So I've been thinking about getting into Astronomy for a while now, and with this year's Tax Return looking to be substantial (for a student
) I am going to take the plunge.
I have a close friend who is really into Astronomy, and has been giving me a lot of great advice, but is always somewhat hesitant because he doesn't want to feel responsible if he tells me one thing, and it doesn't meet my expectations.
So, I've been doing some research and I have pretty much come down to two, maybe three, scopes that I am looking for. After observing the optical perfection and clarity that is apochromatic, I am quite adamant in getting an apochromatic refractor. I will mainly be using the scope for planetary viewing with some DSO, and eventually get into Astrophotography. These two are what I've come down with.
Williams Optics ZenithStar 80 II + Skywatcher HEQ5PRO Mount - $839 + $1050 = $1889
That gives me the OTA, Mount, Hard Case, RDF + Bracket and 1.25" dielectric diagonal.
Skywatcher ED80 PRO + Skywatcher HEQ5PRO Mount - $1750
That gives me the OTA, Mount, 9 x 50 finderscope, 2" diagonal (non dielectric) and LET 5mm and 20mm eyepieces.
Now the ZS80II has a FPL-51 lens, while the ED80PRO has a FPL-53 lens.
Questions!
- Has anyone seen through both of these, and can give an informed opinion on each?
- How much difference is there between a FPL-51 and a FPL-53?
- I assume LET -- referring to the lens that come with the ED80PRO -- is a brand, are they good, mediocre or bad?
- How much difference is there between a dielectric and non dielectric diagonal?
That's all I can think of at the moment; brain is a bit dead from looking into all this. I will post more if I can think of any.
Thank you in advance for any help you may give me! Awaiting you replies,
Sub
P.S. Please don't tell me to get a Dobsonian. I think my brain with catch fire if I hear that one more time.