An older AP 180 F7 for US$24K does seem a bit overexcited.
I had a TEC180FL F7 for many years and it was a fine instrument. Perhaps the AP will perform a bit better in the red channel otherwise the TEC would be hard to surpass.
A 180 scope is large and heavy and a bit unwieldy really. It would need dark skies to shine.
Personally i think 160 is the maximum useful APO aperture. Above that you're best off with a compound scope and go even more aperture.
US$24K gets you a 14 inch CDK or IDK and the AP whilst lovely and nice tight stars would be hard pressed to match that aperture. Perhaps even a 17 inch.
But Roland's products are amazing and his perfectionism is reflected in his work and that is worth a premium just like any premium product does.
What that is worth to you would vary.
Greg.
|