Help me choose an imaging frac

[blinky]

I have come into a little inheritance and would like to use around £400-£650 to buy a little Apo (or as near to Apo as I can get) imaging scope. My camera is the ZWO ASI1600Mono with filterwheel and an OAG so I would like to try and match it with the scope, so far im thinking of the following:

Altair 72EDF which at £599 comes with an optical report and a few nice imaging extras like a CNC focuser.  I already have an Alair 1.0x flattener that works with scope so i would be all set https://www.altairastro.com/Altair-72-EDF-Refractor-Deluxe-CNC.html

This is an 80mm version but does not have the optical report etc, although the flattener would also work with it https://www.altairastro.com/Starwave-80ED-R-V2-FPL53-Refractor-Telescope.html

William Optics 61mm APO - never hear bad things about WO, expect I need to buy the flattener https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-zenithstar-61-apo.html

And the wildcard..... Thew new WO Red Cat https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-redcat-51-apo-f49.html Although I just got an electric focuser for Christmas and this comes with a helical one so maybe not....

 

What do you folks think would be best suited?  I have an F4 200mm Newt as well so this is mainly for widefield like Rosette, M31, North American neb etc

 

[blinky]

Suppose I should have added the Skywatcher ED80 to the list as well

[steppenwolf]

39 minutes ago, blinky said:

Although I just got an electric focuser for Christmas and this comes with a helical one so maybe not....

You can always drive a helical focuser with a drive belt on your electric focuser - I have done this very successfully with a Canon 200l.

 

[blinky]

mmmmmm  suppose so....  thinking about the Altair one, good price, the focuser looks good and the optical report gives me confidence

[teoria_del_big_bang]

I can't really comment as I only have experience of my Zenithstar 73 but I am very happy with it.

The only issue I have had is that the focuser was quite sloppy even after adjusting and had to strip it down add soe shims now as solid as a rock and still soopth. But yes you need the flattener and that adds quite a mark up to the original cost.

Steve

[blinky]

Seriously temped by the WO now.....  Not sure its a better scope, both that and the Altair I bet are pretty much the same but the William Optics will probably keep its price a bit better.  

[blinky]

Was about to hit buy then noticed the reducer is Unavailable @FLO any idea when it will be back in stock?