AOE 102L - 100mm Refractor

[dugnsuz]

Hello All,
Has anyone had experience with this scope (AOE 100mm Refractor)?
AOE offer it for $638 with an EQ5 on a tubular steel mount.
I think it would be excellent for wide field work.
Any pros and cons greatly appreciated as due to the Australian Tax Office my $1000 budget has significantly shrunk!

All the best

Cheers

Doug
:doh:

[asimov]

Hi. Be prepared for some violet fringing on bright objects eg: venus & jupiter. A fringe killer will nip that problem in the bud 90%. I can't remember the FL of the 100mm in question. The EQ5 should be pretty good with that size scope (depending on the length of the OTA) If the tripod is the aluminium leg variety you may have potential vibration dampening etc problems.

I have the AOE 152L & I'm delighted with it.

[janoskiss]

Paul (1ponders) has something very similar. See his previous post:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=39065&postcount=46

[asimov]

Sorry, miss-read your 1st post Doug. The steel tripod then. The whole setup is identical to mine, only my OTA is bigger diametre & weighs more. The 'lever arm problem' would be the same as mine having the same length OTA. I can honestly say I haven't noticed this 'problem' with mine..You would have less CA with 100mm F10 than my 152mm F8

Some dudes have a real problem with CA & some don't. I'm one that doesn't.

Try before you buy if at all possible!

For photography well...their not much chop really.

[garylea]

After fourteen years away from astronomy, a very, very inquisitive child has lured me back (sleeps with a "Planets" book in hand, etc.).

Space/carrying constraints mean a mid-sized refractor at most (and I always loved them anyway...). Budget (<$700) started me looking at a 90mm Celestron Firstscope until I saw the AOE 102L, asked around, etc. The AOE people have been very helpful to us.

I'm just counting down the days (and, of course, hoping the weather picks). I've even found a stand for a junior sky watcher!!!

:)