ED80 Apo

[kon1966 (Kon)]

Hi guys,
considering getting a 80mm ED80 OTA for a travelscope and imaging. Looking at brands and they all look the same specs just different tubing. There is Saxon, sky watcher, vixen all around the same price.

Optically, are they just about the same and does not matter which brand I buy.

Regards
Kon

[Atmos (Colin)]

I think they're all made in the same factory

[kon1966 (Kon)]

Hi Atmos,
yeah it does look that way, just different operating costs.

Regards
Kon

[glend (Glen)]

Have a look at the Explore Scientific ED80 Triplet APO. When I was looking for an ED80 I found it to be superior to the numerous ED doublets and the price was better. They are often on sale at places like Agena Astro, Opt Corp, etc. Quality was very good, accessories were fine, particulary the very nice dialectric diagonal, and they make a field flattener for that scope. Optically I can find no fault, colour rendition is true, and stars are tack sharp.

[traveller (Bo)]

Yes, what Glen said.
Do you have a budget in mind? Do you want to buy new or second hand?
ED doublets can be had for less than $500 second hand, but triplets are more expensive. Also consider a reducer/flattener for imaging.
Cheers
Bo

[chris lewis]

I recently bought a new Carbon Fiber Kson 80 mm F/6.8 Triplet APO for NZ$800. Comes with the 2” Crayford 1:10 dual speed focuser. They are well made. It cost me less, approx. $NZ300, then an Orion ED80 or a SW 80 mm Equinox would have. The images are superior to the Synta 80 mm doublets I have had over the years with no CA noticeable, just a a hint on very bright objects when de-focused. I believe these Kson scopes were available in Australia but unsure of availability now. I also have the larger Kson F/6 102 ED doublet non CF white tube version, which was only NZ$100 more. Slightly more CA but still negligible and not a concern during normal viewing. Both come with FPL-51 glass. I do prefer the 102 mm version [just] its just goes deeper and brighter and is still relatively portable.

Chris

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

I have had my Vixen ED80sf for almost 3 years now and its a great little scope. I think it was around $900, came with a solid case and a few accessories. Optical quality is fantastic. Only problem I have had is the rubber grips on the focuser knobs coming off, but I bet that is pretty common.

Erik

[traveller (Bo)]

Originally Posted by E_ri_k

I have had my Vixen ED80sf for almost 3 years now and its a great little scope. I think it was around $900, came with a solid case and a few accessories. Optical quality is fantastic. Only problem I have had is the rubber grips on the focuser knobs coming off, but I bet that is pretty common.

Erik

I cut off two small ring sections of a bike inner tube and stretched them over the focuser knob, works great.
Bo

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

Originally Posted by chris lewis

I recently bought a new Carbon Fiber Kson 80 mm F/6.8 Triplet APO for NZ$800. Comes with the 2” Crayford 1:10 dual speed focuser. They are well made. It cost me less, approx. $NZ300, then an Orion ED80 or a SW 80 mm Equinox would have. The images are superior to the Synta 80 mm doublets I have had over the years with no CA noticeable, just a a hint on very bright objects when de-focused. I believe these Kson scopes were available in Australia but unsure of availability now. I also have the larger Kson F/6 102 ED doublet non CF white tube version, which was only NZ$100 more. Slightly more CA but still negligible and not a concern during normal viewing. Both come with FPL-51 glass. I do prefer the 102 mm version [just] its just goes deeper and brighter and is still relatively portable.

Chris

That is one handsome scope!