Own Ranger or Pronto?

[25585]

Are the optics of TV Ranger & Pronto scopes the same? 

How do they compare with the TV76 & other achro refractor scopes of that size for both stargazing and nature?

Is there a prism or mirror diagonal for each of the above that would be a good match or even help with CA?

Maximum magnification would not exceed 100x. Any owner-user opinions gratefully accepted. 

Choosing the TVs for ruggedness over weight. Best mount would be a TV Panoramic I guess. 

 

[Stu]

35 minutes ago, 25585 said:

How do they compare with the TV76 & other achro refractor scopes of that size for both stargazing and nature?

The TV76 is an apo not an achro so is quite a different (and better) proposition  vs the Ranger or Pronto. I've had both the 76 and the 85, really very nice scopes, but I'm sure I would enjoy a Pronto. Smaller than the 76 and with a well figured objective it will still give very nice images even if they have a little CA.

Useful reviews here

http://scopeviews.co.uk/TV Pronto.htm

http://scopeviews.co.uk/TV76.htm

[John]

I have a Ranger but I guess you know that. Same optics as the Pronto I believe. I've never used other TV refractors so can't compare but the reports say well figured lenses but the CA control is not up to the standards of the 76, 85 etc. A semi-apo really.

That said, I've been impressed by what mine can do and it handles up to 150x quite happily. Some CA around the lunar limb, brightest stars etc but probably around F/10 achromat levels so not intrusive. If the CA is bothersome I guess a semi-apo filter would reduce it some more ?

I got the Ranger for portability mainly - 1.6 kg is about as light as a decent scope gets. The OTA is around 16 inches long when the diagonal is removed.

More info here:

http://www.company7.com/televue/telescopes/ranger.html

 

 

 

[25585]

Thanks Stu & John. Prontos come up on ebay occasionally so I'll keep a look out. Usually sell between £500 to £600. Not seen so many Rangers, John you were lucky!

I have read some reports, & honest ads, about dust or dried glue powder inside Pronto tubes, it's why I have not bought one of those I have seen. 

TV60 seems a neat scope, not many of the modern small Tele Vue scopes on the pre-owned market, though there was a 76 on our classifieds not long ago.