ScopeTech STL-80A Maxi 80mm F15 - First Look

[johninderby]

ScopeTech STL-80A Maxi 80mm F15 Classical Refractor

This Japanese classic achro arrived today and here’s the first look at it. 

First impressions are very good.  Had concerns that it would have a lot of plastic parts but pleasantly surprised to find it is all metal aside from the focuser knobs and the lens cap. 

The focuser looks like a basic R&P but is actually solidly made and very smooth in operation. The only bit I don’t like is that the 1.25” holder for the diagonal is of the single screw type. No compression ring. However fitted a short eyepiece extension with a compression ring that doesn’t add much to the drawtube length and hopefully won’t cause any infocus problems.

The stock 6x30 straight through finder has been replaced by a Skywatcher 6x30 RACI finder which fits the stock bracket.

Seems OK on the AZ-GTi mount with the TS counterbalance system. Tapped the diag and vibrations damped down very quickly although with that long tube sticking up into the air could be a problem in windy conditions.

Specifications

• 80mm F15 Optical Tube Assembly
• 1200mm focal length
• High quality Fraunhofer design
• BK7/F2 air-spaced doublet optics
• Multiple anti-reflection optical coatings. 
• Optics with maximum transmittance 99.9% or more (one surface / actual measurement / d line 587nm average transmittance 400nm-700nm 99.8% or more)
• OTA Weight 2.1kg (6x30 Finder and Tube Rings additional)
• OTA length 125 cm

 

Anyone that points out that it also has glass in it please get your coat. 🙄

Edited June 3, 2020 by johninderby

[Stu]

Looks great John, weather not looking promising at the moment which is a shame.

[johninderby]

It is better built than expected. Proper Japanese quality. 👍🏻

Why couldn’t the good weather have continued for a few more days? 🤬🤬🤬

On the upside sold some more unused bits on eBay this morning so that's the scope paid for without having to take money from my bank account. Feels like a “free” scope. 🥳🥳🥳

Edited June 3, 2020 by johninderby

[Chris]

Looks wonderful John, proper telescope! Long focal length fracs have always spoken to me (not literally of course, I stopped the drugs in the 90's) 😃 Really very good to hear  it's mainly metal construction, it would have been a travesty in my eyes if not. I'm seriously looking at my little motor driven SW Starquest mount, wondering if it could take the F12.5 version? Although of course I really want the f15!  

[Alan White]

Now that's a propper job John.
Very nice indeed.
Clear skies soon for the first light and report 🤞

[John]

Good to see and hear the initial report John

Although plastics can be used successfully in scopes I'm kind of pleased to hear that they are minimal in this scope.

The scope would not have looked out of place on the back page of a 1960's Sky & Telescope magazine, except it has been made today

[Fozzie]

Retro Vibes are a good 10 out of 10..  Looks a great scope, and sounds it too from your initial impressions..

[johninderby]

Few more details.

The dovetail bar is attached to the rings with big knobs and unfortunately the WO saddle won’t open wide enough to drop the dovetail in and it has to be slid it. Just replaced the knobs with bolts.

Finaly found a use for a pair of old Orion brass focus knobs that I’ve had for years. 

The drawtube is about 140mm long but starts to sag slightly at full extension but asking a bit much of that long a 1.25” drawtube to not sag very slightly at full extension.

Has sights on the tube a bit like sights on a riffle with what looks like a flourescent ring in the front sight. Suppose it could be usefull as a zero power sight before switching to the optical finder.

 

Edited June 3, 2020 by johninderby

[johninderby]

Good instructions and a good introduction to astronomy book......I think. 🤔Pity everything is in Japanese. 🙁

[JeremyS]

Interesting to see pics of it in the instructions  with a diagonal installed as the Japanese normally prefer straight through. Did it come with a diagonal?

[johninderby]

No diagonal. Instructions show with and without a diagonal..

[johninderby]

Forecast has improved here and now showing clear untill midnight so looks like first light time. 🙏🏼🥳🥳🥳

Edited June 5, 2020 by johninderby

[F15Rules]

Cracking looking scope John, I will always think that white is the colour for refractors.

I like the gunsight idea on the opposite side of the focuser to the finder..it reminds me of the one fitted to the Zeiss Telementor, and should be actually quite useful, and will reduce the need to turn the tube so often to be able to use the main finder in some orientations..

It'll be interesting to hear your thoughts on the performance, hope you get first light tonight..

On 03/06/2020 at 13:42, johninderby said:

Feels like a “free” scope. 🥳🥳🥳

That's good, John.. should you happen not to like it, I'd be happy to take it off your hands free gratis!😂😂

Dave

[johninderby]

Did turn cloudy but now clearing again. 👍🏻

Bit of a howling gale out there now though. Not ideal for a long scope. Think will be doing any observing from the shelter of the consrvatory. which has nice big opening windows.👍🏻

[johninderby]

Replaced the finder bracket with a Synta type foot and now can fit any finders with a Synta type fitting.

Fortunately a Synta type foot is a perfect fit  using the stock mounting holes. You have to remove the focuser to fit the Synta foot but that’s simply a mater of removing the three screws that hold it onto the tube and removing the little block  (upper right in photo) that holds the stock mounting screws. 

I’ve used a low profile bracket for the 6x30 finder which means the finder is a bit further forward and away from the eyepiece. 

Edited June 6, 2020 by johninderby

[JeremyS]

24 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Replaced the finder bracket with a Synta type foot and now can fit any finders with a Synta type fitting.

I trust a handle is not too far away John?

🙂

 

[Alan White]

2 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

I trust a handle is not too far away John?

🙂

 

If John is on normal form, it is hand already Jeremy.

[Stu]

It’s so light a piece of string would probably do!!

[johninderby]

Handle undecided. 🤔🤔🤔

New knobs for the tube rings arrived. The stock knobs were a bit patheric. 🙄

[DirkSteele]

Would definitely like to have a play with one of these. Looks great.

[Guest]

Could be a contender for 'P*mp My Telescope'...

[johninderby]

Looked out the window before going to bed and saw the moon peeking out between the clouds so quickly set up the scope. Despite being a full moon could see quite a bit of detail and the image was nice and sharp.

Got the smartphone ready and managed to take a couple of shots before the clouds ruined everything. 🤬🤬🤬

Oh well better than nothing and no time to adjust the settings properly but still not too bad and CA was not a problem. Looking forward to taking some proper pics another night. 🙂

Edited June 7, 2020 by johninderby

[Alkaid]

Really looking forward to your thoughts on this with Lunar high in the sky...very interesting.

[johninderby]

One of the mods that this scope really needs is to replace the rubbish single screw clamp on the drawtube. Found it was hard to keep tightened up and just let the rest of the scope down.

Fortunately the drawtube has a standard Vixen thread on the end. So ordered a  Baader 36.4mm to T2 Vixen adapter to fit the drawtube which gives a standard T2 fitting. I added a Baader Ultrashort 1¼" / T-2 Eyepiece Clamp which now means there is a proper compression type clamp. You could also fit one of the Baader micro focusing clamps if you wanted to.

Edited June 8, 2020 by johninderby

[johninderby]

Come on sun where are you???  😁