Calling all small refractor owners!

I am in the market for a small refractor and mount/tripod setup that is ultra portable. Due to my hectic schedule and lack of viewing time, no setup time or cool down is a must. I have pretty much narrowed it down to the SV AT1010, TV Pronto, and (gulp) the TV 76. I was also thinking of mounting it on a Telepod setup or something similar. PORTABILITY IS KEY! Also, I'm hoping to keep the costs at a minimum because I'm thinking of dabbling with HA and will need to save up for the filter.

I've been pretty much planetary, but would like to observe more widefield stuff. Luna still holds a special place in my heart, so I need respectable lunar performance.

Caveat: I had a 4" Tak on an EM200 before so I want this scope to be in the 3" range. I have aperature fever, but in the wrong direction! Also, for some crazy reason I do not like Orion products so their APO is out of the question. I also don't like helical focusers.

Any suggestions as to what would fit the bill for my desired application would be greatly appreciated!!!

Clear skies,
JOE

Given the 3 choices Joe, I'd indubitably go with the TV-76. Being an APO, it will give you the most optimized focus light for a 3-incher and maximum flexibility for a very wide view to high power. I thought I saw one on Astromart in the $9xx range! But the largest small ;-) you might want to consider is the still highly portable TV-85 and not far behind in performance compared to a 4-incher.

Best wishes on your quest.

Ron B[ee]
PS - I've found refractor ideally suited for my hectic, impromptu observing lifestyle.

Hi Joe,

I have used these three scopes in the picture, and enjoyed them all. The Pronto can be had for a reasonable price used, and the case holds a number of eyepieces which is very convenient. The Traveller weighs a lot, and although goes onto an airplane easily, is just plain heavy to lug around. My current favorite is the Sky90. Lightweight, and does a good job of pretending to be a 4" refractor. It handles wide fields and high power with ease.

I also have the Telepod and really like it. It turns an ordinary photo tripod into a balanced alt-az mount. But high power planetary views will drive you crazy trying to track anything over about 80X on these : )

Can't comment on the SV or TV76,85scopes, but have heard many good things, and they also come up very reasonably on the used market.

David Simons

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Joe
There are 2 SV78S on auction right now from Anacortes that might be worth looking into.
Buck

It really depends on what you consider "highly portable." I don't recommend the Pronto or any other Achromat/"semi APO" if you primary interest is planetary, I have Pronto, its nice but false color is an issue.

If money is a concern, I think you really need to reconsider the Orion ED80. Even Roland Christen believes this scope to be a true APO. It seems be in the same league with the TV APO doublets. It is bigger than the Pronto but with the right mount it ought to "ultra portable."

jon

Joe,

If you're interested in apo performance in the 3" range, also look at the Stellarvue/TMB 80S and 80L triplets or the Stellarvue SV85S doublet. Paired with a Bogen 075/Unistar Light mount combo they make an excellent quick look set up. Of the three scopes, the SV/TMB 80S is the most compact. The AT1010 (Nighthawk) is a good match for the same tripod and mount if you don't go the apo route.

For ultra portability, Universal Astronomics offers a shortened D&S tripod which is supposedly short enough to fit in an airline carry-on bag, but because of its shortened length requires viewing from a seated position.

Jim

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

I am seriously trying to save money on this purchase by considering an achromat I don't see it, though. Like the old adage....once you go Tak, you never go back...I don't know how I would feel about false color. I need to keep my budget well under $2000 or I'll never pony up for a HA filter.

The TV 76 is my front runner as I have read good reviews and have never owned a TV scope (curious on how they compare to other scopes I have owned). Also, fit and finish, as well as mechanical integrity, is a big must for me. I really like the SV products as well!

Interesting story (and one of the reasons I don't like Orion products):
I was at a star party and some gent had one of the really cheap Orion refractors set up. He was incessantly bragging about the quality and views to some would be aspiring astronomers. He went to the extent of saying that people who buy more expensive scopes in the same aperture range are just wasting their money. Understand that this was to a bunch of kids and adults new to astronomy. I took a look through this alleged "Magic Scope" for $150 or whatever he said it cost, and took a glance at Luna. I saw more colors through this scope than what's in a bag of Skittles. I would have said something to the gent, but my eye hurt from looking at the rainbow in his eyepiece. I guess the fact that it seemed he was misleading these people rubbed me the wrong way. (I wake up in cold sweats over this story.)

I have also looked at the Megrez II option. I dig the "punk" look I would sport with the fancy backpack carrying case it comes with. I'd like to see more user reviews on it before I'd really consider buying it.

There was also a comment on the Traveler. I'd probably sell my soul to the devil for one of those (figuratively speaking, of course).

I hate buying telescopes, toooo many good choices.

Thanks again for the help!

Clear skies!
JOE

If it was me I would go with the Tak Sky 90. My second choice would be the TV 85. Scopes under 80mm just don't gather enough light for me.

Good luck, John Kuhl

hi,

My 2 cents ... a used Televue Pronto with a minus violet filter ... a lot of performance for the price. $1500 for 3" of aperture just does not make sense to me..


Larry .. Pronto owner and happy with it

Joe, Unless you're going to do some serious backpacking/hiking my vote is for the TV85. Unbelievable performer and it sets up in minutes! Can't beat the TeleVue quality and craftsmanship. If you're patient, you can pick one up in excellent condition for about $1500 here on AstroMart. Remember, you get what you pay for! Just my 2 cents. Best Regards and good luck!