aoe 90x600 refractor

ving (David) · #1 29-03-2006, 12:52 PM

just poking around for anyone who may have used this scope....

just wondering how bad the CA would be and any other faults.... it'd make a great grab and go for me (or anyone with a tight budget) if it proves to be a decent scope.....

any coments re this welcome.

dhumpie · #2 29-03-2006, 12:58 PM

You have a web link or a piccy? There are some pretty horrendous second tier chinese products going round at the moment, copies of the original Synta refractors so be aware

Darren

ving (David) · #3 29-03-2006, 01:06 PM

heres a linky! http://www.aoe.com.au/refractors.html
and a piccie
http://www.aoe.com.au/AOE90SFSLarge.jpg

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 30-03-2006, 08:38 AM

While I have never looked through that particular scope being that short for a 90mm refractor I would imagine the CA would be pretty noticable. JM2CW

ving (David) · #5 30-03-2006, 11:12 AM

the orion ST90 generally recieves good reviews while CA is apparent it is not annoyingly so. the ST90 by orion is also shorter (being f5). taking this into account it should (all things being equal) be beter for CA than the st90.
but if the glass and coatings arent as good i'd assume it might be worse on CA(?)

of course there are probably many holes in this theory

janoskiss (Steve H) · #6 30-03-2006, 11:35 AM

At least there are no central obstructions in the theory.

What is bad CA and what isn't is a matter of personal preference, I guess, so there is only so much reviews can tell you. Stu's old 80mm f11 achro (another AOE scope) was not bad at all but still had some CA. But I wouldn't expect the shorter 90mm to be suitable for planets. Could be nice for wide-field, but then it's dark skies only. Probably better off with a pair of 20x80 binos.

... or if you want more power, get a 4" Mak. Nice clear images, no CA. Lots of detail on Jupiter and Saturn.

Widest it will go with the 1.25" EPs is about 1.25 degrees.

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #7 30-03-2006, 11:39 AM

It looks cute, even if it has CA.

ving (David) · #8 30-03-2006, 11:44 AM

yeah cute is a buying point.... thanks kevin

i was thinking of a small mak. but the FL is a bit long for my liking.

Starkler (Geoff) · #9 30-03-2006, 12:28 PM

Go the vixen r130 f5 on a porta mount ( see existing thread )

no colour, convenient and bigger aperture.

ving (David) · #10 30-03-2006, 12:44 PM

tell em the price son!

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #11 30-03-2006, 01:42 PM

What about a small 6 inch dob for a grab and go scope? My 6 inch f6 is in that category. Come to think of it isn't any dob grab and go? Even my 10 inch f4.5 sets up in no time, although the OTA is a bit heavy. But yer see more with it. Especially with the Nagler.

ving (David) · #12 30-03-2006, 01:52 PM

i want zero cooldown time (or near it) and i want to be able to take it away with me as well as the family... i hae a 8" dob and its great as long as i dont mind a bit of cool down time and i dont want to take the family with me....

i want something that i can whip out of the bedroom for a imediate session and put away again in seconds.

the 90mm would be perfect if it proves to be of good construct and its optics reasonable too

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #13 30-03-2006, 02:11 PM

IC. Cooldown time isn't something we worry much about in the tropics. Only in the middle of winter.

Go on go and get the little refractor. You know you want to!

ving (David) · #14 30-03-2006, 02:17 PM

yeah, i want to alright... just justifying it

I dont want something that is poorly made with bad optics tho

Starkler (Geoff) · #15 30-03-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

tell em the price son!

For the one I suggested, between 600-700 bucks. Call for an IIS special price

Im buying this because 80mm just isnt enough for me.

cometcatcher (Kevin) · #16 31-03-2006, 12:02 AM

That's twice the bucks of the one Ving was looking at.

I know, get the Televue 4 inch refractor. The quality will be superb I'm sure.

ving (David) · #17 31-03-2006, 12:53 PM

your not helping kevin!

so no one here has used a 90mm short tube achromat? gee... maybe i should just get it so i can tell people what its like...

whats the az3 mount like? sturdy? easy to use?

Starkler (Geoff) · #18 31-03-2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

whats the az3 mount like? sturdy? easy to use?

The az3 wont reach zenith im told, and the alt axis isnt balanced meaning the higher the scope is pointed, the more out of balance the alt movement becomes. You might find it annoying, maybe not.

ving (David) · #19 31-03-2006, 02:14 PM

well its that or the eq2d (I think it is), which is probably a bit wobbly.

dhumpie · #20 31-03-2006, 03:18 PM

I had a look at the web site and it seems like a decent achromat (and looks pretty well built as well). I have an Orion 80ST that I can push to 133x with little image breakdown and the CA is there but not totally obstrusive. The 102 f/5 however was horrendous above 100x. The 90 you are looking at should hit the middle ground. But if you do have a little more to spare I think Geoff's suggestion for the Vixen 130 on a Porta mount is a good idea....

Darren