William Optics 80 mm

[smeech]

Hi all

Just a quick question as I am looking at getting one of the above. Does anyone know the difference between the Zenithstar 80 mm fluorite and the zenithstar 80mm II ED APO.

Which one is better?

Thanks

[johninderby]

The Zenithstar 80 II uses FPL-51 glass and the other uses FPL-53 glass. Visually there's not much difference but imagers would notice the difference with the FPL-53.

John

[smeech]

FPL-53 being better?

[johninderby]

Yes the FPL-53 is the better choice.

While there have been plenty of debates about the relative merits of the various glass types and the ease of producing a good objective with either type, the FPL-53 is used in the better scopes from WO and others.

John

[smeech]

Thanks for the help. Does make you wonder why they release an fpl-53 a few years ago and are now doing the same scope as fpl-51 though!?

[johninderby]

WO seems to bring out a new version of their 80mm scope every few months.

I don't know how many variations that there have been, but it's hard to keep track of them all.

John