Megrez 90B Fluorite

[FlashDrive]

Looking to see if someone has one for sale... and is prepared to Post to Brisbane North ... Deception Bay .. Post Code 4508.

Megrez 90B Fluorite..... !!

Thank You .... Colin.

btw ... I saw the one listed here for sale.....putting my feeler's out for others. :)

[PlanetMan]

You might want to look at the IIS listings as there is one for sale for $800 however as the current price for a new WO M90 is only $999 I suspect most would go for the brand new OTA.

As a side point - I may be mistaken but the only "real" flourite OTA's available these days are the two small Tak's (FS-60 & Sky90) and one or two of the top of the line Stellavues - otherwise everyone else is pretty much FPL ED glass - which is much cheaper to produce, good for the environment and promoted as being almost as good - but then I wonder why a WO 90mm costs $999 and a Tak 90mm cost close to $3,000 - there has to be some sort of genuine significant difference in the glass/lens to warrant that price difference beyond just quality of mechanical manufacturer etc.

[FlashDrive]

Owning a TAK Sky90 is fine ... if you can afford it ... you can get just as pleasing ( very acceptable ) views from " more affordable " scopes .... TAK's are for those who want the " Rolls Royce " of equipment .... although there would be some who would challenge that statement.

WO's line of refractors are IMHO very nicely made and worthy of consideration ..... considering $ value..... although a Lotto Win could elevate my choice to buy a TAK ..... but then ... the only extra bonus I have is " Bragging Rights " for all that money for the TAK.

TAK's are nice ... but I am not a " perfectionist " .....they are for those who won't accept anything else.

Also.. if you look at my AD ... you will read that I have already seen the one listed for $800 .... and yes ... I would rather get a new one for not much more. ...!!!

Thanks for your imput. :)

[PlanetMan]

Hi Flashdrive

I think you have missed the point about my post and as you acknowledge yourself - you do not have experience with a "real" flourite ota. I have had both WO's OTAs and Tak scopes and I can assure you the difference is more than minimal or related to concepts of pride or perfectionism.

The point I was really making is that FPL glass is not a 'real' flourite as you seem to fondly describe the M90. No doubt this is a result of marketting. Secondly, to dispell another myth that seems to be conveyed - people who buy Tak's do not have more money than brains - they are simply people who through either good finances or personal choice chose to invest in what is arguably one of the best refractor OTA's around.

Like I tried to imply - have fun with the M90 - it is in fact a good scope for the price - but dont let yourself be fooled into thinking you are getting an OTA akin to a real flourite lens with such optical capabilities as what you come across in some Taks or Stellavues:thumbsup:

[FlashDrive]

I already know that FPL glass is not " true fluorite " ... in fact fluorite is very brittle and expensive .... yes it is better optically .... and sadly ( for the unwary ) Manufacturers advertise their wares to imply such properties on scopes using FPL 51 OR 52 OR FPL 53 ED Glass. .... the FPL53 being the " better " end of the ED glass properties.

No doubt a TAK is better ( optically ) .... for a price.
What you have told me is nothing new and I'm not being " conned " into thinking I'm getting a true " fluorite " Scope.

My AD here is based on this advertisement by Andrews Comm's in Sydney .... see below:

Megrez 90B Fluorite f/6.9 air-spaced doublet APO with PowerLinear microfocuser

A-M90B
$999.00 AUD
Deposit required

A new breakthrough in optical and mechanical perfection - the new M90B-version!
Features the new design, strong and smooth 2-speed 2.5" PowerLinear 10:1 microfocuser.


New design PowerLinear 2.5" extra-smooth 360° rotatable 10:1 microfocuser
Precision STM optical coatings
Includes 90mm mounting rings and aluminium case, too!



Maybe you need to tell Andrew's about their AD ... they might need a bit of education from you.
Besides ... I don't need an expensive TAK when I can get just as much enjoyment from a WO Product.

If you must have " fluorite " ... then go for it ..... if your just as happy with ED Glass .... again ... go for it.

Once again ....Thanks for your imput. :D

[PlanetMan]

Hi Flashdrive

I hope I haven't ruffled any feathers as it certainly wasn't my intention. I won't bother with any more posts and wish you well with your search for a well priced M90.

The only thing I am left wondering about is if you already knew everything I mentioned you therefore knew the description from the advertisement is not actually correct - so why bother repeating it.:shrug:

Anyhow - peace and clear skys.

PS
You are absolutely correct "real" flourite is very expensive but, once again, to dispell another conveyed myth - flourite is not any more brittle or prone to degradation etc than any other glass - this is another piece of folklore that seems to have come up out of the marketting to shift people towards being more comfortable in buying FPL OTAs over the more difficult to produce and therefore more expensive flourite lens wherein the profit margin for the manufacturer is likely to be that much smaller.

Anyhow cheers and good luck with finding the Megrez 90:thumbsup:

[multiweb]

I think the TOA-130 range uses FPL-53 ED glass. So do some of the AP refractors. I'd say it's fair to assume it is the same glass if a manufacturer say he's using a FPL-53 elements in one of his triplet or quadruplet? TAK or not. I had a look into one of those WO refractors on the jewelbox and I have to say I was on my a$$. It was unbelievably well resolved and separated right down to the very faint stars.

Here's a thread (http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/1,2,3,4,5,8/Number/4138093/Main/4135855)with some really good info related to ED glass vs. Fluorite crystals or mix.

[FlashDrive]

[QUOTE=PlanetMan;705489]Hi Flashdrive



The only thing I am left wondering about is if you already knew everything I mentioned you therefore knew the description from the advertisement is not actually correct - so why bother repeating it.:shrug:

But who really cares .....!!

There are possibly hundreds of Astronomy Buffs out there who know the difference between " fluorite " and ED Glass ..... but are they bothered about that when they see an AD from a supplier.

You haven't ruffled any feathers here .... but you seem to want to make an issue about it.

Maybe you need to write a letter to the major Astronomy Magazines, high lighting this error in advertisements.
or ..... why not start a " thread " here on IIS and see what response you get.

I'll leave that up to you.

Clear Skies mate ...:)