Orion 120ED

[MortonH]

I came across the Orion 120ED on the web last night, and after reading very favourable reviews, I though this scope might be the answer to my scope dilemma, if only the Australian price was reasonable. Knowing that the Skywatcher version is almost A$5,000, I wasn't entirely optimistic, but I was still shocked to see that Sirius Optics is selling the OTA for A$4,100.

What I don't understand is that the apparent 'exchange rate' for this scope appears to be very different than the rate for the 80ED and the 100ED. If the same kind of ratio were applied as these scopes, the 120ED should be slightly more than A$3,000.

I might try and ask Sirius to justify their price, but seems like we're getting ripped off again in this country.

Morton

[casstony]

Check out these guys advertising the 120ed ota plus HEQ5 pro mount for $4900 http://www.geckooptical.com/cgi-bin/gecko/index.cgi?catid=2&subcatid=11&adid=1186

[MortonH]

Was just looking at that and thinking the price must be wrong, perhaps OTA only?

Anyway, my budget doesn't stretch to that just now. Apparently the Orion 120ED OTA only weighs 4.7kg, which should make it light enough for my Tele Vue Panoramic mount, therefore allowing me to save up later for a GEM.

Morton

[h0ughy]

try this Meade Series 5000 ED APO 127mm OTA

$2,799.00

127mm f/7.5 ED Apochromatic triplet OTA Lens is made of premium ED glass and is air-spaced for superior contrast & clarity.

OTA has machined aluminum Crayford-style focuser and full extendable dew shield.

This model comes with the OTA only, and does not include 2" diagonal as shown.
- it had me interested in it, still am, might be worth bang for bucks and saves over a grand - and more Apature for the money and its a triplet

[MortonH]

Yes, but Bintel say it's not availble till May...and who knows if it'll be any good? Although the new 80mm got a decent review.

Check out the Bintel website. Big price drops on all Skywatcher Pro scopes. Turns out that $4,900 is the correct price for the 120ED with HEQ-5 GOTO. Or $3,75 for the OTA. Another dilemma.....

Morton

[MortonH]

Hmm, noticed that Synscan is v2 with this offer. THink I'm right in saying that v2 isn't upgradeable over the net, so you need to pay several hundred dollars for the v3 handset?

Morton