Researching the purchase of a 80mm refractor to use as a grab and go scope and for our frequent family travel. Would like to keep the price of the OTA in the $500 range (new or used.) Any help would be appreciated.
Travel Scope
Started by AstroandAero, 02/04/2007 08:04PM
Posted 02/04/2007 08:04PM
| Edited 02/04/2007 08:04PM
Opening Post
Posted 02/04/2007 09:12PM
#2
Tim, there are a lot of really nice 80mm short tube telescopes out there now that's great for travel and family use. I would put the Classic Nighthawk on your list, Stellarvue may have a few left:
http://stellarvue.com/clearance.html
The "Classic" Nighthawk is the original "built like a tank" telescope, same optics as the Nighthawk II, but in the original heavy duty optical tube. It's heavier than most 80mm short tubes out there, around 8 pounds, but the added durability makes it very suitable for travel and family use, especially if children will be using the telescope. If you already have a mount or heavy duty photo tripod, it's an excellent buy at $349. Orion makes a couple of good 80mm short tubes, the ST80 for about $190 comes to mind. I don't own an ST80 but I've read a few positive comments about it, I would regard it as a good choice if you were looking to economize. The Nighthawk classic has a better focuser though, and better construction in the lens, lens cell, and optical tube.
David E
http://stellarvue.com/clearance.html
The "Classic" Nighthawk is the original "built like a tank" telescope, same optics as the Nighthawk II, but in the original heavy duty optical tube. It's heavier than most 80mm short tubes out there, around 8 pounds, but the added durability makes it very suitable for travel and family use, especially if children will be using the telescope. If you already have a mount or heavy duty photo tripod, it's an excellent buy at $349. Orion makes a couple of good 80mm short tubes, the ST80 for about $190 comes to mind. I don't own an ST80 but I've read a few positive comments about it, I would regard it as a good choice if you were looking to economize. The Nighthawk classic has a better focuser though, and better construction in the lens, lens cell, and optical tube.
David E
Posted 02/04/2007 10:22PM
#3
If you are interested in a really small and portable 80mm scope I would consider a Vixen A80SS. Vixen North America has it listed for $310 which includes a red dot finder and flip mirror. Here is a review of one:
http://www.barrie-tao.com/vixen80ss.html
If you want a scope with apo quality optics then it would be hard to go wrong with an Orion 80ED/ Vixen ED80sf or similar. It is quite a bit larger than the Vixen though and you might have to purchase used to stay in budget.
Joplin
http://www.barrie-tao.com/vixen80ss.html
If you want a scope with apo quality optics then it would be hard to go wrong with an Orion 80ED/ Vixen ED80sf or similar. It is quite a bit larger than the Vixen though and you might have to purchase used to stay in budget.
Joplin
Posted 02/05/2007 01:38AM
#4
Hi Tim,
There are a lot of parameters to consider in a scope purchase, and I don't know what those are for you. If you're looking for apo performance there are a lot of good 80 mm's out there at the five hundred dollar price point and below. As well, there are numerous long focus refractors. When I wanted an 80 mm travel scope the main issue for me was portability. Something I could grab fully loaded and go with in one hand. I also wanted as small a package as possible to make it travel friendly in a car. I ended up with Orion's ST-80. Just a cut over ten pounds WITH a Paragon tripod, only about fifteen inches so it doesn't take up much room in the car. I'd heard reports about substantial color fringing. Maybe mine is the exception, but I find the color to be really minimal...surprisingly so. It's pretty good at powers up to 80x-100x, though it performs well around 40x- 60x. It's got enough aperture to pick out the brighter galaxies, nebulas and planetaries. Where it really shines, of course, is on wide field views of open clusters and star fields. All in all, very satisfac- tory at what I'm asking it to do, and all for less than four hundred dollars. If that's in the ball park of what you're looking for, then I hope you find the information helpful.
Larry Seguin
There are a lot of parameters to consider in a scope purchase, and I don't know what those are for you. If you're looking for apo performance there are a lot of good 80 mm's out there at the five hundred dollar price point and below. As well, there are numerous long focus refractors. When I wanted an 80 mm travel scope the main issue for me was portability. Something I could grab fully loaded and go with in one hand. I also wanted as small a package as possible to make it travel friendly in a car. I ended up with Orion's ST-80. Just a cut over ten pounds WITH a Paragon tripod, only about fifteen inches so it doesn't take up much room in the car. I'd heard reports about substantial color fringing. Maybe mine is the exception, but I find the color to be really minimal...surprisingly so. It's pretty good at powers up to 80x-100x, though it performs well around 40x- 60x. It's got enough aperture to pick out the brighter galaxies, nebulas and planetaries. Where it really shines, of course, is on wide field views of open clusters and star fields. All in all, very satisfac- tory at what I'm asking it to do, and all for less than four hundred dollars. If that's in the ball park of what you're looking for, then I hope you find the information helpful.
Larry Seguin
Posted 02/05/2007 03:33AM
#5
>>>Would like to keep the price of the OTA in the $500 range (new or used.)
----
I recommend the Orion ED-80. I bought a used one last year for $350 with a case and rings and it has been my most used scope since I bought it. It is pretty big for an 80mm but with it's 600mm FL I have been very pleased at the views. Just spotted M76 from my San Diego Mag 4 Backyard with it...
Jon
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I recommend the Orion ED-80. I bought a used one last year for $350 with a case and rings and it has been my most used scope since I bought it. It is pretty big for an 80mm but with it's 600mm FL I have been very pleased at the views. Just spotted M76 from my San Diego Mag 4 Backyard with it...
Jon
Posted 02/05/2007 07:19PM
#6
Thank you everyone for the replies. I think I have it narrowed down to three and will have to negotiate with the wife on the amount spent:
Scope Used/New price
William Optics 80mm $400-600
Vixen 81mm (japan) $750-1100
Televue 85 $1200-2000
And these mounts:
Stellervue M-1
University Astronomics Microstar
I'll be searching the classifieds daily.
Best Regards,
Tim
Scope Used/New price
William Optics 80mm $400-600
Vixen 81mm (japan) $750-1100
Televue 85 $1200-2000
And these mounts:
Stellervue M-1
University Astronomics Microstar
I'll be searching the classifieds daily.
Best Regards,
Tim
Posted 02/05/2007 09:28PM
#7
I can recommend the Stellarvue Nighthawk II; its what I take on my trips "Out West". I used to have a UA Microstar mount but replaced it with a Stellarvue M1 which is a better mount in my opinion. I have also had a Televue Telepod/Bogen 3246 and the Microstar or M1 are both better, IMO. The M1 has smoother motions, next is the Microstar, then Telepod.
Eddie
Eddie
Funding Member
