New Refractor Telescope

[benklerk]

At the moment I have the Skywatcher 72ED and really loving having a wide field telescope along side my long focal length telescope. I will be replacing my ZWO 1600mm with the ZWO 294mm at some point also.

I'm now looking at the idea on getting a triplet APO. The ones I'm looking at are.
Skywatcher Esprit 80
William Optics GT 81
Or the new William Optics Flurostar 91.

Just seeing what are your thoughts on Skywatcher vs William Optics for a good triplet APO for nice sharp wide field images.

[astronut]

Don't forget this... https://www.testar.com.au/products/sharpstar-76edph


Or this.... https://www.testar.com.au/products/sharpstar-94edph-apo-triplet-f-5-5

[JohnH]

From the same maker is the Askar FRA 400, I am very happy with mine...

[benklerk]

Thanks for the replies

I do get quite bad star bloat in the blue on my 72ed. So just looking at a refractor which doesn’t have star bloat. From what I have read, triplets have very good overall performance over UV to IR

i do like the WO looks more we’ll built then the skywatcher, but it does look like I also need to get the WO flattener/focal reducer as the skywatcher comes with one.

As for the other refractors with different glass that they claim are the same as FPL 53. I’m hesitant about the claim as trying to get information about the transmission response is almost impossible to find. As for FLP glass you can find it quite easy. From telescopes with the different glass I find I get better images with my 72ed apart from the star bloat, bit it could be the image processing.

I do have a auto focuser which I will connect, so I guess it’s pretty straight forward, just remove the fine focus knob and attach the focuser.

[Peter Ward]

Don't die wondering...put your name down for one of these (https://www.astro-physics.com/92f665) ;)

[lazjen]

Well, actually, you may *die* wondering - wondering if you'll ever get to the front of the list... :)

[gregbradley]

I think the wait list for the AP Stowaway is probably relatively short. AP has been pumping out a lot of these.

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

Well, not exactly "pumping them out" :) but agreed.... you might be waiting 1-2 years. But, also I've been told the wait from Takahashi for a FSQ is now well over 12 months.

Some things are worth waiting for however....

[benklerk]

Looks like I nice scope, but way out of my price range.

But it looks like its going to be between Skywatcher 80 Esprit or the William optics 81 GT as they are both at the same price point.