80mm ed

[shane shaw]

Can someone who has used these 2 scopes please tell me which is the better scope to use and which takes better pictures.


skywatcher 80mm ED Optical Tube $599 or $799 with case

Meade ED80 Series 5000, 80mm $799.00

thanks

[madtuna]

I'd get the skywatcher, forgo the case and put the 200 smackers you saved towards something else

[shane shaw]

yes mate thinking the same

[Zuts]

Hi,

They are totally different scopes. The Skywatcher is a 2 element F7.5 while the Meade is a 3 element F6. The Meade is the faster scope.

Regards Paul

[peter_4059]

No plastic on the Meade either!

[allan gould]

Have looked through both scopes. The Meade is lighter and faster and generally better built than the Skywatcher, which is quite heavy and is more cheaply finished as far as paint and attention to detail. The Meade focusser is better. Optically they are very similar and individual scope variation would/may put one above the other. Given a choice (I never thought I'd say this again!!!!), I'd take the Meade.

[Zuts]

Hi,

The Meade is definately lighter, also it has a sliding dew shield which makes it nice and compact and a screw in cap which is also useful.

Anyone thinking of buying one remember it does not come with a finder or 2 inch to 1.25 inch adaptor, though it can take cameras, 2 inch eyepieces out of the box.

Also, it is possible to fit one side of a GSO fine focus for about 30 bucks.

The finish also looks good, thick white enamel.

Optically it is about the same as the ED80, but as Allan says, faster. It is really aimed at photography because of the 480 mm FL, as this would require quite a short FL eyepiece to get high mag, though it can be done.

I was happy with mine for photo's but sold it after I got my TV 85 and self guiding camera.

Paul

[peter_4059]

Paul,

How was the GSO 10:1 focuser retrofitted - can you buy the mechanism on its own? Where from? Did it require any modification?

Peter

[Zuts]

If you look at my for sale add you can see it (icetrade archives). Basically you just buy the knob (30 bucks i think), take off the Meade knob and replace. Ask for Michael at Bintel Sydney, i went in one day and he did it for free, including the part :).

Mind you I am a good customer, as my poor wallet will attest to :)

Paul

[peter_4059]

Thanks - I'll give that a try.