Good Evening,
For some of you this post is probably old news, but I just today received a new Orion 80mm ED. Fit and finish were far better than the reviews give it. The scope has a very solid feel. My scope had two issues. First, the lens shade had been buffed and repainted at two spots about the size of a dime, but the repaint job was poor. Second, and more significant, the retaining ring that holds the lens assembly in place had vibrated a bit loose in shipping. I tightened it but this will be something to keep an eye on.
Optically, however, the collimation was right on and images do indeed "snap" into focus. Even though tonight is cloudy here in PA, I took the scope out to test it on street lights and distant tower lights. Even at high powers I noticed virtually no chromatic aberrations and the images were crisp and clean. The focuser is very good/smooth, though perhaps not the best. The images so far rival my Tele Vue Genesis SDF - and that's saying quite a bit. I can't wait for a clear night. Definitely worth the $499.00 in my book.
Clear Skies,
Ed Kessler
For some of you this post is probably old news, but I just today received a new Orion 80mm ED. Fit and finish were far better than the reviews give it. The scope has a very solid feel. My scope had two issues. First, the lens shade had been buffed and repainted at two spots about the size of a dime, but the repaint job was poor. Second, and more significant, the retaining ring that holds the lens assembly in place had vibrated a bit loose in shipping. I tightened it but this will be something to keep an eye on.
Optically, however, the collimation was right on and images do indeed "snap" into focus. Even though tonight is cloudy here in PA, I took the scope out to test it on street lights and distant tower lights. Even at high powers I noticed virtually no chromatic aberrations and the images were crisp and clean. The focuser is very good/smooth, though perhaps not the best. The images so far rival my Tele Vue Genesis SDF - and that's saying quite a bit. I can't wait for a clear night. Definitely worth the $499.00 in my book.
Clear Skies,
Ed Kessler
