Refractor Recommendations

[Steve Clay]

Hi,

I'm looking at adding an 80-100 mm ish refractor to my arsenal of toys (already have a 127 MAK and a 150 PDS) This would mainly be for taking away in my camper for the summer.  It's for purely visual and will be on a stellarvue MC2 alt az mount with 1.75 inch steel EQ5 tripod. I like the look of the following based on price, aperture and overall size. I also like the SW ED 80 too. I welcome some opinions 

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p4964_TS-Optics-ED-APO-102-mm-f-7-Refraktor-mit-2-5--R-P-Okularauszug.html

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/altair-ascent-102ed-f7-doublet-refractor-ota.html

Many thanks

Steve

 

[vlaiv]

I think that second scope is Altair Astro branded version of there scopes:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p9868_TS-Optics-PhotoLine-102mm-f-7-FPL-53-Doublet-Apo-with-2-5--Focuser.html

https://www.highpointscientific.com/stellarvue-102-mm-access-f-7-super-ed-apo-refractor-telescope-sv102-access

And should be better corrected for chromatic aberration than TS scope you listed.

That TS scope you listed has some purple around bright objects. It might not be very important to you since you have 127 Mak to fill planetary/lunar role, and you want a scope that you can use for wider field observation (but 150PDS has same focal length and more aperture).

If you want single scope to do all things - provide wide field as 150PDS and render pinpoint stars, but also be able to render planets and the moon at high magnification without color issues - then choose second, better corrected scope.

If SW80ED is an option and you want something in smaller package, then take a look at this one as well - it is excellent little APO scope:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p3881_TS-Optics-PHOTOLINE-80mm-f-6-FPL53-Triplet-APO---2-5--RAP-Focuser.html

Or maybe something like this, if you don't want triplet:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p8637_TS-Optics-PHOTOLINE-80-mm-f-7-FPL53-Apo---2-5--Focuser.html

I think it is better value than SWED80 in your case as you have better focuser, better tube fit and finish and retracting dew shield

All scopes I've listed from TS website might be available under other brands as well - so see what is best purchasing option to you (shipping and price).

[GlenM]

I would take a look at what Sharpstar has to offer. Just been trying out the little 61EDPH and it's wonderful. Certainly on par with a Tak 60 I used to own. I bought mine from 365astronomy. Nice optics and mechanics. Another one would be the 102ED F/11. Pretty long moment arm, but not heard any bad reports on it. If it had been available a few years ago before I retired I would have stocked it.

 

Glen.

 

 

 

[joe aguiar]

heres my thoughts if you don't mind

if you get a 4" apo that's pretty much gonna equal your 127 mak (if your mak is good quality) I had a SW 127 mak and wasn't good, sold it after few months.

So do you want 2 scopes that pretty much do the same?

the apo will be wider and the mak smaller fov. Unless the mak stays at home and then the apo at camper till you end the year then that makes sence.

another thought is you manilly view the planets from home maybe get a wide field/rich field telescope to capture the large extened/ milky way objects, since it sounds like the camper is at a dark site, so take advantage of this.

maybe a 120mmf/5 refractor OR 150mmf/5 refractor or bring your 6"f5 reflector up there.

personally I would probally sell the mak and buy something like a 120mm ed like the SW120ed

joejaguar

 

[Adam J]

Altair 102 ED F11 would be my choice, although it is longer than the F7 so depends on the size of you boot. 

[John]

I'd stick to a focal ratio of around F/7 for a holiday scope. Modern ED doublets are really versatile scopes and you have the option of wide field scanning under dark skies with the faster focal ratio. F/7 is so much less demanding to mount than slower refractors as well.

I have a Vixen ED102 F/6.5 which can deliver from a 4 degree true field through to 200x plus and it sits very happily on an AZ-4 mount.

[mikeDnight]

The SW 80ED is a nice scope but its in a large tube, same as the 100mm ED. If you could find a second hand Equinox 80ED then that would make a nice grab and go scope. However, a 102mm F7 ED is a much more impressive beast when it comes to rich star fields and nebulae. And its lunar and planetary prowess will wow you. I can see a love affair in the making!

[Steve Clay]

Some really useful comments. Thank you.

I'm going to take my time over this decision and way up all the options.

Steve

[Limerick John]

I have a SW 127mm Mak and a 103mm doublet. I love the views through both instruments. The refractor gives lovely wide field views but can take some magnification and gives good planetary views. I could spend hours just looking at the Pleiades and Perseus double cluster which are perfectly framed.  The Mak is a moon and planet killer and good general purpose instrument. I use an AZ4 mount for both scopes and swap them around as required.

[Steve Clay]

Thanks for all the advice.

Picked up an immaculate ED80 pro outfit for the bargain price of £200. Hardly used and very clean.

Yet to get first light.

Steve

[Alan White]

Steve, you got yourself a bargain.
I used to love my ED80, but my Vixen ED103s came along and could not be resisted.
If it hadn't the ED80 would still be with me, nice scopes, enjoy.