I am in the process of spending some $ on a new telescope and mount and came across this thread. If the kit is definitely the same gear as http://ghonis2.ho8.com/astrotech127mm.html which it looks like it is, then I will be buying one too. Could I ask the advice of the forum members, would I be better getting an erecting finderscope or non-erecting?
Prior to finding this thread I was going to buy a Skywatcher 100mm APO, or maybe an 80 if my wife spends my money before I get it.
I have emailed for a quote (got one, US$1100 inc delivery & paypal fee) and I should be getting a pro-forma invoice email next week. Cant wait.
I just received an email from Gilman in reply to a question of what the US$815.00 covers,:
USD815 covers : 127mm ED APO/apochromatic refractor telescope OTA (tube)
tube rings/dovetail rail.
Aluminiun case.
I mistakenly thought the finder, diagonal and 2 eyepieces were included.
So my last post quoting AU$1100 was off the mark by about AU$150, for the finderscope, Diagonal and two eyepieces. I have specced up the better erecting finderscope (US$50) and the dielectric diagonal (US$55) though, or it would have only been another AU$100 on top.
I have also put a 2" 2x barlow on my shopping list for a total of US$1281.
My order would be in already but I have to wait for some $$ to appear.
I just received an email from Gilman in reply to a question of what the US$815.00 covers,:
USD815 covers : 127mm ED APO/apochromatic refractor telescope OTA (tube)
tube rings/dovetail rail.
Aluminiun case.
I mistakenly thought the finder, diagonal and 2 eyepieces were included.
So my last post quoting AU$1100 was off the mark by about AU$150, for the finderscope, Diagonal and two eyepieces. I have specced up the better erecting finderscope (US$50) and the dielectric diagonal (US$55) though, or it would have only been another AU$100 on top.
I have also put a 2" 2x barlow on my shopping list for a total of US$1281.
My order would be in already but I have to wait for some $$ to appear.
well i will post this again as this was what i ordered
"Dear David Hough,
Thank you for your mail.
our ED APO127, f=952mm,
with dual speed adjust focus,
8x50 illuminating reticle finder scope,
2" 99% dielectric diagonal,
1.25" WA10mm/WA20mm,
aluminimu case,
FOB China USD850/set
the postage is about USD210,
if you buy a pc, you need pay USD50 as additional handle charge.
if add altaz mount with built-in goto system, GPS, steel tubular tripod,
add USD500/set,
Thanks
Gilman"
so is the differece of 35 USD the fact you do not get the diagonal, two EP's and a illuminated 50mm finderscope????? Now I am starting to worry. Our scopes are due here in a week or so (according to Mr Gilman). My invoice does state that these items are included?
our ED APO127, f=952mm,
with dual speed adjust focus,
8x50 illuminating reticle finder scope,
2" 99% dielectric diagonal,
1.25" WA10mm/WA20mm,
aluminimu case,
FOB China USD810/set
if add altaz mount with built-in goto system, GPS, steel tubular tripod,
add USD500/set,
sea freight is about USD60
Thanks
Gilman
I didn't place an order though. I wasn't convinced. I've also grown tired of the inconsistency (incl. Quality Control) of dealing with unknown manufacturers or distributors (who claim to be the manufacturers) from China. The well-known ones will only deal with their official distributors, naturally.
Anyway, let's hope for the best. It should be fine.
The way we are all going to find out is by waiting for someone to get their scope delivered.
By the way the web page http://www.made-in-china.com/showroo...Telescope.html for the scope is laid out, it looks like you get everything above the " Optional accessories for our 127mm ED Apo Telescope: " line. That would make the deal include the EP's, diagonal and finder. The picture shows these items laid out with the package.
Why list the accessories unless they are included.
My first email from Gilman:
-------------------------------------------------------
Dear Phillip Jefferies
Thank you for your mail.
our ED 127 with dual speed focuser, OTA,
with aluminium case package,
USD815
our ED102 with dual speed focuser, OTA,
with aluminium case package,
USD660
our ED80 with dual speed focuser, OTA,
with aluminium case package,
USD360
other accessories as follows :
normal 2" diagonal, USD20
high reflex 2" dielectric diagonal,USD55
8x50 finder scope with illuminating reticle, USD25
8x50 finder scope erected image, with illuminating reticle, USD50
WA10mm, USD20
WA15mm, USD21
ED2.3mm, USD29
ED3.8mm, USD29
ED5.2mm, USD30
ED7.5mm, USD31
ED9.5mm, USD32
ED12.5mm, USD32
ED14mm, USD33
ED18mm, USD33
ED21mm, USD34
ED25mm, USD34
1.25"/31.7mm, 1.5x, ED Barlow Lens, Multi Coated, USD28
2"/50.8mm, 2x, ED Barlow Lens, Multi Coated, USD35
ED80 small altaz mount with goto system & tripod, USD210
ED102, ED127 big altaz mount with goto system & GPS & tripod & aluminium case, USD450
meanwhile, we also have 10inch reflector telescope with parabolic primary mirror, USD505,
4inch Maksutov telescope, USD120.
please give us your requried list, we will make proforma invoice for you,
if you pay USD to us via paypal, you need add USD85 as additional charge, (USD45 is paypal charge, USD40 is the charge from paypal to our bank),
the postage via EMS express is about USD200 to you home or office without any additional charge.
delivery time is about USD20 days after your payment.
Second email:
-------------------------------------------------------
Dear Phillip Jefferies.
Thank you for your reply.
please see our reply as follows :
----- Original Message ----- From: <queenslandradar-scope@yahoo.com>
To: <gilman@northgroup.cn>
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2008 2:58 PM
Subject: Re:quote ED APO from North Group
Thankyou for your fast reply.
The telescope package I would like is:
127mm ED APO/apochromatic refractor telescope,
With the included accessories as listed on the page: (are these included in the USD$815?)
USD815 covers : 127mm ED APO/apochromatic refractor telescope OTA (tube)
tube rings/dovetail rail.
Aluminiun case.
other accessories are optional, please see our quotation last mail.
8x50 illumintating reticle finder scope.
2inch/50.8mm focuser tube and 2 inch/50.8mm 99% dielectric diagonal,
70 degree super wide angle eyepieces/WA10mm/WA15mm,
Dual speed adjusting focuser,
tube rings/dovetail rail.
Aluminiun case.
Could you please swap the included illuminated reticle finder scope for the illuminated reticle erecting finder scope and I will pay the $25 price difference?
no problem.
How long is your proforma invoice valid for, as I am awaiting the funds at the moment.
I think you guys will enjoy the 127mm triplet when you get it in your hands. I have been able to use mine now both visually and for imaging and am very satisfied. I bought the scope mainly for imaging because I needed something around 1000mm. An added plus is that I can use a Celestron f/6.3 reducer with the scope for faster imaging. I posted latest imaging results with the scope and the reducer here:
I think you guys will enjoy the 127mm triplet when you get it in your hands. I have been able to use mine now both visually and for imaging and am very satisfied. I bought the scope mainly for imaging because I needed something around 1000mm. An added plus is that I can use a Celestron f/6.3 reducer with the scope for faster imaging. I posted latest imaging results with the scope and the reducer here:
I asked Gilman for some details on the optics and its quality. He advised me the following.
Quote:
Dear Fahim,
Thank you for your reply.
we attached a document in this mail, please check it,
our glass is imported from Europe.
Thanks
Gilman
I am attaching the picture sent to me. The details dont mean much to me, I hopping some one can tell us what they mean. I have rotated and resized so it meets size limits of IIS.
BTW I was quoted 850USD which includes
Quote:
our ED APO127mm,
All of objective lens is 3 elements/triplet objective and fully multi coating/FMC.
8x50 illumintating reticle finder scope.
2inch/50.8mm focuser tube and 2 inch/50.8mm 99% dielectric diagonal,
70 degree super wide angle eyepieces/WA10mm/WA15mm,
Dual speed adjusting focuser,
tube rings/dovetail rail.
Aluminiun case.
Regarding the optics test in Fahims post, according to my very limited understanding, 1/6 wave peak to valley and 1/40 wave RMS are very good numbers, but the results only apply to the wavelength tested. Other colors/wavelengths may test differently. There is much less information in this test than the test referred to in the other thread on this scope.
8inch Maksutov, f=2500mm,
USD870 (full of metal part)
If I buy 8" inch one, can I see lets say saturn better than with ed127 refractor I asked him and he said:
8inch Maksutov is better than 10inch parabolic reflector if you observe planet,
10inch parabolic reflector is better than 8inch Maksutov if you observe nebula in the deep sky, without any chromatic aberration,
ED127 is better than reflector, Maksutov, if you observe objects on the land besides sky observe.
He also reccomenced me cheap 4" MAC, costs only 120$ (MC1400x102EQ7/AT3 is a kind of Maksutov telescope for beginner,
it is very small and not expensive, USD120)
So can someone please explain to a beginner which one to choose?
(and sorry that I have not been able to learn and read enough to know this all.. the interest to astronomy came recently to me)
If I buy 8" inch one, can I see lets say saturn better than with ed127 refractor I asked him and he said:
8inch Maksutov is better than 10inch parabolic reflector if you observe planet,
10inch parabolic reflector is better than 8inch Maksutov if you observe nebula in the deep sky, without any chromatic aberration,
ED127 is better than reflector, Maksutov, if you observe objects on the land besides sky observe.
With best regards:
Heiko
Welcome Heiko!
Gilman gave you good advice.
If you want to view planets, a long focal length is good, meaning the 200mm Mak would be a good choice. But, the Mak will have a narrow field of view and would not be so good for large deep-space objects like the Orion Nebula.
The 10-inch reflector will be good for deep-space and OK for planets if you use a barlow lens, basically it will do everything, but it is very large to carry around.
The ED127 will be very good for deep space. Not sure about planets at high magnification, you may get false colour (chromatic aberration) around the edges of bright planets. I will report when mine arrives
The 4" Mak? Maybe a bit small, however a very lightweight user-friendly scope for a beginner. Very similar to the Meade ETX90 I guess?
8inch Maksutov, f=2500mm,
USD870 (full of metal part)
If I buy 8" inch one, can I see lets say saturn better than with ed127 refractor I asked him and he said:
8inch Maksutov is better than 10inch parabolic reflector if you observe planet,
10inch parabolic reflector is better than 8inch Maksutov if you observe nebula in the deep sky, without any chromatic aberration,
ED127 is better than reflector, Maksutov, if you observe objects on the land besides sky observe.
He also reccomenced me cheap 4" MAC, costs only 120$ (MC1400x102EQ7/AT3 is a kind of Maksutov telescope for beginner,
it is very small and not expensive, USD120)
So can someone please explain to a beginner which one to choose?
(and sorry that I have not been able to learn and read enough to know this all.. the interest to astronomy came recently to me)
With best regards:
Heiko
The 4" Mak would make a great guidescope (cheap too).
I'm impressed with the prices on the 127mm APOs , would be nice if they added a field flatterner / telecompressor to suit their APOs .... I'll watch that website and see what happens.
Advice would depend on what you are interested in doing with the telescope when you have it.
Chaom, it would probably be good for you to buy only 1 telescope.
You have much to learn because you are just starting. Learning to use 1 telescope and accessories (essential parts) will keep you busy.
After learning about your telescope, you will be able to decide to get another telescope or not AND you will be able to make a more informed choice.
Buying 4 telescopes together will make learning very complicated and confusing.
The people who have many telescopes have bought them over a period of time.
So if you do buy just 1 telescope, then consider the size AND weight.
10" newtonian is big and heavy - needs heavy duty mount.
8" mak / ED127 medium size and weight.
So mak or ED will be easier to move. Will you keep the telescope in your house?
I started with a 6" newt, after 1 year I sold it and bought a 6" sct. Then sold the sct and I now have a 120" refractor that I like better than the newt/sct.
As I learned about telescopes, astronomy AND what sky objects I liked to look at, I could decide what equipment would suit me.
So be patient or you may be selling a lot of used equipment.
Chaom, it would probably be good for you to buy only 1 telescope.
You have much to learn because you are just starting. Learning to use 1 telescope and accessories (essential parts) will keep you busy.
After learning about your telescope, you will be able to decide to get another telescope or not AND you will be able to make a more informed choice.
Buying 4 telescopes together will make learning very complicated and confusing.
The people who have many telescopes have bought them over a period of time.
So if you do buy just 1 telescope, then consider the size AND weight.
10" newtonian is big and heavy - needs heavy duty mount.
8" mak / ED127 medium size and weight.
So mak or ED will be easier to move. Will you keep the telescope in your house?
I started with a 6" newt, after 1 year I sold it and bought a 6" sct. Then sold the sct and I now have a 120" refractor that I like better than the newt/sct.
As I learned about telescopes, astronomy AND what sky objects I liked to look at, I could decide what equipment would suit me.
So be patient or you may be selling a lot of used equipment.
Good advice...and may I add most likely selling at a significant discount too
They say they have made telescopes for medea before. Found also by madi-in-china.com
I asked about 6" maksutov, and their price is 330, but gilmans price was 250.
I dont know ofcourse is the the same model.
They say they have made telescopes for medea before. Found also by madi-in-china.com
I asked about 6" maksutov, and their price is 330, but gilmans price was 250.
I dont know ofcourse is the the same model.
What do you think about this page?
and thanks for advices before.
They're not the manufacturer, only one of the ubiquitous distributors including Gilman.The scopes are made by JOC http://www.joctech.com/www/index.html
wait and see whats in the post, I cant send my money off for a couple of weeks anyway.
