anyone have any thoughts on this

[jnc71106]

hello

has anyone on hear had any experiance with these scopes or has any views on them for visual use mainly with maybe a bit of ap as well sometimes i know they are listed as imaging newts just wondered what they would be like for visual too compaired to say a skywatcher explorer 200p

Altair 8 inch F4 Imaging Newtonian*::*Astrograph telescopes*::*Telescopes*::*Altair Astro

cheers

jake

[david o]

Hio Jake,

I've had similar ideas too about that 'scope, so it'll be interesting to find out. I'm afraid I haven't got any answers for you, just some more thoughts / questions :

The light baffles will improve the contrast and increase the rigidity of the 'scope. But by how much? Enough to bring noticeable benefit in visual use?

The secondary is oversized to better illuminate large imaging chips. How much impact will this have on light grasp and resolution for visual use?

Hopefully someone with more knowledge and better understanding can chip in.

[Horus]

It's a beast isn't it, I've looked at these when weighing up my first scope

[jnc71106]

Reading some other posts maybe this would be a good alternative

http://www.scsastro.co.uk/catalogue/orion-8-f-40-newtonian-astrograph-reflector.htm

Mainly because of the weight it's lighter so might be a better option and the 900mm focal length would fit better with my ep's

[johninderby]

There is this thread here on SGL.

http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-deep-sky/136505-some-deep-sky-altair-astro-8-f-4-newt-canon-350d.html

John

[shaunster]

Reading some other posts maybe this would be a good alternative

Orion 8" f/4.0 Newtonian Astrograph Reflector. - SCS Astro

Mainly because of the weight it's lighter so might be a better option and the 900mm focal length would fit better with my ep's

Think they are the same scope

8" at f4 is 800mm focal lenght

[jnc71106]

Oh yes so it is I read a review that stated it was 900mm focal length.

Dammit

[jnc71106]

Bit confused there are first light reviews on here for a 8" 4.5 Orion newt

2 models perhaps?

[John]

F/4 is going to be extremely demanding on collimation and eyepieces. Personally I'd prefer an 8" F/6 for visual.

[Macavity]

Just awaiting delivery of one of these:

GSO Telescopes @ Modern Astronomy

Seems to be a GSO from Teleskop Services.

In some ways, the (also GSO?) Altair Astro one offers more? Sundry collimation knobs, longer (dew preventing?) tube, internal baffles? I think Luis' images are totally amazing as well... But we'll see.

Aside: My ambition now is (1/2" chip) Watec Video imaging. I hope, for "tests", I can forgo a Coma corrector. <G> But the chunky 8" F4 is (far too) heavy for my Ioptron, so now looking at an Syntrek+ HEQ5. <sigh> As ever, running out of DOSH! My, naughty but nice, Coronado (and some surplus eyepieces) may yet have to go...