Zenithstar 80

[eddy]

Ok, so ive brought myself a scope, a little hastily but its the best i could get for the money i have.

Its a Zenithstar 80 (i dont think its the FD/ED model) it doesnt say its FD/ED either on the scope but has the newer version of the dual speed focuser, so im a little confused as to what it is....maybe someone can help me out?

This is the scope in question : eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

Also, it comes with a QD Mount, now i personally have no idea what this is, and dont know if its any use, maybe someone could shed some light on this for me?

Many thanks!

Eddy

[PeterW]

It has a 1/4-20 threaded hole in the foot, which fits onto camera tripods and other mounts. The one in the image looks like it would fit the 8115 Horizon tripod, but you dont need to be limited by that.

Dual speed focusser allows you to make tiny focussing adjustments, useful for imaging and when observing at high power. It is the f6 version, I have the f6.9 version. Should do quite a good job, not a full apo, but otherwise should give some good views.

PEterW

[eddy]

so is it a semi-apo as such?

With regard the foot, can this be removed and have cnc tube rings instead?

Thanks for the reply!

Also, would you recomend a focal reducer for use with this?

[Nadeem Shah]

You might get some revelation or WO Tube Rings for it depending on the diameter of the ota tube...

Nadeem.

[FLO]

Semi Apo is a marketing term that went out of favour a few years ago but I guess you could call it that. It is an f6.8 doublet with an FPL-51 ED element. Optically and mechanically it is good, robust and dependable. It will out-perform most of the similarly spec'd Chinese-made doublets sold under a number of brands. It is a good telescope, you will have fun

HTH,

Steve

[eddy]

Super thanks Steve!

[E621Keith]

You should be careful. This may be the WO Zenithstar Achromat, not an APO. If he described an achromat as an APO, then that's false advertising.

http://www.williamoptics.com/support/reviews/AU_S&T_WilliamOpticsZenithStar80.pdf

http://www.williamoptics.com/support/reviews/TomTrusockZenithstar80Review.pdf

£250 for an achromat is over priced in these day, especially you can get a new Starwave 80ED for £50 more and price of a used ED80 is around £250 or less.

[eddy]

looking at the achros you sent, they all have single speed focusers.......the one i have is dual speed, would this be the same model? did they do a dual speed achro?

[E621Keith]

I am not that concern about the focuser, it can be easily upgraded. I'm more worried about the writings on the objective lens. The writing on the objective of the ebay scope appears to match those on the achromats in the reviews.

[FLO]

Yes, it wasn't a bargain at £250 but it is a good telescope. I used to own the same model with FPL-51 glass, the one you are calling an achromat. It has the usual doublet blue bloat around bright starts but I liked it. Sometimes you have to look beyond the specification list to find a telescope's true worth

Come to think of it, I don't know why we don't offer the updated model

[eddy]

So Steve, would this be ok to get me going in the world of AP?

[E621Keith]

FYI, the objective on the ZS80II APO and the ZS80 FD APO anniversary model looks like this

ZS80II

http://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/ProductPhotos/zs80ed-21.jpg

ZS80 FD

http://www.gsrhodes.com/WO_ZS80FD_10thAnn_Lens_Shot_small.jpg

[eddy]

Yeah i used to have the ZS II and pretty much miss it like crazy!

But, since this is on the way and its a good scope for what it is i think ill keep it

[eddy]

So the model that i have just brought, does that have FPL glass in it?

[FLO]

So Steve, would this be ok to get me going in the world of AP?

Yes, definitely

[eddy]

What are Atik 2-HS cameras like? Worth £165?

[Nadeem Shah]

Does it not say if it has FPL glass on the front trim overlapping the telescope objective ?

Nadeem.

[eddy]

Nadeem > No it doesnt say anything about FPL Glass on the there

[FLO]

So the model that i have just brought, does that have FPL glass in it?

We are going back a few years (pre-FLO) but I think all Zenithstar-80s had FPL-51 other than a 'posh' version which I think had FPL-53. And there was also an apo-upgrade kit which was essentially the FPL-53 optic (you removed the original optic and fitted the posh one).

If I am wrong someone will soon correct me

Steve

[Nadeem Shah]

Maybe you need to have a dig around on the WO site.

But I would not really worry about it, you can get really hung over sometimes debating if a scope has FPL51, 53 or Hoya Glass inside it, Just enjoy the scope...

Nadeem.

Edited February 17, 2012 by Nadeem Shah

[andrew63]

I have seen similar problems like this on trying to clarify on the type of william optics they are. I am pretty sure, unless it says ED around the lens or on focuser this is the earlier non ED version ie achro. Sold under many brands including revelation, antares etc.

Antares Antares Sentinel 80mm f6 semi-APO refractor - main tube only

The zenithstar 11, it's replacment was an ED and said so on the lens element.

Hope that helps but william optics change their models on almost a seasonal basis!

andrew

[eddy]

LOL yeah im starting to learn that, the only thing i can do is

a) wait for it to get here and read the manual that it came with, im sure in the spec it will give this information

im happy with it, the fact its a nice scope, well looked after and has a case is a good selling point for me and it comes with a few accessories

It would just be nice to clarify it, and wish he would have listed it as an achro Ahh well

Thanks for all the replies guys Really appreciated

[MjrTom]

There is a big difference between the Achro and APO to the tune of double the price.

[eddy]

lol well aware of that!

[John]

..... and wish he would have listed it as an achro Ahh well.....

That is a valid point. All the reading that I have done point to it being a very nice achromat. I also wonder if the focuser has been replaced at some point - the original had a single speed crayford with gold anodised focus wheels wheras the scope you have bought seems to have a dual speed focuser with silver wheels.

With the interchangeability of William Optics objective lenses (ie: the upgrade that Steve mentioned) and focusers it's quite possible to have a hybrid scope I guess

None of this makes it anything other than a nice scope though - I'm looking forward to your reports on how it performs when you have had a chance to use it