What improvements would you like to see on a Refractor

[SniffTheGlove]

Just reading the latest Sky at Night mag and I realised for imaging scopes certain improvements would be needed and wondered why no ED scope manufactures builds their addons directly into the scopes.

Example: How could Skywatcher improve the EvoStar 80ED?

For me I would like to see...

   1)    The inclusion of an inbuilt ASCOM USB motorised focuser.

   2)    2 mounting slots for a finderscope (1 each side). Why? you may have a preference to it's location  or you could have a finder scope one side and a QHY5 FinderGuider the other side.

How would you improve the 80ED?

[nightfisher]

I use a TAL 100rs, i dont see it needs improving   joking aside i did toy with the idea of making a sliding dewshield for it, but would have been rather pricey as a one of

[melsky]

All imaging scopes should have built in dew heaters.

Mel

[Alien 13]

I would buy the WO ZS71 oops i already did its got the dual position finder scope facility extendable dewshield and a nice focuser.

[Pig]

The ability to convert it to an SCT would be beneficial  

[cantab]

Keep it the same and make it cheaper. No, better, free HEQ5 when you buy the ED80  

[chiltonstar]

Yes, I'd go with a second mounting slot so you can use a RDF and RACI without fiddling around.....my focuser is good enough already though, so I wouldn't personally want any unnecessary extra weight hung aboard if I really didn't need it..!

A bit of extra aperture for the same price - now that would be an improvement (5" for the price of 3" for example!

Chris

[Pig]

ooops wrong thread

[Kropster]

If they used mirrors instead of lenses, we could have a larger aperture!

[chiltonstar]

If they used mirrors instead of lenses, we could have a larger aperture!

What a hideous heresy!!!

Chris

[carastro]

A 3rd screw to fasten the camera to the draw tube, to prevent shifting the camera slightly to one side and causing mishapen stars.  or alternatively and even better a centering adapter instead of the screws.

Carole 

[JamesF]

I'd settle for a tatty old Tasco if it came with a 100% functional cloud disperser.

James

[jonathan]

A frame work built around the OTA similar to 1950s dental aparatus (or a rocket launch tower) to make it look all spacey and technical, possibly made from Meccano.  Obviously this is so that you can attach a cup holder for those long nights sat outside waiting for your polaroids to develop because it's so cold.

[JamesF]

Obviously this is so that you can attach a cup holder for those long nights sat outside waiting for your polaroids to develop because it's so cold.

You mean that hole in the lens cap isn't a cup-holder?

James

[SniffTheGlove]

Thanks for the replies, it would be good is some boff in SkyWatcher could think along the same line as us and add these simple enhancements.

[Monty]

Reduced weight, some refractors need Arnie to lift them.

[laser_jock99]

How would you improve the 80ED?

Make them F4 instead of the mind numbingly slow F7.5.........

.....of course F2.8 would be even better!

[SniffTheGlove]

I would buy the WO ZS71 oops i already did its got the dual position finder scope facility extendable dewshield and a nice focuser.

Where about is the dual position finder scope mounting points.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-zenithstar-zs71-ed-2013.html