RVO imaging package.

[SlimLine]

Hi everyone. Im looking for advice on an imaging setup. My initial plan was to purchase a Sky-Watcher 80ed evostar ds pro and A HEQ5 PRO mount but ive seen this on RVO   https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/rvo-horizon-72-ed-doublet-refractor-full-imaging-package.html and im looking for anybody that has first hand experience with this set up.

Any advice on both setups very welcome.

Edited August 17, 2021 by SlimLine

[teoria_del_big_bang]

If the package has been put together by RVO I would think it would be an excellent setup. You still however require the HEQ5 pro mount as the package does not have a mount so total cost would be around the £2K.
It really is worth getting the Rowan belt modded version. 

With your 80ED option the cost is £1600 but that is without the flattener which you really need for AP so add that in and its £1800. Also if later you want to guide then you probably would want a proper guidescope instead of the finderscope you get with it, so that would be another £150 to £200.
ED80 & Mount package
Flattener

Personally if I could afford the extra I would go for the RVO setup and HEQ5 with Rowan Belt mod. I think the modded mount and the better guidescope will be of benefit.
RVO package
HEQ5 & Rowan Belt mod

Also I mentioned about getting into guiding, neither of these packages above have a guide camera so you would need to budget another £150 or so for that for both options.

Steve

Edited August 17, 2021 by teoria_del_big_bang

[SlimLine]

38 minutes ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:

If the package has been put together by RVO I would think it would be an excellent setup. You still however require the HEQ5 pro mount as the package does not have a mount so total cost would be around the £2K.
It really is worth getting the Rowan belt modded version. 

With your 80ED option the cost is £1600 but that is without the flattener which you really need for AP so add that in and its £1800. Also if later you want to guide then you probably would want a proper guidescope instead of the finderscope you get with it, so that would be another £150 to £200.
ED80 & Mount package
Flattener

Personally if I could afford the extra I would go for the RVO setup and HEQ5 with Rowan Belt mod. I think the modded mount and the better guidescope will be of benefit.
RVO package
HEQ5 & Rowan Belt mod

Also I mentioned about getting into guiding, neither of these packages above have a guide camera so you would need to budget another £150 or so for that for both options.

Steve

Hi steve

 

Thanks for the advice. Im was swiging slightly more the RVO package if im honest but now the william optics Zenithstar 73 apo and guide scope are an option to.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/wo_zs73_gd.html

 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/wo_50mm_uniguide_slide_base_gold.html

 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reducersflatteners/william-optics-adjustable-flattener-for-zs73.html

 

In regards to the mount and guiding Im going to fit the Rowan belt mod myself at a later date and my guide cam will be the ZWO ASI 120MM.

My buget is about £2500 tops and will include a secondhand DSLR in that budget.

 

[teoria_del_big_bang]

My first setup was the WO 73, flattener, and guidescope and a great scope.
My mount was a 2nd hand HEQ5 which I replaced all bearings and added the Rowan Belt modification and was a great setup.
Also had a modified DSLR.

So I can't fault that setup.

You are too far away anyway  but I keep contemplating selling this setup (although with a dedicated astro cam as I have a pending sale on the DSLR) as I still have it and am struggling to part with it (sound like a hoarder now).

I bet there is not a lot of difference between the WO and the RVO setup you know - not sure what the price difference is but RVO and FLO are really helpful and is often worth talking to them by email or telephone them. I doubt's they will sway you to buy the RVO setup over the WO unless it is for a valid reason.