New Scope AstroPhysics 110GTX and corrector F5

[gregbradley]

This new scope from Roland Christen of AstroPhysics is in hot demand. A lottery was setup and names pulled randomly. I did not get a notification on the 1st production run but 3 weeks ago out of the blue I got a notification that my name had come up.

I have since bought it and its on it's way to me and should arrive by Monday.

Woohoo.

This scope has been engineered to handle the very demanding 3.76 micron pixelled cameras like QHY600/ZWO6200 and 2600.

It's a 110mm ED triplet with a very wide correction and round pinpoint stars to the corners of a full frame sensor. It's natively F6 and the corrector/compressor gives F5 and round corner stars.

Basically arguably the best 4 inch scope available. I have seen quite a few superb images taken with it. One image in particular was astoubding. An image of Gqalaxy M33 and it resolved large amounts of individual stars in the image. That's not what you would expect from a 4 inch scope.

So watch this space for a first light. I may need a custom adapter as I use a FLI filterwheel.

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

Very noooice. I'm sure like all AP 'scopes it will be brilliant....and become a classic in due course. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

What a beauty Greg, lucky guy :)

How many good scopes you got now? :prey2:

Mike

[OneCosmos]

Jealous but very happy for you.

[gregbradley]

CFF105 F6 (99.4 strehl in greeen) and Riccardi reducer, AP130GT and quad TCC (reducer/corrector) and flattener, AP110GTX and corrector/reducer, AP RHA305 F3.8, Planewave CDK17 (currently in my home observatory).

My all round favorite so far is the RHA. Does both nebula widefield and galaxies so it's quite flexible as you would know with your Newt.

I am hoping the 130 flattener will also work on the 110 otherwise I may end up getting that as well. Similarly I am wondering if the 110's corrector works on the 130.

You've got a few as well Mike: Tak FSQ106EDXiv, Orion Optics 12 inch F3.8, AP 152.

And Peter Ward, well, he could open up a scope shop with his gear.

I've also had a few since sold: Tak FS152, Tak FSQ105N fluorite, Tak FSQ106EDX, AP140 F7.7, TEC 180 fluorite, TEC110 fluorite.

Greg.

[gregbradley]

I've been impressed with the images I have seen taken with it by others.
Outperforming what you would expect from a 110mm scope.





Hehe and an understandable reaction.

I'll post photos of it just to tease you!

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

Who me? I've only got a couple of nice 'scopes.

Honest :whistle:

(Questar 3.5, AP92 Stowaway, Takahashi FSQ-EDXIV, AP 130GTX, AP 155 EDF AP 305 RHA, Alluna RC16).

[gregbradley]

A nice haul.

Greg.

[Hans Tucker]

I had expressed my interest in a AP110GTX but heard nothing from the first draw but then oddly received an offer from Astro-Physics on a 92MM Stowaway which I jumped at.

The AP 92MM F6.65 Stowaway cost a bit to bring into Australia .. I can just image how much more for a AP110GTX.

I have been spying a AP140 on Astromart to add to my collection (Tak FS60CB, AP 92MM Stowaway, AP130GTX, APOMAX 130 f12, TEC160FL) but alas the seller stipulates pickup from England.

[Peter Ward]

There was a time ( before I retired ) when a UK pick-up wasn't a deal breaker. :doh:

[Venter]

I also had my name on the list for a 110GTX and got the notification a few weeks ago. Fortunately my son is based in Chicago (not too far from AP) and is visiting Sydney in a few weeks so will bring the scope plus 110FF & 110TCC. But yes, works out to quite a bit converted into AUD, and that’s without full frame camera & 2” filters!

It’ll be a nice addition to my small selection of Tak’s….a TOA130, FSQ85 and TSA120 (used for visual only) :D

[Peter Ward]

To quote Knopfler....That's the way to do it ! :)

[gregbradley]

Congrats Michael.

Greg.

[AlexN]

Congrats on the new scope mate... I'm still kicking myself that when my name finally came up on a ap starfire 130, I wasn't in a position to take advantage of it.

Can't wait to see what you can do with it mate.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Alex. Shouldn't be long now.

Greg.

[wavelandscott]

Congratulations on the new scope! Enjoy it.

[gregbradley]

Cheers Scott.

The scope arrived today. I am expecting the corrector hopefully tomorrow and am planning a trip to my dark site shortly.

Greg.

[Hans Tucker]

Sooo .. what Camera are you planning on using with the AP110GTX?

[gregbradley]

QHY600M photographic (3.76nm pixels which is what the scope was designed for) also FLI Proline 16803 (6nm pixels) and perhaps even FLI Microline 16200 (6nm pixels).

Mainly the QHY600.
I have scope and corrector now.

Greg.

[strongmanmike]

Isn't the 16803 chip 9 micron pixels...? :question:

Mike

[AlexN]

Mike is right - 16803 is 9um pixels...

The 16200 would be a good match, but the sensor size might be a bit of a let down given what the corrected and illuminated field of that scope would be.

But the newer sub 4um pixel cameras like the IMX455 are where a scope like this would really sing I think.

[Venter]

I had the QSY600M in mind…..this scope performs best with a full frame camera and with the small pixel size should be great performer

[gregbradley]

Oh yes, I mistyped that. It has 9 micron pixels.

Greg.

[gregbradley]

The 110GTX and the new corrector compressors are designed to handle the small 3.76 micron pixels of these popular CMOS sensors.
These small pixels are showing up aberrations in the optics that went unnoticed with the larger pixelled cameras.

The 110GTX seems to accomplish that impressively.

https://www.astro-physics.com/110gtx

My scope is #129 and Roland is in the process of doing another production run. I presume he does 100 in a run but don't know that for a fact.


Greg.

[gregbradley]

The case is very solid. It's a Pelican case with airline type retractable handle and wheels on the bottom. Very nice and very rugged.

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

Champing at the bit here to see some first light data......:thumbsup:

[wavelandscott]

I was kind of wondering the same thing in terms of performance etc. How was first light?

[gregbradley]

Sorry, in adapter world at the moment, but they are IP with Josh.




Won't be long now.

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

Of course you know... acquiring this 'scope will cause it rain non-stop for at least 6 months.... :)

[gregbradley]

Yes the cloudy weather has already started!

One nice touch on the scope is the dew shield has been machined to taper where it meets the tube.
Greg