It's official!

Ok, I have purchased the WO Megrez 80mm Fluorite Triplet. Now it is just a little wait time until the check arrives there and the scope arrives here. 8)

Congrats Floyd! 8)
Please let us know once you get it... 8)

Floyd,

You are going backwards as far as aperture is concerned, contrary to what most people do

I have scopes ranging from 18" to 3" in diameter and enjoy all of them. I'm sure the 80mm will be a sweet scope.

clear skies,

Larry Citro

http://starryforge.com

It's a lovely scope, Floyd! I have one of last year's models--identical to this year's aside from the 10:1 focuser and the index marks on the draw tube--and have been extremely happy with it. I have never been able to detect any false color with it inside or outside of focus, and star tests are near perfect with mine!

FYI, it's actually FPL-53 not true Fluorite. I think WO started calling it a "Super APO" rather than a "Fluorite" scope a few months back. Not that it matters... the performance speaks for itself.

If you are going to use it for imaging you need to be aware that the field is not at all flat. Even on a relatively small CCD chip you will need a field flattener/focal reducer. The TeleVue model is a pretty good match for this scope, based on my experience. Not required, of course, for visual use.

I use mine for airline travel, as a guide scope for my FLT-110 (TEC), and for wide field astrophotography and I couldn't be happier with it.

Good luck - Jared