Scope for Backpacking

I'm looking for a scope to take backpacking. I will use a tripod.

For the scope - Weight limit approx. 6lbs. Length limit about 12". I want a decent scope, but recognize the trade offs. I have been looking at the Celestron C5 spotter and the Orion Apex 127. Either of these appear to meet my parameters.

I would appreciate other ideas or opinions regarding those two options.

Both of the ones you're looking at have high f-ratios and thus narrow fields of view... I would go for something like a Short Tube 80 or it's cousins. They're cheap (unlike the Celestron) as well, so you won't feel as bad about dropping them. You get great low-power views and decent high-power views with the short 80's, too...

Pat

Hi:

I have a C-5 Spotter as well as some small refractors. I am not sure what you plan to do with the scope but I would be thinking of something appropriate for birding and astronomy.

Here's a few random thoughts...

- The Orion Apex 127 weighs 8.6lbs and is 15 inches long. That would seem to be significantly outside your parameters. It is also a bulky scope.

- The C-5 Spotter is about 11 inches long and weighs 5lbs which is reasonable. It is 6 inches in diameter, will require a finder scope and a dew shield. And too, the correctors are somewhat fragile, I would be reluctant to take my C-5 backpacking for that reason alone. A C-5 does pack a lot of aperture into a small package and with a Focal reducer you can approach a 2 degree Field of view.

- The tripod is an important issue. Both the Orion 127 MAK and the C-5 will require a serious tripod. I use the C-5 on a Bogen 3040, these scopes with their long focal lengths and significant weights require a solid mount, I wouldn't put my C-5 on anything less than 3040.

- If I were taking a scope backpacking, I would take my WO ZS 66SD. Nothing like the aperture of the C-5 but it is robust, weighs about 4lbs complete, shinks to 12 inches, needs no finder and does the wide field/birding thing nicely. No cool or collimation to worry about either. These are beautifully made scopes that will sit nicely on a lighter tripod than required for a C-5.

- Others have suggested the ST-80 and certainly it is a nice choice. It is probably longer than your 12 inches but with the dew shield removed it is probably about 12 inches long, weighs 4 lbs and is rugged and reasonably inexpensive so that if it met an untimely fate, it would not be a disaster.

- A birding spotting scope is another choice, it won't be provide quite the widefield views or the high powered views of a small refractor but it is a sealed unit so dust and water are not a problem, they are lightweight and designed for hiking.

jon

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If you're willing to carry an extra 2 lbs. and can pack the extra 2", I'd second the Stellarvue recommendation. They're built like tanks, provide really crisp views, and the extra aperture will make a difference. The Stellarvues on the clearance page are a little cheaper and Stellarvue's reputation for Customer Service are excellent.

The one advantage of the WO may be better color suppression.

I'll second the recommendation for the WO ZS66SD... a wonderful scope all around, affordable, built like a tank, small, and gives beautiful views... a hard to beat package! (I have one and love it!) 8)


Good luck, and clear skies!

So, are binoculars on top of a hiking monopod out of the question?

John