Apo recommendation in 250-350mm FL range

[Icesheet]

Looking for some recommendations for a compact apo in the 250-350mm focal range. 

 

I had been intending to get a WO RedCat but there seems to be mixed reviews. Similarly the 71mm quad APO (WO/ Meade/ TS) seem to get very little or mixed reviews. I would prefer to not have to deal with focal reducers/ flatteners but will for the right scope of course. 

Plan is to mount it on an AZ GTi and image with an ASI1600mm. 

Any first hand experience with any of the above or anything you can recommend would be appreciated!

 

Edit: No set budget but the 71mm quad at ~£1200 is probably my top end

Edited November 28, 2019 by Icesheet
Edit title

[Adam J]

54 minutes ago, Icesheet said:

Looking for some recommendations for a compact apo in the 250-350mm focal range. 

 

I had been intending to get a WO RedCat but there seems to be mixed reviews. Similarly the 71mm quad APO (WO/ Meade/ TS) seem to get very little or mixed reviews. I would prefer to not have to deal with focal reducers/ flatteners but will for the right scope of course. 

Plan is to mount it on an AZ GTi and image with an ASI1600mm. 

Any first hand experience with any of the above or anything you can recommend would be appreciated!

 

Edit: No set budget but the 71mm quad at ~£1200 is probably my top end

WO GT71 or a Star71. 

 

[Icesheet]

27 minutes ago, Adam J said:

WO GT71 or a Star71. 

 

Thanks, the Star71 was one of my preferred options. Have you used it?

[Adam J]

6 minutes ago, Icesheet said:

Thanks, the Star71 was one of my preferred options. Have you used it?

Nope, a friend has the GT71 though and I have seen many great images from the Star 71

[JamesF]

I believe @Davey-T has several Star71s (and a RedCat as well), so he might be a good source of information.

James

[Chris]

Oh! 250mm focal length! I was going to say lol

[Icesheet]

5 minutes ago, Lockie said:

Oh! 250mm focal length! I was going to say lol

It is a bit of click bait isn’t it 😂 The AZ GTi might struggle with a refractor that size!

Will edit the title 👍🏻

[Icesheet]

17 minutes ago, JamesF said:

I believe @Davey-T has several Star71s (and a RedCat as well), so he might be a good source of information.

James

Great, hopefully he gets the chance to chip in 👍🏻

[Davey-T]

WO Redcats seem fine now after some initial QC probably caused by rushing them to market, my initial one was returned but now works really well, the only quibble I have is with the focuser that gets very stiff as it approaches infinity making focusing difficult.

Star Adventurer copes with it so AZ Gti should have no trouble.

Dave

[Icesheet]

Thanks for the input @Davey-T . Do you have the Star71 too? Any preference for one over the other?

[Ruud]

Here is a member offering a used Star71

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/335282-sale-wo-star71-atik-490ex-astronomik-cls-zwo-uvir-cut/?do=findComment&comment=3748360

see the last post from 6 hours ago

[Davey-T]

Don't think they make Star 71s anymore, probably more QC issues, there was one on ABS recently.

Probably a good thing to buy used if you can see images taken with it.

Dave

 

[Icesheet]

8 minutes ago, Ruud said:

Here is a member offering a used Star71

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/335282-sale-wo-star71-atik-490ex-astronomik-cls-zwo-uvir-cut/?do=findComment&comment=3748360

see the last post from 6 hours ago

 

7 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

Don't think they make Star 71s anymore, probably more QC issues, there was one on ABS recently.

Probably a good thing to buy used if you can see images taken with it.

Dave

 

Thanks all. Yes, I have seen it and I believe it’s the same one. I need to wait until I’m paid so if it’s still available then I’ll have a closer look.  

[Davey-T]

There's also this at a bit longer focal length.

Dave

https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/omegon-apochromatic-refractor-pro-apo-ap-71-450-quadruplet-ota/p,60855

[Icesheet]

Do you think the AZ GTi would be able to guide that sort of FL? 

The main reason for 250-350 range was because it gave me something between 135 and 550 which is the FL’s of my other equipment. Wouldn’t rule it out though.

Edited November 28, 2019 by Icesheet

[knobby]

It guides my reduced 72ED ok, about 335 mm

[Icesheet]

5 hours ago, knobby said:

It guides my reduced 72ED ok, about 335 mm

Thanks good to know 👍🏻