There are some people that say that the ED80 Pro version uses a higher grade of glass than the FPL-53 used in the normal version.
However i dont think that anyone has ever found a way of finding out if this is true. The general consensus is that the only difference between the two scopes you have pictured is (1) the paint job and (2) the price.
I may be wrong (and probably am)...I think the difference is the Pro comes with a snazzy carry box, rings and dovetail and I think it has a rotating focuser
There is not much difference between them except the price, paint job and a few gadgets. My only question is that why would Skywatcher bring out a new line of refractors the exact same as ones they already have out unless they are better quality?
Here are the Specs for each scope,
SW ED80 pro
Optical Design: Apochromatic refractor
Lens Material: FPL-53
Diameter: 80mm
Focal length: 600mm
F/ratio: 7.5
SW ED80
Optical Design: Apochromatic refractor
Lens Material: FPL-53
Diameter: 80mm
Focal length: 600mm
F/ratio: 7.5
EDIT: Sorry Steve, I missed your post. I don't think there is a difference in the optical design etc but all the extra accessories that are included.
no probs Matty... they do the same with thier Dobs...chuck in a few more eyepieces maybe a different finder and name it the super duper deluxe
I was reading somewhere the other day though that a new series ED80 is now out from Skywatcher with a black OTA that looks more like a Williams Optics offering.
no probs Matty... they do the same with thier Dobs...chuck in a few more eyepieces maybe a different finder and name it the super duper deluxe
I was reading somewhere the other day though that a new series ED80 is now out from Skywatcher with a black OTA that looks more like a Williams Optics offering.
Super Duper Duper Duper Deluxe ED refrator, sure does sound good.
I was just browsing the SW website and found the new EQUINOX series. I agree, they do look a lot like what WO are offering but is still a little bit out of my price range at the moment.
IMO Matty you're better off going with the ED80 rather than the Equ 80.
I have a funny feeling you'll have more CA with the Equ 80, but this is only my guess.
A while back Orion had released the Express 80 after it released the ED80 and it looked great too, even had a nice rotatable focuser, but it didn't perform as well as the ED80.
It also looks like the gold 'Pro' series as well as the regular blue tubed ones are being replaced by the new 'Black Diamond' series. There is a Black Diamond ED80 and ED120. Synta / Skywatcher have repainted the tubes black and white. It comes with the 8x50 finder, 2 in. dialectic diagonal, tube rings and case. The Black Diamond ED80 has the 2 speed focuser while the ED120 has the single speed - [which is strange.] The higher grade dual focuser black gloss Equinox series remains. On several other forums the opinion is that it is the Equinox - specifically the ED120 - has a different mating cell.I have the Equinox ED12O and have attempted to confirm this issue but have not been able to. I have written to Synta on several occasions but no reply. They all gave the FPL-53 glass [except the ED66 which is FPL-51]I ahve written a review on the Equinox ED120 and hopefully will post a review soon. Briefly, is displays absolutely minimal CA - even slightly less then my Orion ED80 / 100. [ Hence the reasoning why the mating cell is different]. There is a noticable light grasp increase over the ED100. Great on planets and even DSO's. If you think the 20mm does not make much difference - it certainly does. Great fit and finsh and superior to my Orion ED 80 / 100. T he black gloss paint is similar to the WO scopes and leaves fingerprints ! The 2 speed focuser is a great improvement. I have it on a HEQ5 mount. Great combo. I live in New Zealand and the Equinox ED120 cost me a very inexpensive $2300 equivalent Aussie dollars.http://synta.en.alibaba.com/group/20...Telescope.html
It also looks like the gold 'Pro' series as well as the regular blue tubed ones are being replaced by the new 'Black Diamond' series. There is a Black Diamond ED80 and ED120. Synta / Skywatcher have repainted the tubes black and white. It comes with the 8x50 finder, 2 in. dialectic diagonal, tube rings and case. The Black Diamond ED80 has the 2 speed focuser while the ED120 has the single speed - [which is strange.] The higher grade dual focuser black gloss Equinox series remains. On several other forums the opinion is that it is the Equinox - specifically the ED120 - has a different mating cell.I have the Equinox ED12O and have attempted to confirm this issue but have not been able to. I have written to Synta on several occasions but no reply. They all gave the FPL-53 glass [except the ED66 which is FPL-51]I ahve written a review on the Equinox ED120 and hopefully will post a review soon. Briefly, is displays absolutely minimal CA - even slightly less then my Orion ED80 / 100. [ Hence the reasoning why the mating cell is different]. There is a noticable light grasp increase over the ED100. Great on planets and even DSO's. If you think the 20mm does not make much difference - it certainly does. Great fit and finsh and superior to my Orion ED 80 / 100. T he black gloss paint is similar to the WO scopes and leaves fingerprints ! The 2 speed focuser is a great improvement. I have it on a HEQ5 mount. Great combo. I live in New Zealand and the Equinox ED120 cost me a very inexpensive $2300 equivalent Aussie dollars.http://synta.en.alibaba.com/group/20...Telescope.html
Thanks Chris,
I didn't know about the new "Black Diamond" series. Certainly looks like it will be worth while to wait and see how much it will cost over here in Oz. What do you think the price will be?
The weird thing is that it is not on the Skywatcher website yet.
As a rough guide there is a Canadian site that sells the 80ED Pro for $750 (Cdn), the Black Diamond for $800, and the Equinox 80ED for $580. The Equinox is a bare tube F6.25 and has no diagonal, finder or rings, but has the the crayford is 2-speed and is rotatable and has the higher fit and finish. The Pro has only a 1-speed crayford focuser, but comes with a diagonal (not dielectric), finder, rings, dovetail and two of the Skywatcher eyepieces.The Black Diamond comes with 2in. dielectric diagonal, dual-speed crayford style focuser, 50mm finder, aluminum case. Both the 80mm Pro / 'blue tube' and Black Diamond are F/7.5's. The mounts are the EQ3/5 and are painted black / White. Actually they the look similar to the Celestron 'Omni' line. Synta owns Sytwatcher, Celestron and Acuter [ which are Hi-grade spotting scopes and binos]. It seems like the blue tube ones will go first followed by the Pro series. I think the Pro gold series did not prove popular with the color hence the change and rationalization.
As a rough guide there is a Canadian site that sells the 80ED Pro for $750 (Cdn), the Black Diamond for $800, and the Equinox 80ED for $580. The Equinox is a bare tube F6.25 and has no diagonal, finder or rings, but has the the crayford is 2-speed and is rotatable and has the higher fit and finish. The Pro has only a 1-speed crayford focuser, but comes with a diagonal (not dielectric), finder, rings, dovetail and two of the Skywatcher eyepieces.The Black Diamond comes with 2in. dielectric diagonal, dual-speed crayford style focuser, 50mm finder, aluminum case. Both the 80mm Pro / 'blue tube' and Black Diamond are F/7.5's. The mounts are the EQ3/5 and are painted black / White. Actually they the look similar to the Celestron 'Omni' line. Synta owns Sytwatcher, Celestron and Acuter [ which are Hi-grade spotting scopes and binos]. It seems like the blue tube ones will go first followed by the Pro series. I think the Pro gold series did not prove popular with the color hence the change and rationalization.
Do you have the link to the website selling the Black Diamond? I can't seem to find it.
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