Have you ever had a SkyWatcher 102mm Achromat?

[NewMoon]

Have you ever had a SkyWatcher 102mm Achromat? (102mm x 1000mm)

I might buy one, how is/was yours for viewing and photographing the Moon?

[[1ponders]]

I have the same scope thought rebadged as a Celestron HD-102EQ

You'll find a review of it here http://www.scopereviews.com/page1c.html#10 (down near the bottom) under the C102HD heading.

It's certainly no ED or Apo scope but it's no slouch either. Yes you will get blue fringing (chromatic abberation) on bright objects but I didn't find it too objectionable for viewing purposes.

Imaging wise, if you're going to image in greyscale it won't be too bad, especially on the moon, but shots of stars give a decidedly blue halo to brighter stars (see here for example of ngc3532 in Carina http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2210&d=1117980062 and here's the details F/10 Celestron HD-102 EQ achrocatic refractor. Autoguided with K3 through a Meade OAG, 260 sec single shot, ISO400, Canon 300D. Focuser R&P, focus assist with DSLR Focus)

The only thing I didn't really like about this scope was the R&P focuser, but once I stripped it down and regreased it, it was passable. Choose your mount carefully though at the standard eq3 that it comes with is only just big enough imo

[ving]

you might want to consider www.aoe.com.au
they have a 102x1000 on an EQ5 for under $800.
thier scopes have a good rep here.

[NewMoon]

Thanks for your detailed reply 1ponders, and thanks for the AOE link Ving.

On an EQ5 sounds like a good thing considering what I want and the good advice from 1ponders.

[janoskiss]

How about Asimov's 6" in Buy&Sell? Real bargain if it's in good nick.