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danielsun
26-04-2010, 11:19 AM
Hi all, Have been doing some searching for the best flattener for an ED 80 .
I see that there is a William optics P-Flat 3 which says is suitable for M72, M 80 and upwards Yet there is a new WO P-Flat 4 which says it is suitable for refractors but a little more expensive . Does anyone Know which is better suited for the ED 80 or is there something else?

Cheers Daniel.

koputai
26-04-2010, 11:39 AM
Daniel, Bintel advertise one specifically made for the SW ED80,

https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=8584

Might be worth a look.

Cheers,
Jason.

danielsun
26-04-2010, 11:44 AM
Thanks Jason your a Champion!:thumbsup: I have the Saxon /Synta ED80 so seems like this is the one.


Cheers Daniel.

peter_4059
26-04-2010, 11:47 AM
I'm pretty sure Troy Piggo tried both WO flateners on his SW ED80 and settled for the P-Flat 4 as the one that worked best.

multiweb
26-04-2010, 11:48 AM
+1 WO P-Flat IV it is. :thumbsup:

Tilt
26-04-2010, 12:22 PM
WO Pflat4 seems to be getting the nod lately, I would have more than likely purchased that over the Pflat2 if it was available at the time.

[1ponders]
26-04-2010, 12:27 PM
WO II if still available.

Refractor and Focal Reducer Trials (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/93-458-0-0-1-0.html)

I haven't found that the IV is any better than the II. Definitely do not get the III.

dcalleja
26-04-2010, 01:40 PM
Does anyone have any feedback on the Bintel one or is the WO the choice of champions?

danielsun
26-04-2010, 02:23 PM
Thanks all for the responses:thumbsup: I found this on Cloudy nights and on one of the posts down the page show a comparison with and without using the Skywatcher Flattener and is impressive.:thumbsup:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3616427/Main/3614200

Cheers Daniel.

multiweb
26-04-2010, 02:33 PM
That does look very good too. :thumbsup:

dcalleja
26-04-2010, 02:52 PM
The before and afters look good. The blurb seems to imply that you can only use the Synta\Bintel one with a DSLR? I wonder how I could then connect my ST8300 to it?

troypiggo
26-04-2010, 05:01 PM
WO FF IV gets my vote absolutely. My latest image here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=59695
Check out the 1600px version.

I haven't tried the WO FF II, but understand it gets good results too. It's also a 0.8x reducer. The IV isn't a reducer, in fact it's around 1.1x.

I did try the FF III on my ED80. Not good.

That ED80 0.8x flattener looks promising.

Tilt
26-04-2010, 05:35 PM
I thought it was also a 0.8 reducer?

dcalleja
26-04-2010, 05:35 PM
Troy
The results looks great. Are you connecting it to a DSLR or CCD. I was interested in what fittings the FF IV comes with ie: will it connect to a standard CCD type fitting?

troypiggo
27-04-2010, 05:41 AM
No, the IV isn't a reducer. I did see a post or website recently that mentioned it was a 0.8x, but that's wrong. It's actually about 1.1-1.15x



I'm using a DSLR. The EOS adapter screws straight into it as though it's a T-adapter. Not sure what your CCD type fittings consist of.

dcalleja
16-05-2010, 03:51 PM
Hi all
I decided to go with the PFlat IV from Williams. Got it from Andrews. Good service and advice. I was concerned it would not fit the SBIG but all is well as per the photo. Have not had a chance to use it as the clouds have now rolled in :(

dugnsuz
08-06-2010, 04:07 PM
Hey Dan,
How does the ED80 focuser cope with all that weight hanging off the back?
Doug

dcalleja
08-06-2010, 07:11 PM
Doug
Still havent tried it. Will post as soon as I get a chance

mill
08-06-2010, 07:22 PM
I have an ED80 with the stock focusser and hanging off it is a pflat2,QHY9with filterwheel and it doesn't sag or moves.
The way to get it right is to file the flat part of the drawtube very flat so the roller is touching the whole flat on the drawtube.
With the stock focusser the roller is only touching the sides of the flat and is very crappy :(
The ED80 focusser modded this way will hold a lot of weight :)

MrB
08-06-2010, 08:16 PM
Depends which FF4 it is, there are 3 versions, can't remember exactly but I think the first one 0.8 or 0.75x or something but was flawed so got recalled. The second version was 1.1 or 1.2x. (maybe this was the flawed recalled one?)
Version three is supposed to be all good (if your scope has enough in focus :mad2: ) but I too thought it was 1x.

EDIT: just to confuse things, WO's website currently specs the FF4 as 0.75 to 0.8x :shrug:
It's about time WO put version numbers on their products and some archived data... like Flat4 Mk1, Flat4 Mk2, Mk3 etc
The different versions of the Megrez90 are just as confusing!

danielsun
08-06-2010, 08:44 PM
Well I finally got my Orion ED 80 .8x reducer corrector yesterday so as soon as the clouds part I look forward to testing it out.:)

mill
08-06-2010, 08:59 PM
Keep dreaming young grasshopper :P
The clouds will not part :windy:

danielsun
08-06-2010, 09:05 PM
Not wrong there Marty. It has been that cloudy here for so long that I can't remember what stars look like and to top it off my new purchase could keep the clouds here still for months yet!!:(

asimov
09-06-2010, 01:40 PM
Hi guys.

I'm now in the same position: Looking for a flattener/reducer. I have the Orion ED80, so I guess the first question I should be asking is; IS the Orion the same as the Synta, Skywatcher & Saxon ED80?

Would the one that Daniel purchased by ok for my Orion?

I'll be using it with the 400D BTW.

Cheers.

danielsun
09-06-2010, 07:37 PM
Yep Asi, I have the Saxon ED80 and apparently they are all the same so it will be fine. ;)

Cheers Daniel.

Zaps
09-06-2010, 07:40 PM
My understanding was that the WO FF/FR Type II was generally considered the best all 'round match for the ED80, while the Type III didn't perform well with that telescope.

There have recently been murmurings of approval regarding the performance of the new Orion/Sky-Watcher/Synta FF/FRs which are designed specifically for use with the ED80-120 range, but I have no experience with those.

asimov
09-06-2010, 07:54 PM
Thanks Daniel. One more question: Do I need a T-adapter, or just the T-ring? I understand just the T-ring screwed onto the back of the FR gives the critical 55MM from camera sensor to FR?

Cheers mate.

danielsun
09-06-2010, 08:07 PM
Actually, lucky you asked because the reducer/ corrector needs a special T-ring adapter to fit to your camera because the thread is different to the standard type so if you order one you have to get the matching T-ring for your type of camera.
I got mine from Bintel.

Cheers Daniel.

asimov
09-06-2010, 08:14 PM
Yes, I was going to order another T-ring anyway (from Bintel). So the T-adapter (2" tube) is not needed then?

asimov
10-06-2010, 05:11 PM
Ordered mine:thumbsup:

[1ponders]
10-06-2010, 05:30 PM
WO Flat III definitely does not do the job on any of the Synta ED80s (Orion, Saxon, Skywatcher). The WO Flat II works a treat and has a much shorter profile than the Flat IV, so keeps your camera closer to the focuser than the IV will do making dec balancing much easier. I have both the Flat II and III

danielsun
16-06-2010, 09:10 PM
Well, finally got a clear night and was able to give the new Orion .8x flattener/reducer for the ED80 a go, so here is a test at 45 secs, no guiding. I must say I am very impressed and happy.:thumbsup:

dcalleja
17-06-2010, 12:47 PM
Daniel
Looks pretty flat to me. Cant wait to try mine out.

adman
19-06-2010, 04:38 PM
HI Daniel - where did you get the orion flattener from? Is it the same as the $249 from Andrews??

Cheers
Adam

dcalleja
19-06-2010, 05:18 PM
Adam
Yes got it from Andrews but it was more than $249. I think it was $399

asimov
19-06-2010, 05:28 PM
Daniel (hang on, how many Daniels in this thread :eyepop:;):lol: lol!?) got it from Bintel as far as I know. $333 with T-ring & shipping. At least, thats what I got charged for mine.

dcalleja
19-06-2010, 05:51 PM
Whoops. I will change my name to Bruce. Sorry - I didn't register the Orion bit. Mines the Williams.

asimov
19-06-2010, 05:54 PM
No problems Bruce!:D:lol:

:thumbsup:

danielsun
19-06-2010, 07:19 PM
I'll put my hand up as one of the Daniels :hi:
Not sure which one Andrews is but this is mine here https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=8584

$314 including the special T-ring.

adman
20-06-2010, 08:21 AM
sorry I hadn't registered how many Daniels there were...:)

My question related to Danielsun's one. What is the purpose of the special adapter? From the ad it looks like it has a T-thread on one end for the camera and the other end had a thread for screwing to the draw tube. Does it not work like this?

Adam

danielsun
20-06-2010, 10:36 AM
Yes, one end of the corrector screws directly onto the draw tube but the otherside has a different thread which does not scew onto a standard T-Ring, so you must but a new T-ring specially suited to fit the corrector.

adman
20-06-2010, 10:40 AM
Thanks Daniel,

What the hell were they thinking (apart from making some extra $$ selling special adapter...)??

I might just get the (cheaper) WO FFII - does that require any additional hardware?

Adam

danielsun
20-06-2010, 03:54 PM
I think Orion did it on purpose just so you have to buy their own T-ring.
I am not familiar with the WO at all so I don't know.:shrug: Maybe someone else can answer that one.

Cheers Daniel.

mill
20-06-2010, 04:48 PM
The WO pflat is a T2 connection and screws straight into the t-ring of the camera.

talltraveler
26-06-2010, 11:40 PM
A standard T2 camera adapter has a 42mm diameter aperture; from the Orion site I see that the flattener has a wider aperture (48mm), presumably to reduce or avoid vignetting with a full frame 35mm sensor (24x36mm, 42mm diagonal). Does anyone know how the Orion flattener for the ED120 performs with other telescopes?

Cheers

Richard

acropolite
28-07-2010, 12:24 PM
The special adapter is a larger diameter to prevent vignetting on FF SLR's

FWIW the orion adapter only screws on to the end of the original Synta focusser, it won't fit the GSO 10:1 replacement (not sure about the WO aftermarket focusser).

I'm trying to find a workaround as I've bought the Orion FR only to find that it won't fit my aftermarket focusser. It may just be a matter of finding an appropriate adapter, that is if the larger thread is a standard size.

Unfortunately I sold my original Synta focusser some tima ago, it would come in very handy at the moment.

[1ponders]
28-07-2010, 12:54 PM
I'll see what I can bring to Astrofest Phil. I'm sure to have something somewhere. ;) In fact I know I have an old synta focuser lying around somewhere. I'll pinch the 2"- T thread adapter out of it

Rockah
28-07-2010, 01:14 PM
Yeah Phil I was about to buy the sw FR as it seemed to get quite good reviews, and even though I've got the stock focuser on there at the moment, I was told it was only compatible with the synta focuser and specifically not the GSO crayford (as this was next on my list). So I think the WO is a good option as it will go well with other focusers too

acropolite
28-07-2010, 02:31 PM
It's not an adapter, but the drawtube that the FR screws on to.

I can see the reasoning behind it, to keep the aperture of the drawtube/FR as large as possible but it's damn restrictive.

I've done some research and an adapter to get back to a standard 2 inch adapter doesn't exist.

adman
03-08-2010, 08:31 AM
I ended up getting the Orion one - and the special adapter :P. Works very well - had it out last night.

Only one problem is that there is nowhere to fit my 48mm IDAS LPS filter - has anyone else come across this before? I suppose I could get one of the Astronomik clip-in filters?

Adam