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hi all,
I need your opinion.
I am looking for a refractor between 115mm and 130mm.
I am looking for a very high quality refractor.
I only do visuals, more often than not the planets and a bit of dso like m31 m42.
here is what i have found so far,
I only put those that are available now .
William Optics Fluorostar 120 (A-F120)
Current price $4,175.00 cnd $ in stock
Sky-Watcher Esprit 120mm ED Triplet APO (S11420)
Current price $5,620.00 cnd $ in stock
ASTRO-TECH AT125EDL REFRACTOR OTA FCD-100 AND LANTHANUM F/7.8 DOUBLET
$1,695.00 us $ in stock
ASTRO-TECH AT115EDT F/7 ED TRIPLET REFRACTOR
$1,499.00 us $
Availability: In Stock
ASTRO-TECH AT130 EDT F/7 ED TRIPLET
$1,799.00 us $
Availability: In Stock
your help is much appreciated, if you ever find anything else let me know.
thank you in advance as always.
Jean Yves
I LOVE REFRACTORS ,
REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .
EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
APO/ED field is well established and mature, so I would expect all of the above telescope to be of good quality.
I would go with ASTRO-TECH AT125EDL REFRACTOR OTA FCD-100 AND LANTHANUM F/7.8 DOUBLET for visual. Doublets are easier to balance, easier to collimate, reach equilibrium faster and suppress CA enough for visual purposes.
If you are really finicky bout CA, I would go with ASTRO-TECH AT130 EDT F/7 ED TRIPLET
IMO there is no point of paying more than $2,000 for a mass produced ED/APO. If I am willing to spend around $5,000 on APO/ED I would go with a hand-configured option. Then you are getting something really special for extra $$. Take a look at Stellarvue
Bigzmey wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:07 am
APO/ED field is well established and mature, so I would expect all of the above telescope to be of good quality.
I would go with ASTRO-TECH AT125EDL REFRACTOR OTA FCD-100 AND LANTHANUM F/7.8 DOUBLET for visual. Doublets are easier to balance, easier to collimate, reach equilibrium faster and suppress CA enough for visual purposes.
If you are really finicky bout CA, I would go with ASTRO-TECH AT130 EDT F/7 ED TRIPLET
IMO there is no point of paying more than $2,000 for a mass produced ED/APO. If I am willing to spend around $5,000 on APO/ED I would go with a hand-configured option. Then you are getting something really special for extra $$. Take a look at Stellarvue
For strictly visual a high quality doublet will do a great job as well.
I would suggest a Vixen 115 mm or the Teleskop-Service Photoline or Teleskop-Service CFF refractors.
If interested in the Astro-Tech I would look at the 125EDL as well.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 5:51 am
For strictly visual a high quality doublet will do a great job as well.
I would suggest a Vixen 115 mm or the Teleskop-Service Photoline or Teleskop-Service CFF refractors.
If interested in the Astro-Tech I would look at the 125EDL as well.
thank you, i will take a look at that.
I LOVE REFRACTORS ,
REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .
EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
Bigzmey wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:07 am
APO/ED field is well established and mature, so I would expect all of the above telescope to be of good quality.
I would go with ASTRO-TECH AT125EDL REFRACTOR OTA FCD-100 AND LANTHANUM F/7.8 DOUBLET for visual. Doublets are easier to balance, easier to collimate, reach equilibrium faster and suppress CA enough for visual purposes.
If you are really finicky bout CA, I would go with ASTRO-TECH AT130 EDT F/7 ED TRIPLET
IMO there is no point of paying more than $2,000 for a mass produced ED/APO. If I am willing to spend around $5,000 on APO/ED I would go with a hand-configured option. Then you are getting something really special for extra $$. Take a look at Stellarvue
If you want a really high quality fluorite doublet I would suggest the Agena Astro 120 mm or 130 mm though the price is a bit higher than those listed.
Member Nakedgun has one if you need more in use information.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 6:32 pm
If you want a really high quality fluorite doublet I would suggest the Agena Astro 120 mm or 130 mm though the price is a bit higher than those listed.
Member Nakedgun has one if you need more in use information.
Do you have a link Gabby? I could not find Agena Asro - branded scopes on their site.
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 6:32 pm
If you want a really high quality fluorite doublet I would suggest the Agena Astro 120 mm or 130 mm though the price is a bit higher than those listed.
Member Nakedgun has one if you need more in use information.
Do you have a link Gabby? I could not find Agena Asro - branded scopes on their site.
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Feb 01, 2023 6:32 pm
If you want a really high quality fluorite doublet I would suggest the Agena Astro 120 mm or 130 mm though the price is a bit higher than those listed.
Member Nakedgun has one if you need more in use information.
Do you have a link Gabby? I could not find Agena Asro - branded scopes on their site.
Agema Optics is correct, a obvious mental shutdown on my part. Apologies
I was going to save and purchase a 120 mm but the AOM became available and plans changed
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
For visual only I'd say a doublet is more than enough. So I agree with Bigzmey. Lighter too, easier handling.
The Agema of Lady Fraktor is a real Fluorite, a doublet, gem, but far above budget, I suppose.
The problem is to find a telescope that is more perfect than a perfect one, between perfect telescopes.
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX. GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets). Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5. Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS,*Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40 Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt. Amateur astronomer since 1970.
I get used to the idea more and more, than the 125mm from astro tech or ts optic, which are in fact the same telescope.
I'm waiting for news from the two suppliers.
the cost of transport is exorbitant.
I LOVE REFRACTORS ,
REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .
EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 2:21 am
Before pulling the trigger you should also consider mount purchase. 125mm F7.8 will require a heavy duty mount with pier extension.
From my experience the mount should be at least 30lb capacity.
yes you are right, I have one or two mounts in mind.
Celestron Advanced VX
Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Mount
it is also said that it can be put on a cg-4 as it weighs only 16 pounds.
but i know you are right about that.
I LOVE REFRACTORS ,
REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .
EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 2:21 am
Before pulling the trigger you should also consider mount purchase. 125mm F7.8 will require a heavy duty mount with pier extension.
From my experience the mount should be at least 30lb capacity.
yes you are right, I have one or two mounts in mind.
Celestron Advanced VX
Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Mount
it is also said that it can be put on a cg-4 as it weighs only 16 pounds.
but i know you are right about that.
You can give it a try with cg-4, but I fear it will be a shaky experience. Here is my setup with CG-5 equivalent (30lb) and the mount handled the scope just barely. Because of the weight distribution and OTA length of ~100 cm the frac exhorts more force than heavier but more compact scope.
Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 2:21 am
Before pulling the trigger you should also consider mount purchase. 125mm F7.8 will require a heavy duty mount with pier extension.
From my experience the mount should be at least 30lb capacity.
yes you are right, I have one or two mounts in mind.
Celestron Advanced VX
Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Mount
it is also said that it can be put on a cg-4 as it weighs only 16 pounds.
but i know you are right about that.
You can give it a try with cg-4, but I fear it will be a shaky experience. Here is my setup with CG-5 equivalent (30lb) and the mount handled the scope just barely. Because of the weight distribution and OTA length of ~100 cm the frac exhorts more force than heavier but more compact scope.
ES 127mm CF APO on Bresser Exos2.jpg
what do you think of my two mount suggestions?
I LOVE REFRACTORS ,
REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .
EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .
I use a ASGT, precursor to the AVX and a manual CG-5 with a 150 mm f/8 that weights 13 kg (29 lb) without issue and movement/ tracking is smooth.
Both mounts that you have listed should work well but some people say the Skywatcher is slightly better.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt