RE: [APML] Guidescope thoughts...

["Jeff Ball" <jeffball@netacs.net>]

Hey Chris,
I picked up the Apogee 80mm for a photo system that never quite came
together.  The focus lock did not reach the focus drawtube.  I picked up
a screw from the local hardware with enough depth to lock on to the
focuser draw tube.  I NEVER used the scope:-)  To me, the AP guidescope
and AP rings have an advantage when they can be attached to the tops of
AP mounting rings.  Even in Losmandy rings there is still an advantage
with the aluminum rings for placement of the ring set screws.  I really
like that feature.  You can loosen the guide ring screws quite a bit
without the OTA slipping and then center the guide star.  

My suggestion, get an STV and Efinder:-)  I have enjoyed mine
thoroughly.  My polar alignment with my STV and efinder went great the
other night.  I just discovered my current focusing process is no where
near good enough for the f5.4 TV101 and have since purchased a knife
edge from Hutech:-)  Good luck.
Jeff Ball


I have been looking around and 
> have found a 80mm f/9 refractor from Apogee Inc.  See:  
http://www.apogeeinc.com/scopes.html  It's only $100 which makes me
nervous.  Does anyone have any experience with these scopes?  I would
say the most important part would be the focuser.  Is it rigid?  They
say it locks but that doesn't mean anything. Astro-Physics has a 80mm
for $495 but that seems pretty expensive for an achromat guidescope OTA.
Can Vixen guidescopes still be purchased in the US? Any other
suggestions?

Chris


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