Finally, Telescope Choice made!

[Decimus]

After all of the discussion under 'Which scope?' and 'Crunch Time' - and many thanks to all of you for your input - I have purchase the following equipment:

APM-LZOS Telescope Apo Refractor (triplet) 152/1200

Officina Stellare 10x60 Finderscope

William Optics Quartz 1/15 wave dielectric diagonal

Full set of Pentax XW eyepieces: 3.5, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 20mm, plus 1 Vixen LVW 42mm

Mount: Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 SynScan GOTO Mount

Busted the bank but am very happy with my choice. Accessories arriving next week, telelscope (and a custom-made case) in late May or thereabouts.

I am ridiculously excited. Oh, the joys of retirement! :D

[Atmos]

I think anyone would be excited with that arriving :-) Look forward to hearing when it all arrives :)

[The Mekon]

Richard, a really nice bunch of equipment! When it arrives you may find that the AZ-EQ6 tripod has a few shortcomings for such a large refractor. You may want to put it on a pier, the best type for large refractors are the tension leg style as sold (and copied by others) by Astro-Physics.
Looking forward to some pictures and obs reports after it arrives.

[Camelopardalis]

Nice one Richard, look forward to hearing more about it when it arrives :thumbsup:

[Kunama]

Great scope and ancillaries Richard. I have a Progress Saver account going at the moment entitled "APM LZOS 152/1200LW" so am very interested in your thoughts on this scope when it arrives.

[Decimus]

Thanks, Colin, John, Dunk and Matt. I won't be doing any photography when it arrives as I will probably spend most of my time observing - and reading about astrophotography, a since I am clueless. I have yet to buy a good camera, anyway. The pier set-up mount you mention is ideal, but it'll have to wait. I watched a video of an ASA Astrosysteme mount and could not hear it even with the sound maxxed out! What a gorgeous mount - but $16000!

If anyone has any suggestions on good texts on astrophotography, I'd be grateful.

Thanks again.

Cheers,
Richard

[janoskiss]

Be honest, you were always going to get that scope regardless of what others were going to recommend. :P

What a package you've got there though! Merry Christmas and happy retirement! :)

[Decimus]

Well, the Tak was under consideration, and the CFF 160 APO and the TEC too, Steve, but some friendly advice and experiential knowledge from the retailer persuaded me otherwise...And the Tak 150, great scope that it is, is a bit too heavy and has a focuser which is not as good as the one on the APM....Apologies to Tak afficionados...:) :)

Cheers,
Richard

[Brian3.]

Excellent choice with the right accessories. Hope to be following you in a few years!

[Decimus]

Thanks, Brian. Scope is on the way here. Mind you, it might take me a few years just to master the scope for observing, let alone take astrophotographs. And I am no spring chicken... :)

Cheers,
Richard

[Peter Ward]

Nice scope.... But it's still not an Astro-Physics :)

But an EQ6? Seriously? I think those lovely optics deserved better....

[Decimus]

Well, Peter, I wasn't going to wait 7 years plus for an AP whose optics (I am informed) are arguably no better than the APM's.:)

You are right that the AZ-EQ6 is not the best of mounts for this scope, but I have it at home and am impressed by its quality build....As I will not be doing astrophotography for some time, it is a good choice for a rank amateur (and the CEM60 from IOptron was the only contender, given my budget:D). The Astro Systeme DDM60 would be wonderful, but at $16K (with tripod), that's for much later....if ever.

Cheers,
Richard

[RickS]

This one's quite good and covers a wide range of relevant topics: http://www.amazon.com/Astrophotography-Manual-Practical-Scientific-Approach/dp/113877684X/

Cheers,
Rick.

[Atmos]

If all you're planning on doing is visual work for quite some time, what is most important for you is simple hand controller goto (don't need an external computer) which is what the SkyWatcher does well :)

[Peter Ward]

APM are lovely instruments....but I fear they haven't quite got that divine optical correction That AP are revered for ( I believe Roland Christen will be Canonised in time to come :) ...(don't take me seriously on this subject...then again....I have had 5 AP scopes over the years...all are divine )

7 years for an AP? Well not always.....I had an AP130 for sale late last year but no IIS subscribers were interested. :shrug:

I too have looked at the ASA range...unfortunately users report a raft of interesting problems that direct drive system induce. For those seeking perfection I'd suggest a worm drive with absolute encoders comes close....in any event I look forward to hearing about your experience with the new system in time to come!

[xelasnave]

Gee I dont know that you bave made the right choices.

Just kidding. Great selection dont get too frustrated waiting for the opportunity to use it all.
Good luck alex

[AstralTraveller]

Yeah, I think we should volunteer to take it off his hands. Stop him feeling frustrated ;).

[Decimus]

Thanks, Chris - much appreciated. I'll put that text on the 'buy now' list as I have no doubt it will take me ages to absorb it all!
Cheers,
Richard

[Decimus]

Oh and thanks, Alex and David for the humour! :)

All that is needed now (apart from the scope) is a powertank which has proven difficult to source for the AZ-EQ6....Have ordered one, but again, the waiting, the waiting...
Cheers,
Richard

[Decimus]

Sorry, Rick. Why did I call you Chris? Apologies:rolleyes:

[RickS]

No problem, Richard. I thought you might have decided that one Richard was enough :)

[vlazg]

A 110 amp hour marine battery runs my azeq6, plus cameras, almost all night, for 3 nights before I need to recharge

[Atmos]

If all you are runnin is the mount, you won't need anything more than a 10-20 amp/hr 12v battery depending on whether you want to pull some all nighters at a dark site or not.

[Decimus]

Thanks, guys, for the advice.

I heard that Skywatcher do not approve of powertanks/ power supplies other than their own, which, I believe, is no longer made or available; otherwise, they will void the warranty. Some people have bunt out the electrics! I certainly don't want to do that. What brand of battery do you use, Colin?

I understand that Celestron are setting up shop in Australia and I will try to purchase their powertank (which is what Skywatcher used, perhaps 'rebadged'?) as soon as it's available.

Cheers,
Richard

[Atmos]

I have a 7 amp/hr Celestron Powertank from OzScopes a while back. Also have a 17 amp/hr motorcycle battery, a 8xD Cell pack and a 200 amp/hr deep cycle battery.

The Powertank has a 12v socket but I have made some clamps for the other batteries and bought a 12v cigarette plug to 2.5/2.1mm connection (cannot remember which).

[Decimus]

Thanks for the helpful info, Colin. The 2.1mm connection 'rings a bell'(I exchanged some correspondence concerning the powertank only last week).

Cheers,
Richard

[Camelopardalis]

Given that they don't seem to be supplying the part into the country, they can hardly hold you to it ;)

For the same money, get a decent sized AGM battery...

[Astromelb]

Scope shipped to you yesterday
Images of unit taken just before repackaging and shipping
Strehl is high - LZOS test certificate included in supply - I will let Richard comment personally regarding the Strehl test certificate as he does not yet know the test result

[Astromelb]

I will leave comments either in favour or criticising ASA DDM Eq's out of this thread - as a supplier I find it distasteful that another supplier gets involved in criticising some products and favouring the products he himself sells - this is not the place for such commentary
This thread is about Richard and his new system - lets stay on track - with thanks

[Decimus]

Thanks, Cris. Can hardly wait.... An absolutely beautiful telescope oozing from every angle.:astron: :eyepop:
Cheers,
Richard

[Decimus]

I meant 'oozing quality' from every angle, of course...:D

[Astromelb]

Richard has received his telescope today :)

I am sure he will let you all know if the 4 weeks he has had to wait has been worthwhile - and what he thinks of the telescope

I am sure you will all be most interested in the Certified Test Report supplied with this telescope - and of this actual telescopes optic

The Certified Test Report is from LZOS - Lytkarino Optics of Moscow. The test is performed on a five axis Certified Professional Optical Bench. The result is absolutely spot on accurate, and is demonstrative of what premier European manufacturers are able to achieve

I will not steal Richard's thunder, I will let him advise you all of the result, and then I will post a scan of the Certified Test Report itself

Clear skies

[FlashDrive]

Very nice Scope indeed ....

Col...

[Decimus]

I looked out the window at 12:30 pm and my heart raced as I saw a courier van delivering a very large parcel to my front door. Pulse rate soaring (both from sheer excitement and the effort of carrying the box up my steep staircase), I opened the box and undid the wrappings (numerous layers of foam tons of foam, etc) and there was the most splendid sight (love at first sight, really :love:): my brand new 152mm APM LZOS Apo refractor. Wow!!

On top was the Strehl Ratio test – a staggering .989 ! :eyepop: I re-read the number just to make sure, and then resisted the urge (for the moment) of picking up this glorious telescope and giving it a (tender) hug. I know I am raving now, but this is a day I am not likely to forget.

Many thanks to Cris of Astronomy Alive for his outstanding, professional service – including many phone calls and emails answering my pesky questions.

No doubt all of you have experienced such astronomical nirvana. Can’t wait to do some observing!

Clear skies everyone.

Cheers,
Richard

[raymo]

You should take up writing.
raymo

[Decimus]

By the way, the pic (sorry, it's been taken with my awful mobile phone - will post a better one later) is of the telescope with the dew cap retracted; it alone is 35.8cm long!
Cheers,
Richard

[Atmos]

That looks like a real beauty! I'll trade you a Meade 10" LX200, just think of all that extra light gathering power ;)

[Decimus]

Thanks, Raymo. Actually, this scope (and the promise of endless heavenly vistas it will deliver) shall be my muse from now on. :D

Cheers,
Richard

[Kunama]

Richard, That is a scope to treasure, beautiful !!!

Happy Retirement !!!!

[Slawomir]

Wow, what a beautiful telescope, congratulations Richard :)

[raymo]

Oh, you should definitely take up writing.
Have a ball Richard, if you can resist swooning every time you try to
look through it.
raymo

[Kunama]

I know Peter said this in jest but it is rather ironic that this APM would test at ....... 0.989

[Decimus]

Thanks for your good wishes and comments, Raymo, Suavi and Matt. I certainly underestimated how BIG the scope would be, but it is surprisingly light for its size and has a beautiful finish which words cannot describe. And yes, Matt, the Strehl ironically says it all (and it's not an AP).

Cheers,
Richard

[Decimus]

Thanks, Col too!

[Camelopardalis]

Fantastic! That should be the one scope to rule them all Richard :thumbsup:

[Decimus]

Don't know about ruling them all, Dunk, but she sure is gorgeous. Now for clear skies. Tassie weather is erratic at the best of times, so I just look at the scope....


Cheers,
Richard

[raymo]

When I lived in Rosebery, I had a windscreen wiper on one scope, and a
Kent clearview screen on the other.:lol::lol:
raymo

[Decimus]

I think I'll stick with the APM, Colin! :)

[Decimus]

Still laughing, Raymo, because down here in Tassie, such equipment is essential! :lol:

[raymo]

Yes we lived in Rosebery, up from Strahan, but we had to leave because
my wife couldn't stand going a fortnight at a time without seeing the sun.
We had the only golf course I've ever played where you always had to wear wellington boots.
raymo