Ed60’s

[Hemi]

Dear Members,

I enjoyed Glens ed60 unboxing and am tempted to buy a small refractor like that. Primarily visual, but some imaging/EAA. Is there really no difference between the astrotech At60ed and the Williams zenith star 61? The price is almost double. They look the same. Anyone used both? Is there a faster 60out there?

Clear skies!

Hemi

[Wavytone]

That scope is f/6. There are faster, its only a matter of how much glass, and $$$:

60mm f/5.5 http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/telescopes/refracting-telescopes-ota/apochromates/ts-photoline-60-mm-f-55-fpl-53-apo-2-rp-focuser.html

71mm f/4.9 http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/telescopes/refracting-telescopes-ota/apochromates/ts-imaging-star-71-71-mm-f-49-5-element-flat-field-apo.html


72mm f/5.5 http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/telescopes/refracting-telescopes-ota/apochromates/ts-photoline-70mm-f-6-fpl53-triplet-apo-2-rp-focuser1.html

80mm f/4.4 http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/telescopes/refracting-telescopes-ota/apochromates/ts-81-mm-f-4.4-imaging-star-apo-astrograph.html

90mm f/5.5 http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/telescopes/refracting-telescopes-ota/apochromates/long-perng-s500m-ed-apo-aperture-90-mm-f-5.5-2.5-focuser.html

102mm f/5.1 http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/telescopes/refracting-telescopes-ota/apochromates/ts-imaging-star-102-mm-f-51-6-element-flatfield-apo-astrograph.html

[glend]

Hemi, the Z61 price is not almost double, if you buy it from William Optis direct here:

https://williamoptics.com/zenithstar-61-apo

Their price is $418 USD. Astronomics charge $369 USD for theirs. TS and APM are more expensive because your dealing with the unfavourable Euro to to AUD conversion rates. Have a look at shipping charges as well, I believe Williams shipping is pretty reasonable coming direct from Taiwan. I believe AStronomics charged me $89 USD for shipping, so factor that in, and TS use a flat rate DHL charge of 36 Euros (about $54 AUD). Don't forget to check out the cost of the flattener they each supply as well. Astronomics charge $99 USD for their flattener, and Williams charges $168 for theirs.

Note that when I was buying Williams was out of stock of the Z61 and could not tell me when they would have stock again, nor at what price. I think Dunk has a Z61 so maybe he can comment on it.

[Hemi]

Thanks Gents,

Oh dear, now I have a longing for the APM71, 4.9!

Yes Glen, you’re right must have had a brain fade....I was comparing the AT from astronimcs vs the WO with the flattener from FLO!

The ES 102, might have to be sacrificed.

Cheers

Hemi

[AstroApprentice]

Hi Hemi,
I've had my eye on a 55/60 mm as well.
This Sky Rover 60ED appears identical to the AT60ED and is a little cheaper https://www.aliexpress.com/item/SKY-ROVER-60mm-F-6-ED-APO-Astronomical-Telescope/32870716711.html?spm=2114.search010 4.3.8.483e796aIi564i&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb20 1602_5_10152_10065_10151_10344_1006 8_10130_5722815_10342_10547_10343_1 0340_10341_10548_5722915_5722615_10 696_10084_10083_10618_10307_10131_5 722715_10132_10133_5711215_10059_30 8_100031_10103_10624_10623_10622_57 11315_5722515_10621_10620_10814_108 15,searchweb201603_55,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=43b99ae2-6eff-4d54-bd2d-6afd9f2a7fde-1&algo_pvid=43b99ae2-6eff-4d54-bd2d-6afd9f2a7fde&transAbTest=ae803_2&priceBeautifyAB=0

Also the Stellarvue SV60EDS is faster at f/5.5 and still available:
https://www.highpointscientific.com/stellarvue-sv60eds-60mm-apo-doublet-refractor-telescope-sv60eds
The TS Photoline version is much more expensive for some reason:
http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/telescopes/refracting-telescopes-ota/apochromates/ts-photoline-60-mm-f-55-fpl-53-apo-2-rp-focuser
This Sharpstar on Aliexpress appears identical to both the SV & TS and is alot cheaper:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/SHARPSTAR-60ED-Astronomical-Telescope/32803903465.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208 .99999999.264.23753c00TltufL
They are all doublets with one FPL-53 element, but the TS is ~$760 AUD, the SV $635 and the SS $480 before shipping. Maybe the difference is in quality control and TS take the best lenses first?
Hopefully someone can enlighten us on the difference, if there is one.

[glend]

Jason the TS60 version seems to feature a Doublet of both FPL-53 and Lanthanum glass elements (not just a Lanthanum coating). The others do feature one element of FPL-53 but don''t mention the composition of the second element. That might explain the price difference. There is no doubt they all come from the same factory, but TS does make a point, in their Details pages of many of their refractors, that they specify high end objects where they can source them.

[AstroApprentice]

Thanks Glen - two FPL-53 lenses would explain it. I just can't see where TS definitively state that. They use element not elements in the following description: Apochromatic doublet lens with FPL53 element by Ohara (Japan)
There's little doubt they come from the same factory as this 50mm Sharpstar has the TS insignia on the dew shield:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32848722413.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208 .99999999.261.4e133c00HNwr2o

The Sharpstar 60ED does not come with a case, just the foam insert, but I don't think that's worth the price difference to the SV.

[glend]

Seems pretty clear to me, how hard did you look:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p10095_TS-Optics-PhotoLine-60mm-f-6-FPL53-Apo---2--R-P-Focuser---RED-Line.html

In two places on that product page it mentions the objective elements....

"Clear and contrasty image without chromatic aberration. The latter is almost completely corrected through FPL53 (Ohara - Japan) and the lanthanum partner glass."

[AstroApprentice]

Hi Glen,
I can't seem to find the 60mm f/5.5 I was referring to on the TS site, only the f/6 - I guess I'm not looking hard enough! ;)
I found limited info on the f/5.5 on the APM site.

[castor]

You can buy the Sharpstar ED mini-scopes (50, 60, 72) on ALIexpress for a lot less than the list price in Australia or Europe. I did so and they were reliable.

[Hemi]

I reckon its a toss up between the AT 60ED and the TS 71/4.9.

big difference in price: but the 71 doesn't need a flattener. 0.5 KG weight difference not too bad...will be going on my AZGTI.

what do you guys think?

Hemi

[glend]

Hemi, there is a 0.5kg weight difference, and the TS71 is almost triple the price, and cannot be used visually with a diagonal mirror.

As to imaging off the AZ-GTI mount, that has yet to be proven possible as far as I know. Even in EQ setup mode, testing is required, and it cannot be guided, so you would need a short sub capable camera, good alignment, and minimal weight, imho.

[Kal]

I can only speak on behalf of stellarvue, but they certainly have a quality control system in place. On their website it is stated "Every Stellarvue telescope is tested in three different ways: (1) for optical accuracy using a Zygo phase-shifting laser interferometer; (2) for optical alignment using an auto-collimator; and (3) for overall performance with a visual star test. "


I doubt one company would have the "first pick" of best lenses, but I can guarantee you that the larger OEM customers that have a reputation to maintain will have a minumum quality standard that they will adhere to, and will not accept any product that falls below their requested standard.

[Hemi]

Thanks Glen, the voice of reason as always.
Did not realise the Imaging star could not be used for visual....so thats that!.

.....Back to the ED60's will choose one this weekend!

Clear Skies


Hemi