Saxon refractor comparison

[Crackers330]

G'day everyone,

I'm seeking some advice regarding the comparison of a few different refractors. I have been dabbling in astrophotography for a little over a year now using the SW 200DPS and I absolutely love the scope. However, the next scope I am after is a refractor with less focal length for my wide field shots.

I have been looking at the SW Esprit, Sharpstar, William Optics and Askar ranges. Unfortunately, there are a lot of shortages at the moment so I cannot order the scope I'm after and as such I came across the Saxon triplet range. Has anyone used the Saxon's before? If so, how do they stack up against other triplets? I'm asking because I can find them locally and they are considerably cheaper than the competition.

I am looking forward to your responses!

Cheers!

[Saturnine]

Most Saxon scopes are pretty much just re-branded Skywatcher as far as I understand it.
Saxon triplets seem to be the same as the Explore Scientific range of triplets going by their appearance and specs and are quite capable telescopes.
Check for online reviews of the telescope focal lengths and OD that you are interested in of the brands you mentioned.

[garymck]

The Saxon triplets are Explore Scientific FCD100's re branded. Reputedly crap focusers but decent optics...

Gary

[Eldest_Sibling]

There are two types of Saxon 80mm f/6 ED refractors: this triplet-apochromat...

https://www.saxon.com.au/saxon-deluxe-80mm-apochromatic-air-spaced-ed-triplet-refractor-telescope.html.html

...and this one...

https://www.saxon.com.au/saxon-80-ed-refractor-telescope.html.html

However, that one smacks of being a doublet, rather than a triplet. Curiously, it touts FPL-53 as the ED-glass element.

Were you considering an 80mm?

Then, the more-costly Saxon 80mm f/6 triplet-apochromat is indeed the spitting-image of this Explore Scientific...

https://explorescientificusa.com/collections/refractors/products/ed80-fcd100-apo-refractor

This is true for the larger apertures as well.

You should be able to find far more user-reviews online of an ES than of the Saxon.

Then, in that this fellow had imaged with a ubiquitous ST80 achromat...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWSvIkfTx8k&t=932s

...you'd be worlds away whilst using the less-expensive 80mm of the Saxon ED-glass offerings.

[RogerLightyear]

You may be interested in this article for the Saxon 127mm triplet which goes into the focuser and similarity to the ES version:
http://www.thescruffyastronomer.com/2021/05/review-of-saxon-fcd100-127mm-triplet-apo.html