Trying to decide on APO refractor

[CJ (Chris)]

+1

Originally Posted by skywatch

oh, and if you want pretty, check out: http://www.moonrakertelescopes.co.uk/custom-builds.html

[LewisM]

After browsing images on many sites over the years (Astrobin etc) and a Google image search, my eyes cannot differentiate between a well corrected doublet image and a triplet or quadruplet image.

Note I said WELL CORRECTED - like FC-100, FS-102, FL102S etc (my M78 image was done with my FL102s doublet fluorite). I have pushed the FL102S visually to theoretical limits and was hard pressed to see even a trace of false colour, and I am VERY CA sensitive. It also responds superbly to imaging. A cheaper, not well corrected doublet is just asking for imaging woes.

A triplet is generally made from the start as well corrected anyway (the entire raison d'etre!), so it's academic

Personally, I own 2 doublets (both fluorite) and one quadruplet (double ED) - all have their individual imaging roles.

[Octane (Humayun)]

FSQ-106N.

You will be happy.

H

[stanlite (Grady)]

And broke lol... A little outside my price range i think.

[Den (Dennis)]

Call Bintel and see if it suits your needs.

$4000

http://www.bintel.com.au/Telescopes/...oductview.aspx

[stanlite (Grady)]

just to update everyone about what i decided.

I went with a 102mm APO which i received on Thursday. I also managed to fit in my price range a moonlight 2.5 CFL focuser (in SHMBO approved purple), a 2.5" TS flat for field flatness, a mount hub pro, and various screw attachments so the CCD screws directly into the focuser. All for under $3.5K.

Haven't had a test yet due to obligatory cloud and monsoonal rains.

Will keep you all araised about performance if you like.

also here are some photos

[Allan]

Nice one Grady. That purple Moonlite looks very sweet.