Does anyone recognize this rebranded apo

[Robindonne]

Its a triplet apo from a dutch shop.  And i dont think its really from their factory.  
 

Im sort of open for a nice (my first) triplet and a 130 mm sounds good.  
 

just don't want to buy rubbish, but rebranded is not always automatically rubbish i guess.   
 

It says in the description “Stellarvue”, but only after the word “tube-coating”.  
 

if someone can tell me its probably worth a try, I’ll try.  
 

thx for helping.  

[Robindonne]

It has some similarities with a orion 130 eon triplet? But also rebranded maybe?

meade 6000?

Edited August 19, 2020 by Robindonne

[johninderby]

Have a look here. Could be an older version. Stellarvue are American made scopes are a premium brand.

https://www.stellarvue.com/svx130t/

 

Edited August 19, 2020 by johninderby

[Robindonne]

I took a look at their scopes.  But not a recent model i guess.  
 

After some reading, its most of the time mentioned to be a kunmings fpl-51.   And probably not a real special telescope.  Orion eon and also the meade 6000 indeed.  
 

its the price this seller asks for this used one(30 continuüm filters) what makes me want to try it.  But risking it wont sell anymore when i want to switch is what stops me for the moment.  

Edited August 20, 2020 by Robindonne

[John]

I found this pic of an older Stellarvue 130 EDT which looks identical to the objective on the one that you have pictured:

[Cjg]

The tube and front end look very similar to my Altair Astro 125 ED which I think that Telescope Express sell under their own label too. 
See https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p6679_TS-Optics-PHOTOLINE-130-mm-f-7-FPL53-Triplet-APO-Refractor.html and https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p7717_TS-Optics-PHOTOLINE-130-mm-f-7-FPL53-Triplet-Apo---3-7--Focuser.html

Depends on the price of course, but am very pleased with my Altair. 
Good luck.

Chris

[Robindonne]

7 hours ago, John said:

which looks identical to the objective

Yes indeed.  That has to be the same.  

[Barry Fitz-Gerald]

This looks identical in every way - including the case - to telescopes that were sold under the OSTARA name in the UK. They appeared in the most unusual outlets and also in on-line vendor ad's.  I strongly suspect they are made by the same Chinese company that supplied the Orion Eon's and the Altair Astro Wave 130 that was reviewed in Sky at Night in 2013 as they appear superficially to be identical apart from the badge on the dewshield. Of course these suppliers can specify what specs they require from the manufactures such as glass, number of baffles and so on and so the clones sold under different names may have a different spec. Whether this is a lower spec or not I do not know, but what I can say is that I have one of the Ostara 130's and it is a rather nice telescope which provides excellent views - so no complaints there. It also cost (second hand) considerably less than a 'premium' brand leaving spare cash to invest in a couple or three decent eyepieces. There was a review of an OSTARA 115mm Apo on this forum some time ago which was quite positive, but I have never seen anything written on the 130mm version but assume it would be of the same quality.

Cheers, Barry.

 

[Robindonne]

2 hours ago, Cjg said:

look very similar to my Altair Astro 125 ED

Yes though tine details don’t I think.  
 

this is the orion.  And they are (also) twins

[Robindonne]

34 minutes ago, Barry Fitz-Gerald said:

Cheers, Barry.

Yes also the altair astro😬.   Your mentioned sky at night review talks about the same scope.   Thx for the well described thoughts on this scope.   
 

Im going to consider the one thats offered right now.   My guess is that it can't be seen as a good investment but thats not always the main reason to buy one of course.   Thx for all the help and info
 

 

Edited August 20, 2020 by Robindonne

[John]

As long as it has been looked after.

If a triplet gets a knock then it can be a specialist job to get the elements re-centered, aligned and collimated.

 

[Adam J]

38 minutes ago, John said:

As long as it has been looked after.

If a triplet gets a knock then it can be a specialist job to get the elements re-centered, aligned and collimated.

 

Yes it will cost you about 300-400pounds. 

[Robindonne]

Hm ok.  Thanks again.  Didnt know about the easy out of alignment of the elements.   Have to google who and how that can be checked.  

[Adam J]

2 minutes ago, Robindonne said:

Hm ok.  Thanks again.  Didnt know about the easy out of alignment of the elements.   Have to google who and how that can be checked.  

You would perform a star test or if you purchased a scope from someone like FLO in the UK they would do it for you for £75.

I would not say its easy to lose colimation on a refractor though, I accidently clipped min with the obsy roof a few months back and its changed its performance a bit. All scopes will leave the factory well colimated and centered usually. They normally even get to the shop well centred and colimated, its the last little bit of the trip with someone like DHL or DPD that is usually the issue as they dont treat it with any respect.

I just got this book for my 40th birthday from FLO.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/star-testing-astronomical-telescopes-a-manual-for-optical-evaluation-and-adjustment-second-edition-book.html

You need a bit of a technical mind for it but its a great read and will teach you to assess your telescope optics.

Adam

 

[Robindonne]

Great. Thx.  Just bought my first items from FLO.  This book will definitely be the next.   The cover caught all the attention🙂

[Barry Fitz-Gerald]

Just remembered - it was also sold under the brand name Sky Rover in the far east, so maybe a few turned up in Australia (https://www.astronomyalive.com.au/product/sky-rover-ult-130-ed-glass-130mm-triplet-super-apo-refractor-telescope/)

The later iterations of all these Kunming Optical scopes turn up under different badges - as do most non top end telescopes so it seems. You are correct about re-sale value however, probably not as good as a 'branded' scope, but if it performs well it could have anything written on the dew shield as far as I am concerned.

 

 

[astro mick]

6 hours ago, Robindonne said:

Hm ok.  Thanks again.  Didnt know about the easy out of alignment of the elements.   Have to google who and how that can be checked.  

E.S Reid is the man to recollimate your Triplet if it was ever needed.

Very reasonably priced as well.

Great to deal with.

Mick.

Edited August 20, 2020 by astro mick

[Robindonne]

3 hours ago, Barry Fitz-Gerald said:

Just remembered

Nice all this info, and to have a look in what is actually being used in all these different regions.  Hope to have a look at the dutch scope this weekend.  

[Robindonne]

3 hours ago, astro mick said:

E.S Reid is the man to recollimate your Triplet if it was ever needed.

Very reasonably priced as well.

Great to deal with.

Mick.

Thanks very much.  Although it might suffer from that same shipping risk after he’s done with it. I hope its not necessary but thanks for this advice.

[Adam J]

3 hours ago, astro mick said:

E.S Reid is the man to recollimate your Triplet if it was ever needed.

Very reasonably priced as well.

Great to deal with.

Mick.

Does he recentre lens elements, I always wondered if he had an interfermometer or was working off star tests.

Adam

[astro mick]

9 hours ago, Adam J said:

Does he recentre lens elements, I always wondered if he had an interfermometer or was working off star tests.

Adam

I would presume so,he has a fully equipped test bench,and ajusts the lenses in the cell as needed.

He re-collimated a WO 73 for me a few weeks back.Lovely now.

FLO use ES to test the Skywatcher Esprits before they send out,if the customer wants reasurance.

Mick.

You can contact ES yourself,without going through FLO(i think).

Mick.

Edited August 21, 2020 by astro mick

[Adam J]

3 hours ago, astro mick said:

I would presume so,he has a fully equipped test bench,and ajusts the lenses in the cell as needed.

He re-collimated a WO 73 for me a few weeks back.Lovely now.

FLO use ES to test the Skywatcher Esprits before they send out,if the customer wants reasurance.

Mick.

You can contact ES yourself,without going through FLO(i think).

Mick

Yes I have an esprit tested by him. Just always wondered what equipment he actually has etc. Out of interest mainly. 

[x6gas]

3 hours ago, astro mick said:

You can contact ES yourself,without going through FLO(i think).

Mick.

Anyone know how to contact him then?  Grant from FLO suggested that he pretty much only does corporate work on one of the StarGazine chats.