Re: [APML]: Re: Orion Short Tube 80...

[Fred Ruszala <u11595@snet.net>]

The Astro-Photography Mailing List
------------------------------------

Keith Wandry wrote:
 
 The Astro-Photography Mailing List
 ------------------------------------
 (snip snip) 
 I just aquired one from a friend at work. It was his first scope
 and then he was hit with aperture fever so in a rush to get rid
 of it he sold it to me for $150 along with the $189 Orion mount.
 I couldn't pass up the deal.  I took it out Saturday night to a
 star party and the views were great.  I had several people comment on
 how crisp the images were. I bought it with the intent on giving
 it some piggyback rides on my C8.  I hope to do this within the next
 several weeks and will post my evaluation and results as soon as
 I get the opportunity. Visually, I'm very happy with it.

 I agree that it is a really nice cheap grab and go scope with nice
 views of the major objects.  It is quite bright or fast so it gives
 nice visual images.  After about 2 min on Kodak PPF you will start to
 pick up objects like M27 and M31 using prime focus.  However the lens
 can not handle things like eyepiece projection since you start to see
 stars take on non round shapes especially on the border of the field.
 Aberration can be a problem also.  But for $250 it is a good deal.
 It also has locking screws which work well and keep everything in 
place.  If your objects are centered and you crop out the edges of the
 field than diffuse objects will be O.K.  After my experience with this
 type of short focus refractor I decided to go all out at least for me
 and put my money down for an AP130.  It is a fun scope reminds me of
 the old 3" Edmund Scientific reflectors of many years ago.


 Fred Ruszala
 19 Lebanon Ave.
 Colchester, CT 06415-1234

 e-mail u11595@snet,net