the new Orion Imagers and AO units

[h0ughy]

just looking at bintels site - noted the new orion imagers.

what a package - a cooled camera, AO unit and a guider.

[mill]

Very nice but it will also be a remortgage on the house :eyepop:
For me anyway :P

[h0ughy]

and me. The AO unit looks very similar to the starlight express one, and i have a qhy8 already. but what a complete kit to get - all 7 grands worth plus the 2" filters LOL

[mill]

Yes it would be a nice complete kit.
I wonder if the adaptive optics can be used with say an qhy8 etc?

[AlexN]

Martin, On a few other forums its been discussed, the AO unit, like the Starlight Xpress unit, can be used with any imaging camera. It apparently works best with the Orion SSAG guider though, however they do say that it will work with almost any configuration of guider and imaging camera...

To be honest, the SX-AO unit is the same price as the Orion one... I know where I'd be putting my money... The QHY9 is roughly the same price as the Parsec 8300M, and the SBIG ST8300 is cheaper again... And once more, I know where I'd be putting my money...

Its good to see Orion expanding their lineup, but if they can not do it cheaper than other, arguably more respected brands, then why do it? Not saying the product wont do what it is supposed to do, nor am I saying that they will be of poor quality, I'm simply saying there are better brands out there making very similar if not identical products that are cheaper... Seems like false economy to me.

Oh, and, Adaptive optics at less than ~1500mm F/L is a waste of time..

End of Mr. Negativity.

[JohnH]

So these units have been out a while now - has anyone used one or even see a review of one?

[zipdrive]

There's another version out with a built-in rotator
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=orion_imagaccess/~pcategory=orion_imaging/~product_id=53077

$$$$$:eyepop:

[JohnH]

What is the hardware equivalent of vapourware I wonder? The silence from Orion AO users is deafening - cannot find any at all...are these units shipping?

I did see the Orion basic OAG unit on release - it was flimsy so I got a Lumicon unit instead. Seriously think I will go for the Starlight unit if
I go for AO at all....