JJK
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/28/08
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Erik Bakker]
#5668375 - 02/08/13 06:28 AM
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Why not make a 130mm aperture mask for your 175 and see what you think?
Only to find out that perhaps the best grab-n-go for around the house or anywhere else for that matter is .................... 
The little Q 3 1/2 
The Questar 3.5" is a fine instrument, and the ultimate in grab and go, especially if it's used with the built in tripod legs (i.e., as a table-top instrument).
However, the AP130GT's capabilities are far greater. I found that the Q 3.5 performs as one would expect, given the aperture (William Optics 80 f/6 LOMO apo< Q 3.5" < AP 92 f/4.9 StowAway < AP 105 f/5.9 Traveler).
If Peter is man enough to use the 130GT as a g&g OTA, it'd be a great way to go slumming.
Also, if Peter ever decides to become frustrated, the 130GT doubles as a nice astrograph.
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CounterWeight
Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/08
Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR.
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: JJK]
#5668404 - 02/08/13 07:22 AM
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I don't understand the long wait, these come up for sale on Astromart every so often. At least there are 4 listed in the last 90 days, one currently.
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gillmj24
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/06/05
Loc: PA
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: CounterWeight]
#5668414 - 02/08/13 07:31 AM
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It's quite a hefty scope for grab and go. To me it feels heavier than the 20 or so pounds it tips the scales at. The views are great though, and you wont regret buying it. I've used a mach1 and DM6 with mine and they both are good combos. I have the standard AP case (the original long one I believe) a scopeguard that was meant for a larger scope but I can keep the AP in its rings and dovetail inside the case (not the "case" with the included AP case) and the scopeguard airline one just in "case" I get to travel by air with it. Not likely but it's good to have if/when I travel with it. I wouldn't consider either of my two portable mounts "grab and go" though. Each takes multiple trips to the car to pack/unpack/set up.
Edited by gillmj24 (02/08/13 07:35 AM)
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gillmj24
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/06/05
Loc: PA
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: CounterWeight]
#5668418 - 02/08/13 07:38 AM
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I don't understand the long wait, these come up for sale on Astromart every so often. At least there are 4 listed in the last 90 days, one currently.
Yes, at "flipped" prices. If one has the opportunity and finamces to get a new AP for less than the price of a used AP scope it is a no brainer. True, I joined the hobby too late for a new AP scope so I decided to pay the going used AP rate at the time rather than pay a likely higher used AP rate later.
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coz
super member
Reged: 08/25/10
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: gillmj24]
#5668419 - 02/08/13 07:39 AM
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I had one and used it with a DM4 on a gitzo tripod for a quick setup. It was great go for it.
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: coz]
#5668563 - 02/08/13 09:25 AM
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Peter if you pick up the 130, your smallest scope will be the same size as my largest. 
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Patrik Iver
sage
Reged: 07/29/03
Loc: Kaarina, Finland
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Peter Natscher]
#5669324 - 02/08/13 04:02 PM
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For me:
Not grab & go, but I use mine on a DM6 and Berlebach Planet, so the combination is quite heavy, but also very stable.
I tried using it on my much lighter Giro II and Berlebach UNI 18 L, but considered it seriously undermounted.
I'm getting a 105 mm f/6 (also an oil spaced triplet) in order to have something significantly lighter and more portable. That OTA should be ready for delivery sometime during next summer.
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t.r.
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/14/08
Loc: Upstate NY
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Patrik Iver]
#5669378 - 02/08/13 04:36 PM
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Everyone is touching on the real issue of owning the GT. Absolutely, it will show more than a Traveler or any other quality 4" refractor. The level of planetary and DSO detail seen is obvious, appreciable and satisfying over those. The catch is to mount the scope in a manner that allows one to use it with the same frequency as the smaller instruments. Otherwise, you might just as well observe with the 175 or 24" for the effort expended!
I used to take my TV Genesis out on its super polaris mount in one trip, counterweights and all. I used it heavily! Nightly! Even though the GT is physically not much bigger, it is twice the weight and then add the additional counterweight! The alt/az solution may be the best answer to use this scope with ease. Nova Hitch, DSV-3, DM-4/6 and even the TV Gibraltar 5 come to mind and seem to be the mount of choice over equatorials, which I prefer for various reasons. I use my GT on a CG5 Goto primarily and a Mach1 more recently, but it is not grab and go and takes a few trips to rig and get going. Result? Decreased use versus the Genesis.
So, is the scope worth getting? Absolutely! The one piece of advice I'd give...consider your mounting options wisely. I have owned the GT since it was first released in 2008...I still have yet to mount it in a manner that is satisfactory to using it as grab and go!
Edited by t.r. (02/09/13 08:28 AM)
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skullpin
sage
Reged: 03/13/09
Loc: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: t.r.]
#5669473 - 02/08/13 05:30 PM
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I have a Borg 125SD and a DM4.... a comparable set up that I consider grab'n'go. Two trips, one with scope in case in one hand, starbound chair in other, second trip with DM4 (legs already spread and locked) in one hand, eyepiece box in other. Set up is under one minute, only the time to extract the scope from the case and lock it into the DM4's tilt-in saddle. It is not quite as grab'n'go as some people like to carry everything all put together out in one trip, but I still find it pretty easy to live with.
The Borg+rings is almost half the weight of the AP+rings though (11 vs 20 lbs). Additionally, the Borg case holds the scope+rings+diagonal which is very convenient.
If you think a 20 pound instrument is easy to haul out at a moment's notice, the AP should be similarly easy to live with. Having to handle the diagonal and rings separately will be a minor nuisance, though the Borg case is available for sale and I believe it might fit the AP GT130+rings+diagonal. I know first hand that the DM4 is quite capable of handling the extra weight as I quite successfully used it with a TV np127is (about 19lbs with rings and diagonal).
Keith
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Mike Clemens
Frozen to Eyepiece
Reged: 11/26/05
Loc: Alaska, USA
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: skullpin]
#5669680 - 02/08/13 07:57 PM
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It is a chunky scope, feels very dense for it size. You sure don't whip it around like an FS128.
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APtelephoto
member
Reged: 04/17/10
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Mike Clemens]
#5669835 - 02/08/13 09:56 PM Attachment (33 downloads)
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It is a stout piece of work to be sure. It seems the main focus of the replies has been with respect to the portability and stability of mounts. I use my "GT" on a home shop built alt/az mount (similar to a halfhitch) and know of other "GT" users quite happy with using a DM6 and/or other stout alt/az type mounts.
The "GT" is a most portable and capable optic for visual and photographic use. My daytime experience over the past 3 1/2 years has produced thousands wonderful wildlife images during many thousands of miles of travel. My evening use is primarily visual. I do carry the scope on the mount across fields (with a DSLR attached or diagonal with an eyepiece) on my shoulder routinely. My second hand is free to carry a mug of coffee or an eyepiece case.
The views... all one expects from an Astro-Physics refractor!
Pete
Edited by APtelephoto (02/08/13 09:58 PM)
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Zoomit
sage
Reged: 12/04/06
Loc: Tehachapi, CA
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Peter Natscher]
#5670593 - 02/09/13 11:55 AM
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I put my name on the AP 130EDF list around 2005.
wait, what?? I added my name on 3/2/04 and haven't heard anything. Gonna need to contact AP...
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Scott99
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/07
Loc: New England
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Peter Natscher]
#5672097 - 02/10/13 10:22 AM
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Peter - I would give the 130 a try, you might use it more than you think. Obviously it will be a lot dimmer than your big scopes, but it's big enough to show very good views of the planets from light-polluted places, or at times when you don't want to set everything up for a serious session, like when the moon is out.
I've got a TEC110 right now that I thought I would try and then sell right away, instead it's been sticking around. It's just too easy to set up it on my alt-az mount (Teegul) and get a nice view of Jupiter and a few other things. Even with just 110mm, I find the view each night of Jupiter changes enough to keep it interesting, 130 would be even better.
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Jayo
super member
Reged: 02/03/07
Loc: Quebec City
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Scott99]
#5672564 - 02/10/13 03:32 PM
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I had an AP 130EDF myself. For many years did lotsa ap with it and was a first-class visual instrument. I sold it as I was fed up with time required to setting up my G11...a terrific, solid match for the 130. If your skies are routinely stable, you'll love this scope. Up here in the North East, the seeing is horrible and my AP Stowaway often gave more stable views. I bought an FSQ-ED and yes it was fabulous too, but much too heavy for Grab & Go on my smaller mounts. I scaled down to the lighter and shorter TEC110FL myself. Every bit as good as AP quality, optically and mechanically. No, the views are not quite those of the 130 on nights of perfect seeing...but the smaller TEC gets more use being on a simple EZ-Touch mount or my iOpton EQ30. So it all comes down to your 'seeing' skies and whether you have the patience to lug out heavier mounts, set up times, etc.
If you have a permanent set up, the 130EDF is a no-brainer.
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Peter Natscher
sage
Reged: 03/28/06
Loc: Central California
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: t.r.]
#5673733 - 02/11/13 10:07 AM
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Observed with my 175EDF this weekend at a one-hour-away Bortle blue site. Views of many DSO's were satisfying considering I'm used to observing with my larger Dobs. Set up with a 900GTO and ATS Portable Pier does take longer than setting up my 24" StarStructure Dob. At larger apertures, say 6" or more, a refractor with eq, mount with all the parts adds up to more time setting up and dismantling away from home.
Quote:
Everyone is touching on the real issue of owning the GT. Absolutely, it will show more than a Traveler or any other quality 4" refractor. The level of planetary and DSO detail seen is obvious, appreciable and satisfying over those. The catch is to mount the scope in a manner that allows one to use it with the same frequency as the smaller instruments. Otherwise, you might just as well observe with the 175 or 24" for the effort expended!
I used to take my TV Genesis out on its super polaris mount in one trip, counterweights and all. I used it heavily! Nightly! Even though the GT is physically not much bigger, it is twice the weight and then add the additional counterweight! The alt/az solution may be the best answer to use this scope with ease. Nova Hitch, DSV-3, DM-4/6 and even the TV Gibraltar 5 come to mind and seem to be the mount of choice over equatorials, which I prefer for various reasons. I use my GT on a CG5 Goto primarily and a Mach1 more recently, but it is not grab and go and takes a few trips to rig and get going. Result? Decreased use versus the Genesis.
So, is the scope worth getting? Absolutely! The one piece of advice I'd give...consider your mounting options wisely. I have owned the GT since it was first released in 2008...I still have yet to mount it in a manner that is satisfactory to using it as grab and go!
Edited by Peter Natscher (02/11/13 10:10 AM)
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Daud
sage
Reged: 08/05/06
Loc: AZ, Scottsdale
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Peter Natscher]
#5674111 - 02/11/13 01:54 PM
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Peter, how involved is the setup with the Dob and how frequently are you using it ?
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Peter Natscher
sage
Reged: 03/28/06
Loc: Central California
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Daud]
#5674498 - 02/11/13 05:25 PM
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Off Topic. Sent PM.
Quote:
Peter, how involved is the setup with the Dob and how frequently are you using it ?
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Scott99
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/07
Loc: New England
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Peter Natscher]
#5674578 - 02/11/13 06:24 PM
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>>>consider your mounting options wisely. I have owned the GT since it was first released in 2008...I still have yet to mount it in a manner that is satisfactory to using it as grab and go!
I didn't read this before- this does make a lot of sense. It might be better to drop down to the TEC110 for grab-n-go, the 130 is too big for most small mounts. For someone with a 6 or 7 inch apo, it probably does make more sense to get a grab-n-go in the 4-4.5 inch range. The 130 might be better for someone with only large reflectors that wants a mid-size apo.
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Rossmon
sage
Reged: 07/09/10
Loc: Marin County, CA
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Scott99]
#5675173 - 02/12/13 02:12 AM
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my tv np127 is a real example of a grabngo 5" ota. 14lbs, f5.2 fits into the np101 case. reviewed on this site! Worked well on my gm8 and a bit cheaper!
Ross
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LivingNDixie
TSP Chowhound
Reged: 04/23/03
Loc: Trussville, AL
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Re: AP 130EDFGT For Observing Only?
[Re: Rossmon]
#5679130 - 02/14/13 10:35 AM
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Peter,
Did you make the call to get the scope?
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