SkyWatcher Esprit 150 ED - First Light

[RobC]

My Esprit 150 turned up last week after ordering it three months ago. Its big , bold and beautiful. From my preliminary testing it lives up to the aberration free review claims that I have read.

I still have to test it with a full frame camera but I am getting round stars to the image edge with an APS-C sized DSLR sensor . I can not detect any colour , spherical or coma aberration in the images and I am blown away with the image resolution I am seeing.

I was a bit concerned that the AZ-EQ6 may not handle the all up weight of 20 kg plus but I encountered no problems with test image guides of 1 minute to 60 minutes. These guiding tests were performed during the full moon last Friday night.

The three inch focuser is very smooth and I was easily able to achieve focus with a bahtinov mask. Over a 2 hour time period it did not require refocusing. My next step is to motorize the focuser.

On Tuesday night I was able to get a few hours of imaging before the moon rose. The attached M8 image was captured then. Most of my imaging has been done at F10 and the different ISO and exposure times required for F7 quite surprised me. Need to experiment a bit.

I will post further information on the Esprit 150 after I have completed more imaging and gained more experience with its use.

Overall I am very excited with the scope and its performance and consider the Esprit 150 exceptional value.

I have attached four images :

1. The Esorit 150 travel case. Note the wheels on the case.
2. The Esprit 150 rigged up for imaging on the AZ-EQ6 mount.
3. The Esprit 150 and its little sister an Esprit 100.
4. M8 - First Light for the Esprit 150 . 10 * 2 minute 1600 iso lights and 10 * 2 minute 1600 iso darks stacked an enhanced in PixInSight

Cheers

Rob

[Atmos]

Looking really nice!
When I was looking at getting a refractor it kinda came down to getting one of these or the 130 triplet. One of the main reasons I went smaller was for exactly the same reason you were worried about, weight with an EQ6 Pro/variant.

It looks like a beautiful scope though :)

[Somnium]

great stuff, looks like it is performing well, keep the pics and reviews coming !

[LewisM]

Time to get the SXVR-M25C on that baby and stop mucking around with the DSLR :)

[troypiggo]

Stars in the corners look nice and round at the IIS image scale. Nice one! The EQ6 handles the weight ok?

[MortonH]

Looking good!

[Slawomir]

That's a beast of a telescope! Great to hear the scope is living up to your expectations Rob.

[AlexN]

Looks beautiful Rob. I should be right for Friday night. Will let you know.

[codemonkey]

Nice one, Rob!

Interesting that you didn't feel the need to refocus over 2hrs. Did you measure the resulting images (FWHM or other) at all, or was this by eye?

I think I can make out a flattener in one of the images; did yours come with it?

[RobF]

Looks like a very promising rig Rob. Hope you score plenty more clear blue skies like the ones in those pics!

[RickS]

Nice scope, Rob!

[h0ughy]

you need a bigger mount - just to hold that smile up

[RobC]

Thanks Atmos . The AZ-EQ6 never fails to amaze me.



I am saving it for you Lewis. The DSLR is just so much easier to use when experimenting with new gear.



Thanks Morton



You are correct it is a beast. Nearly fell over backwards when I first opened the case. Thanks Slaw



Thanks Alex. Hope you can make it.



Thanks Lee. Measured by eye. I will run some FWHM tests on the images and get back to you. I was rushing to get some imagery before the moon rose. The flattener was included.



Thanks Rob. Praying for clear skies for the next two weeks. I will be out every night if there are clear skies.



Thanks Rick. Remember I chatted to you before ordering it.



You are correct David. I was worried I might have to purchase an EQ8 to mount it. However at the moment everything seems bloody wonderful.



Thanks Somnium - It was a bit of a gamble outlaying the cash to purchase it. Now I wished I had purchased when I initially got into Astro



Thanks Troy. Needs the flattener to get round stars in the corner. Next step is to test with a full frame camera.

[UniPol]

Nice scope Rob, very tempting after pricing a Tak TOA-150B recently. It looks like the Esprit would be a close match to the Tak which costs $14,243 for the bare OTA (doesn't include rings, case, dovetail, diagonal or finder). The Esprit at around $6,500 is certainly a good price. Mind you, while not in the same class, I bought a brand new SkyWatcher Black Diamond D150mm/F1200mm doublet refractor on special earlier in the year at $645 and it is great visually, sharp, light, very little CA (further reduced with a fringe filter) and great for star parties.

Good luck with your new scope.

Cheers, Steve

[Slawomir]

I might be wrong, but given the seeing conditions in our corner of Australia, all else being equal, I doubt that the difference between Tak and Esprit would be sufficient to justify extra $8000-9000 AUD (after adding the cost of the rings etc...). Unless perhaps someone has a very large CCD?

[Camelopardalis]

Looks a beauty mate, congrats on your new scope :thumbsup:

[troypiggo]

Thanks mate. Interesting - the product website mentions that it has inbuilt flattener at the focuser end for round stars, implying you don't need one. That's why I asked.

[RobC]

Steve , my sentiments exactly . All of the overseas reviews have equated the Esprit to its higher priced competitors. I communicated with a few Canadians who are experienced with the higher end competitors and they strongly advised me to purchase the Esprit.



I think you are spot on the mark Slaw. Even with better seeing conditions I doubt whether the Esprit would be outperformed. Any comparison would require some very objective testing on very expensive mounts. The flat image circle quoted for the Esprit is 44 mm.



Troy. The country dealers decide what items are provided with the Esprits. The flattener came with my Esprit and screws onto the back of the focuser. They did manufacture some Esprits with built in flatteners. I am not sure whether they still manufacture these. My buddy Lewis said they had a few problems with these.

[Camelopardalis]

In Europe for example, the Esprits come without the flattener but include an eyepiece :shrug:

Regarding the in-built, according to a chap at SW the 100 originally came in two versions, one with 5 elements (built-in flattener) at f/5 and a conventional triplet at f/5.5 with thread-on 2 element flattener...the latter is the only one that survived ;)

[codemonkey]

That's interesting; my 120 came with an eyepiece, and I think Rob's one did too; if I'm not mistaken there's one in the third slot from the left.

I wonder what the US ones are shipping with.

I saw on SGL (primarily UK forum) some unhappiness about the Esprits no longer shipping with the flattener, supposedly due to sourcing issues.

Maybe we're actually getting the best of both worlds.

[Octane]

Congratulations. It looks like a stunning scope. :)

Did you purchase locally?

H

[Camelopardalis]

My 100 didn't come with the eyepiece, which I'm not upset about...I'd much rather have the flattener :D

[LewisM]

Would be very disappointing not to receive the flattener with what is primarily an imaging scope. I know they are fantastic visual instruments, but they do excel at imaging.

Did they adjust local prices accordingly for removal or non-supply of extras etc? I didn't notice any price drops locally, but then I haven't looked at the Esprit's here for a few months. I remember Steve Massey offered me a 120 at an unbeatable price, but would be bare OTA with flattener and rings - no finder, no diagonal or EP, and no hard case. $3500 as I recall.

[Camelopardalis]

To me, it makes no sense to ship without the flattener.

We've got no evidence/indication of a change of supplied accessories or price. All we have is 3 data points of IIS members who have bought them recently...myself and Rob, who got the flattener, Lee who didn't :shrug: and SW seemed to concede it was a mistake and will ship one out. Sounds like Lee got a package that got shipped here instead of Europe...

[RobC]

Lee - I got the total kit with mine , including the optional rack and pinion focuser. I think the Aussie kit is the same as the USA kit with the eyepiece thrown in.

(1) Rings (2) Finder Scope with Mounting Bracket (3) 2" inch Diagonal (4) Eyepiece (5) Flattener (6) Prime Focus Tube Extender (4) 48 MM canon T Ring. (6) Screw on adapter for Flattener.



H - Purchased from Astro Pete in Brisbane.



Lewis - What's your point ? They sell a total kit , unlike TAKs. You should have taken Steve up on his offer.



Dunk - Thanks for explaining the simple things to Lewis

[Spookyer]

Looking forward to seeing it in action Rob.

brett

[killswitch]

Hey Rob

Congrats on the scope mate. Its a beauty, would love to see it in person.

I think its time for me to join the Esprit club too :)

Edison

[JimsShed]

Envious for 2 reasons. 1) the scope, 2) your lawn is green :)
Can you please share your thoughts on it's performance for visual use?

[RobC]

Thanks Jim. To date , I haven't used it for visual so I cannot comment. Will drop you a pm when I do. An astro mate took the photos on his I Phone. You are not the first one to comment on the blue skies and green lawn. I think the I Phone must have built in PixInSight image enhancement. As you live close enough you could drive up and look through the scope. If you want to , pm me.



Thanks Edison. I am very happy with the scopes performance. I hear you will be in Brisbane shortly. If you get a chance drop up.



Thanks Spookyer. Still trying to convince the wife a new AP1100 will complement the Esprit. Although its a hard sell when the AZ-EQ 6 is performing very well.

[raymo]

Can I come along and have a look through it too Rob?
it's only 3842 km. to your place.
raymo

[texta]

Awesome work Rob! What a monster. Nice. :)
I'll be joining the Esprit club too!

[RobC]

Texta - I don't think you will be disappointed if you purchase.



Raymo - This weekend OK ? . I will arrange a parking spot at the Caboolture airport for your Lear Jet. Phone me about 30 minutes before you land and I will pick you up. The airport is about 10 minutes from home.

[raymo]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

raymo

[gregbradley]

Beautiful scope Rob. Congrats.

Greg.

[AlexN]

My new telescope is 4.5" f/2.8 apo. Ok ok, its a camera lens but still seems impressive to me. Hahaha. I will have to bring it up to see your sky conditions once I iron the bugs out.

[RobC]

You are always welcome Alex.



Thanks Greg - I look forward to the day I can see all your gear running.

[Camelopardalis]

Alex, don't forget to post up a crop of the corners of the image once you get it out under the stars. Then we'll see if it's an apo :P

[AlexN]

Looking like I will lug it out shortly. I've managed to hobble together a solution to mount it up however no guiding yet. Off to bunnings tomorrow to buy some supplies to solidly mount a finder guider and my home made ascom focus setup.. But I should be able to manage 1 minute unguided images. And I figure, 1 minute at f/2.8 has to be better than 3 minutes at f/5

[gregbradley]

Thanks Greg - I look forward to the day I can see all your gear running.[/QUOTE]

I've got it all running nicely now after quite an effort. I have several images I am processing.

Greg.

[Rod771]

Looking good , Rob!

Impressive set up you're assembling there. Very good first light too! :thumbsup: