Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 27390
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Hi Morris,
This one?
http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/wotrip.pdf
Color correction is a bit better. Any specific questions, I'll answer what I can...
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There are two theories to arguing with my wife. Neither one works.
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Craig
Vendor (Stark Labs)
Reged: 09/16/03
Posts: 449
Loc: Irvine, CA
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I concur on the Feathertouch being the bigger upgrade (for us photo guys). The stock focuser is passable but not great by any means. I'm considering changing it out if possible but that won't come cheap. It's a very fine wide field scope.
Craig
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Stark Labs Astrophotography software
Borg 101 ED f/4, CPC 1100 XLT, and too many cameras to mention
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Moggi1964
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/05
Posts: 2510
Loc: Madison. NJ. USA
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That's the one.
Do you know what glass is in the WO?
Enjoyed both reviews by the way; making me think about a TMB130 or a WO 132!!
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Morris
WO Megrez 80 ED F/7
WO 8x42 binoculars
Seymor Rosin F/4.5 Astrograph in the making
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 27390
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Hi Morris - FPL 51. And Thanks!
Craig, did I just notice that you used this with a FF? Care to comment on the performance?
T
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There are two theories to arguing with my wife. Neither one works.
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Madsen
super member
Reged: 05/01/07
Posts: 106
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Quote:
In what regards? And which one in particular? 80/600 or 80/480?
Are you looking for a quick percentage or a point by point analysis?
Mechanics? Optics? Visually? Photographically?
Or just in general?
I was just curious how it compares to the previous TMB offer in this league, thus both the 80/480 and the 80/600. Is this one a step up, down, or both optically and mechanically?
Søren
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 27390
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Well, I guess it would depend on which specific model you compare it to. Price has varied so much on the russians; from as low as $1200 to over 2k. If I could get one of the russian lens sets for $1200, or less (and I could afford the additional expenditure), I'd be really tempted to get one of those simply because of their rep, and the fact they are being discontinued.
But that said, optically, for visual use the sample I had generally fits in with the 3 or so 80/480 samples I've seen from LOMO/LZOS. There really isn't a night and day difference. The two samples of the 80/600 I've seen may have been a bit better, but I'd expect that given the longer focal length. But remember - this is one sample. I have no idea where it lies on the standard deviation for the run of telescopes. We'll need to see more reports there before we can make a judgment. The LOMO / LZOS 80's took years to earn their reputation.
Mechanically, there's no question the FT is a better focuser, but the fit and finish on the tube is high quality overall.
T
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There are two theories to arguing with my wife. Neither one works.
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Jeff Morgan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/28/03
Posts: 1531
Loc: Prescott, AZ
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Quote:
This focuser & tube is getting pretty popular (AT80EDT, Sky-Watcher Equinox). Seems like we ought to be able to class all these scopes as a family, with mainly the glass as the difference.
The focuser does strongly resemble the one on my NightHawk. It struggles a bit with the 31 Nagler, imagers probably would have worse problems. I disassembled, cleaned, and tightened it. Hoping the next observing session this will pay off. I would agree with the poster about preferring a FeatherTouch to the cf tube.
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Jeff Morgan
Prescott, AZ
Wile E. Coyote School of Telescope Making
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Pasquale
Encrypted
Reged: 10/12/05
Posts: 2078
Loc: Olympia, Washington
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Is the white tubed version available with a FeatherTouch upgrade, or would you have to buy it separately? It's a standard feature on the cf model.
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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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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 27390
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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You've got to ask Astronomics or another reseller that one sir.
Sorry.
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There are two theories to arguing with my wife. Neither one works.
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Madsen
super member
Reged: 05/01/07
Posts: 106
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Quote:
Quote:
This focuser & tube is getting pretty popular (AT80EDT, Sky-Watcher Equinox). Seems like we ought to be able to class all these scopes as a family, with mainly the glass as the difference.
The focuser does strongly resemble the one on my NightHawk. It struggles a bit with the 31 Nagler, imagers probably would have worse problems. I disassembled, cleaned, and tightened it. Hoping the next observing session this will pay off. I would agree with the poster about preferring a FeatherTouch to the cf tube.
I have the SV80SB with what appears to be the same focuser. Im VERY happy with it, and I use it almost only for imaging. Adjusted it once to be quite tight and it has since worked very well, no problems with huge naglers (not mine  )or my DSLR.
Thank you Tom for the comparison with the previous offerings.
Søren
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timmbottoni
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/25/05
Posts: 1111
Loc: W Chicago suburbs, IL USA
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Thanks Tom,
Nice job - I enjoyed it. It really is nice to see that more and more products of high quality are reaching the market at affordable prices.
Timm
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WO Megrez 80FD, Celestron C8
WO SWAN 33mm, UWANs 4mm, 7mm, 16mm, WO SPLs 3mm, 6mm, 12.5mm, WO Zoom II 7.5-22.5
WO EZTouch & Celestron Nexstar GT modified mounts
SV F50B2 Finder in WO Quick Release 50mm bracket
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Jeff Morgan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/28/03
Posts: 1531
Loc: Prescott, AZ
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Quote:
I have the SV80SB with what appears to be the same focuser. Im VERY happy with it, and I use it almost only for imaging. Adjusted it once to be quite tight and it has since worked very well, no problems with huge naglers (not mine )or my DSLR.
Thank you Tom for the comparison with the previous offerings.
Søren
I did get my modified NightHawk II out this morning about 4 am. (I'm not sure what to call it exactly since I swapped out the achro with the WO "TMB Designed" APOgrade lens.) Since I took the focuser apart and cleaned it it did much better with the 31 Nagler. I didn't give it the most severe test (observing at the zenith) but I think it will do ok. With this scope the 17 Nagler is turning out to be my workhorse eyepiece.
BTW, the seeing wasn't great on Mars, but I did make out the central portion of the WitchHead nebula (IC 2118). I started at 67 Eridani and swept back and forth in an east-west direction until I could pick up the west edge of the nebula. The east edge was soon discernable too. I didn't have any luck getting the north or south ends. Feeling my observing oats I tried for the HorseHead, but no luck there. I knew that Rigel was double but had never observed it before. I was expecting it to be difficult like Antares. Actually it was very easy. My best view was with a 12 Nagler at 46x. The companion was close-in. I did not note the position angle, but it appeared at the 2 o'clock position. The companion appeared as blue as an arc welders torch, Rigel was almost white by comparison. Very pretty. Yes, these 80mm APOs can be a lot of fun.
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Jeff Morgan
Prescott, AZ
Wile E. Coyote School of Telescope Making
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Craig
Vendor (Stark Labs)
Reged: 09/16/03
Posts: 449
Loc: Irvine, CA
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Quote:
Craig, did I just notice that you used this with a FF? Care to comment on the performance?
T
I've tried it with the WO II and WO III flatteners on APS-sized chips. Without a flattener, I found about a 22 mm diagonal I'd be happy with. With the v3, the stars got a bit astigmatic (others have seen this on other scopes with this reducer), but the v2 did a very good job. I'm happy with the full-field performance on it and can only find any faults of any kind (and very minor) in the last few mm. Results can be found here
Craig
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Stark Labs Astrophotography software
Borg 101 ED f/4, CPC 1100 XLT, and too many cameras to mention
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rolandlinda3
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 1612
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Nice review, Tom. Can't wait until jump into the lion's den and examine the rash of $1-1.4K 102s whose offerer's all claim to be unique and better than the others. Roland
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