C9.25 SCT (ota) - early impressions/review

[Robert_T]

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

Nice report, Robert.

I'm torn between a small apo refractor or a C9.25. (Who am I kidding? I know I'm eventually going to get BOTH. What I mean to say is I'm torn between which one to get FIRST.)

I'd like to be able to transfer the SCT between a heavy duty alt-az mount and a nice EQ6 on a pier (such as Matt is talking about). Like all good reports, yours has just made me simultaneously more determined and indecisive...

Hi Brian, the indecisive bit is fun though, filled with infinite (ok within budget) possibilities and promise. The key criteria of course should be which is shinier
there's an ever so shiny red (so it's faster) 80mm William's Optics (think it's a Fluorite Triplet APO) that I'd love to have. Maybe you should get something like that first and then it can become your travel come guidescope for the C9.25... but then again you could... isn't this fun

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

I think the go-fast red WO scope is actually a fancy fluorite doublet. Even though the lens cell is designed by TMB, I've been burnt once too often by semi-apos, almost-apos or doublet-mirage apos.

I've come to believe that the only way you can get three different wavelengths of light to come to simultaneous focus is by using THREE different bits of glass. (That, or maybe 4, as in a petzval.) Anyway, to any experts reading this, please feel free to leap in and try to convince me otherwise.

Oh, of course, the other way is to use a mirror. Or an SCT. Mmmmmmmm...

Cheers,

Brian.

[Robert_T]

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

I think the go-fast red WO scope is actually a fancy fluorite doublet. Even though the lens cell is designed by TMB, I've been burnt once too often by semi-apos, almost-apos or doublet-mirage apos.

I've come to believe that the only way you can get three different wavelengths of light to come to simultaneous focus is by using THREE different bits of glass. (That, or maybe 4, as in a petzval.) Anyway, to any experts reading this, please feel free to leap in and try to convince me otherwise.

Oh, of course, the other way is to use a mirror. Or an SCT. Mmmmmmmm...

Cheers,

Brian.

you're right Brian, checked the website it is a doublet...

did notice they have a nice 105mm ED triplet added to their lineup though and it is very shiny http://www.william-optics.com/wowebs.../features0.htm

and, of course, there's always the c9.25, less shiny but there's more of it

[Johno (John)]

Thanks for the review Robert. Nice to read.
Matt, You have one of the combinations I have been considering. Now that you've presumably had your gear for a couple of months I would also like to hear your story on how the C9.25 goes with the EQ6. Are you using a pier or tripod? How portable is the combination (if you're using a tripod)? Are you planning on doing any refurbishment to the EQ6? How accurate is the Goto and how well does it track?

[asimov (John)]

I've been looking at this review everyday for a month now.

Ordered mine 15 mins ago....On her way friday.

Rob this review needs to be in the review section of this site for us newbies!