Help on deciding on a "budget" apo

[Gurutronic (Ernie)]

Hi All
I am looking to purchase an apo in the 100-110mm range, but like many, have to work to a budget, mine being around $2000. This rules out all the big brand scopes, so I have started looking into scopes sourced from China. Namely Sharp star, Kunming United, William Optics and Longpern. I was wondering if anyone on the site owned or had used any of these a scopes, and if so, what they performed like? I am looking to use it both for a grab and go visual scope, as well as to use with a 60d for some beginner astrophotography.

Some background on my other equipment.. I already have an svr80ed which I enjoy using due to how easily portable it is. I also have an C8 edge HD which I use when I want to go a bit deeper, so this new scope will hopefully give me somewhat of a middle ground. I also really like carbon fiber ota's..

So currently my not so shortlist is:
Sharp star cf 106
Sharp star APM 107 (there's also a carbon fiber version out)
Longpern ed 110
William Optics GT102
William Optics FLT 98
And (somehow) sourcing a Kunming United cf102

My wife will be in China for a couple of weeks in September so having her bring one of the Chinese scopes back wouldn't be a problem if needed.

So if anyone has used the scopes above, please let me know as I am really not sure which way to go.

Thanks
Ernie

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Gurutronic

Hi All
I am looking to purchase an apo in the 100-110mm range, but like many, have to work to a budget, mine being around $2000. This rules out all the big brand scopes, so I have started looking into scopes sourced from China. Namely Sharp star, Kunming United, William Optics and Longpern. I was wondering if anyone on the site owned or had used any of these a scopes, and if so, what they performed like? I am looking to use it both for a grab and go visual scope, as well as to use with a 60d for some beginner astrophotography.

Some background on my other equipment.. I already have an svr80ed which I enjoy using due to how easily portable it is. I also have an C8 edge HD which I use when I want to go a bit deeper, so this new scope will hopefully give me somewhat of a middle ground. I also really like carbon fiber ota's..

So currently my not so shortlist is:
Sharp star cf 106
Sharp star APM 107 (there's also a carbon fiber version out)
Longpern ed 110
William Optics GT102
William Optics FLT 98
And (somehow) sourcing a Kunming United cf102

My wife will be in China for a couple of weeks in September so having her bring one of the Chinese scopes back wouldn't be a problem if needed.

So if anyone has used the scopes above, please let me know as I am really not sure which way to go.

Thanks
Ernie

Hi Ernie,

I have the Williams Optics FLT 110 and for the price, currently $2,298 plus $99 freight, it is a great buy. It also comes with a bonus Field Flattener, if purchased directly from WO. Don't forget GST is also payable.

I am very happy with it and use it for visual only, so cannot comment on its photographic capabilities. It is about the best value scope vs quality in that price range. Now that I have the FLT 110, I kind of wished I had gone for the FLT 132, however, at over $2,000 extra I just couldn't justify it. At the current price, the FLT 110 is a great compromise. I certainly won't be upgrading it any time soon, if ever.

Cheers Peter

[OneCosmos (Chris)]

I don't have the WO 110, but know several who do and they are extremely happy with it for astrophotography. I also know that the FLT98 was reputed to be one of the best scopes they ever made and that also comes in a carbon fibre tube if weight is an issue.

I don't think these days the glass is really the problem, even at the budget end, (and WO is not the budget end particularly) it is the focuser. Most people I know with these types of scopes have replaced the focuser and that is an expensive business.

I don't know who the Chinese company are that make the Meade clones, but I have the Meade 80mm 5000 series and, with a flattener it is excellent and I think the 127 is extremely good too. Mind you, I did replace the focuser and when I did, the Meade one was little better than a toilet role - seriously. I now have a moonlite which is solid as as rock.

Chris

[Larryp (Laurie)]

I would not consider the Long Perng scope. The Meade scopes are made by North Group, and you can purchase directly from them, but as stated, you would probably want to replace the focuser.
Another brand you should consider is Stellarvue-they are made in the U.S. but they are superb scopes, and around your price range.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by OneCosmos

I don't have the WO 110, but know several who do and they are extremely happy with it for astrophotography. I also know that the FLT98 was reputed to be one of the best scopes they ever made and that also comes in a carbon fibre tube if weight is an issue.

I don't think these days the glass is really the problem, even at the budget end, (and WO is not the budget end particularly) it is the focuser. Most people I know with these types of scopes have replaced the focuser and that is an expensive business.

I don't know who the Chinese company are that make the Meade clones, but I have the Meade 80mm 5000 series and, with a flattener it is excellent and I think the 127 is extremely good too. Mind you, I did replace the focuser and when I did, the Meade one was little better than a toilet role - seriously. I now have a moonlite which is solid as as rock.

Chris

Hi Chris,

I have heard the complaints about the WO focuser before and have to wonder, as I find the focuser on the WO FLT 110 to be quite good; better than most OEM focuser's. Adding a Moonlite focuser would be nice but it adds significant cost to the scope. As I only use this scope for visual the focuser it comes with is more than adequate.

And yes, I too am usually quite quick to change my focuser's. I use the JMI focuser on my ED80, as the one that came with it was just plain awful. I also use a JMI on my SCT as well, to negate the need to focuser by moving the mirror.

Cheers Peter

[OneCosmos (Chris)]

Originally Posted by Stardrifter_WA

Hi Chris,

I have heard the complaints about the WO focuser before and have to wonder, as I find the focuser on the WO FLT 110 to be quite good; better than most OEM focuser's. Adding a Moonlite focuser would be nice but it adds significant cost to the scope. As I only use this scope for visual the focuser it comes with is more than adequate.

And yes, I too am usually quite quick to change my focuser's. I use the JMI focuser on my ED80, as the one that came with it was just plain awful. I also use a JMI on my SCT as well, to negate the need to focuser by moving the mirror.

Cheers Peter

Hi Peter,

Yes, for sure I have heard the focusers on the bigger WO scopes are very good. My only experience with WO was a Megrez 72mm and the focuser on that wasn't very good. The Meade one, as I said was awful (but I did nevertheless still get some great shots from it so we can overplay the problem, especially with small scopes).

My APM 152 has Starlight FT and it is magnificent

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

I have an Astro-Tech Sharpstar 106. I think the 107APM is exactly the same optically. I find this scope is excellent and a joy to use. Last night I was using it at 290x on double stars and the images were perfect, though the airy disc was definitely larger than using my 130EDT Starfire. I think this scope would stack up well doing astrophotography, at F6.5 fairly fast. Yes, the focuser may need attention- mine exhibits some image shift when focusing at 290X. The whole scope is beautifully made - no cheap finish at all.

[Retrograde (Pete)]

Maybe a bit over-budget but still listed at $2355

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=108091

[Gurutronic (Ernie)]

Thanks for all the great feedback guys.
I am probably leaning towards either the sharp star or William optics scopes now. The flt98 is tempting given all the great reviews, as is their new 102 offering with the built in flattener. I am aware that replacing the focuser is possible no matter which of these scopes I end up with. I am keenly interested in hearing more about the Sharp star, especially in terms of any false colour etc. There really isn't a whole lot of a info out there on them.

@Larry I originally had my heart set on the new SVR102 or SV105 but the falling dollar sort of ruined that. As I mentioned, I love my little svr80ed although I believe they are just rebranded Kunming united scopes with an american made clamshell. Take a look at the Kunming united website and you will see what I mean.

@Pete, I did see the new tak doublet, but given the price is bare ota only, and a doublet, I felt the other options were probably more budget friendly. Especially as I would end up having to buy talk accessories as well (which aren't cheap either)

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Ernie,

The SharpStar is as colour free as my AP, or any other apo I have looked through. This perhaps is their strongest point. It is a shame my 106 is in Whyalla (where I work) otherwise I would have been happy to loan it to you for a trial (it is not for sale though). What is your time line for purchase? I will be bringing this scope back to NSW in a couple of months time.

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Gurutronic

@Larry I originally had my heart set on the new SVR102 or SV105 but the falling dollar sort of ruined that. As I mentioned, I love my little svr80ed although I believe they are just rebranded Kunming united scopes with an american made clamshell. Take a look at the Kunming united website and you will see what I mean.

Hi Ernie,

I'm enjoying this thread and will be interested to see what you get!

One important point about Stellarvue: they are not "just" rebranded Kunming scopes. They thoroughly test and align the lenses they receive and have a minimum Strehl of 0.95. Anything less is sent back. So they may look the same as 'standard" Kunming scopes, but they're not. My SV80ED performs better than all my previous William Optics doublet scopes, which include three 80mm and the very nice Megrez 90.

Looks like you're after a triplet or I'd add my recommendation for the SV110ED. Stellarvue is making a few more then discontinuing all their doublets in favour of triplets only.

Good luck with your decision.

Morton

[Gurutronic (Ernie)]

@John, Thanks for the generous offer. I am probably looking at an August or September purchase at the moment... Unless I get an itchy wallet. But seriously I am not really wanting to hurry what is for me a fairly major purchase. So other than the rate at which the dollar is falling, I am not in any huge rush.

@Morton, I have heard great things about the SV110ED, and given the July sale that Stellarvue are having, I am tempted to stick with a brand I know offers great quality. There really are too many options, but I am trying to keep a level head and stick to both my budget, and my wish for a triplet apo. The fact I could still use my FF7-25 field flattener with another stellarvue scope is also another point in their favour, but given the scopes that appeal to me in their lineup are closer to $3000 (after shipping and duty etc) I am a little hesitant... Maybe if the taxman is kind this July.. We'll see.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

The more recent WO (red and white) scopes have rack and pinion focusers, which are an improvement over their previous focusers. Looks like the 98/110 use the older type though.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Meade 6000 series is now made by Kumming United.

[PeterHA (Peter)]

Hi, for $2300 the Takahashi FC100DC is in your bracket and it is a stellar performer. Very light that is a good thing too.