what middle of the road APO refractor? would you buy?

[vk3bq (Andrew)]

hello, lost in a endless spiral of specifications and online reviews and seeking some opinions and advice?

currently have a small evostar ED72 (and .85 flattener) @360mm Mounted on az-eq6R *was a free scope with the mount as a promo deal a year back, its served me well as a starter scope, i've learnt a lot and now feel its time to step up the glass quality.

I am using an asi533MM (mono) and optolong 7nm narrowband/rgb filters. doing deep sky stuff from metro melbourne and the ASV dark site in central vic

looking to step up to a better quality and longer APO triplet / quad refractor type scope keeping the imaging gear the same for the current period of time. In the ~$4-6K range. in the ~100-120mm `8-10kg range

im torn between a couple of options, but have I missed something? what is it and why??

Williams Optics FLT91 // FLT120 *these needs flattener for extra $
ASKAR 107PHQ APO QUAD
SKYWATCHER ESPRIT 100ED or 120ED?? safe bet?

or wait to see what rebranded options ZWO bring out overnight (NEAF new gear?)

my wallet keeps telling me the Askar is the best bang for buck, with my current camera/7nm filters and how I used it, but my spec sheet keeps telling me the FLT120 is the best spec and future proof option should I ever step up my imaging gear.

*and the FLT120 has a deal at the moment with a free ZS61 guide scope at that could also be used as a wide field imaging scope for something different into the future.

Help. what do other people think?? what would you spend **MY** money on?


An example of what the ED72 is producing and what I am imaging for reference http://www.vk3bq.com/wp-content/uploads/dolphin5.jpeg

[AstroViking (Steve)]

Hey Andrew,

Can't offer any advice on what to buy, I'm afraid.

Although, if I'm spending your money, then how about a Takahashi?

As for the attached image, that's brilliant and gives me hope that I can use my SW72 + OSC to do something similar.

Cheers,
V

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

Hi , The Skywatcher 100 or 120mm triplets or the Explore Scientific 100 or 127mm triplets would be a good starting point in your search in your price range.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

The Askar range are excellent value for money, no need for flatteners.

[Retrograde (Pete)]

I'd go one of the Skywatcher Esprits. Known quantity with heaps of info out there & in terms of bang-for-buck they're hard to go past.

[vk3bq (Andrew)]

thanks everyone, seem sits a ford vs holden with no one thing better than anything else. I still keep coming back to the Williams Optiocs flt120? is this overkill?