Unique ED80 with AP focuser for sale - SOLD thanks to all

[lorenz117]

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Seeing as there's interest in the split up package and to answer a few questions on the reducer I thought I'd put it here ....

If someone wants the OTA alone, without reducer or rings, I'll let it go for $800 + shipping. With reducer only $100 more = $900. Reason is it saves me the trouble of advertising the reducer separately. Local pickup saves the shipping cost.

Now the reducer ... it's a big piece of glass, a 2.7" diameter design so it won't work in a small 2" focuser. It makes the scope quite fast, but you can see from the attached image theres no problem with field flatness without a reducer, at least with a chip the size of the st2000. It'll be more useful for DSLR imaging, or faster photos. To put the camera the correct distance away from the reducer, it needs a spacer to get the 0.75x reduction, depending on which camera you have - you can get the specs from the AP website - for a ST-x camera without filter wheel the spacer is 1.75".

I've also added a picture of omega centauri I took from my light polluted balcony last night without the reducer with a st2000xcm. 6x1.5 min shots unguided.

thanks very much for looking
Lorenz
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Hi
I've got an ED80 that's been modified with an Astro Physics traveller focuser - this is infinetely better than the stock focuser. The tube has been professionally repainted white, the optics are great. This is a unique and fantastic imaging platform. I can also offer losmandy rings - with either a vixen dovetail mounting or losmandy mounting, with it aswell as an Astro Physics reducer to bring the f/7.5 down to f/5.6 for a nice flat field.

This keeps the best of the ED80, the objective, and throws away the worst, the focuser. This scope is really intended for someone who wants to get into CCD for less than 1/2 the price of a Sky90 or TV85. The stock focusers on ED80's slip as soon as you hang a Sbig camera on the back. The reducer gives a nice flat field for 35mm DSLR, and also gives a nice wide field for visual.

The total price with the 2.7" Traveller focuser (worth $550US), Losmandy DR125 rings (worth $US150 best rings you can get), the AP 27TVPH (worth $US250 best reducer you can get) and the AP 2" compression ring visual back is $1100AUD shipped.

The price doesn't take into consideration the considerable amount of work and machining expertise required to make this happen, which is why these modded ED80's are extremely rare. A search on ad 320573 on Astromart and you'll see a version without an AP reducer or Losmandy rings.

For an Idea of what a skilled imager can do with this OTA-reducer combo have a look at http://spacibm.rice.edu/~has/images/ES_M8HaLumRGBPhoto_7_6.jpg

thanks for looking!

reason for sale, I've got an FSQ on the way

take care
Lorenz

[Stu]

Definitly worth the money if you are into imaging. The AP focuser is much stronger and more stable. Let me know if it doesn't sell for what you want.

An FSQ!!!! Wow!

[lorenz117]

yes that focuser is about the smoothest, nicest made thing you'll get on any scope. I think the price is good given the fair amount of work I put into building it all. I'll give it a go on AM if doesn't sell here, otherwise I'll just keep it as my travel scope and use it with my 350d. I don't mind selling without rings btw.

[DaveO (David)]

Lorenz

I am interested in this, but while I have been in the game for many years, my experience on the refractor front is non-existant. I have been investigating a new scope, and have been getting good advice on one of the other forums. An ED80 seems like a good candidate for me.

That said, I am not up to date with the special features you mention. For example:

• How does this compare with an Orion ED80 that I would buy now?
• What is a "traveller focus"? I understand the difference between R&P and Crawford, but this is new.
• Why are Losmandy rings so special?
• I have no idea what a reducer is or a compression ring!
• Why did it need to be repainted?

Any info would help greatly.

[DaveO (David)]

Lorenz

My ignorance has been resolved elsewhere. I am doing some more research, but am definitely interested.

[lorenz117]

Hi Daveo - about to go out and enjoy the clear night here in Melb so to answer your questions quickly:

The ED80 has a great objective but a low quality focuser. It's fine for eyepieces but one you put in a CCD camera or DSLR it'll slip

A traveller focuser is an R&P focuser. It's made by an American company called Astro-Physics that make about the best refractors money can buy. Their focusers are equally considered among the very best.

Losmandy rings, or anything from losmandy actually, are built extremely well, with supurb finish. These have delrin tipped screws that let you adjust the scope any which way.

It's white because it looks alot better than the yuky standard grey-blue they come in. This was painted by a fellow in the US. I made the adaptor for the AP focuser.

google reducer and you'll see what they do. The AP website also has info on the one that comes with this scope.

Any other questions just ask, or PM and I'll give you my phone #

take care
Lorenz

[lorenz117]

If anyone is interested in just the ota and don't need the rings or reducer let me know
thanks
Lorenz

[DaveO (David)]

Thanks for the info Lorenz.

After much research and consideration, I think the scope might be overkill for my requirements. On that basis I'll pass.

No doubt it will sell regardless.

[lorenz117]

not a problem daveo - it is really meant for imaging

[allan gould]

If you sell the OTA separately, would you contact me via PM for the rings and/or the mounting plate with your price.
Thanks
Allan Gould

[lorenz117]

Thanks Allan but it's all sold.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Glad to see you managed to sell the scope. Sounded like a fantastic buy. Maybe Allan can come to a IIS get together up the coast here and I can at least look at it