A 80mm Refractor with a collimatable lens cell & FPL-53

[Profiler]

Hello All,

I am hoping someone can give me a few pointers on whether my dream combination for a refractor does exist.

Putting aside issues of brand and price does anyone know whether an 80mm triplet refractor has been produced which features a collimatable lens cell and uses FPL-53 glass? I can't seem to find an OTA which features all three of these attributes.

For example, the Meade series 5000 80mm is a triplet with a collimatable lens cell but it uses Hoya glass said to be roughly equal to Ohara FPL-51.

Alternatively, the TMB-80ss is another triplet with FPL-53 glass but is quite silent on all spec information I can find as to whether it features a collimatable lens cell. I could be wrong but as manufacturers typically like to promote all possible features to their products I interpret silence as an indication that it doesn't feature a collimatable lens cell.

Consequently, if anyone knows whether an 80mm refractor has been produced which features all three please let me know.

Many thanks.

[Steffen]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but apart from being a doublet rather than a triplet the WO ZS 80 FD seems to fit the bill on all counts. Like the one Humayun is selling right now ;)

PS: forgot to add, I reckon the use of fluoride is supposed to eliminate the need for three elements, at least for slow focal ratio scopes (like f/6.9).

Cheers
Steffen.

[marki]

You could try here.

http://apmamerica.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_3&products_id=40

Mark

[Profiler]

Thanks for the input Steffan and Mark. I appreciate the comments about the Megrez 80 but I should have clarified that I am thinking about a short focal ratio OTA and hence why I am specifically curious as to whether anyone knows of an 80mm refractor which is a:

A) Triplet with a
B) collimatable lens cell and
c) uses FPL-53 glass?

[anj026]

This scope is available with a variety of focuser options. If you are serious it would be wise to contact Markus Ludes and discuss your preferences.
http://www.apm-telescopes.de/apm-triplet-fpl-53-apo-80-500-cnc-2.5_proinfo_50099.html

[anj026]

This is another choice from Stellarvue.
http://handsonoptics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_26_29&products_id=1128

[Profiler]

Hello Andy

Many thanks for the suggestions but would you happen to know for sure whether either the APM or SV OTA's have collimatable lens cells? I might be missing this information from the respective spec's on the websites about each of these OTA's but all I can seem to confirm is that are both triplets with FPL-53 glass.

[anj026]

I am not sure but I would expect them to both be collimatable. Markus Ludes and Vic Maris have both been making telescopes for many years and both have excellent reputations for quality gear. They have both been known to personally star test their premium scopes before releasing them for delivery. You can email them to find out for sure.

Both dealers also sell an 80mm with a Lomo triplet lens which though not FPL53 is made from a similar quality glass and is very highly regarded.

I wonder if Takahashi will ever come out with a TSA 78 or 80. :)