W.O. doublet or meade triplet?

Hey everyone,

I've read good and ok things about the new 5000 series 80mm meade apo triplet, and also about the William Optics 80mm doublet ED scope. Some say the meade is quite excellent, especially for the money. Some say the W.O. ED is 'just' a semi-apo, but of fantastic build quality and good optics. I just want to get some nice high-contrast wider fields of view than the f/10 SCT can offer and probably will also do some imaging with a digital SLR.

Any suggesions on which way to go? Anyone have either of these scopes?

Thanks!

Andrew Box said:

Hey everyone,

I've read good and ok things about the new 5000 series 80mm meade apo triplet, and also about the William Optics 80mm doublet ED scope. Some say the meade is quite excellent, especially for the money. Some say the W.O. ED is 'just' a semi-apo, but of fantastic build quality and good optics. I just want to get some nice high-contrast wider fields of view than the f/10 SCT can offer and probably will also do some imaging with a digital SLR.

I haven't had a chance to try one of Meade's scopes...but I will say that I have been incredibly pleased with WO's gear, particularly their ED refractors...and their support. I simply do not think you can do any better in this price range.