ICEINSPACE
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Waning Gibbous 90.8%
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06-01-2022, 02:17 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Clifton Springs
Posts: 9
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In the market for a 70'ish mm scope
Hi. I currently use a TS Optics 107mm triplet and I'm very happy with it. However, I would like something with a wider field of view that was a little more portable than the 107mm and I think that something in the 70mm range would suit.
I know this will be contentious and I know that there are a million opinions about all of this stuff, so....I have narrowed it down to:
a) WO Zenithstar 73mm f/5.9
b) WO Gran Turismo 71mm f/5.9
c) Sharpstar 76mm f/5.5
d) TS Optics 76mm f/5.5
e) TS Optics 70mm f/6
and, just for fun
f) Tecnosky 70mm f/6
All are triplets, with the exception of the WO Zenithstar.
In a nutshell, is any one of these particularly better than the others? Weight could be an issue that I need to take into consideration as I'd like to use it with my SA, rather than my HEQ6, for travelling. I could be using either an Olympus camera or a ZWO294 to image with.
Price isn't an issue.
Alternatively, convince me that your choice would be the way to go for me.
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06-01-2022, 04:16 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Nimbin NSW Australia
Posts: 265
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I have a doublet celestron LT 70 for sale on I I S ads. Yes not the same as a triplet, but is very portable. No mount with it, but can sell it with a Wedge go suit vixen wedge mounts.
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06-01-2022, 05:26 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Clifton Springs
Posts: 9
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Thanks for your reply, John. The focal length of your scope is 700mm, which is equivalent to the scope I already use. I'm looking for something with a shorter focal length that I can use with my current cameras. Good luck with your sale.
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06-01-2022, 09:00 PM
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Drifting from the pole
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 5,425
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Have you considered the Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED?
I recently got one to complement my Esprit 100 and have been pleasantly surprised so far, with no blue halos that cursed my previous 70mm scope.
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07-01-2022, 01:11 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Burrumbeet
Posts: 244
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I have the Zenithstar 61, so this may apply to the 73mm. Definitely needs a field flattener for photography. My Orion FF for short refractors works quite well with it. Not perfect but a massive improvement on no flattener. Build quality and focusser are very, very nice. Contrast is excellent and it's not showing any false color in what limited photos/viewing I've done. Certainly more contrasty than my ED72 which is excellent value but not the quality of the WO.
Also, what about the WO Redcat 71 f4.9?
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07-01-2022, 01:28 PM
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Deprived of starlight
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 3,762
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08-01-2022, 01:08 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Clifton Springs
Posts: 9
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Thanks for your suggestions
@Camelopardalis, I went to a sky party last night and a guy there was raving about his Skywatcher Esprit 80 and he showed me some photos. I was pretty impressed.
@Hoges, I have looked at the RedCat, but it's weight is greater than any of the others, so it's out of contention.
@MortonH, I looked quickly at your ad. Not a brand I've heard of, so I'd like to do a little research, particularly regarding flatteners etc.
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08-01-2022, 01:22 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Burrumbeet
Posts: 244
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KellyC
@Hoges, I have looked at the RedCat, but it's weight is greater than any of the others, so it's out of contention.
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Isn't the Espirit 80 a little heavier than the redcat 71?
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08-01-2022, 09:08 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Clifton Springs
Posts: 9
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@Hoges, Yes, but I only just found that out today...
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14-01-2022, 02:21 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,100
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What's the maximum weight limit? I would also have said the Redcat 71 because it's set and forget, and little concern about backfocus.
There's also the ASKAR 400 which is a petzval so again, no backfocus issues.
https://www.testar.com.au/products/askar-400-f-5-6-apo
That's actually my next scope, when they come back in stock
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19-01-2022, 12:56 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Clifton Springs
Posts: 9
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Bought one
Thanks for everyone's contributions. I have decided on the TS Optics 70mm f6 with the 0.8 reducer. I currently use another TS Optics scope and have been very happy with the results. My husband uses WO and, as much as the money side of things wasn't an issue, I wasn't convinced I would get a $500-$1000 better image from the WO than I will get from the TS Optics, after all, it's just a hobby....she says...adding things to her cart...
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