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I wish the price will be a bit lower, otherwise looks like an attractive package. Should be usable right from the box. Red dot, star diagonal and two 60deg EPs - basic but usable. I am glad they decided to go with aspheric EPs.
Neat future which I love on my AZGti mount is that you can control the mount with SynScan Pro app. This free app is fully compatible with SkySafari. Thus, the scope operation is just point and click, very enjoyable.
pakarinen wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 12:13 pm
Didn’t know you can interface SynScan with SkySafari. That is very tempting.
I love the interface and prefer operating the scope from SS over the hand controller or SynScan alone. Another benefit is that you can go to any target in SS whether it is in SynScan/controller database or not.
Skywatcher was selling (backordered now) the StarTravel 80 with the AZ-Gte (not AZ-Gti) for $395. While the AZ-Gte does not have the AZ-Gti's "Freedom Find" feature, it is a decent combo. Not sure if the Orion Starseeker has a feature similar to Freedom Find. https://www.skywatcherusa.com/products/ ... -80-az-gte
-Michael Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50 Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl Camera: ZWO ASI 120 Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs Latitude: 48.7229° N
The Orion mount has the dual encoders that allow manual movement without losing alignment, something I wish Synta would put into the SLT mounts.
They seem to want to keep differences between the house brand and their other common retail line.
Some nice refractors, eyepieces, mounts and related equipment The only culture I have is from yogurt
pakarinen wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:03 pm
I really like my Meade ST80 - I assume it's the same OTA minus the Fancy Dan paint job. I did put a 2-speed Crayford focuser on it though.
The Meade Adventure 80s are still out of stock. All stores indicate they are backordered and not cancelled, so there is hope. It is interesting to notice that whoever actually makes these nowadays, sells them through Orion, and not through Meade currently.
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 10:31 pm
The Orion mount has the dual encoders that allow manual movement without losing alignment, something I wish Synta would put into the SLT mounts.
They seem to want to keep differences between the house brand and their other common retail line.
That is good to know. So, it is no surpise that Skywatcher added the Freedom Find encoders. If I read the prices right, the ShortTube 80 effectively costs $70 (with a dovetail) for the combo in the OP ($499-$429 for a no controller setup).