6 inch Refractor- recommendation/suggestions

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Hi all,  I am on the waiting list for an Altair Starwave 152 v2 Frac. If I get very impatient is there a quality alternative scope of the same speck from a different maker. For example Bresser, Skywatcher, or is it better to wait for the Starwave. 

[Starpaw]

This is what I could find.  Different focal ratio scopes ranging from F/5 to F/8.  Naturally, the F/8 models will be harder to mount but should control CA better.  I am guessing the Explore Scientific AR152mm will be of a similar level of quality, but don't quote me on that.

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/celestron-advanced-6-refractor-f1200-optical-tube-assembly-only.html

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-evostar-150-optical-tube-assembly.html

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/explore-scientific-ar152-152mm-f65-air-spaced-doublet-refractor-ota.html

https://www.telescopehouse.com/bresser-messier-ar-152s-760-hex-focus-optical-tube-assembly.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwz9HHBRDbopLGh-afzB4SJABY52oFNxvpuucaorc2lcd68pEPmHTeN-hHpRkJvL9perubeBoC_tHw_wcB

http://www.tringastro.co.uk/sky-watcher-startravel-150-ota-3890-p.asp?gclid=CjwKEAjwz9HHBRDbopLGh-afzB4SJABY52oF4dj-w4H1KynJKNoZQzZ22d7GJzMKOiBmBiG121_99RoCOIfw_wcB

[Knighty2112]

I have the Starwave 102 f11 'frac, and very happy with it. Have they given you an idea of how long the wait might be for? If it's not too long I would wait for it. 

[Chris]

Don't TS do a 152 that's the same if not very similar?

Here you go, this is one I was thinking of:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p2229_TS-Optics-6--f-5-9-Refractor---2-5--R-P-Focuser---Ohara--Japan--Objective.html

[Stu]

3 minutes ago, Chris Lock said:

Don't TS do a 152 that's the same if not very similar?

Here you go, this is one I was thinking of:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p2229_TS-Optics-6--f-5-9-Refractor---2-5--R-P-Focuser---Ohara--Japan--Objective.html

Yep, that's the same scope. Davey-T has one I think?

[Chris]

Just now, Stu said:

Yep, that's the same scope. Davey-T has one I think?

 

17 minutes ago, Sirius Starwatcher said:

Hi all,  I am on the waiting list for an Altair Starwave 152 v2 Frac. If I get very impatient is there a quality alternative scope of the same speck from a different maker. For example Bresser, Skywatcher, or is it better to wait for the Starwave. 

And the site suggests it's in stock 

[Sirius Starwatcher]

1 hour ago, Starpaw said:

This is what I could find.  Different focal ratio scopes ranging from F/5 to F/8.  Naturally, the F/8 models will be harder to mount but should control CA better.  I am guessing the Explore Scientific AR152mm will be of a similar level of quality, but don't quote me on that.

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/celestron-advanced-6-refractor-f1200-optical-tube-assembly-only.html

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-evostar-150-optical-tube-assembly.html

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/explore-scientific-ar152-152mm-f65-air-spaced-doublet-refractor-ota.html

https://www.telescopehouse.com/bresser-messier-ar-152s-760-hex-focus-optical-tube-assembly.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwz9HHBRDbopLGh-afzB4SJABY52oFNxvpuucaorc2lcd68pEPmHTeN-hHpRkJvL9perubeBoC_tHw_wcB

http://www.tringastro.co.uk/sky-watcher-startravel-150-ota-3890-p.asp?gclid=CjwKEAjwz9HHBRDbopLGh-afzB4SJABY52oF4dj-w4H1KynJKNoZQzZ22d7GJzMKOiBmBiG121_99RoCOIfw_wcB

Thanks for the info I was aware of these alternatives and was trying to find out if any of them were of a similar quality to the AA version.

[John]

I think the Telescopes Services (TS) one is pretty much the same thing as the Altair Astro one. In the USA there are more brandings of the same scope but here I think Altair and TS are the only ones on this side of the pond now that Lyra Optics has stopped trading (they were the 1st to import this model as far as I'm aware).

The CA control of this scope is reputed to be in the same league as the chinese 150mm F/8's which is quite an acheivement for an F/5.9. Worth holding on for one of these I'd have thought.

 

[Putaendo Patrick]

I think the new Altair has a 3" focuser versus Telescope House's 2.5 inch, but otherwise they are pretty similar. so much so that I'm tempted to think the TS version is a rebrand and the optics may in fact be the same.

[Sirius Starwatcher]

  

[moriniboy]

They look the same, apart from the focuser and colour.

I would wait.

[Stu]

4 minutes ago, moriniboy said:

They look the same, apart from the focuser and colour.

I would wait.

I do like the red, I'll admit! Not sure of the requirement for a 3" focuser?

[DRT]

24 minutes ago, Stu said:

I do like the red, I'll admit! Not sure of the requirement for a 3" focuser?

It's for the 3" Ethos eyepieces that are coming at Christmas, Stu

 

I have the Altair version, albeit in boring white, and it is utterly brilliant. Be patient, Garry, you will not regret the wait when it comes  

[Stu]

3 minutes ago, DRT said:

It's for the 3" Ethos eyepieces that are coming at Christmas, Stu

 

I have the Altair version, albeit in boring white, and it is utterly brilliant. Be patient, Garry, you will not regret the wait when it comes  

Are the optics likely to be any better in the Altair Derek? There is sort of an implication that they are specially picked, or 'hand made'?

[DRT]

Just now, Stu said:

Are the optics likely to be any better in the Altair Derek? There is sort of an implication that they are specially picked, or 'hand made'?

I don't know, Stu. I think every manufacturer would claim to have picked the best but what I do know is that the one I have from Altair is excellent.

In hindsight we should have mounted mine and @Davey-T's side by side at the star party a couple of weeks ago

 

[Davey-T]

23 hours ago, John said:

I think the Telescopes Services (TS) one is pretty much the same thing as the Altair Astro one. In the USA there are more brandings of the same scope but here I think Altair and TS are the only ones on this side of the pond now that Lyra Optics has stopped trading (they were the 1st to import this model as far as I'm aware).

The CA control of this scope is reputed to be in the same league as the chinese 150mm F/8's which is quite an acheivement for an F/5.9. Worth holding on for one of these I'd have thought.

 

Mines Tecnosky so that makes 3 available but all manufactured in the same factory, I did have a link to it that said if you ordered 200 you could have your own logo on them, didn't mention anything about quality selecting them, can't find the link now.

Regards the CA, mine gives excellent Lunar views with hardly and CA around the edge.

Dave

[Sirius Starwatcher]

E mailed AA to see if they have a time scale for availability. Heard nothing yet so I will start the wait...................................

[Davey-T]

16 minutes ago, Sirius Starwatcher said:

E mailed AA to see if they have a time scale for availability. Heard nothing yet so I will start the wait...................................

I've emailed AA a couple of times in the past, still waiting for a reply 

Dave

[John]

20 minutes ago, Stu said:

Are the optics likely to be any better in the Altair Derek? There is sort of an implication that they are specially picked, or 'hand made'?

The Lyra Optics ones were claimed to be hand finished I seem to recall.

Mind you, the original stuff for the Skywatcher ED scopes said something similar.

 

[DRT]

A tip: I had a similar problem last year and it was solved by contacting Lee at Green Witch (from whom I had bought the equipment) and he obtained a very fast response from Altair

 

[Sirius Starwatcher]

On 18 April 2017 at 21:13, Davey-T said:

I've emailed AA a couple of times in the past, still waiting for a reply 

Dave

Ended up ringing AA Delivery expected in 3 to 4 weeks. Approx 19 May 

[Stub Mandrel]

On 18/04/2017 at 20:55, Sirius Starwatcher said:

E mailed AA to see if they have a time scale for availability. Heard nothing yet so I will start the wait...................................

Looks like it may be when they have 100 orders...