Recommendations for a 70-80mm Doublet/Triplet Refractor for around £800

[AndyThilo]

Looking to buy a dedicated refractor for astrophotograhy. Looking at the 70-80mm range, doublet or triplet but cost needs to be below £800. Any recommendations? 

Looking at these at the moment:

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/altair-starwave-80-edt-r-triplet-apo-refractor-ota.html

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/explore-scientific-ed-apo-80mm-f6-deluxe-fcd-100-hex-focus-ota.html

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/A-Z81BU.html

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p3881_TS-Optics-Photoline-80mm-f-6-FPL53-Triplet-Apo-2-5--RPA-Zahnstangen-Auszug.html

 

Edited October 31, 2019 by AndyThilo

[vlaiv]

Last one +1

[Starflyer]

Remember to factor in some additional cash for a reducer / flattener.

[GlenM]

You could look at the new Sharpstar offerings from 365astronomy. I have the little 61 EDPH. I don't usually gush about my gear but this little scope is wonderful for visual and AP. They now have a new 76EDPH version which I believe is a triplet.

 

Glen.

 

 

 

Edited November 1, 2019 by GlenM

[AndyThilo]

This one?

Looks quite nice for the price:

https://www.365astronomy.com/sharpstar-71sdq-quadruplet-apochromatic-refractor-telescope.html

[AndyThilo]

This looks even nicer

https://www.365astronomy.com/sharpstar-cf-90ii-ed-90mm-f-6.67-carbon-fiber-apo-triplet-apochromatic-refractor-telescope.html

 

[GlenM]

The new 76 EDPH is not on 365's website yet, it is on Sharpstars website. I have made enquires about it.

 

Glen.

 

 

 

[Miguel1983]

45 minutes ago, AndyThilo said:

This one?

Looks quite nice for the price:

https://www.365astronomy.com/sharpstar-71sdq-quadruplet-apochromatic-refractor-telescope.html

This is the same and a little cheaper (€-£) https://www.astromarket.org/telescopen/omegon-apochromatische-refractor-pro-apo-ap-71-450-quadruplet-ota/p,60855

[AndyThilo]

Well decision made and purchased. And it was none that I previously shortlists :D. I was having trouble matching a 2.5" flattener with one of these chinesium scopes so decided to choose between the Willams Optics 81GT and the Skywatcher Esprit 80. Both Triplets. Decided to go with the Esprit 80 package which included the 2.5" flattener and a Canon T-mount. Plus was a few hundred pounds cheaper than a 81GT + Flattener and comes with a decent hard case.

[Adam J]

On 31/10/2019 at 16:46, AndyThilo said:

Looking to buy a dedicated refractor for astrophotograhy. Looking at the 70-80mm range, doublet or triplet but cost needs to be below £800. Any recommendations? 

Looking at these at the moment:

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/altair-starwave-80-edt-r-triplet-apo-refractor-ota.html

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/explore-scientific-ed-apo-80mm-f6-deluxe-fcd-100-hex-focus-ota.html

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/A-Z81BU.html

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p3881_TS-Optics-Photoline-80mm-f-6-FPL53-Triplet-Apo-2-5--RPA-Zahnstangen-Auszug.html

 

Last one, the TS. 

The Starwave 80 edt-r is no longer made / avaliable, I have attempted to purchase it from RVO before. Yet for some reason they still persist in saying its "generally in stock"

I think that you would also do well to consider a WO GT71

Adam 

Edited November 5, 2019 by Adam J

[newbie alert]

On 05/11/2019 at 06:48, AndyThilo said:

Well decision made and purchased. And it was none that I previously shortlists :D. I was having trouble matching a 2.5" flattener with one of these chinesium scopes so decided to choose between the Willams Optics 81GT and the Skywatcher Esprit 80. Both Triplets. Decided to go with the Esprit 80 package which included the 2.5" flattener and a Canon T-mount. Plus was a few hundred pounds cheaper than a 81GT + Flattener and comes with a decent hard case.

You made a fantastic choice... having had a William optics 80d my esprit is far superior  and I've not yet finalised a image yet.. the william optics was causing issues in other places and did me a favour when the focuser broke.. Williams optics after sales were useless and didn't want to know ( must be too busy supplying the u tubers freebies)  so the new choice of scope they wasn't considered..

Enjoy the esprit, the only bad thing I can say is the short dovetail but bolt it onto a longer one and it's sorted..

[AndyThilo]

On 06/11/2019 at 07:23, newbie alert said:

You made a fantastic choice... having had a William optics 80d my esprit is far superior  and I've not yet finalised a image yet.. the william optics was causing issues in other places and did me a favour when the focuser broke.. Williams optics after sales were useless and didn't want to know ( must be too busy supplying the u tubers freebies)  so the new choice of scope they wasn't considered..

Enjoy the esprit, the only bad thing I can say is the short dovetail but bolt it onto a longer one and it's sorted..

Thanks, hopefully it will out resolve me for a long while :). I've already taken the foot off and fitted Skywatcher 101mm rings and a long Skywatcher green Vixen plate. Also fitted my guide scope on top. Just got to check it balanced ok or I might have redrill and tap the vixen plate to move it further back towards the camera.