100mm ED refractors

[morls]

Hi,

I'm starting to get my head around what's available for around $1000 in 4" ED refractors. My starting point has been the skywatcher ED100, currently around $1200.

From what I've been able to gather, the Saxon, SkyWatcher and Orion OTA's are the same. Is this correct?

If so, does anyone know if there is a difference in optics quality between the Saxon ED100 and the ED100DS (the DS has a finder scope and is $180 more...)?

here are links to both:
https://www.opticscentral.com.au/saxon-ed100-refractor-telescope-ota-only.html?___SID=U
https://www.opticscentral.com.au/saxon-ed100ds-refractor-telescope-ota-only.html?___SID=U

Cheers

Stephen

[Atmos]

I believe they're all identical optically but have different decals. They're a very nice visual scope though, I love my 4" F/9 for viewing in light polluted Melbourne.

[that_guy]

If you can wait for something to come up on the second hand market, you can usually score a ed127 triplet for the same price, got mine for $1000 posted and it is an absolute beauty

[glend]

What is it that you want this scope for? Visual or imaging? If imaging a Triplet is a better choice than the ED100 (doublet).

[morls]

I'm just into visual, so I think a triplet might be overkill at this stage. 100mm seems to hit a sweet spot in the price vs aperture curve. Main interest is planetary, lunar, nebulae and globulars...as a starting point anyway...:P

[ZeroID]

Why a refractor if visual is the objective ? A bigger aperture Dob, 8"-10"- 12" would give far better viewing to see of the targets you have listed. Also cheaper.

[croweater]

The ds has the diagonal as well Stephen. Cheers, Richard

[morls]

In the past I've had an 8" dob, which with a couple of Naglers gave me amazing views. Now I want to play around with a solid EQ mount, with tracking, and a nice refractor to spend time getting to know the planets.

I will probably end up with a 12" dob at some stage, but for now my interest is in this setup.

Cheers

Stephen

[Hoges]

I recently picked up a second 100mm ED OTA (Saxon) for just under $1000 (on sale) at Optics Central in Melb. They're light, easy to mount and give a sharp contrasty view. I've had a 10" SCT, various dobs & newts of 6 - 10" and I think the ED100 gives as good a look at the planets of any of the scopes I've had. They might not quite have the resolution on globs and nebula and galaxy hunting as the bigger scopes, but the view - in my eyes - is always sharper and more pleasing. Cool down times don't seem to be an issue and the smaller refractors of this size always seem to be less affected by mediocre or poor seeing - I'm sure other people's mileage will vary but I think they're a top choice.

[morls]

Love the bino-fractors!

[astro1965]

send me a PM if you are interested in an ED scope,cheers Nick.

[ZeroID]

Fair enuff, I've got a flip mirror in my optical train which I use to do final alignment and take a look when I feel like it. The Lunt is 102mm f7, gives nice views. I've got a 10" f5 Dob and another 4-5 scopes as well but I spend most of my time imaging.