Ido Graiman
member
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Israel
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Hi Guys,
This is my first post here 
I'm a proud owner of a 8" SCT telescope and lately I've been looking for some nice, portable, grab&go telescope.
I am very interested in the 80mm refractors, and since the market is flooded lately with tons of very good quality semi-APOs I was thinking of getting one of these.
After a lot of reading in forums (and I mean a LOT of reading), I'm considering two candidates:
1. WO ZS80ED II (since the ZS80FD is not available anymore)
2. SV 80ED (aka NHNG).
I mainly need the scope for visual use, but I am thinking about trying to take some wide-field fotos with it.
My budget is a bit limited (and will probably stay the same if I wait another year or so...), so in that perspective it seems that the WO gives me the best 'bang' for the money, since for 628$ I'm getting a case and a 2" dielectric diagonal, while the SV80ED does not come with case not a diagonal (but it does come with rings and RDF) for 599$.
So, which one would you recommend ?
Thanks in advance,
Ido.
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13" 'Home-made' Ultra-light dobsonian called 'Regina'
Meade 2045 (4" SCT) called 'Mini-me'
Stellarvue NightHawk NG (80mm) called 'Stardust', mounted on Surveyor tripod with EZTouch
Skywatcher HEQ5 PRO mount (used for mounting the 4" SCT or the NightHawk)
Canon 40D
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scopedude
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/26/06
Posts: 831
Loc: 6 deg. South
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I don't have the SV, but I've been using the ZS 80ED many times. The ZS80ED is a very nice scope, and will be excellent for visual. I've seen some pics taken with this scope and I think it performs admirably. You will not go wrong with this scope.
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Megrez 80 FD, Megrez 88, FLT-98, ZS110 APO
Vixen R150S, Vixen NA140SSf
Celestron C8 CF, C5 Spotter
WO 7x50
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1965healey
The Snarkster
Reged: 06/23/07
Posts: 4717
Loc: San Antonio, TX
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I have the NHNG, I bought the case and diagonal for it from SV. I had previously picked up a Celestron 2" EP and Filter Kit for my CPC 800, the diagonal in this Kit will fit the NHNG and for about $250 you get a diagonal, some nice beginning 2" EP's and a barlow. So far I have no complaints about the NHNG (GREAT views) or the 2" stuff from Celestron. At some point down the line I'll probably invest in some high$ EP's but for a beginner (me)they are fine. I've shot some rally nice lunar photos through the NHNG with my Sony a100 @ prime focus so I know it works well for that.
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1965Healey (Karen)
Woodlawn Lake Observatory
Celestron CPC 800/FT MIcro/APT Wedge
SV NHNG 80mm #0261/CG5-GT
Celestron Omni 150 XLT
Losmandy rails/rings
Starizona CWeight system
Sony a100 DSLR/Mod Canon 40D
Meade DS60's w/Autostar (2)
750cc Honda Shadow Spirit (Thanks Dad!)
1965 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII
1975 ODay Daysailer II
1965 Glastron Thunderjet
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doctordub
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/11/06
Posts: 1402
Loc: New Rochelle, New York
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Have you considered the Astro Tech 80mm f/7 ED Triplet APO Refractor. It is $649.00 and comes with a case.
https://www.highpointscientific.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=4579
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TeleVue TV102, Intes Alter M703
AstroTelescopes AR152/Chromacor N, Mod. Zhumell Z12/Paracorr II
Meade 10" & 8" SCTs, Jason 60mm
Mod Orion 120ST, 127mm MCT
Vixen SXW & Porta, LXD55, iOptron GPS, Stellarvue MG2
Canon 10x42L IS, 15x50 IS, Bushnell 10x42 UL, Celestron Regal 8X42LX Nikon 7X35AE
Coronado PST, Lunt Wedge, CaK
Olympus E-510, Meade DSI, LPI,
TeleVue Binovue/SiebertPMW, Everbright, Ethos, Naglers, Pans, Plos, Pentax, barlows & filters,
Celestron SkyScout, Astrofix
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Ido Graiman
member
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Israel
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I've actually looked at the Astro-Tech scope, but although I've heard some good things about it, I couldn't find a lot of people commenting about it (unlike SV and WO), so I've decided to drop this option.
Currently, I'm leaning a bit toward the SV80ED, mainly because I'll be buying the scope during my (very short) stay in the US (and take it with me to my homeland - Israel) and the quality level of SV will no doubt assure me I'll be getting a perfect scope that will unlikely require me to contact customer support because of problems
What I'm trying to find out is which of the scopes has a better quality (both mechanical and optical), since once I buy it, I'll be staying with it for quite long time...
Clear skies !
Ido.
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13" 'Home-made' Ultra-light dobsonian called 'Regina'
Meade 2045 (4" SCT) called 'Mini-me'
Stellarvue NightHawk NG (80mm) called 'Stardust', mounted on Surveyor tripod with EZTouch
Skywatcher HEQ5 PRO mount (used for mounting the 4" SCT or the NightHawk)
Canon 40D
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imjeffp
Aluminum Falcon
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 6103
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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I like my AT80EDT! Bought it (barely) used with a 2" diagonal & case for $700.
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rusirius6278
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/03/06
Posts: 1722
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Quote:
Have you considered the Astro Tech 80mm f/7 ED Triplet APO Refractor. It is $649.00 and comes with a case.
https://www.highpointscientific.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=4579
...or the Vixen f/7.5 ED80Sf...click here for more info and to see outstanding pics taken thru this scope. 
Vixen ED80Sf Info/Pics
Please pay particular attention to the pic of M-42 at the bottom of page 2...as well as pics on page 3...
this scope also comes with virtually every accessory needed to start viewing, etc., right away...a nice carrying case, etc, all included in the price...including accessories which would cost hundreds more if bought separately...like you might have to do with the other scopes you`re considering...
and your timimg`s good too...this scope with all those accessories is on sale here.
http://www.riverscamera.com/tel_vixen.html
for $625...as it states in the short paragraph below where it says Refractors...
Jim
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current scopes
Vixen ED103SWT
Vixen ED102S
C-102AZ/HD
StarMax 127
Jason 60/11.7
UO HD Abbe Orthos - 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 9mm
Older UO Ortho - 4mm
Celestron 2x Ultima Barlow
and many other scopes i`ve been fortunate enough to check out...
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Ido Graiman
member
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Israel
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Boy oh boy... you're not making my life any simpler  The images on the link you've provided are amazing!
However, I'm trying to narrow down my options, not extend them
I guess I'll spend my time trying to read some reviews about the Vixen 80Sf, but is this option much better then the WO ZS80ED II or the SV80ED ?
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timmbottoni
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/25/05
Posts: 1373
Loc: W Chicago suburbs, IL USA
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Hi,
You'll find some pics taken with the WO 80ED here...
http://www.williamoptics.com/wo_gal/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_56
Also - the WO Shopping site just posted a new deal that might interest you here...
http://www.williamoptics.com/wo_shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=334
Have fun deciding!
Timm
P.S. You will find a shot of the moon very similar to the one posted above to use for comparison, if that interests you.
Edited by timmbottoni (10/02/07 02:01 PM)
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tom r.
sage
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 471
Loc: Seattle, Washington, USA
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Hi Ido,
Earlier this year, I had the same decision as you. I went with the SV80ED. It has been a wonderful scope and the reassurance that it doesn't leave their facility until a personal star test, and any adjustments needed have been accomplished. That was one of the "tie" breakers that tipped me towards SV.
Good luck in your decision making. PM me if you'd like additional info.
Cheers,
Tom
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Learning is my passion, remembering what I've learned is my greatest challenge.
Seattle, WA
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rusirius6278
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/03/06
Posts: 1722
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Quote:
Boy oh boy... you're not making my life any simpler The images on the link you've provided are amazing!
However, I'm trying to narrow down my options, not extend them
I guess I'll spend my time trying to read some reviews about the Vixen 80Sf, but is this option much better then the WO ZS80ED II or the SV80ED ?
 ...the Vixen is well-made and better optically, using top-of-the-line S-FPL53 ED Glass, (like all current Vixen Apos do), at a longish f/7.5...the other 2 are better mechanically...
as stated, all current Vixen Apos use top-line S-FPL53 ED Glass and have gotten virtually nothing but good to outstanding owner/user reviews, observing, etc., reports, comments, in all these forums.
Vixen QC and Customer Service is also outstanding...and they can be reached here in the US by phone/e-mail to help you any way they can...click on the link for the info,
http://vixenoptics.com/contact.htm
Jim
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current scopes
Vixen ED103SWT
Vixen ED102S
C-102AZ/HD
StarMax 127
Jason 60/11.7
UO HD Abbe Orthos - 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 9mm
Older UO Ortho - 4mm
Celestron 2x Ultima Barlow
and many other scopes i`ve been fortunate enough to check out...
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Ido Graiman
member
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Israel
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People are trying their best to 'push me' toward the Vixen ED80Sf, mainly because it uses the FPL-53 glass, but if there's something I learned lately (from all the reading I've been doing lately  ) is that the glass does not promise good optical performance. Optical design is much more important then the glass type.
So the question is - has anyone compared the Vixed and WO or SV scopes side by side?
As for the customer support - since I'm not a US resident and Vixen has no dealer in Israel, I'll need to come to the US in order to have any problems with my scope fixed (of course, hoping I wont have any problems with any scope I'll eventually buy, but Murphy (the one from Murphy's law) and me have a looooong history together )
Edited by Ido Graiman (10/02/07 03:22 PM)
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rusirius6278
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/03/06
Posts: 1722
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Quote:
People are trying their best to 'push me' toward the Vixen ED80Sf, mainly because it uses the FPL-53 glass, but if there's something I learned lately (from all the reading I've been doing) is that the glass does not promise good optical performance. Optical design is much more important then the glass type.
So the question is - has anyone compared the Vixed and WO or SV scopes side by side?
As for the customer support - since I'm not a US resident and Vixen has no dealer in Israel, I'll need to come to the US in order to have any problems with my scope fixed (of course, hoping I wont have any problems with any scope I'll eventually buy, but Murphy (the one from Murphy's law) and me have a looooong history together )
well...in the past, our club`s tested these scopes side-by-side and the Vixen`s tested out better optically just like they should...with less ca...slightly better image quality probably only noticable in AP and/or side-by-side, ability to reach higher powers with better images thanks to the ED Glass type combined with the longish f/7.5 f/ratio...in fact, we`ve found the Vixen ED80Sf`s compare quite well with the club`s Apo Triplets.
not sure what to tell you should a problem arise...none ever have in these forums that i know of with these scopes, regardless of where they were bought...except to tell you to get the SV, (the SV seems to perform a tad better than the WO), if you somehow feel the Vixen`s too much of a risk.
however, there is a Vixen-Eur. and they have dealers all over the world...perhaps you can deal with one of them, during and after the sale, since some may be closer to you...should you ever have to...which i seriously doubt.
Jim
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current scopes
Vixen ED103SWT
Vixen ED102S
C-102AZ/HD
StarMax 127
Jason 60/11.7
UO HD Abbe Orthos - 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 9mm
Older UO Ortho - 4mm
Celestron 2x Ultima Barlow
and many other scopes i`ve been fortunate enough to check out...
Edited by rusirius6278 (10/02/07 04:01 PM)
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Talstarone
Lunar Man
Reged: 09/12/06
Posts: 8153
Loc: Pinetops, NC
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Ido,I would like to extend a Warm Welcome to Cloudy Nights.
The William Optics ZS 80 II ED is a Great scope with Good Optics and an Outstanding Build Quality.The StellarVue Night Hawk Next Generation is an Awesome scope with a build quality to rival the William Optics scope.
A good point in purchasing the StellarVue is that the Owner of the company has each scope checked optically before they are shipped out. So you are almost guaranteed to end up with an excellent performing scope in the StellarVue.
But I have heard very few complaints about the quality of William Opics scopes. In fact while I owned my William Optics 66mm ED refractor it was excellent optically and had a finish on the tube that was jaw dropping.
So to sum all of this up, it is easier to just say that you are in a NO Lose situation. Regaerdless of which scope ou buy you will get one of the best performing scopes currently being made.
And again I would like to say,Welcome to Cloudy Nights, Ido Graiman.
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Todd C.
My Eyes,My Heart,My Soul,and The Glory of God's Heaven.
Orion Mini Giant 15x63 Binoculars(Bogen Tripod)
William Optics ZenithStar 66 ED Refractor
Sky Watcher EQ5P GOTO EQMount (SynScan)
Meade Series 5000 Plossls(20/14/9mm)
Celestron X-Cel LX(12mm)
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rusirius6278
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/03/06
Posts: 1722
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Quote:
Quote:
People are trying their best to 'push me' toward the Vixen ED80Sf, mainly because it uses the FPL-53 glass, but if there's something I learned lately (from all the reading I've been doing) is that the glass does not promise good optical performance. Optical design is much more important then the glass type.
So the question is - has anyone compared the Vixed and WO or SV scopes side by side?
As for the customer support - since I'm not a US resident and Vixen has no dealer in Israel, I'll need to come to the US in order to have any problems with my scope fixed (of course, hoping I wont have any problems with any scope I'll eventually buy, but Murphy (the one from Murphy's law) and me have a looooong history together )
well...in the past, our club`s tested these scopes side-by-side and the Vixen`s tested out better optically just like they should...with less ca...slightly better image quality probably only noticable in AP and/or side-by-side, ability to reach higher powers with better images thanks to the ED Glass type combined with the longish f/7.5 f/ratio...in fact, we`ve found the Vixen ED80Sf`s compare quite well with the club`s Apo Triplets.
not sure what to tell you should a problem arise...none ever have in these forums that i know of with these scopes, regardless of where they were bought...except to tell you to get the SV, (the SV seems to perform a tad better than the WO), if you somehow feel the Vixen`s too much of a risk.
however, there is a Vixen-Eur. and they have dealers all over the world...perhaps you can deal with one of them, during and after the sale, since some may be closer to you...should you ever have to...which i seriously doubt.
Jim
from Company 7`s website, here`s all the countries, etc., Vixen sells in: United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Andorra, U.S.A, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Kuwait, Turkey, Israel, Oman, South Africa, Russia, Korea, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, etc...must`ve stopped selling in Israel... 
just skimmed thru the thread again...and if you`re not going to get the Vixen, i see that the AT80EDT triplet was recommended...this should provide the same, excellent optical quality, etc., for both visual and AP with good mechanics, etc...just without the proven track record of the Vixen ED80Sf...but, imho, still proven enough to get instead of the other scopes you`re considering...if you can get after-market customer support in your country, etc, for it...if not, i`ll stick to an SV recommendation.
Jim
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current scopes
Vixen ED103SWT
Vixen ED102S
C-102AZ/HD
StarMax 127
Jason 60/11.7
UO HD Abbe Orthos - 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 9mm
Older UO Ortho - 4mm
Celestron 2x Ultima Barlow
and many other scopes i`ve been fortunate enough to check out...
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AstroSteve
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/17/04
Posts: 763
Loc: Orlando, Florida
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Hi Ido -
My vote is with the SV80ED and I am a huge Vixen fan. I love Vixen scopes, but my SV Aplanat has a much nicer focuser than my longer Vixen A80M, and the optics in my SV are incredible. Vic Maris of StellarVue is wonderful to speak with, and I will probably never rid myself of my SV telescope. This scope is very special to me in my collection. Get the SV80ED. Also get the hard case and a nice SV Diagional to take back with you. The hard case is airport/airplane portable and allowed. It's a great day when you see this at your front door!!!
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AstroSteve
Astronomy Technologies 8" F/4 Imagining Newtonian
Astronomy Technologies 72ED F/6 Refractor/OrionFF
Orion ST80 w/ GSO 2" Focuser (Guidescope)
Orion ST120 on a Orion VersaGo II Alt-Az mount
Orion Atlas GoTo Mount/Tripod GEM
ADM & WO Rings and Plates
QHY8 6MP (CCD Imager)
Meade DSI CCD (Guide Camera)
Shoestring GPUSB / EQDir (EQMod)
Energizer 120amp Hour Marine Battery (BIG POWER!)
Husky 400 Watt Power Inverter (THE JUICE!)
Edited by AstroSteve (10/02/07 06:39 PM)
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Ido Graiman
member
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Israel
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Thanks for all the feedback guys It's really appreciated!
Ido.
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13" 'Home-made' Ultra-light dobsonian called 'Regina'
Meade 2045 (4" SCT) called 'Mini-me'
Stellarvue NightHawk NG (80mm) called 'Stardust', mounted on Surveyor tripod with EZTouch
Skywatcher HEQ5 PRO mount (used for mounting the 4" SCT or the NightHawk)
Canon 40D
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timmbottoni
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/25/05
Posts: 1373
Loc: W Chicago suburbs, IL USA
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Hi Ido,
WO has large global dealer network and a dealer in Isreal if that is any help. Maybe you can go there and see one in person?
http://www.williamoptics.com/globalDealers/middleEast.htm
It's worth a try if you can get there.
Timm
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WO GTF 102, WO Megrez 80FD, Celestron C8, WO SWAN 33mm, WO UWANs 4mm, 7mm, 16mm, WO SPLs 3mm, 6mm, 12.5mm, WO Zoom II 7.5-22.5, WO EZTouch, SV F50B2 Finder
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Bowmoreman
Clear enough skies
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 9062
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Quote:
Boy oh boy... you're not making my life any simpler The images on the link you've provided are amazing!
However, I'm trying to narrow down my options, not extend them
I guess I'll spend my time trying to read some reviews about the Vixen 80Sf, but is this option much better then the WO ZS80ED II or the SV80ED ?
Another Vixen owner weighs in:
1) the Vixen setup is a nice one, and the Rivers sale price cannot be beat...
2) I love my ED100Sf
But...
Compared to the NHNG and the WO80, the focuser on the Vixen is a disappointment (IMO)... I've replaced my Vixen focuser with a MoonLite, and I now have something VERY nice...
But to do that with an ED80Sf would add a LOT to the price tag...
I'd go with the WO80; I love their mechanical build quality. Note: I have NO experience with SV... so this is just my ability to contrast WO with Vixen... (both of which I do have).
Clear Skies
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Dave
MI250 SBS mounted: C11Hyperstar,FSQ106ED,TOA130NFB;Lunt60THaB1200FT/DS50
Visual:DM6, XT10i w/ZambutoMirror,RTP
EP: 31T5, Ethos (21,17,13&8),10XW,5XW,3.5XW; Paracorr T1
MallincamColorHyper+,QSI583WS,QHY8
SBIG STV eFinder
Denk II: (2x24Pan,2x10XW)
Gerbings Heated clothes, Wilder Skies Observatory (BYO#90), Speco9"Monitor
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Ido Graiman
member
Reged: 09/26/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Israel
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Timm, the dealer you mentioned is the only place in Israel that actually sells telescopes. He's the one I purchased my SCT from.
This guy does not have any stock of WO scopes. So, I have to order one blindly from him at TWICE the price I can buy one in the US... But thanks for looking into this
In any case, I think I've made up my mind about the scope. I'll be aiming at the SV. I'm currently checking it's availability, and in the 'worse' case (if SV is not available) I'll go with the WO.
Clear skies,
Ido.
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