DeepSpace67
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Prairie Village, KS, USA
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The Once Over
The Apogee 88 RA arrived in two business days from OpticsPlanet.com in a large cardboard box and protected by thick foam packaging. Opening the cardboard box revealed a solid aluminum carrying case containing all the binocular components seated tightly within a cut to fit foam liner. This is a great setup for travel as the case is small enough to qualify as carry-on luggage. The first thought when looking over all the parts was how everything fit so perfectly in the case, right down to a pair of white gloves to prevent fingerprints on the binoculars’ gloss black finish. The fit and finish of the binocular are wonderful. Aluminum objective end caps lined with felt fit onto the retractable dew shields. The drop-in EPs (20x and 32x) fit very snug in the binocular and was impressed by the tight tolerances. Focusing knobs are smooth. Coatings look good. Exit pupils do show a bar on the bottom edge blocking about 10% of the light as noted by others on CN.
First Light 0.5
A major factor in selecting this binocular is the 90 degree oculars. These angled oculars not only enable more comfortable viewing, but also accommodate more simplistic homemade mounts. At 13.3lbs tradition mounting options would cost several hundred dollars, and decrease portability for travel. Currently in the process of constructing a collapsible patio table mount, but headed out for a quick look using a pillow and milk crate.
Good Stuff
So many great targets this time of year, but started with the double cluster in Perseus. Wow!! Very nice detail at 20x, stars were sharp in the 2.5 degree TFOV. Cassiopeia also showed several other interesting star groupings including NGC 457. Moved over to the Pleiades (M45) and it was just a fabulous at 32x, (TFOV about 2 degrees) just detected some nebulosity. Comet Holmes was terrific!
The Apogee 88 RA ($499) has the potential to deliver a good value. Will continue testing (with a good mount) and posting, as I have 30 days to find any issues.
A couple of links to more information, Supplier in China and Excelsis Reviews
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Matthew
CPC800 with Fastar
Astronomy Technologies 72mm refractor
MallinCam, Watec 3.5" LCD, and Green Laser
William Optics Binoviewer
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II binoculars
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 binoculars
Edited by DeepSpace67 (11/16/07 01:37 PM)
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cota_scope
sage
Reged: 05/16/04
Posts: 357
Loc: sioux city ia
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thanks for the info,keep us posted on your findings and review . regards john
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Covey32
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/09/04
Posts: 1065
Loc: Georgia
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Can any 1.25" eyepieces be used or just theirs??
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Hank
12.5" Mag1 Portaball
Meade SN6 Schmidt Newtonian
Homebuilt 8 inch F5 Newtonian
Skywatcher 6" F8 Achro Refractor
Antares/Vixen 120mm F8.3 Achro Refractor
Intes 6" Mak
Celestron ED80 Refractor with Lunt 50mm HA
25 pounds of eyepieces
Ioptron Mini-Tower
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cota_scope
sage
Reged: 05/16/04
Posts: 357
Loc: sioux city ia
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i think Joe Ogiba can give you a answer to that, i think he used tape on the reg 1 1/4" eyepieces to make them wider. does anyone know if there is any similar 100mm model being sold in the US . john
Edited by cota_scope (11/14/07 06:28 PM)
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DeepSpace67
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Prairie Village, KS, USA
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The Apogee 88 RA case
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Matthew
CPC800 with Fastar
Astronomy Technologies 72mm refractor
MallinCam, Watec 3.5" LCD, and Green Laser
William Optics Binoviewer
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II binoculars
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 binoculars
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DeepSpace67
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Prairie Village, KS, USA
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Inside
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Matthew
CPC800 with Fastar
Astronomy Technologies 72mm refractor
MallinCam, Watec 3.5" LCD, and Green Laser
William Optics Binoviewer
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II binoculars
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 binoculars
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DeepSpace67
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Prairie Village, KS, USA
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Cutoff
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Matthew
CPC800 with Fastar
Astronomy Technologies 72mm refractor
MallinCam, Watec 3.5" LCD, and Green Laser
William Optics Binoviewer
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II binoculars
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 binoculars
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DeepSpace67
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Prairie Village, KS, USA
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30-minute homemade mount for testing. There are plans for a more elaborate mount if all goes well.
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Matthew
CPC800 with Fastar
Astronomy Technologies 72mm refractor
MallinCam, Watec 3.5" LCD, and Green Laser
William Optics Binoviewer
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II binoculars
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 binoculars
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Robert A.
sage
Reged: 01/21/05
Posts: 433
Loc: Milwaukee, WI Northern USA
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I love your 30 minute mount, holder! That's fun!
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Joe Ogiba
Postmaster
Reged: 02/14/02
Posts: 5446
Loc: NJ USA
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Quote:
i think Joe Ogiba can give you a answer to that, i think he used tape on the reg 1 1/4" eyepieces to make them wider. does anyone know if there is any similar 100mm model being sold in the US . john
The Orion 1.25" 20mm Expanse are the only ones I used with the RA-88-SA's and they work great with the barrels removed and some tape to snug them up in the oversize focusers.
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Pentax PF-80ED,Meade 102ED APO,Orion EON 72,120ST
Apex 127,C6 XLT,CR150,C9.25,XT10 ,Celestron Regal 100 F-ED, CT152
Zeiss 7x42 FL,Canon 10x42L IS WP,15x50 IS
12x36 IS II , Pentax 8x32 ED
Garrett Optical 28x110 HD-WP Signature Series
Oberwerk BT-80 45, Apogee RA-88-SA
Denk II Power x Switch binoviewer w/13mm Ethos, 20mm Pentax XW's, 20mm Widescan III's.
21mm Ethos,17mm Ethos, 22mm Nagler, 40mm Pentax XW, 14mm Pentax XL, 5.2mm Pentax XL, 8-24mm Pentax XL Zoom, 31mm Axiom LX
Member #17
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DeepSpace67
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Prairie Village, KS, USA
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Quote:
I love your 30 minute mount, holder! That's fun!
Thanks! The threaded mounting (5/16 dia.) points on the outside edge of each tube greatly simplify mounting. Don't have the correct bolts yet, but a couple of tight fitting dowels work well for now.
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Matthew
CPC800 with Fastar
Astronomy Technologies 72mm refractor
MallinCam, Watec 3.5" LCD, and Green Laser
William Optics Binoviewer
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II binoculars
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 binoculars
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amys
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/12/06
Posts: 2571
Loc: Groton, CT
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I believe those binoculars are made by the same company that makes the Orion 90 degree binos I tried. I had the same impression about the fit and finish, case, etc. And they also came with white gloves. I ended up trying 2 pair and returning them primarily because of vertical miscollimation. Both pair had exit pupils cut off. It wasn't too bad on the first pair but it was really bad on one exit pupil on the second pair.
I had some discussions with Orion tech support. They initially gave me an argument about this but I got a call from them recently. They told me that they had checked out their remaining stock and had to send alot of them back to the factory because of the collimation problems.
I really liked the design and I may consider trying the Apogee or another pair from Orion some time in the future.
I hope you enjoy yours. The 90 degree viewing angle really makes using them a pleasure.
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Amy
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Happy-Idiot
Stuck with it
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 4005
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Quote:
There are plans for a more elaborate mount if all goes well.
DeepSpace here is a mount that i modified for my Apogee. I hope this can give you some ideas?
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Brian
Even a broken clock is correct twice a day
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Garfield
sage
Reged: 02/02/04
Posts: 259
Loc: South-Western ON Canada
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Quote:
The Orion 1.25" 20mm Expanse are the only ones I used with the RA-88-SA's and they work great with the barrels removed and some tape to snug them up in the oversize focusers.
Joe, if you don't mind me asking...I see you have both the RA-88's and BT-80/45s. Would you mind commenting on the relative merits of each?
Thanks!
Gary
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DeepSpace67
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/13/06
Posts: 552
Loc: Prairie Village, KS, USA
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Quote:
Possible negatives requiring further research
Mars was a little disappointing as it would not resolve to a sharp disk at 32x, about 30 degrees above the horizon. Did not expect 20x to work with my astigmatism, but although 32x was better expected more clarity. A stable mount and new glasses/contacts should reveal the source of the problem.
Discovered why Mars would not resolve to a disk. Was actually looking at Elnath! 
Would have to stay up until after 2am to get a clear view, but caught a few glimpses of Mars through the trees last night, and it did resolve to a disk.
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Matthew
CPC800 with Fastar
Astronomy Technologies 72mm refractor
MallinCam, Watec 3.5" LCD, and Green Laser
William Optics Binoviewer
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II binoculars
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 binoculars
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ronruiz44
sage
Reged: 08/29/07
Posts: 289
Loc: West Texas
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The Apogee 88s are nice binocs and work very well on a Manfrotto 503 fluid head and a Manfrotto 475B tripod! I have my APM 20, 40 X 100s (45 deg EPs) mounted on this setup and they work extremely well! The APMs weigh in at 16.6 pounds and are 17.5 inches long (w/o dewshields). I use the solid steel adapter from Oberwerk to get them raised up to the proper height! The adapter is about $25 and works great on all large binocs - it has a 1/4 X 20 (adjustable) male widget on one end and a 1/4 X 20 female on the other! I'll take some photos and post them later! I've tried and still own a couple of 501 heads (originals) and just don't like them for anything over 12 pounds. The 503 head is better suited to the weight of these big binocs IMHO!
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Ron
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ronruiz44
sage
Reged: 08/29/07
Posts: 289
Loc: West Texas
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That 30 minute mount is nice! Here are some pics of the Manfrotto 503/475B combo. Side view of the whole setup!
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Ron
Edited by ronruiz44 (11/16/07 04:25 PM)
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ronruiz44
sage
Reged: 08/29/07
Posts: 289
Loc: West Texas
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Piture of the 503 head with binocs and adapter!
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Ron
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ronruiz44
sage
Reged: 08/29/07
Posts: 289
Loc: West Texas
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Picture of the Oberwerk steel adapter (cylindrical)!
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Ron
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ronruiz44
sage
Reged: 08/29/07
Posts: 289
Loc: West Texas
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And lastly - the 5mw green laser finder in a Lumicron mount!
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Ron
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