Saxon 80-100mm ed

[Starkler (Geoff)]

The Orion 80ED has a crayford focuser, watch for that in the saxon version !

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

some details and pictures are available at the saxon website:

http://www.saxon.com.au/

click on the "new" tab and scroll down.

I emailed asking for prices but have no response yet.

I had wondered why Bintels' prices had come down by over $100 dollars


Silvie:
if this is indeed a faithful Orion clone, using this as a guide scope would be a bit insulting

I gather this is the poor mans apo and has been used to get some sensational images

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I would personally pay an extra $100 for the name on the side.
You know, resale value and all

[silvinator]

rotflmao!!! Ken you crack me up as always

thanks for that seeker. Rest assured that my intended use for an apo refractor (orion or saxon, haha or both) is mainly as a second, more portable scope with which I could attempt some serious astrophotography with, and less strenuous observing with, as well as using it as a guidescope. I didn't mean to downgrade this refractor
Yeah the price drop certainly makes sense now. Hope you get a response soon, my other half decided he would let me buy an apo of my choice at the end of the year! Woo-hoo!!!!

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Here is an excellent and comprehesive review of the 80 ED.

[rumples riot]

Funny, I thought everyone would ask me what I thought of the Orion 80mm ED, since everyone knows I bought one of these. Guess no one wants to know what I think. If your interested, just let me know.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I wouldn't have thought you'd have any clear skies Paul. What with buying a new scope and all These new Saxons have me intrigued so I'll ask.

"Whats the new Orion 80 mm like?"

[rumples riot]

Well at the moment, I have only a limited knowledge of it. Tonight is the first really clear night since getting the scope, but I am meant to go to a gig tonight and jam with a few buddies.

However, having looked through the scope briefly I can say this. The scopes objective is fully coated and is appears surpisingly large for a 80mm. When viewing stars they are totally free of colour fringing and are of a pin point nature, really tak sharp. When I tried it on Saturn I was surprised by the image sharpness. I did not really get the chance to use a barlow to increase image scale. clouds rolled in to spoil the show.

The crayford focusor is very smooth and able to give fine focus. Other than that not much yet to report. I can give a more detailed review when I get the scope pier going. So far worth the seven hundred for the OTA.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I read somewhere that the OTA is actually the one for the 100mm and they have the lense mounted in a cell. Is this right?

[rumples riot]

Does not look like that to me. The objective goes all the way out to the edge of the casing. So I don't think that what you have heard is right. Maybe I am wrong, but from what I am looking at I don't think so.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I've really gotta get a closer look at these two scopes. I've already seen Mark's (mhodson) Celestron 80 ED and I'm definately in the market for something in the 70mm-80mm line.

[beren]

dont forget the Megrezs,worth looking at ...

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I've not familiar with that brand Stuart

[rumples riot]

Paul that is the williams Optics 70mm, there is also the Megrez II. Which is supposed to be very good for the price.

[rumples riot]

Here's a shot of the ED80mm straight out of the carton.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I think I want one.

Just have to work out how to mount it. I have an old version skyview pro EQ head but without legs. Its fairly heavy. Would anyone know if suitable tube rings are available?

Any suggestions on a suitably portable way to mount this scope?
I may even prefer a simple alt-az mount being a dob person.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I definately want one, I think? Yes Geoff that's the other issue isn't it. It'd be great to have a scope like this but not real useful if you've got to hold it by hand. How much do you think mounting rings would cost? For both mounting to LX200 and to my EQ3 mount? Anyone got any ideas? PM me if anyone has any links and such. God it sounds like I'm talking myself into one. Paul would you PM me with the price. If I'm going to get murdered I might as well make it worth the price.

[rumples riot]

Sorry Geoff for the lateness of this response, the rings are available for this scope part number 7371 from Orion sold through Sirius Optics in Brisbane. Mounting rail is another issue. the one they sent me was too short suitable for an 8". however, looks like bintel are coming to the resuce with a mounting rail they are making and the 2D counter weight set to go with another one. Hope this info hleps with your decision.

Incidently the rings can be just bolted to any refractor based mount also.

[silvinator]

I just got an email from saxon about their new scope. They told me that these new babies are made from the same manufacturer as orion. Pretty vague but it's a start. They didn't give me a price as yet so I don't know whether these will be the same price or less as the orion refractors. But when I find out, anyone interested can just PM me. They are a bit slow on getting back to you though so you have to be patient.

PS: Paul (rumples) I didn't ask about your scope because this was a saxon thread Though it looks like it should be about both since they are from the same manufacturer!

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally posted by silvinator
They are a bit slow on getting back to you though so you have to be patient.

I'll say, still waiting for a response to my email of last week asking for a price!