Telescope Reviews: New Pentax 75 SDHF

I just received my new Pentax 75 Friday but so far had only a couple of hours of clear sky Friday night, its been cloudy since. But I did have enough time to make some quick evaluations and the news is good....very good.

First, the build quality of this scope is second to none. I have owned TV, SV, and Tak scopes (numerous of each) and, in my estimation, the Pentax is easily the equal or better than any of them. The interesting thing when compared to the TV76 is that the Pentax 75 is actually lighter by about a pound yet it is as just as solid and easily exudes the same or better build quality. In many ways it is a more sophisticated scope than any of the other scopes I have owned. By that I mean little details like the teeth of the R&P focuser are much finer (more teeth per inch). This give a smoother, more controlled action. Another example is the way the focuser tension/lock is applied. Instead of using a thumbscrew to apply pressure at one point on the draw tube the Pentax uses a small lever and compression mechanism that applies even and variable pressure around the entire tube. The sliding dew shield locks into place when extended with a secure "click". The front rim of the dew shield as well as the scope tube is fitted with a protective rubber "armor". The paint job and logo lettering is first class all the way, no decals here.

The optics are exquisite looking. The SMC reflects only a deep green tint, otherwise the glass would be practically invisible. The optics were clean and free of even the thinest particle of dust when I unpacked the scope. The attention given to internal baffling and blackening is obvious.

As I said, I had but a short while under the stars but it was enough time to verify the optical capability of the scope. Star test = text book perfect. CA at high power on Vega was barely perceptible. I think the only scope I have personally owned with better color correction was the NP101. This includes Tak FS102, Tak Sky 90, TV76, TV102, and TV85. Star clusters and bright DSO's with the Pentax 75 and Pentax XW eyepieces are impressive. This scope/EP combo has the highest contrast I have experienced in a scope thus far. Variations in star colors are brilliantly evident. It is clear to me that this scope has A1, top drawer, first class optics.

Considering that the OTA is only $995 (on sale at OPT) this has to be one of the great sleeper deals out there.

It will be a few years before I jump at a 5" APO but unless the landscape changes dramatically before then I will definitely be looking hard at the Pentax 125 when the time comes.

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37;23N 80;10W (Jet Stream Alley)

Vixen ED100sf
Orion ST 120
Orion XT6i
Meade 8" LX90
TMB Paragon 40
Vixen LVW 22, 13, 8, 5
Vixen NPL Plossl 30mm, 20mm, 15mm

Edited by Bill Green (12/03/07 06:22 AM)