Hi Optic achromatic refractors

[MortonH]

Anyone bought one of these? They seem to be the same or similar to scopes such as the 152mm f/5.9 achro that has received some very positive reviews in the US. Telescopes-astronomy lists several models on its website, such as a 102mm and 127mm f/6.5 models.

Curious to know how they perform since they’d surely be an improvement on the f/5 short-tube achros I’ve been considering.

Regards

Morton

[Terry B]

They seem to be the same manufacturer as my 127mm APO. It is very good and there are plenty of people using them here. The achromats I don't know about.

[casstony]

I think the Hi Optic scopes are the same as the Explore scientific 6" f/6.5 achro; the 6" f/5.9 is made by a different company.

I've got a Synta 6" f/5 and it's very good for low power and several pounds lighter than the competition. The objective and focuser is probably a step up on the Hi-Optic scope and the f/5.9 scope sold by 'Hands On Optics' is probably another step up again, but chromatic aberration limits the useful magnification on all of these unless filters are used.

Another factor to consider is that Istar may be selling a device to correct CA (raycorr) in which case it would be an advantage to have a higher quality objective, perhaps even one of the Istar achro's. If low power wide field is all you're interested in the Synta scope is good enough and only about 18 pounds.

[mswhin63]

If you plan to do AP check with these scopes may have only visual focusers. I almost ordered my 80mm from there and was told by TA to get a new focuser for AP. This would have added about $300.00 to the cost.

[MortonH]

My interest is visual only. The Istar scopes look very nice but obviously you pay more for the extra quality. Budget is pretty limited so unless one comes up used it's not gonna happen :(

[mswhin63]

I was quite happy to get the 80mm version as they seem to be good construction otherwise. The 80mm is similar to the Meade 5000 as mention in other threads and TA.