People's thoughts on the Astro-Tech Refractors

[NCRAW]

Hi All

What do people here think about the Astro-Tech refractors. I'm not talkin about the Italian AM ones. These are the taiwanese ones. They used to have 66 dia before but now bringing out the 90 and the 102 in trip apo with 53 glass. They use a rack and pinion 2 speed focuser (anyone can explain the diff between this and the crayford?).

This is the one im looking at

http://www.astronomics.com/main/prod...uct_id/AT90EDT

Thanks

[gregbradley]

Wow, a 90mm ED triplet for US$995?? That is awesome value.

I have an Astrotech 66ED which I use as a guidescope.

I continually marvel at the incredible value for money of this scope.
I bought on Astromart 2nd hand for only US$225. It is superbly made and very fine machining much like you'd see on a Tak or an AP.

At first I thought the focuser was weak and would slip. I adjusted the tension on the grub screws there for that purpose and it handled it.

I think it is a marvellous scope. I have had Tak, AP, William Optics refractors. Not sure about it visually as I think I only glimpsed through it so can't help too much there. But as a guide scope it is awesome.

Greg.

[NCRAW]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Wow, a 90mm ED triplet for US$995?? That is awesome value.

I have an Astrotech 66ED which I use as a guidescope.

I continually marvel at the incredible value for money of this scope.
I bought on Astromart 2nd hand for only US$225. It is superbly made and very fine machining much like you'd see on a Tak or an AP.

At first I thought the focuser was weak and would slip. I adjusted the tension on the grub screws there for that purpose and it handled it.

I think it is a marvellous scope. I have had Tak, AP, William Optics refractors. Not sure about it visually as I think I only glimpsed through it so can't help too much there. But as a guide scope it is awesome.

Greg.

Ive read many positive reviews about the 66ED and everyone says its brilliant. I must say it is tempting to buy the 90!! I will email them to see the cost of shipping. I suppose about 120 US would cover it then add a finder scope (or is red dot finder enough) plus rings and dove tail. All add up to about 1300 US which is about 1800 aussie so not bad at all. Actually maybe can do better by sourcing the accessories from here.

[gregbradley]

You can also get some nice finder scopes from Scopestuff.com.

I use a nice Antares unit on my Astrophysics 140mm as it is so nice and it was fairly inexpensive.

I like the finders with the correct image diagonals.

Also to keep the value in perspective on that 90mm triplet, I was just reading a post by Roland Christen
of Astrophysics fame that O'Hara FPL53 ED glass pricing is stationary and does not drop for volume buys.
He was talking about US$1000 for an FPL53 blank. Presumably he is talking about a 160mm blank though.

Greg.

[NCRAW]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

You can also get some nice finder scopes from Scopestuff.com.

I use a nice Antares unit on my Astrophysics 140mm as it is so nice and it was fairly inexpensive.

I like the finders with the correct image diagonals.

Also to keep the value in perspective on that 90mm triplet, I was just reading a post by Roland Christen
of Astrophysics fame that O'Hara FPL53 ED glass pricing is stationary and does not drop for volume buys.
He was talking about US$1000 for an FPL53 blank. Presumably he is talking about a 160mm blank though.

Greg.

So to fit the finder scope u need a bracket which clips into the red dot finder clip on the scope?

Also does it matter which dove tail it is ? (as long its a vixen style?)

Thanks