.

Ron. :D

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Thanks fellas for your input. I'm pretty-well convinced that a 132mm APO is the way to go for planetary and photography. I'll be using a dual 12" f/5 binocular scope for deep sky visuals anyway, so the Meade can go I think.

Cheers - and thanks for your help :D

Chris

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