*** NEW! Superb 150mm ED triplet refractor available! ***

[MortonH]

Andrews website has above heading in the Long Perng section, but no additional info. It might be this scope:

http://www.shopphoto.es/catalog/prod...63532564b30173

If you can speak Spanish you can translate the specs for the rest of us!

Price is 6,390 Euros, which would be roughly A$8,500. Too rich for me...

[h0ughy (David)]

ohhh more toys - that one is a tad dear

[renormalised (Carl)]

Características:
*Lente objetivo APO ED triplete FPL53 (extra baja dispersión)
*Enfocador de doble velocidad - relación 11:1
*Acabado de alta calidad y construcción totalmente metálica
Especificaciones:
*Lente de objetivo de 150 mm Ø ED
*Distancia focal de 1000mm, f/6.67
*Enfocador Crayford 3" con mecanismo de doble velocidad
*Parasol retráctil
*Abrazaderas incluidas
*Peso: 12,3 Kg
*Acesorios incluidos: enfocador de doble velocidad, porta-ocular de 2" con adaptador a 1,25" y maleta de aluminio


Characteristics:
150mm FPL53 triplet objective lens (extra low dispersion)
11:1 double speed focuser
All metal construction and high quality finish


Specifications:
150mm OD objective lens
Focal length 1000mm, f/6.67
3" Crayford focuser, double speed mechanism
Retractable parasol (literally....the dew shield)
Clips included (probably the ring mounts)
Weight: 12.3kg
Accessories include double speed focuser, 2" eyepiece and 1.25" adaptor and aluminium carry case (suitcase).

[Satchmo]

I would also keep my eye on the ED 150 F8 triplet carbon fiber tube soon to be released by Explore Scientific. It is by the same people that make the ED127 sold by North Group.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

I would also keep my eye on the ED 150 F8 triplet carbon fiber tube soon to be released by Explore Scientific. It is by the same people that make the ED127 sold by North Group.

Yeah..damn nice looking scope. Will be interesting to see what it's worth out here. How about their new mount as well.

[casstony]

Astronomics will be selling a scope with similar specs (150mm f/6.7, possibly the same objective?) for US$6000. I imagine the price will drift down a little after early adopters are satiated.

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...l/fpart/4/vc/1

- picture half way down the page

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Though the product is mentioned as "available" as an announcement, doesn't seem to be in stock as the website's "Long Pern" pages have no information whatsoever for this OTA nor the pricing

Mind you they had a Long Pern product there called "ED APO 120mm f/6 OTA refractor - Expected price <$3000.00 AUD" being posted for at least 12 months or more - I remember it because I was interested in the "Flourite ED" - but till now nothing has turned up either - apparently it's a WO look-alike but that's OK because Long Pern manufactures for WO I believe - FWIW

Cheers
Bill

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

I believe that TS in Germany is also selling it at around the same price.
It better be good as its more expensive than a TEC140 and 10mm isn't going to make THAT big a difference unless the glass is superbly figured.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

At that price the only thing good is that someone rich will lust for it and have to sell something cheap so I can afford to buy their second hand cast offs ... I hope !!

C'mon you rich fellas .... buy buy buy

[gregbradley]

Mind you they had a Long Pern product there called "ED APO 120mm f/6 OTA refractor - Expected price <$3000.00 AUD" being posted for at least 12 months or more - I remember it because I was interested in the "Flourite ED" - but till now nothing has turned up either - apparently it's a WO look-alike but that's OK because Long Pern manufactures for WO I believe - FWIW

Cheers
Bill[/QUOTE]


Hi Bill,

Be careful of misleading marketing hype by some manufacturers. Fluorite is the term usually given to CaF2 lenses. This is a crystal of calcium fluorite made in a furnace and is a costly and polluting process.

ED glass has fluorite in it. But its a glass, its not fluorite. Fluorite is a crystal and is the slightly superior lens. Hence it commands a premium in camera lenses and telescope lenses.

Almost all refractors these days have 1 ED glass element. Usually its FPL53 from OHara glass in Japan. Its top notch. But fluorite is arguably better. It has less light scatter, it makes it easier for the lens maker to create a faster (lower F ratio) lens with excellent colour correction.

If you shine a green laser through a fluorite lens you will not see it. If you shine it through any other type of lens you will see it shining through the lens.

The only telescope maker I am aware of that currently offers fluorite lenses is TEC. Noone else, including Astrophysics or Takahashi.

Greg.

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Hi Bill,

Be careful of misleading marketing hype by some manufacturers. Fluorite is the term usually given to CaF2 lenses. This is a crystal of calcium fluorite made in a furnace and is a costly and polluting process.

ED glass has fluorite in it. But its a glass, its not fluorite. Fluorite is a crystal and is the slightly superior lens. Hence it commands a premium in camera lenses and telescope lenses.

...

The only telescope maker I am aware of that currently offers fluorite lenses is TEC. Noone else, including Astrophysics or Takahashi.

Greg.

Thanks Greg for the information re: flourite per se in the context of the 120mm OTA that Andrews was advertising

I'm well aware of the differences these days especially if its for our scopes - yep, wouldn't we all wish that real flourites would cost us cheapo prices eh?
In the good old days photographic flourite lenses were the bees knees too! - I remember Nikon and Canon had pro series of flourite lenses that only the rich & pros could afford!!

Cheers
Bill