ED120 at 2 K from andrews

[anj026]

It is interesting watching the prices get lower on these new scopes.

The new Equinox and Eon 80mm scopes are shorter focal length (f6.25, 500mm) than the "old" ED80 (f7.5, 600mm).

I think the 100mm and 120mm versions share the same focal length of 900mm as the older versions.

[chris lewis]

Q. "Just to clarify - are we saying that an ED80 (Pro or otherwise) has FPL-53 glass as standard??"

A. Yes the same FPL-53 glass.

Q. "And, if so the Equinox/Eon (unless you want the reduction in FL, lovely cosmetics and nice focuser) isn't worth the extra cash!!??
I can buy an ED80 and focuser upgrade for $100+ less than the cost of an Eon 80mm scope and essentially have the same scope - is that right?"

A. Basically yes. The shorter F/L 6.25 EON / Equinox is produced with A.P. in mind as opposed to the ‘normal’ F/L 7.5 on the Orion ED80 / Skywatcher Pro versions with the single speed focuser. Get a 'normal' ED80 7.5 and a GSO 2 speed focuser and away you go.
However, while you will still get the same FPL-53 optics and a lightly longer F/L. [Same F/L in the ED120 Versions].The EON's and Equinox’s do have a marked improvement with there assembly and finish, they have the retractable CNC aluminium dew shield, the standard 2 speed rotatable Crayford focuser, the high black gloss finish, 2x tube rings, Vixen type dovetail and aluminium case.
Ultimately it comes adown to how important the ‘extras’ are to you versus the cash difference when you upgrade with the 2 speed focuser.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by chris lewis

Q. "Just to clarify - are we saying that an ED80 (Pro or otherwise) has FPL-53 glass as standard??"

A. Yes the same FPL-53 glass.

Q. "And, if so the Equinox/Eon (unless you want the reduction in FL, lovely cosmetics and nice focuser) isn't worth the extra cash!!??
I can buy an ED80 and focuser upgrade for $100+ less than the cost of an Eon 80mm scope and essentially have the same scope - is that right?"

A. Basically yes. The shorter F/L 6.25 EON / Equinox is produced with A.P. in mind as opposed to the ‘normal’ F/L 7.5 on the Orion ED80 / Skywatcher Pro versions with the single speed focuser. Get 'normal' ED80 7.5 and a GSO 2 speed focuser and away you go.
However, while you will still get the same FPL-53 optics and a lightly longer F/L. [Same F/L in the ED120 Versions].The EON's and Equinox’s do have a marked improvement with there assembly and finish, they have the retractable CNC aluminium dew shield, the standard 2 speed rotatable Crayford focuser, the high black gloss finish, 2x tube rings, Vixen type dovetail and aluminium case.
Ultimately it comes adown to how important the ‘extras’ are to you versus the cash difference when you upgrade with the 2 speed focuser.

Many Thanks Chris,
One more Q!!!
Would the slightly longer FL of a "standard" ED80 help in reducing CA a bit more?
Cheers
Doug

[chris lewis]

I would be speculating. However from some reviews I have read there does appear to be a small increase in CA in the shorter F/L 6.25 versions. Light physics would also indicate the longer F/L will produce less CA - even if it is incremental.
One caveat I should say it that whilst they have the ‘same optics’ i.e. FPL-53 glass there obviously is a difference in the lens making process so as to produce a faster F/L.

Here is a quote from an Equinox ED80 owner:

“Maybe I can help out a bit here. I've had my Equinox 80 for about 1 year. I have taken many wide field images with it, and basically these images are very good with sharp stars, and no residual colour. But that's lower power wide field views. Using a very bright star at high power will some some colour and a bit of a purple haze around the star. But, that's to be expected with the F 6.2 ratio. The 6mm SPL eyepiece does not show any lateral colour that I have detected. When used with the Equinox on the full moon, there is a yellow line on the brighter limb, but none on the opposite side. Sky background is very dark, as are the shadows in craters, etc. No colour on the face of the moon.”

And another quote

“I have one, and love it. It's FPL-53 glass, fantastic colour correction, I understand that it has the same optics as the Orion/SkyWatcher ED80 though it's slightly faster at f/6.25 (vs. f/7.5)”.

There is a link below to the full forum discussion on C.N.s

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...5/Main/2220861

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

an update:
Bintel told me today they are expecting the first shipment of EON120 EDs on June 8

Andrews has -BTW-sold out the last ED 120 they had in stock today

its all happening
narayan

[TrevorW]

More likely due to the excellent exchange rates we are now being charged somewhat more realistic prices otherwise for the additional freight charges a lot of their customers would be buying direct from overseas.