I'm thinking about buying a nice wide field refractor to scan the sky with. I would like the scope to be 3" and around F/6. The one that I really would like to get would be the TV-76. The question is should I spend that much money just for a scope that will be used for that purpose? Maybe I should get an AT1010 instead. Anyway, I need some opinions/advice. One thing I really want to know is if you own a rich field refractor, how often do you use it?
Rich field refractor, opinions please.
Started by explore, 08/27/2003 01:39AM
Posted 08/27/2003 01:39AM
Opening Post
Posted 08/27/2003 03:40AM
#1
Chris,
I think you'll get tons of use out of the TV-76.
I own a rich-field refractor (the NP-101). It's also the only scope I currently own. I use it as much as my schedule and the weather (woe are we who live in the Northeast these many past months).
Shhhh, right now, it's resting for the Black Forest Star Party.
Regards,
Lou
I think you'll get tons of use out of the TV-76.
I own a rich-field refractor (the NP-101). It's also the only scope I currently own. I use it as much as my schedule and the weather (woe are we who live in the Northeast these many past months).
Shhhh, right now, it's resting for the Black Forest Star Party.
Regards,
Lou
Posted 08/27/2003 01:33PM
#2
Hi Chris,
I have had a Jagers 5" f/5 refractor since 1971 and it is a great scope for wide-field views. With a 32mm erfle or similar there is plenty of dark sky around the Pleiades. That being said, my main use for it these days is photography. Having owned 16" and 10" scopes, I found that there was not much that the 5" would do better than those scopes. It was limited to the largest open clusters or scanning the Milky Way.
Another option is a 6" f/5 newtonian. I had one for several years on a dobsonian mount and it was great for quick, wide-field views. It was also cheaper than a refractor.
Good luck.
Maurice
I have had a Jagers 5" f/5 refractor since 1971 and it is a great scope for wide-field views. With a 32mm erfle or similar there is plenty of dark sky around the Pleiades. That being said, my main use for it these days is photography. Having owned 16" and 10" scopes, I found that there was not much that the 5" would do better than those scopes. It was limited to the largest open clusters or scanning the Milky Way.
Another option is a 6" f/5 newtonian. I had one for several years on a dobsonian mount and it was great for quick, wide-field views. It was also cheaper than a refractor.
Good luck.
Maurice
* Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a day.
* Teach a man to use the internet and he won't bother you for weeks.
Posted 08/27/2003 02:26PM
#3
You might want to look at the Borg 76. You can buy it in either an achromat or ED APO configuration. It's extremely lightweight, portable, highly configurable and the nice thing is that you can always upgrade the objective to a 100Ach or 100ED later without buying a whole new scope. In fact, there is also a Borg combo package that includes both the 76ED and 100Ach objectives for less than what a new TV-76 would cost you.
Posted 08/27/2003 07:49PM
#4
Hardin Optical sells the Geng Sheng(Taiwan) 80mm f6 short tube with
Eq mount for $299.I bought the OTA used off of Astromart a few months ago to mount on my Nextstar 80gt mount on wooden legs.The f5 short tube had sharp optics but lots of color.The f6 is sharp also but the color correction is much better.Polar cap and faint surface detail on Mars at 137x(7Nag+2x barlow)and color wasn't obtrusive at all.Not in the same league as my Starmaster but for the price a nice quick look scope.Hope this helps-Vic
Eq mount for $299.I bought the OTA used off of Astromart a few months ago to mount on my Nextstar 80gt mount on wooden legs.The f5 short tube had sharp optics but lots of color.The f6 is sharp also but the color correction is much better.Polar cap and faint surface detail on Mars at 137x(7Nag+2x barlow)and color wasn't obtrusive at all.Not in the same league as my Starmaster but for the price a nice quick look scope.Hope this helps-Vic
Funding Member
