127mm ED Triplet for $1199 at VTI Optics

[Moon (James)]

I don't think James has a 127ED any more. There are lost of image'rs out there with the 127ED or derivatives who produce very very good images. Which convinces me the scope is a good'un its myself that is the limitation.

I was planing to reduce the number of scopes I have, but in the end I kept it mainly for the total eclipse.

Alex used some of my images from the ED127 for his awesome eclipse video
http://vimeo.com/54017986

This was my attempt at a video using the same raw data from the ED27:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppqWrObHKoE


For some reason I still haven't posted any of my other eclipse images online. I must get around to that soon.

As to the quality of the scope, I think all the images posted online speak for themselves. If you look at lots and lots of them very carefully (as I have done) you will get a good idea where it stands.

James

[David Niven (David Niven)]

Well done Nikolas.
Yes, i do agree. This ED127 has a lot of potential and it is our skill that's lacking mostly.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Woaw ! its looking like these ED127mm triplets are ( Already have ) going to be the next ED80 ,
I pay'd $1000 for my ED 80 in 2005 , and that was a steal !.
Good on all who have got one now , the best buy in astronomy today ..

Brian.

[whzzz28 (Nathan)]

They arn't bad for the price; so long as you realize that the chromatic aberrations aren't as well controlled as most ED80's.

That being said - i was going to look at purchasing one again, but an ED80 @ f4.8 is keeping me amused for now.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

I need a heavier duty mount, my cg5 struggles with this scope the guidescope, and dslr.
neq6 pro good?

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I dug out my fringe killer. Going to see if it makes any difference to those big blue halos that this scope is prone to make on those really bright stars.
The extra 47mm of aperture makes this scope definitely superior to the ED80 regardless of the halo problem. (which I really don't see as a problem, it's like defraction spikes that are inherent in an image from a newt. you don't like them, don't use that scope )
I'm keeping my ED80 though. We've travelled a long road together and I'm very fond of it.

Nik, I'm using a "finder guider" with my ED127. It keeps the weight down tremendously.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Removed the dewcap yesterday, got better tracking but the mount still struggles.
I'll be on the market for an neq6 pro as my current setup weighs 14 kg with the dslr attached, damn 5dmark2 weighs a bit.
This way I may also attach my 10 inch dob for some quick and easy planetary pics.
variable seeing last night, lots of heat haze and some smoke haze.

[David Niven (David Niven)]

I thought, I might add a bit of extra to my NG Ed127, so the laser is mounted and ready...but the legality question still bug me!
And though it is just 1mw, it is awfully bright.
I have it mounted but have still to use it.
Anyone actually started using one?
Despite all the discussions, there is no clarity to the question.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I went to my local police station and informed them that I own a laser pointer.
In QLD one has to belong to an astro society to be able to have one. But I explained that there is no society closer than Brisbane to me, and he said it was ok.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

I went to my local police station and informed them that I own a laser pointer.
In QLD one has to belong to an astro society to be able to have one. But I explained that there is no society closer than Brisbane to me, and he said it was ok.

Fortunately, in Western Australia, we have a sensible law regarding GLL's. It is simply classed as a "prohibitive weapon", which simply means that you have to have a legitimate reason for owning one, with astronomy listed as a legitimate reason. Don't have to have a license, don't have to belong to a club.

They annoying thing is that these laws are not uniform around Australian so if I visit the east states, say in a trip around Australia, I would have to leave the laser at home. This seems so ridiculous, since it is an integral part of my setup.

Cheers Peter

[LewisM]

A differing opinion...

I had an ED127 - Nathan's in fact. I couldn't get over the blue fringe and the soft looking focus, so I traded it off. In my opinion, the ED80 performs better all around, as does an ED100.

I'd have to say it is the most disappointing scope I have had, and it had all the bells and whistles upgrades. I'd get the FHWM to damn near perfect, and the images were still fluffy with chromatic abberation. Almost as much CA as the 150mm Skywatcher achromat I had.

And that's NOT being a snob as I have had one.

[johnt (John)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

A differing opinion...

I had an ED127 - Nathan's in fact. I couldn't get over the blue fringe and the soft looking focus, so I traded it off. In my opinion, the ED80 performs better all around, as does an ED100.

I'd have to say it is the most disappointing scope I have had, and it had all the bells and whistles upgrades. I'd get the FHWM to damn near perfect, and the images were still fluffy with chromatic abberation. Almost as much CA as the 150mm Skywatcher achromat I had.

And that's NOT being a snob as I have had one.

That sounds surprising compared to what most people say. Perhaps that one was below average in the batch, or not adjusted properly?

Could you say what focal length that 150mm Skywatcher was please. I think they were either F5 (750mm) or F8 (1200mm).

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

A differing opinion...

I had an ED127 - Nathan's in fact. I couldn't get over the blue fringe and the soft looking focus, so I traded it off. In my opinion, the ED80 performs better all around, as does an ED100.

I'd have to say it is the most disappointing scope I have had, and it had all the bells and whistles upgrades. I'd get the FHWM to damn near perfect, and the images were still fluffy with chromatic abberation. Almost as much CA as the 150mm Skywatcher achromat I had.

And that's NOT being a snob as I have had one.

I'd say yours was the exception to the rule.

[Ian Flowes]

These reviews suggest otherwise,

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2829

http://deepspaceplace.com/ed127.php

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...45580626,d.aGc

Perhaps they were wrong and someone here is correct...but??

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

For $1199 , "Dont worry Be happy " , I was with the one I owned , lovely scope it was .
The only reason I sold it was to get my awsome Takahashi Mewlon 210 DK .
There is a hole in my pocket dear Liza , dear Liza ...... .

These are the deal of the decade with a 100% return guarentee , sweet man .
Brian.

[johnt (John)]

Originally Posted by brian nordstrom

For $1199 , "Dont worry Be happy " ,
...
These are the deal of the decade with a 100% return guarentee , sweet man .
Brian.

Brian, on the part about "100% return guarantee", can you elaborate on your experience, or what that statement is based on?

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

I can reply to this.

I returned my optics direct to NG as I thought it had a little bit too much off axis CA, most which could be carefully focused out (it was around 4 months old, this was a few years ago). However, I was unsure as any CA was a little off axis but no-one could really agree if this was ok or not.

So I returned it and NG replaced the LENS cell no questions asked. New cell has far less hue and any such is on-axis easily focused out. NG Paid for shipping both ways and all, took 2 weeks.

In fact NG was very helpful and went over the top in assistance arranging for pick-up of my lens cell and return to mu doorstep.

Cannot ask for better than that.

[LewisM]

I am happy to accept the one I had was deficient in some way. I will run through the issues I had, some perhaps trivial, others not:

1. tube rings required additional felt lining. As it was, the tube would slip, significantly, and you could NOT tighten the clamps further

2. Dew shield was shoddy. I had to rework it. One screw was bent (never rectified it), the paint inside the dewshield was flaking and exposing the carbon fibre fibres, and the dew shield would not always align properly and would infringe on images. I flocked the dew shield, which improved it

3. the entire lens cell was wobbly and misaligned. The screws which secured it were loose, and required work. The securing points are insufficient

4. There was significant crud BETWEEN lenses. Also, paint would fall onto the rear of the objective quite frequently, exposing the fact that the anti-reflection paint they use is dodgy.

5. focus - never got truly sharp focus. Good FHWM numbers, using a robofocus on a moonlite focuser (since the original focusers are sub-standard, though I believe that has changed), but images were "fuzzy" or soft. I have noted that in a LOT of ED127 imagery.

6. Chromatic Abberation was excessive.

That was my scope. A friend had one that performed even worse, being severely mis-collimated and was returned to North Group for replacement.

Now, Explore Scientific may select the "cream" of the crop, not sure. I know that the original owner of mine imported it directly from China.

Aperture does not replace quality. It seems mine was an exceptionally poor example. The new owner seems moderately happy with it,though the same guy did warn me of NG "batches" prior to me purchasing it. I traded the NG for an R200SS

[whzzz28 (Nathan)]

At the end of the day, you pay for what you get i guess.

I would be a bit concerned though buying this scope through VTI based on the conditions of purchase they have.

• You, the buyer, accepts that, there may be scratch marks on the item, which will not be a valid reason to return the item or to request for a replacement or refund.
  
• ‘Not performing to expectation’, ‘Soft focus’, ‘Presence of coma aberration’, ‘Focuser not smooth, rough play, sloppy play or not to expectation’, 'Finger marks on objective' are also not valid reasons to return the items or request for a replacement or a refund.

Scratch marks... hmm ok i guess.
Finger marks? No way i would accept a lens/telescope that is sold as brand new if it has finger marks. That's just sloppy as all hell.
And i think by having the terms it pretty much confirms the scopes do have the aforementioned problems.

But again - for $1100, the majority of the scopes are probably fine for most.

[g__day (Matthew)]

The not performing to expectations is a worry - if those expectations - like being an apo are stated. If one were to buy that item on a Australian credit card - each of those issues would be grounds for repudiation (chargeback to the merchant from the Card issuer) of the charges under the credit card act.

So a merchant selling goods in Australia with conditions of payment that violate elements of the Australian Banking Payments code and Credit Card acts sounds worrying. Wonder if entering a contract that attempts to diminish these acts lessens your rights as a consumer or are futile statements that Visa or Mastercard would simply shrug off?