[jase (Jason)]

Matt,
$3k-$5k price range does limit selection. I’m not going to produce a list without causing a commotion amongst other members, so I’m merely providing three well known imaging ready scope options. Note, I place an emphasis on imaging ready – just about all APO’s you can image with however with these models you will not need to purchase a separate field flattner/focal reducer. They’ll handle the big CCD chips (35mm+) “out of the box”. I know you don’t have a big chip at the moment, but you’ve got to think about future proofing your purchase unless you want to upgrade gear on a regular basis (or as you advance).

Pentax 100 SDUF II – You should be able to pick one of these up for around the $4 to $4.5k mark. Can only get them through Optcorp at this stage. A few were going cheap on Astromart not long ago.

Claude from AEC is selling the FSQED for ~$5800. Note: there is also an EDX edition now. Takahashi realised the CAA that was integrated on the OTA can’t be used for remote imaging purposes so they simply installed the old CAA from the FSQ-N and called it the EDX. I think it takes up approx 15mm of backfocus – nothing major. Optics are identical to the ED.

The NP101is is also around $5,200 from Bintel. If you’re going to head the Televue path, make sure it’s the NP design.

Today, if I was on the hunt for a real value for money 5” refractor, I’d make it the Takahashi FS-128. They are now superseded by the TOA-130 and in my opinion the best keep secrets in the 5” market. They’re only a doublet, but have extremely good colour correction – some say just as good as the TOA-130 triplet, though I haven’t personally had the opportunity to compare the two. The “F” version comes with a 4” focuser and works well with big chips. The 2.7” focuser version is good for small chip imaging. There was one being sold in the buy/sell forum about a month ago. Keep a look out for them as they provide great value for money.

I know someone will make comment around Astrophysics. Sure, great refractors, but certainly out of the price range. The smaller AP Traveler and AP Stowaway demand a hefty price even on the seconds market. In some cases more than what they were worth when they originally came out. Talk about return on investment!

EDIT: Clarification of the FS-128. The FS-128N comes with the 2.7" focuser. There are other third party focusers available to upgrade it. I have not had confirmation that the TOA-130F 4" focuser screws onto the FS-128N mountings. Perhaps someone else could clarify. I'm aware a TOA-130S can be upgraded to a TOA-130F.