The Astro Physics arrived late last week and after discussions with Alex on the deep sky imaging forum - I posted a image here (a little more appropriate).
I couldnt believe the size and weight of it considering its a 130mm refractor - that is a Televue np101is beside it and it is far bigger than the bl;ack diamond 120. Baffled yeah but i just asnt expecting the size.
Amazing piece of equipment - i now know why people wait for years on the waiting list. I'll change to a motor focus over the coming weeks and mount it a bit better than this - was just checking fit etc. There is an Optec IFW and a st8300 hanging off the end of the TV giving me balancing grief but it will all be sorted out by next moon
Look into my eyes, not around my eyes but directly into my eyes. You are getting sleepy, sleepy - you are asleep.
At the count of three you will awake.
You will WANT to give me this telescope. NOTHING will stop you giving it to me. It is your life's ambitiion that I have this scope!!! You will pay me to take it from you.
Look into my eyes, look directly into my eyes. One, two, three,,,,,,
Peter
I bought it second hand off a guy in Alaska (AstroMart) and for about a grand under new price which i as ecstatic about (but put on GST and shipping and youre at about new price). It is a couple of years old but has hardly been out of the case - tube is absolutely clean - no scratches and optics are pristine. Also included rings, Losmandy D plate and full aperture solar filter - so it was a good buy I think. I just hope the wife doesnt find out what its really worth. It will cost me a fortune inshoes and jewwellry . Rule Number 1 - never let your wife sell your astronomy gear for what she thinks it is worth.
The guys name was Tom Tyler - very obliging so if anyone is dealing with him on astromart I can highly reccommend him.
Its a monster!! Makes that EQ6 look like a kiddies toy! Can not wait to see what it produces for you! I'm coming up on 1yr 6mths worth of wait list time... 4~6 years left I reckon.. (ample time to save up for a big mount)
Have you had a chance to star test it? even visually?
Thx Darrel - I already have a couple of bookings on it. A mate just bought an AP1200 mount so what the hell he may as well give it a go.
Alex visually for me is one step above asking Helen Keller to visually test it (or Beethoven what he thinks a new song sounds like). To my severely impaired eyes it looks great. Easy definaition on Mars with an ED 2x barlow (when i was looking around the blind spots in my eyes).
The only real drama I have had is with the focuser - with the Optec filter wheel and the ST8300 I found a little focus shift as it approached the zenith. Then it clouded out - but I think I can fix it by tightening the 4 allen screws on the base of the focuser -I had the top tighening screw pretty well tight. I intend putting a motor focus on it however for ease of photography focusing. Autofocus with focus max is far more consistent thatn my eyes.
Anyway - why would I want to use it - I just want to look at it for a while
Unfortunately (well not really) I have to say mine isnt as big as yours (or Mikes from memory) but thats been the story of my life. We have to make do with what we have.
They truly are magnificent pieces of equipment - I took it out last night and just played with it (the scope that is) - tightened focuser screws etc and after wanting one for at least 30 years it was a pleasure just to look at. I know it will wear off but I've never done this with any other scopes I have owned - and there were a few pretty good ones but they werent Rolls Royces.
I wouldn't be calling it the Rolls Royce of telescopes unless:
It's an overpriced, over-hyped, rustbucket that costs twice what its worth, costs a fortune to fix, is in reality no better than its nearest competitor and only people who care about labels actually buy one!
Unfortunately (well not really) I have to say mine isnt as big as yours (or Mikes from memory) but thats been the story of my life. We have to make do with what we have.
Mark
It's alright Mark according to several Cleo studies over the years 6" is about average, so 5.1" isn't too far off ...buuuut yes, mine is happy to be average, exactly 6" in fact ..but 3mm smaller than Peters ...I dispute that though so I wanna measure them ...of course mine is F7.5 his only F7 so nah!
It's alright Mark according to several Cleo studies over the years 6" is about average, so 5.1" isn't too far off ...buuuut yes, mine is happy to be average, exactly 6" in fact ..but 3mm smaller than Peters ...I dispute that though so I wanna measure them ...of course mine is F7.5 his only F7 so nah!
Never mind why you're reading womens magazines, tell me... Did they mention in those tests anything about, I dunno, 3.5"?
Talkin about telescopes fellas, stop ya heckling! Whilst size matters, I would be very happy to have any size AP... Matter of fact, If I could find a good 2nd hand AP traveler I'd be stoked! Theres quite a few 130's on AM, a couple of 140's and a 155... I'd probably be happiest with the 140 Starfire... not too big, not to small... easy to just slide it on in.....to the car..
Its an old joke but thats why my wife has no sense of distance ..........
Theres a Traveller on there at the moment Alex but a bit expensive at 5500 thats nearly a grand more than the EDT was. A 140 is on Auction and is up to 6900. I wouldnt be surprised if more come on the market the way things ap[parently are over there - I didnt see a lot of evidence of the trouble at Xmas but - The casinos were still packed.
Theres also a really nice looking Tak 128 for 3500 that i'll tell a few people about too.
Yeah, I saw the 140 on auction at 6900, I would be surprised to see it go for less than 7500 though.... I saw the traveler too acutally, but yes, 5500 for a traveler is not going to happen... I'll keep a look out for a 130 or 140 in the next 6 months or so, if nothing comes up I'll just concede and wait for my phone call
Tak? What in gods name is that?
In all seriousness, I'd love an FSQ85 to replace the TMB80/480, but that wont happen until the AP is firmly planted atop a pier in my yard..
. Rule Number 1 - never let your wife sell your astronomy gear for what she thinks it is worth.
Can not wait to see what it produces for you! I'm coming up on 1yr 6mths worth of wait list time... 4~6 years left I reckon.. (ample time to save up for a big mount) 
..but 3mm smaller than Peters 
...I dispute that though so I wanna measure them 
...of course mine is F7.5 his only F7 so nah! 
