asaint
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/25/03
Posts: 1951
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Astro-Tech 102ED
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 32303
Loc: Gulfport, MS
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One of the best refractor reviews I have read. Very well done! 
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  Scott
S.L.A.P. Observer
TMB 130SS/Atlas (IT'S HERE - THANKS ASTRONOMICS!)
SV102V/CG-5(AS-GT)
SV80ED Deluxe/SV M1 Deluxe
Coronado SM40/BF10
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke.
"The measure of a man's life is not what he accomplishes for himself, but what he accomplishes for others." Some bald guy.
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ScottAz
Fleet Navigator
Reged: 02/06/05
Posts: 1134
Loc: Millington, TN
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Jon, you and Monks Monkulus make a great team!  Excellent review! I really enjoyed it!
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Scott Azmus
SV80BV, NexStar 11, & 18" Obsession 
Many Views Yield Truth
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ik507racer
super member
Reged: 01/15/08
Posts: 147
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mmmm good review.
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John Kocijanski
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/22/03
Posts: 1464
Loc: Monticello, NY
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Great review. Is this the same as the Orion version?
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John
Deep Space Observer 10 * SPC-8 * C102 HD f/10 * XT 4.5 * AT1010N * PST *
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ik507racer
super member
Reged: 01/15/08
Posts: 147
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Would be nice toget a review about the 111mm Astro tech triplet.
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie (sort of)
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 21794
Loc: NE Ohio
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Great work, Jon! Very thorough and informative.
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John C
Urban Observatory
MaxScope DS 60
Tele Vue Pronto
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N APO
Meade 7" F/15 Mak-Cass
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
STL-11000M LRGB,Ha,OII,SII
LXD750, EM-200, GP/SS2K-PC
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 26354
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Very Nicely Done Jon. 
T
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Phil Frederick
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/19/05
Posts: 563
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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Excellent review John
My experience with the SV102ED mirrors virtually everything you said. And the comparison with the 80mm scope clearly helps answer often-asked questions of 80mm vs. 102mm.
I've concluded, as did you, that the 102mm is the scope to grab (over the 80mm) because it'll definitely show more yet it is still very portable. But I'm still keeping my SV80ED!
Good job!
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Phil
Intes M603 6" Mak
Intes M500 5" Mak
SV102ED Osprey #0006
Astro-Tech 80LE CF
Orion 127 Mak
Orion ST120 f/5
Orion ST80 f/5
SV F50 Sparrowhawk
SV F60 Biggerhawk
Tak Teeguls, AT Voyager, SVP, Bogen475s, Oberwerk Jarrah, and a "Home-Grown" Tripod
...Naglers, Radians, LVWs, BO/TMBs, Stratus', and 32, 38 SWA's
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runner
super member
Reged: 11/26/07
Posts: 153
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Wonderfull review Jon, this this has put my search for a new refractor to rest......excellent!
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CollinofAlabama
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 892
Loc: Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Jon,
A very timely review the community needed. I'm about to pull the trigger myself on Orion's, which looks to be the same. I have two requests for you. First, could you possibly post some jpegs of the 80mm in its case and the 102 in its case? I realize this can be inferred by your photo of the tubes, but its nice to see how much bigger the package you'll actually put in the car is, size-wise.
Also, you mention you used the EQ-3 for this review. How did the EQ-3 handle this big, bad boy? It's a lot more scope than an 80mm. I own the AT80ED and its on an Orion AstroView, too, and would like to know how you feel the EQ-3 fares driving so much more scope.
Keep up the good work and thanks, again,
CDS
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Coelum Serendum
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Posts: 12070
Loc: San Diego, California
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Hello and thank you all for your kind words. I had fun doing this review and as time went on I began to trust the scope more and more and now the reality is that in the last month I haven't used the 80mm Megrez II FD, it stays in it's case.
Answers to a few questions and make a few comments..
- I believe the optics are the same as the Orion scope though the focuser may be different.
- I may be getting the opportunity to test the AT-111EDT.
- Tom
- Phil: I did see you write up in the refractors section of the SV-102ED and your experiences seemed like we were working with essentially the same scope...
- CDS: My Astro-View EQ-3 is plenty solid for visual though it does sit on a Vixen Super Polaris wooden tripod.
As far as the photo of the two cases, I think it would be somewhat misleading. The WO 80mm Megrez II FD is a 555mm focal length scope but it is built into a 480mm FL OTA and then a extender tube on the focser is used to add that extra length. I don't like that aspect, it puts the focuser too far forward and it risks vignetting but it does make for a shorter scope. I think my case would be smaller than your 80mm.
I like the fact that the AT-102ED uses a full length tube rather than the extender tube but it makes for a longer scope. The AT-102ED case is a full sized case designed for the scope plus a 2 inch diagonal so it is much larger. Since you would not be getting a case with the Orion scope, the photo are probably a better judge of the relative size.
Make no mistake though, this is a considerably bigger scope but it is still a very reasonable size, when I went out this morning with my wife and house guest to look at Jupiter and Venus, this was the one.
Clear skies ahead...
Jon
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CollinofAlabama
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 892
Loc: Lubbock, Texas, USA
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I won't?
Orion 102ED case 
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Coelum Serendum
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mattz
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/03/06
Posts: 607
Loc: Where is Rescue CA?
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Nice job, Jon. Very well written.
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Matt
Orion XT10i with Feather Touch and Paracorr
26T5 17T4
9, 7, & 5T6
Either 12T4 or 13T6, we'll see after the death match.
One homeless SV80S
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Posts: 12070
Loc: San Diego, California
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Quote:
I won't?
Orion 102ED case
I'll try to get a photo to you well before the May 3rd "expectedship date..." (for the case) 
Jon
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Pasquale
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/12/05
Posts: 1944
Loc: Olympia, Washington
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Well done, and thanks, Jon... The 102ED has turned into my grab 'n go scope as well... I love looking through it! My 80 stays in the case since getting the 102...
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Pasquale
Go Seahawks!!!
NexStar 9.25 GPS / SkyAlign
Stellarvue SV102ED
WO ZS80FD Anniversary
WO ZS66ED Triplet
Vixen Sphinx SXW
Canon EOS XT/350D, Meade DSI, NexImager
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Phil Frederick
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/19/05
Posts: 563
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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Quote:
My 80 stays in the case since getting the 102...
Yah Pasquale, but what to do with the beautiful NHNG??????  I can't give it up! Of course, with this pathetic PNW weather, we may as well pack all of 'em up---or sell 'em. No never!..... 
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Phil
Intes M603 6" Mak
Intes M500 5" Mak
SV102ED Osprey #0006
Astro-Tech 80LE CF
Orion 127 Mak
Orion ST120 f/5
Orion ST80 f/5
SV F50 Sparrowhawk
SV F60 Biggerhawk
Tak Teeguls, AT Voyager, SVP, Bogen475s, Oberwerk Jarrah, and a "Home-Grown" Tripod
...Naglers, Radians, LVWs, BO/TMBs, Stratus', and 32, 38 SWA's
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Posts: 12070
Loc: San Diego, California
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Quote:
Quote:
My 80 stays in the case since getting the 102...
Yah Pasquale, but what to do with the beautiful NHNG?????? I can't give it up! Of course, with this pathetic PNW weather, we may as well pack all of 'em up---or sell 'em. No never!.....
That is a good question. I have a 80mm William Optics Megrez II FD with the FPL-53 objective sitting in it's case. I figure it's a birding/imaging scope. It's a better size for digiscoping than the 102ED's. For astronomy, with an 80mm I am always a bit hungry, with the 102mm I am satisfied.
It's a light meal compared to those big round mirrors that wait in the garage but it's enough.
Jon
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Pasquale
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/12/05
Posts: 1944
Loc: Olympia, Washington
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How true! The 102 is just enough to quell the appetite... I am really tired of this weather, Phil; and Arizona looks more and more inviting as another NW winter rolls along...
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Pasquale
Go Seahawks!!!
NexStar 9.25 GPS / SkyAlign
Stellarvue SV102ED
WO ZS80FD Anniversary
WO ZS66ED Triplet
Vixen Sphinx SXW
Canon EOS XT/350D, Meade DSI, NexImager
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doctordub
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/11/06
Posts: 888
Loc: New Rochelle, New York
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Excellent article Jon! At 23" this Looks like the Ideal travel scope for me. Your article covered all of my questions, now its time to save my money!
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Jonathan
TeleVue TV102 on Vixen SXW mount
Meade LXD 55 SN10/UHTC Modified
Jason Monolux 60mm
Canon 15x50 IS
Bushnell 7-15x25, 10x21 IV
BO 8x21
Olympus E-510, 14-42, 40-150 Zuiko
Meade DSI, LPI, Eep
TeleVue:
Binovue, 2X Corrector
3x barlow, 2x 5mm, 2x7mm,
12mm, 17mm & 2-4mm Zoom Naglers,
2x24mm, & 27mm panoptics,
55mm Plossl & 3mm Radian
Siebert Power Mag wheel
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Houdini
sage
Reged: 07/13/07
Posts: 356
Loc: Europe
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Thanks for the review!
I guess a lot of people would also be interested in a shoot-out between the 102ED and the WO Megrez 110. They're about the same size, same weight, same price...
Robert
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16" f/4.9 motorized alt-az, 25" f/5 Dobson, 43" f/4 alt-az in construction
Mirror Edge Support Calculator
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CollinofAlabama
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 892
Loc: Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Okay, you've got 4 months to post the pictures! Did some measuring and think I have my answers. The AstroTech 80ED comes in a fairly large case with eyepiece/diagonal extra cut-outs. It's 13"x22.5"x8" The Orion 102ED's case (theoretically since, yep, it is vaporware) supposedly comes in at 9"x31"x9" -- that's not much difference in actual displacement in the ole car. It's a much longer case, but really not much more in terms of space utilized. Just for grins, what are the dimensions of the AstroTech's case? Folks might wanna know what they'll have to pack into the car for trips.
I got my AT80ED from Astronomics in the early Fall of 2006 and I LOVE this scope. I'd just as soon get the AstroTech 102, but made a foolish purchase over Christmas -- the Mak 127 with SVP from Orion. I find the SVP simply NOT grab 'n go. This mount doesn't fit in my car well and is very heavy and unwieldy to me, so it went back to Orion. I now have a LOT of credit with them, so their 102ED makes sense for me. Waiting on the case till May does NOT make me happy On top of that, getting this scope in December is a painful reminder of how LONG it takes for a 5" Mak to cool down. Let's just say it ain't NOTHING like the AT80ED  Though I'm sure the 102 doublet takes a little longer to reach equilibrium than the 80, I imagine it can be measured in some minute increments, not hour ones.
Oh well, I suppose I learn the hard way. Your review is making everyone water at the mouth, Jon. You're serving up a tasty meal alright, and one folks are ready for! Thanks again,
CDS
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Coelum Serendum
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Posts: 12070
Loc: San Diego, California
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Quote:
Okay, you've got 4 months to post the pictures! Did some measuring and think I have my answers. The AstroTech 80ED comes in a fairly large case with eyepiece/diagonal extra cut-outs. It's 13"x22.5"x8" The Orion 102ED's case (theoretically since, yep, it is vaporware) supposedly comes in at 9"x31"x9" -- that's not much difference in actual displacement in the ole car. It's a much longer case, but really not much more in terms of space utilized. Just for grins, what are the dimensions of the AstroTech's case? Folks might wanna know what they'll have to pack into the car for trips.
In this case(pun intended), the measurements are better than a picture I think.
The case for the 80mm WO Mergez II FD is 6.5x 11 x 18, quite a bit smaller than the AT-80ED case. But in reality it is too small because there is no room for the 5 or 6 eyepieces one wants so an added case for the eyepieces is necessary.
The AT-102ED is slightly smaller than the Orion Case, its 9x10x29in, pretty big, not airline portable but as you say, reasonable in a car.
Jon
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runner
super member
Reged: 11/26/07
Posts: 153
Loc: Nova Scotia, Canada
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I cannot seem to find a Canadian dealer..If anyone can help,please do..If not somewhere close to the Northeast,I'm in Nova Scotia..Thanks on advance..
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Posts: 12070
Loc: San Diego, California
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Quote:
I cannot seem to find a Canadian dealer..If anyone can help,please do..If not somewhere close to the Northeast,I'm in Nova Scotia..Thanks on advance..
Astronomics carries the AT-102ED and ships to Canada.
Jon
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Talstarone
Vendor (Inner Planetary Products)
Reged: 09/12/06
Posts: 7316
Loc: Benson, North Carolina
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Great Review on the scope,Jon. I am thrilled it offers so much at a good price for the aperature.
If you think its a keeper,then I know it must be a very good performer.
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Todd C.
Celestron NexStar 4SE(102mm F/13)Maksutov-Cass
Meade ETX-80AT(80mm F/5)Refractor
BO/TMB Planetary 9MM EP
Celestron E-LUX 25MM Plossl EP
Celestron E-LUX 40MM Plossl EP
Smart Astronomy 5X's APO(3-Element)Barlow
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gripweed44
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 898
Loc: PDX
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No Airline??
Case to big?
--------------------
John
Omega Centauri is the finest Globular I have seen with my own eyes.
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Duncan Rosie
super member
Reged: 02/14/04
Posts: 133
Loc: South Africa
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Thanks for the great review Jon!
I'm envious of the 102/Portamount combination - my ETX only takes about 10 minutes to set up but I'm so lazy these days that the thought of that 10 minutes of calibrate motors, training drives and aligning often prevents me from carrying the scope outside.
The options are a new setup like yours, or to get off my butt, guess I'll try the latter for now!
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Duncan Rosie
ETX-125
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Posts: 12070
Loc: San Diego, California
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Quote:
Thanks for the great review Jon!
I'm envious of the 102/Portamount combination - my ETX only takes about 10 minutes to set up but I'm so lazy these days that the thought of that 10 minutes of calibrate motors, training drives and aligning often prevents me from carrying the scope outside.
The options are a new setup like yours, or to get off my butt, guess I'll try the latter for now!
Duncan: I am basically a refractor/Newtonian guy. The AT-102ED is a nice companion for a larger scope like a 12.5 inch Newtonian. The AT-102ED on a ALT-AZ mount is sweet. The wide field of view is nice, it is capable of a 3.7 degree True Field of view so it does not need a finder, it's a 102mm Superfinder for Starhopping.
Still... your Etx-125, do you need to calibrate the motors everytime, with the one I had, it was only necessary to do that once. And while it doesn't enjoy the generous field of view that the AT-102ED does, you could use it without setting up the goto... Just a thought...
But yeah, a 4 inch refractor on an ALT-AZ mount: pick up scope and mount, open the door, walk though door to backyard, set scope down. You're done...
Jon
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Chris Schroeder
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 4736
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Excellent review Jon and pretty matches my experience comparing my M102ED and Z80FD both mounted on my EZ-Touch mount. I’ve had no issue with my focuser, WO said that they correct all focusers as needed before shipping them out, my sample is better then the focuser on my ZS. I did have the same issue with the dew shield but as you said, it’s a simple fix. IMHO these 102EDs are the great value of the year!
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Chris
Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT
M102ED S.V., ZS 80FD 10th Anniv, ZS 66SD, PST
POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 6130
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.38 X 90....
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Very nice report, Jon. An enjoyable read.
David
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A few scopes and mounts.
Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
Life expectancies would go WAY up if green vegetables smelled like bacon...
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