Which Refractor?

[Matty P (Matt)]

I think it is a good time to start looking around for a new refractor seeing that my birthday is coming up soon.

I'm looking for a good quality widefield refractor that I will use for imaging and as a guidescope preferable with an aperture of 80mm. I've been looking at a couple of 80mm butrefractors I would like to know which one is best suited to astrophotography. I like the look of the William optics and Orion range but I am also looking the Skywatcher ED80's as well.

Which refractor would you recommend?

[AlexN]

I've currently got an EON80ED and a Megrez 90 and the william opticso scope seems much better built, the focuser is infinitely smoother.. it just feels better...

[mick pinner]

how does the colour correction compare on these two Alex?

[AlexN]

I've not used either for imaging yet. However for pure visual use the Megrez was worth every bit of the extra cash ($300 more cash) looking at high contrast targets like Jupiter or the moon, the EON shows the faintest of faint purple tinge towards edge of the limb of the moon, Jupiter through each scope is much of a muchness.. the Megrez is easier to bring to focus at higher powers (could be more due to aperture than the focuser) although the overall feel of the megrez is much nicer...

Should have images through it early/mid next week... (depending on how much the moon hampers my attempts..

If spending an extra $300 is not an issue, the Megrez 90 is what I would buy. The orion is a great little scope, and for imaging im sure it will preform brilliantly, but when attempting to be objective, something has to come second

From what I've seen, the skywatcher does not measure up to these two. although depending on where you buy, it could be as low as half the price of the megrez 90, and many on the forums have proven its a very very capable scope...

[Matty P (Matt)]

Hi Alex,

I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with your WO Megrez 90 when you have a chance. I'm definitely leaning towards a WO scope but the Megrez 90 may just be outside of my current price range at the moment. Where did you get yours from?

How would the WO ZenithStar 80II f/6.8 ED Doublet compare?

[AlexN]

from what I understand the WO ZS80II and the Orion EON80 are very similar.. the Orion is in fact a clone of the ZS80. That in mind I dare say they would be much the same optically, the ZS80 perhaps has a nicer focuser, but thats purely speculation as I have no basis to my comment..

I got the M90 from Telescopes-astronomy.com.au . Andrews sells them also for the same price.

Keep in mind when you look at the price, the OTA doesnt come with rings, and they are $143 for the WO 90mm rings..

The Megrez 88 might make it into your price range at $1099..

The William Optics scopes fit and finish is better than anything else I've ever used... although I've never used a Takahashi, or other extreme high end telescopes, Its a very very nice unit...

[Matty P (Matt)]

Alex a question for you.

With your Megrez 90 how flat is the field of view? Would I need to purchase a field flattener for it?

[AlexN]

for imaging its recommended... for visual its not too bad at all depending on your magnification... with a 30mm UWA its a little bit iffy towards the outer quater of the field.... no worse than the coma seen in my 8" newtonian.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Thanks Alex,

The Megrez 90 is definitely my first choice ATM but I am now looking at the Vixen refractor range. I'll have to do some research on them.

[AlexN]

Gerald Sargent is selling a true fluorite 80mm Vixen at the moment. From what I understand its an absolutely stunning refractor, and has be professionally shortened to come to focus with Canon DSLR's...

Might be worth a look..

[Stephen65]

Matty

If you're going to the Border Stargaze event near Albury I'll be bringing my Megrez 90. You're welcome to look at and through it.

Regards

Stephen

[prova]

Vixen ED80Sf

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by prova

Vixen ED80Sf

I believe that scope is identical to the Orion ed80 and the Saxon ed80 just with a different paint job.

[prova]

Originally Posted by Starkler

I believe that scope is identical to the Orion ed80 and the Saxon ed80 just with a different paint job.

Somewhat, but the key difference is that it still goes through Vixen quality control in Japan and this to me is where the ED80Sf comes up trumps compared to the other Synta stuff.

[AlexN]

quality control is important, its true. however if you receive a clone of this scope with any problems, 99% of the time you can return it for a better one...

Getting it right the first time beats sending it back for replacement blah blah yadi yada but it aint worth the extra cash in Vixen's case IMO

[mick pinner]

l agree Alex, l love their ep's but the price of their refractors is to high IMO.

[TrevorW]

Only cause I've got one Stellarvue 80ED or the likes check out SDM or Stellarvue site

IMHO