Skywatcher Ed 80

[richard omeara]

Is the skywatcher ED 80 a good astro-imaging scope for a beginer?

[maksutover]

Sure Is!!

[Zuts]

Hi,

It's a good choice, why

Pro's

1. Inexpensive, for what you get
2. ED is far better than an achromat
3. Focal length is suitable for a beginner; and for widefield
4. Complete, comes with tube rings, finder, dovetail, 2 inch focuser suitable for DSLR's
5. Proven performer, just look around the posts here, lots of people have one and are happy

Con's

1. A bit heavy, but no problem on say an EQ5 or better
2. Definately needs a field flattener, but you can crop
3. Not sure if it comes with a 10:1 fine focusser, for photos this is bordering on a necessity, but you can focus a camera without one.
3. It's no Takahashi or Televue for visual as there is a lot of field curvature, but for 30% of the price what do you expect.

Paul

[Astrod00d]

Agree with all your comments, Paul.

The ED80 standard focuser is not 10:1 and mine had trouble supporting the weight of a DSLR. Replaced the standard focuser with a 10:1 Guan Sheng from Andrews and once I got the thing re-collimated have never looked back.

Field flatness is an issue, you'll need to crop your images unless you get a flattener.

Other than that... wide field, sharp images, almost no chromatic aberration, excellent value for money.

Cheers,

Rob