Opinion Lightweight Refractor

[mswhin63]

Hi,

Noticed this manufacturer or supplier, anyone consider an opinion on these scopes;

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ED-APO-Telescope-70-420-OTA-Carbon-Fiber-New-/390262601204?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5add76b5f4#ht_4430wt_905

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ED-APO-Telescope-70-420-OTA-Carbon-Fiber-New-/370480292561?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564258a2d1

I have been stung by so called German branded scopes (SEBEN)

I ,ay not get it anyway but maybe they are OK.

[mswhin63]

I was also considering the http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Off-Axis-Guider-low-profile-only-9mm-astrophotography-/390152985267?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad6ee1ab3#ht_2549wt_905

[ballaratdragons]

I have never heard a bad word about Teleskop Services in Germany.
I have read many good reports about their company much like we read about Bintel and Andrews in here.
As far as I know they are also the best on prices in the EU.

I used to post links to their website in here for GSO Dob info.

They also have an English language website HERE (http://www.telescope-service.com/)

They also sell some High End gear, including the 10micron Mounts :thumbsup: Yummy :D

[Davi5678]

Almost thought it was an unbranded one of these - http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1-600-609-1108-15217

but it's 70mm not 80mm

[gregbradley]

The refractor appears to be an Astrotech (I think they sell to others who want to rebadge).

They make mid range quality scopes. Their fit and finish is good.

Not sure about the wisdom of carbon fibre for a refractor without internal fans. CF has different thermal properties than aluminium none of them good news for refractors. Tube currents may be an issue.

Astrotech also make scopes with aluminium tubes.

One advantage of aluminium is it expands and contracts not too differently than a triplet lens does. So it tends to keep its focus reasonably well in falling temps (although I'd still refocus every few degrees C fall).

Still, it looks nice.

The OAG looks like an Orion one. OAGs are good but can be a bit tricky to setup so the guide cam is in focus. Or at least that was my experience with an Astrodon one.

Greg.

[mswhin63]

Thanks all about the company, feel relieved, and thanks Greg will keep the aluminium design in mind.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

TS (Teleskope Service) is a highly reputable company.
Their in-house product line contains the same optics as WO, AT and Stellarvue, but in different tubes.
Their 90mm/600 (f6.6) is considered a real gem.
Also, they speek English better than me does. :)

[gregbradley]

This could be a fun scope and very versatile with 3 focal lengths:

http://www.buytelescopes.com/Products/16914-Takahashi-fs-60q-fluorite-quad-modular-refractor.aspx

In one setup it has a 44mm corrected imaging circle with 96% illumination.

That means it should handle even an SBIG STL11 which is awesome.

Even though its only 60mm I wouldn't underestimate it. You've got fluorite in the objective. I have seen some spectacular wide field images through this scope in the past. With the Aussie dollar above the US it makes it good value. Its the 3X the price of the Astrotech though. The Astrotech is a lot for your money. I have an Astrotech 66ED for my guidescope. A great little scope, everything works. Not Tak quality but a cut above others.

Greg.

[mswhin63]

This has been very informative, My ultimate decision for the future is a general grade optic for hobby AP, while I want to consider in the long term research grade optics long FL. But overall most of my future money will be for Radio Astronomy.

Although Radio Astronomy is far cheaper.