TheSkySearchers

hi , every one .
I want to know if.
I thought of buying myself a televue 85 for my trips.
I have read several reviews, they all say it is a wonderful telescope.
but these reviews have been around for a little while now.
so the question is.
is this still a good buy to make?
thank you for your input.

A very nice doublet refractor but it has not been updated in any way since it first arrived on the market though the price keeps going up.
For $2600+ (CDN) I personally would look at something more modern.

Take a look at the Teleskop-Service offerings, even with exchange and shipping, refractors in the 80mm-90mm range would be less than the TV-85

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:43 am A very nice doublet refractor but it has not been updated in any way since it first arrived on the market though the price keeps going up.
For $2600+ (CDN) I personally would look at something more modern.

Take a look at the Teleskop-Service offerings, even with exchange and shipping, refractors in the 80mm-90mm range would be less than the TV-85

I agree....

The TV-85 is a wonderful refractor that just oozes quality in its build and performance. You won't be at all disappointed. The later models have been fitted with the dual speed focuser which is butter smooth. I purchased mine simply because the prime opportunity presented itself, and for somewhat of a "nostalgic" reasoning simply based on the TeleVue reputation. Plus, I like TeleVue products. If you can find one on the pre-owned market I would definitely consider it.

That being said, however....I do tend to agree with Gabby and nFA, in that you can probably find a top quality refractor in this aperture range with equal or greater performance for a lesser hit on the piggy bank.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:43 am A very nice doublet refractor but it has not been updated in any way since it first arrived on the market though the price keeps going up.
For $2600+ (CDN) I personally would look at something more modern.

Take a look at the Teleskop-Service offerings, even with exchange and shipping, refractors in the 80mm-90mm range would be less than the TV-85

thank you for this answer so quickly.
they have a huge choice.
I don't really know this company just by name and reputation.
do you have a suggestion for me?

SpyderwerX wrote: ↑Fri Aug 20, 2021 4:33 pm The TV-85 is a wonderful refractor that just oozes quality in its build and performance. You won't be at all disappointed. The later models have been fitted with the dual speed focuser which is butter smooth. I purchased mine simply because the prime opportunity presented itself, and for somewhat of a "nostalgic" reasoning simply based on the TeleVue reputation. Plus, I like TeleVue products. If you can find one on the pre-owned market I would definitely consider it.

That being said, however....I do tend to agree with Gabby and nFA, in that you can probably find a top quality refractor in this aperture range with equal or greater performance for a lesser hit on the piggy bank.

thank you for this input, I really appreciate it.

Like others have said, get something more "modern" if you can. Gabby has some good suggestions.

I recently purchased one of these an 80-A refractor from Orion.

https://www.telescope.com/Orion-ShortTu ... p/9947.uts

It's a grab-n-go refractor (my AR 152 definitely is not!) for times when I don't feel like taking out my other grab-n-go, the AWB 5.1" Newtonian.

Hello Jean-Yves for not replying as I was away for a bit.
Would you prefer 80mm or 90mm?

Is it just visual or are you doing AP as well?

Hello ,
i don't really know yet, but i know i want to have a high quality telescope.
no ap for me .
thx .

As a starting point I would suggest this:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... cuser.html
Now this is a FPL-51/ Lanthanum doublet at f/7 so I would expect there will be a small bit of CA at times when looking at the brighter objects. Nothing obtrusive, would be filterable, just pointing it out.Still a excellent visual refractor.

This one is the same size but it geared a bit more for AP side of things and uses a FPL-53/ Lanthanum doublet. At f/7 views will be CA free.
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... ctive.html

As well if you want a bit more aperture there is this offering which I reccomended to Kerry C last year and he is using for AP now.
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... ctive.html
With the exchange and shipping you are still only about half of the TV-85 at Canadian prices.


If there are any particular things you are looking for let me know

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 6:13 pm As a starting point I would suggest this:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... cuser.html
Now this is a FPL-51/ Lanthanum doublet at f/7 so I would expect there will be a small bit of CA at times when looking at the brighter objects. Nothing obtrusive, would be filterable, just pointing it out.Still a excellent visual refractor.

This one is the same size but it geared a bit more for AP side of things and uses a FPL-53/ Lanthanum doublet. At f/7 views will be CA free.
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... ctive.html

As well if you want a bit more aperture there is this offering which I reccomended to Kerry C last year and he is using for AP now.
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... ctive.html
With the exchange and shipping you are still only about half of the TV-85 at Canadian prices.


If there are any particular things you are looking for let me know

merci beaucoup Mme .
thank you very much .

Guess my question would be...travel in the trunk or under an airline seat?? Big difference on the definition of travel scope.

Steve

messier 111 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 6:41 pm

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 6:13 pm As a starting point I would suggest this:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... cuser.html
Now this is a FPL-51/ Lanthanum doublet at f/7 so I would expect there will be a small bit of CA at times when looking at the brighter objects. Nothing obtrusive, would be filterable, just pointing it out.Still a excellent visual refractor.

This one is the same size but it geared a bit more for AP side of things and uses a FPL-53/ Lanthanum doublet. At f/7 views will be CA free.
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... ctive.html

As well if you want a bit more aperture there is this offering which I reccomended to Kerry C last year and he is using for AP now.
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... ctive.html
With the exchange and shipping you are still only about half of the TV-85 at Canadian prices.


If there are any particular things you are looking for let me know

merci beaucoup Mme .
thank you very mutch .

They all look good to me too. I have dealt with TS first for accessories for my Intes MK66 and more recently this refractor:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... cuser.html

I've found them always reliable, professional and good to deal with.

Here's my first light report viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8675

I would not hesitate to buy a refractor from them. BTW I don't suggest this as a "travel scope".

sdbodin wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 9:39 pm Guess my question would be...travel in the trunk or under an airline seat?? Big difference on the definition of travel scope.

Steve

i guess both option will be for me .

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 12:24 am

messier 111 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 6:41 pm

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 6:13 pm As a starting point I would suggest this:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... cuser.html
Now this is a FPL-51/ Lanthanum doublet at f/7 so I would expect there will be a small bit of CA at times when looking at the brighter objects. Nothing obtrusive, would be filterable, just pointing it out.Still a excellent visual refractor.

This one is the same size but it geared a bit more for AP side of things and uses a FPL-53/ Lanthanum doublet. At f/7 views will be CA free.
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... ctive.html

As well if you want a bit more aperture there is this offering which I reccomended to Kerry C last year and he is using for AP now.
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... ctive.html
With the exchange and shipping you are still only about half of the TV-85 at Canadian prices.


If there are any particular things you are looking for let me know

merci beaucoup Mme .
thank you very mutch .

They all look good to me too. I have dealt with TS first for accessories for my Intes MK66 and more recently this refractor:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... cuser.html

I've found them always reliable, professional and good to deal with.

Here's my first light report viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8675

I would not hesitate to buy a refractor from them. BTW I don't suggest this as a "travel scope".

thank you so much .

messier 111 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 1:18 am

sdbodin wrote: ↑Mon Aug 23, 2021 9:39 pm Guess my question would be...travel in the trunk or under an airline seat?? Big difference on the definition of travel scope.

Steve

i guess both option will be for me .

Well a frac is probably out, all too long. I traveled to the southern hemi a couple time with my 100mm SCT, a Mak would be the same for size. I shoe-horned the OTA and a much modified one arm fork into a max-size under the seat case, but just barely. Actually put a minimal tripod in with my golf clubs, left almost all clothes at home, just the essentials!

Good luck,
Steve

Far from being out!
This is my SV 80mm f/7 with all needed accessories for a long trip in a case that is strong enough to go into a airline cargo hold.
Most of these refractors will also break down to fit in a case to take onboard.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 2:53 am Far from being out!
This is my SV 80mm f/7 with all needed accessories for a long trip in a case that is strong enough to go into a airline cargo hold.
Most of these refractors will also break down to fit in a case to take onboard.

If you trust that the checked luggage is going to San Jose Costa Rica vice San Jose Calif!!


I have none,
Steve

It has been to various locations in Europe, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and China.
A few scratches but other than that all good

I have not seen recent examples. I have a ubiquitous Synta (Saxon) ED80 f7.5 gold tube that I purchased 16 years ago for my international eclipse chasing.

The OTA cost me AUD400 in 2005. Approximately USD300. I have to say it has generally excellent optics. I haven't put it up against a Tak or AP but I use it for a variety of uses. I purchased it toward the end of my time using film to capture eclipse photos for total eclipses in Libya in 2006 and China in 2008 and later in Cairns in 2012.

Upon switching to an APSC DSLR camera in 2007, I switched to a shorter FL William Optics M70 70mm f6.3 APO in 2009. That scope has travelled to China in 2009, French Polynesia in 2010, and Svalbard in 2015. Both scopes are quite capable of being packed into a suitcase. I used to send my ED80 wrapped in a towel in a checked normal suitcase. The M70 being much shorter could comfortably fit in my carry-on camera backpack like a glorified telephoto lens.

There have been many suggestions but we have not heard what you are planning on using it for? Wildlife, lunar, DSO?
If DSO, a small folding 6" or even 8" suitcase dob might be the way to go. For DSO, you really can't beat aperture.

Joe