In Telescope Limbo.....

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:44 pm

So I sold off the Onyx thinking I'd pick up the WO M88FD but alas someone got there first.......
So now no grab and go scope but can survive on an 80mm finderscope for now.
Any suggestions for a grab and go refractor, also useful for imaging that is a meaningful upgrade from my Onyx?
Was originally looking at a used NP101 at a very good price but after seeing its condition (needs Televue servicing), price is way too expensive. Sigh!
Suggestions? Offers? *grin*

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:07 pm

Orion ED80T CF Triplet Apo USD$699.95
http://www.telescope.com/control/produc ... t_id=09525

kensou · Post by **kensou** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:12 pm

I want a 5" triplet APO refractor [smilie=crying2.gif]

TelescopeNP127is - 127mm APO Nagler-Petzval Refractor
TSA-120 - 120mm APO Triplet Refractor

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:18 pm

Thanks Gary! Unfortunately going from an 80ED doublet to an 80 Triplet is not much of an upgrade even if there is slightly better correction and a CF tube, since its well within the weight limits of my mounts and we have minimal temp change here.

Was kinda thinking of a 4" class 'frac. Eyeing the soon-to-be-announced AT-110EDQ, an f/7 110mm quad-element refractor. But it goes against my principles of buying only used...
Ken --> Eh if I had the money......

Actually if you're talking Taks I'd go for the FSQ-106 since it is flat field out of the box but then again, that's some SERIOUS money....

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:44 pm

@Cloud: No worries! Grab-n-Go is a very subjective term.

kensou · Post by **kensou** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:07 pm

4" also can lust for

If I kena Toto or 4D 1st prize can hoot liao haha

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:11 pm

if the pic Gary linked to is for real, that's pretty good. Not much elongation at the corners.

However given the size of M45 in the pic, this looks like a smaller-than-8300 chip (or an aggressive crop of the central 25% of a DSLR chip).

if you don't mind an achro (!) this guy on astromart has been trying to flog his Orion/Vixen NA120SS for $600. that's a petzval right there but the front doublet is not ED. so it's not a good high-mag instrument and would show CA (not as much as an achromat, but more than an ED doublet).