Posts Made By: matt carson

Looking for advice from people with more knowledge than me. I am hoping some additional funds will fall into my hands at the end of this month and I am earmarking some for a 80mm (give or take 5mm) scope. I have dug around trying to learn what I can. The scope will serve the dual purpose of a grab and go scope that I can put on a heavy duty camera tripod for quick peaks on clear nights and to travel with. Also I am planning on eventually moving into photography sometime in 2010 and have a Losmandy GM-8 mount for when the scope is used for that.

I am thinking something in the 500mm (+- 20mm) F6.5 (+-.5) range. I currently have an equinox 100mm scope and like it a great deal, but its too big for grab and go and a bit slow (F9) for photography. I mention it only to show my bias for the 80mm equinox. Anyway, my used equipment budget is in the $500-$700 range. So far I am thinking about:
80mm equinox
80mm Explore Scientific
80mm Astro Tech
Wondering if there are any scopes in the price range I am missing on my list and any thoughts on the scopes listed. Is a triplet that much better than a good double for visual, for photography? Does f6.25 or f6 make much difference for photography over a f7 (the astro tech). I really was leaning towards the Equinox, but the others really peaked my interest the more I learned about them, but hands on knowledge of the ES and AT scopes seem hard to come by.

Thanks for any help.
Matt