SW Black Diamond reflector OTA?

[luka]

Hi,

Can anyone shed some/any light on the cheap OTAs at Andrews under Skywatcher Black Diamond section? I thought that Black Diamond were only ED-series and not MAKs & reflectors???

BD-N150 150mm x 750mm Newtonian reflector OTA $369.00
BD-N200 200mm x 1000mm Newtonian reflector OTA $399.00
BD-N250 250mm x 1200mm Newtonian reflector OTA $599.00
BD-N300 300mm x 1500mm Newtonian reflector OTA $1399.00

They are relatively cheap compared to, for example, SW-600 OTA (8") which is $499.00 at Andrews.

Thanks,
Luka

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

BD-1021 102mm x 1000mm refractor OTA $449 !!!!!

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi Luka,

Hmmm, not sure about this one, I have seen the same thing, I DONT think that the Black Diamond reflectors are anything special as the SWFLEX Dobs have the same colour scheme (metallic black automotive finish) but this is just a "branding" statement by Tasco/Skywatcher to elevate their status of product away from the white and blue tubes.

Its too far to assume that BD = ED, it doesnt!

Unless you are buying an ED FPL53 glass refractor, all you are getting is standard Skywatcher mirrors in a sexy new tube.

This is the case for the SWFLEX dobs and therefore I assume the same for the other reflector and refractor BD series, UNLESS its shown as a BD 80ED etc. with ED being the key point.

Still, having a BD-N200 for only $399 is a tempting upgrade from my 130mm blue tube OTA. hmmmmm?

Cheers

Chris

[matt]

I wonder if they'll be selling rings and mounting plate to go with those large Newtonian OTAs???

I'd be very tempted to grab one of those 12" tubes and mount it on my EQ6.

[luka]

Originally Posted by Screwdriverone

Still, having a BD-N200 for only $399 is a tempting upgrade from my 130mm blue tube OTA. hmmmmm?

Beware of the weight, I am not sure but your EQ2 may not be up to it.

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

I confirmed this today, the BD newt OTA's are simply a sheep in wolf's clothing, nothing more than a fancy marketing paintjob on the same optics in the same tubes.

Oh, and Luka, there is no way that I would mount anything else on my Eq2, its bad enough holding and driving the 130mm.

Cheers

Chris

[luka]

Chris, thanks for the confirmation.

Does this mean that BD-N200 OTA is the same as SW-600 OTA except for a paintjob and $100 lower price?

Tempting, tempting, need more space to store it all :-)

[Davekyn (David)]

I don't know if this will make sense Chris, but that is exactly why I chose a GSO Dob over a SWDob.

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Davekyn, ummm, sort of, I think?

Trouble is, so many people rebrand GSO dobs then you get EXACTLY the same problem there (Andrews - GSO, Bintel BT252, York Optical Yodob etc)

Luka, yes, thats right, same scope, cheaper price, better paintjob, looks fabulous the new metallic black, schweeeet.

Cheers

Chris

[toryglen-boy (Duncan)]

hmmm .... no mention of the focal length of any of these ...

[luka]

As the scopes seem to be just repainted SW scopes, just find the comparable scopes (by size) on SW website to get all the info.