I'm still on the hunt to buy my first imaging refractor. My budget won't be to excessive and will need a few bits and bob's to get it up to speed.
I have narrowed it down to:
1. Skywatcher Evostar 80ED DS Pro £550.00 ( https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/sk ... l-kit.html )
2. Skywatcher Evostar 100ED DS Pro £720.00 ( https://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-se ... utfit.html )
3. Altair Ascent 102ED F7 £549.00 ( https://www.altairastro.com/ASCENT-102E ... cuser.html )
4. Altair Starwave 80ED-R V2 £599.0 ( https://www.altairastro.com/Starwave-80 ... scope.html )
I know these are all different. I hope to be imaging both
1,2 & 4 have FPL53 lenses.
I believe 2 has FLP51, but the website is not clear on what type of lens this uses. It did get raving reviews on https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/revi ... pe-review/
I believe the focusers are better on the Altair
How good are the DS focusers on Skywatcher? Can they cope with the weight of the HyperCam and other extras (finderscope and the Orion Magnificent Mini Deluxe AutoGuider Package)? Would I be looking at maybe upgrading the focuser in due course? If so:
Is the OVL Dual Speed 2" Crayford Focuser For Refractors as sensibly priced upgrade ( https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/ov ... ctors.html )?
Or would it be better to go for Revelation Superfocus 2 inch Rack n Pinion Refractor Focuser ( https://www.telescopehouse.com/revelati ... 3kQAvD_BwE )?
Or TS-Optics Monorail 2" Refractor focuser ( https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... lange.html )?
I know the GSO96 is also an option, but in the USA - plenty of variants/re-badged items in Europe of this thing I believe.
Additionally: With the Altair
My budget is about £800.
Bottom line... which one would be the one to go for?
Help!
Jacques