Now i ordered an Orion ED80, because i particularly wanted that colour, however they sent me a Sky-Watcher one instead, now i know the colour is not what i wanted, but are these scopes really the same, just branded differently.
Also when i tighten up the focuser a little, it fails to move at all, it only works when the tension is right off, is this normal also.
From what I saw of both scopes when I was looking around, they are literally the same mechanically. I can't be sure of the optics though - in one area in particular - the coatings. I assume they are the same, but the Celestron equivalent (for example) will have "StarBrite" coatings on the glass as per that company's spec.
I'm going to do myself a favour on my 120mm, and that is to turf (keep in storage for later) the whole focuser assembly and go for a Bintel/GSO 10:1 crayford for refractors at around the $190 mark. Brilliant upgrade. The Synta rack & pinion focuser really is a horrible thing.
Chris, i was not aware that one could change focusers on one of these scopes, that might be an option.
However it is really not going to do much work other than being a finder for the Tak, and possibly a guide scope in the future
Leon
Yes Leon, they are exactly the same scopes from the same factory, just painted and branded differently for different customers (Orion, Saxon, Skywatcher).
It isn't good that you recieved the wrong brand and color though, when you specified one in particular.
Yes, the focusers are interchangeable between the brands and sizes. Even the ED80 and ED100 focuses are interchangeable. My ED80 has an ED100 focuser.
The tension screw should not grip on until fully screwed out, so that is a bit of a worry. It should get less and less grip as the adjuster is unscrewed.
I have to confess to owning a Saxon ED80, Orion ED80, Vixen ED80, Skywatcher ED80Pro and ED100Pro and cannot discern any optical differences whatsoever (except the extra light gathering of the ED100). Apart from the various colour schemes the Saxon has a slip on dew shield whereas the others screw on and the Vixen doesn't have holes drilled in the focusing wheels like the others. Ken is right that the focusers are interchangeable however the ED100's focusing tube is 220mm long whilst the ED80's are 160mm long. The longer focusing tube is great if you need a longer back focus. Please don't ask why I have so many scopes, I am seriously considering seeking help for this mysterious condition or affliction.
Ken is right that the focusers are interchangeable however the ED100's focusing tube is 220mm long whilst the ED80's are 160mm long. The longer focusing tube is great if you need a longer back focus.
Thats why it's fitted. For more back focus. No need for an extension tube when doing Astrophotograhy
I meant to mention that sometime last year I ordered a replacement drawtube for the ED100 from Tasco Sales as I gave mine a nasty knock one evening and it didn't work quite right after that. I don't know how much it cost as Tasco ended up giving it to me for free as it had taken so long to get from Skytwatcher. I can't imagine that it would cost all that much, maybe cheaper and more convenient than using extension tubes as Ken mentioned.
Won't that vignette the light path, effectively giving you a smaller aperture and higher F-ratio (with dimmer image, sharper stars, and CA-free planets)? (I know this was a problem on the early Stellarvue scopes.)
I have to confess to owning a Saxon ED80, Orion ED80, Vixen ED80, Skywatcher ED80Pro and ED100Pro and cannot discern any optical differences whatsoever (except the extra light gathering of the ED100). Apart from the various colour schemes the Saxon has a slip on dew shield whereas the others screw on and the Vixen doesn't have holes drilled in the focusing wheels like the others. Ken is right that the focusers are interchangeable however the ED100's focusing tube is 220mm long whilst the ED80's are 160mm long. The longer focusing tube is great if you need a longer back focus. Please don't ask why I have so many scopes, I am seriously considering seeking help for this mysterious condition or affliction.
G'Day,
Don't feel so bad about all the scopes you have,hope this makes you feel better I have the following: 18"Dob, Meade 10" LX 200 GPS,Meade 8"LX 90 Meade 8" LX 90 EMC and a Meade 125. you feel better now oh and lots of eyepieces filters etc and thinking of buying PST or Sun filter
Cheers
Arthur
mmmm doesn't make me feel so bad as well owning 1974 meade 60mm f/15 refractor , ed80 , c102 hd celestron , 125mm f4 reflector , 127mm f13.5 reflector , 6in f8 reflector , 8in f6 reflector , 6in f8 refractor , 10in f 10 reflector , 20x 70 and 8x 56 binos , phew! and they say thereis no such thing as an equipement junky.? i for one agree .anyway clear skies.
I have the following: 18"Dob, Meade 10" LX 200 GPS,Meade 8"LX 90 Meade 8" LX 90 EMC and a Meade 125. you feel better now 
oh and lots of eyepieces filters etc and thinking of buying PST or Sun filter
