New William Optics Refractor - FLT98

[Matty P]

While I was doing some research on the William Optics Megrez 90. I came across this new refractor that William Optics have just brought out. The FLT98 Triplet APO.

It doesn't need much of an explanation as it looks like a very high quality refractor. It has a carbon fibre optical tube with 2.5" 2-speed focuser and is made specifically for astrophotgraphy. How can you resist? ;)

I'm not sure much it is going to cost down here in Oz but I am definitely considering for my next scope. :whistle:

What do you think?

Have a look here,
http://www.williamoptics.com/telescopes/flt98_features.php

:thumbsup:

[Phil]

Wow looks good be interesting to see the reviews.
Phil

[AlexN]

It will be a LOT more than the Megrez 90... thats for sure..

It will be a nice scope though, but for the money it's likely to cost, you'd want to be sure its EXACTLY what you want.

[mick pinner]

:eyepop:coming on Tuesday

[Matty P]

Awesome Mick, I would love to see what you think of it. :D

Sorry but I have to ask. Where did you get it from and how much?

:thumbsup:

[Matty P]

Yes, I thought it would be. I was expecting it not to be cheap but I have put it on the list of scopes to consider. :thumbsup:

It looks like a great scope for astrophotography though. :)

[mick pinner]

pm sent Matty.

[Omaroo]

William Optics sent me an introductory email in reference to this scope today - and no-one has yet mentioned the price so I will - they're currently priced at US$1,998.00

[AlexN]

thats actually not too bad for a ~100mm fluorite triplet...

[mick pinner]

l've seen the $US prices too Chris and they are very good so l wonder why the Australian retailers that are advertising them won't list a price.

[mick pinner]

especially considering they are carbon fibre and have an upgraded focuser Alex.

[Matty P]

I'm hoping that I someone will have one at IISAC 08, so I can have a look it. :whistle:

The FLT98 is a little bit out of my price ATM but I am still considering it.

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

indeed..

That focuser looks to be somewhere in between an R&P and a crayford in design.... The coarse section on the draw tube must provide more grip.. hence, less/no slippage. fair idea....

Whats the advantage of a 2.5" focuser?

And yes.. CF tube is all the rage... light, strong, optimal cooling properties..

[AlexN]

Matt, One word mate... Save! It would be worth the extra $ and then some... Just hold out a few months longer and save up the extra coins!! :D

[Matty P]

That's what I will probably end up doing.

I can picture it mounted on top of my C8 in my observaotry. :whistle:

:thumbsup:

[bluescope]

I considered the FLT98 when I was choosing my FLT110 ... they are selling them in US for around US$2,000 but decided I wanted the slightly larger aperture and steel reinforced 4" focuser for an extra US$800. Plus the reputation of the 110 as an excellent imaging scope and having the TMB field flattener available as an option was appealing for use with possible future upgrade to large format CCD.

Here's a link to scopes in US ............

http://www.optcorp.com/ProductList.aspx?uid=1-600-613-1229

:thumbsup:

p.s. Only quoting US dollars to tie into the link. The exchange rate was very good when I ordered my 110 and got the scope for basically the same price but in OZ dollars .... even got the TMB flattener cheaper than US.

[Miaplacidus]

Does this put Mick on the leader board for number of telescopes ever owned? (Someone should run a poll.)

[mick pinner]

l'm not even close, never will be with Houghy around. hope his missus doesn't read this.

[Miaplacidus]

Ah, yes, Houghy. Is he up to triple figures yet?

[g__day]

I've always like the look of carbon fibre tubes. And the way my C9.25 CF maintain focus through large temperature changes had impressed me no end.

[cookie8]

:eyepop:Wow what a piece of mouthwatering fine art! Refractoritis has no cure!

[Ian Robinson]

Would make a very nice finderscope ....

[AlexN]

lol Ian... Overkill perhaps?

[anj026]

I think I read somewhere that there is only 100 scopes being made. I think also that the lens is an Astreya (Russian manuafacture like the FLT158). It sure is tempting.

[Matty P]

If that is true Andy I better get one fairly quickly otherwise I might miss out.

I'm positive that they will make more than 100... :shrug:

[AlexN]

but wouldnt you feel awesome if you get one and theres only 100 made :)

Limited Edition Fluorite Triplet... Not many astronomers can claim that :)

[Matty P]

I was just wondering if I would still need the field flattener with the FLT98?

I would probably end up purchasing one anyway but is it necessary?

:)

[Matty P]

Two words..... Hell Yes! ;)

[mick pinner]

it is recommended Matt.

[AlexN]

I'd recommend a field flattener for any refractor intended for photographic work...

[Matty P]

Thanks for the help, I'd probably purchase one with the scope.

Which one would you guys recommend?

[AlexN]

the william optics Field Flattener / Reducer Version III...

If you end up going for the M90, the FF/R III is not the best choice, apparently it has better results with the FF/R II.

The FLT98 would be well suited to the Version III

[Matty P]

I just found a small writeup on the WO FLT98 in the September issue of AS&T. Have a look on page 40 for the writeup and page 42 for the image.

It actually states that initial production is being limited to 100 units. :eyepop:

[Kal]

This thread (http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2606436/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1) over on cloudy nights has some wonderful pics of this scope. On the lens, it says that it is designed by Andrey Strakhov - Yahoo group on him here (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/SUPERAPO_refractors/). As someone already mentioned, I believe Astreya is making the lens.

[prova]

I'd have one of these everyday of the week over the WO and the Vixen is Made in Japan with a superb R&P focuser and LESS than half the price brand new (if you paid what I did)

http://www.vixenoptics.com/refractors/ed81.htm

[Stephen65]

Yes, apparently the lens is made by Astreya in Russia, its an FPL-53 triplet APO and the reports so far on CN are very favourable. I'm tempted to sell my Megrez 90 to help pay for one of these.

[TrevorW]

This is a nice scope and Williams do make good gear but what about the scopes from A&M with carbon fibre bodies, these are really something.

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1509

IMO

[citivolus]

I think I have a need to upgrade Mr. Megrez.

Now to break it to the wife (who would notice if the OTA mysteriously changed colour one day)

[AlexN]

tell her you bought some of that "plastic stick on carbon fiber look contact" to give your scope the personalised edge!! :) the extra 8mm... welll as it gets love, and comes of age, the scope grows.. :)

You'll probably get smacked around a bit for those comments, but It will be funny for us to hear about later :D

[citivolus]

She's already watched it turn from an ED80 into the Megrez 90 without blinking (it turned white over night), so I probably could get away with it, but I'll probably have to wait a few months. Fortunately her photography equipment is worth as much as my astronomy gear :) I just have to figure out how I could write it off as a business expense.

I look forward to seeing some photographic comparisons to other scopes in its size range.

Edit: I do have to compare imaging quality with the GSO RC's, as they would both be fighting for my money. I think she would notice if I got both. :)

Eric

[AlexN]

i considered a gso rc but i dont want to be the test pilot for a 2500 scope.

[Matty P]

Well Alex, someone is going to have to be. ;)

[h0ughy]

mmmmmm this seems to be a loaded question??????

Oh, I felt the dagger get driven into me with this comment Mick........and the missus behind it. I only have 8 scopes at the moment (one pending Lunt 60 doublestack) and i hope to gett he wife banned from this site

not even close....

Matty there is nothing like someone to go and try - I have done that:whistle:;) the 100 would be nice but larger aperture is always KING:whistle: . Why even RB has a small cheap and nasty 150mm scope with i believe a takky 130mm guidescope in the chookpen:D. he said he like quality, but to me he has quantity (for the amount of time he uses his stuff - might as well be in a museum along with my stuff?:help:) Take the step Mat.......:)

PS it does look nice......

[AlexN]

yeah.. It wont be me testing it tho..

[RB]

"Rumour's of Houghy's death have been greatly under-exaggerated ! " :fight:

[Matty P]

I would love to have disposable funds and buy new telescopes whenever I feel like upgrading but I'm currently building an observatory so I will have to hold off buying astro goodies for a while. :whistle:

;) :sadeyes: :)

[Paul-uk]

Hello i`m new here my name paul i`m from the uk.this will be my next telescope
paul

[Matty P]

Welcome to IIS Paul. :welcome:

Please let us know what you think of the FLT98 when you have chance to.

:thumbsup:

[Paul-uk]

Thank-you i`ll let you know
Paul:):)

[Matty P]

For anyone interested I found this great review of the FLT98 on the Cloudy Nights Website. It includes some images taken with this refractor as well.

All I can say is that it looks extremely promising. :thumbsup:

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Number/2614226

[AlexN]

Duuuude.... I just bought the M90... I dont want to be seeing reviews of something else! :D :P

You dont wanna buy a 2nd had M90 do ya? lol

[Matty P]

Alex, I'm sure you can afford another telescope... You just bought yourself a C11. :P

I'll let you know after IISAC 08? :lol:

:whistle:

[AlexN]

That's just it Matty... I just bought all these new toys... Now, I'm POOR!!!! I eat stale bread and drink sweat squeezed from my dirty socks! but man.. Do I have me some ASTRO-TOYS!! :)

[h0ughy]

I do have a disposable income - its all disposed on house stuff, bills and food for the family and mostly fuel. I do save up for the astro goodies;)

[h0ughy]

You have spoken to my lovely Wife then...........:whistle:

[erick]

Yes, I thought my wife wouldn't notice that I went from one scope to three - nope - one has had to go. :D

[RB]

I'm guessing the wife had to go........:lol:

[Matty P]

It must be worth it though... :lol: :rolleyes:

[AlexN]

mmmm never liked food or a social life much anyway... These will be much more rewarding...

Unfortunately Im STIIIIILLLLL waiting on bits and pieces to arrive, little niggly $30 - $80 bits and bobs that without which, the whole rig is rather useless.. "Guidescope rings"... FFS!!

Best thing I've organised to date is an adapter to go from the QHY8 to Canon EF Lenses... QHY shots through the L glass should be SWEEEETTT!!!

[Tandum]

Alex, I have a spare set of WO 100mm guide rings if you want them.

[AlexN]

mine are coming from USA with my side by side bar... so even with rings, they im still waiting on that... :(

Thanks for the offer though Robin..

[Tandum]

OkyDoky, I'd prefer to hold onto them anyway till I have a scope that fits as they are by far better made than the orion rings I'm forced to use just now.

[Matty P]

I have found some more images taken with the FLT98 but the camera used is a DSLR instead of a CCD camera. I don't think a field flattener is being used either.

Have a look,

http://www.madpc.co.uk/Images/Latest-Images/FLT98/

:thumbsup: