I had a chance this past week to play with my new AP 92 mm Stowaway and wow! I can honestly say that I was surprised and impressed.
I live in an area of terrible skies between the weather conditions and light pollution it is tough to enjoy the hobby so even with this legendary scope I was not expecting a lot.
I only had time for a quick peak so I grabbed a simple Alt/Az mount (Skywatcher) and a few eyepieces...and away I went.
The scope devoured the magnification I had with me (up to the 3.5 mm Pentax) and could have gone higher...the problem was my “cheap mount” was not steady enough to support the magnification.
As a visual observer and much more familiar with Dobsonian mounted reflectors, I had never experienced mount weakness as the weak link and so did not expect this result.
My previous experiences always had something else as the limiting factor, usually weather or my skill level etc. This was a new experience.
I look forward to trying this scope out on a sturdier mount...but even with the gear I used, the scope performed well...it is hard to describe how glorious this little gem is to use.
I know they are hard to come by and not cheap but they are all that they are reported to be...Wow, just Wow!
Scott, do you have another mount in mind? Especially for when the bigger brother/sister arrives?
Your impressions here are so good to read! Seeing your list of largeand very nice dobs there, its great to hear that a smaller refractor can still get you buzzing like that!
Last edited by RB; 20-09-2020 at 08:25 AM.
Reason: Quote from previous member deleted
Hi Scott, Bigjoe here..I was surprised by what I could see of Mars near Zenith recently with 2 of my smaller scopes an AA 80ED and C6, so I'd expect an 92mm AP with impeccable optics to give a delightful view of many features in V. good seeing.
Would be great to let us know how it goes on some objects even doubles(eg Pi Aquillae etc) and how it compares to your bigger scopes say.
Shame one has to wait sooo long for one, thats IF you can get one!
Thanks all...I will take it out next time on my Discmount 6...that should take care of the mount issues. I have used that mount quitE happily with the APM 130 so the Stowaway should be a piece of cake for it. Work is a bit all encompassing for the next few weeks so it is unlikely I will get much viewing in soon but will try.
Sounds wonderful. I had the option of getting one myself recently but sadly passed on it as I have since listing gotten a lovely CFF105 F6 with .99 strehl so a bit too close plus I don't travel with my scopes.
Thanks all for your comments and well wishes...and yes, it was /is a bit of a brag. My wife is supportive and all but does not really understand what a jewel this scope is...it is nice to read some comments from people who do.