I have a dilemma and your opinion is requested.

[messier 111]

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

[Bigzmey]

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

https://www.stellarvue.com/svx130t-r-raptor/

[messier 111]

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

https://www.stellarvue.com/svx130t-r-raptor/

you chose the one I'm thinking of, as far as stellarview is concerned, it's very good but above my budget.

[Lady Fraktor]

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.

[messier 111]

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.

[messier 111]

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

https://www.stellarvue.com/svx130t-r-raptor/

I forgot to say thank you.

[Lady Fraktor]

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.

[Bigzmey]

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.

[messier 111]

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.

try this ,
https://agenaastro.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobC ... gId8fD_BwE

[Bigzmey]

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.

try this ,
https://agenaastro.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobC ... gId8fD_BwE

I know Agena Astro, bought quite few things from them, but I can't find any refractors branded as Agena Astro.

[messier 111]

Do you have a link Gabby? I could not find Agena Asro - branded scopes on their site.

try this ,
https://agenaastro.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobC ... gId8fD_BwE

I know Agena Astro, bought quite few things from them, but I can't find any refractors branded as Agena Astro.

may be this is , https://www.agemaoptics.com/telescopes/

[Bigzmey]

try this ,
https://agenaastro.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobC ... gId8fD_BwE

I know Agena Astro, bought quite few things from them, but I can't find any refractors branded as Agena Astro.

may be this is , https://www.agemaoptics.com/telescopes/

Could be it!

[Lady Fraktor]

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

[John Baars]

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.

[messier 111]

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.

[Bigzmey]

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.

[messier 111]

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.

[Bigzmey]

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.

[messier 111]

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?

[Lady Fraktor]

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.