It sounded as if the seeing wasn't very good and that it was coming and going quite a bit. It is difficult to get good comparison results when the seeing isn't very good and is changing rapidly.

Maybe that particular Stowaway had a problem but the results of the review don't fit my experience. I've looked through several TV-85s they are very nice, but I also know that my f/7 Stowaway gives outstanding views.

My scopes are not safe queens they get out under the night sky. Here are some of the small refractors I currently own.

Celestron SS55F f/8 fluorite doublet
TV-76 ED doublet
Takahashi FS-78 fluorite doublet
Unbranded 90mm f/5.5 ED doublet
AP Stowaway 92mm f/5 fluorite triplet
AP Stowaway 92mm f/7 ED triplet

Rich