Houdini
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/13/07
Posts: 523
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 under construction
Mirror Edge Support Calculator
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CollinofAlabama
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 1176
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: 178
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: 7905
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
www.innerplanetaryproducts.com
Meteorites and More....
"Outer Space at Down to Earth Prices"
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gripweed44
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 952
Loc: PDX
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No Airline??
Case to big?
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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: 135
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
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 6552
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
M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST
CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager
POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8645
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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Very nice report, Jon. An enjoyable read.
David
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Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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Duncan Rosie
super member
Reged: 02/14/04
Posts: 135
Loc: South Africa
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Hi Jon,
With the ETX running on an external 12V that does duty elsewhere as well, the Calibrate Motors and Train Drives before every session does improve GOTO accuracy markedly.
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Duncan Rosie
ETX-125
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Clive Gibbons
Mostly Harmless
Reged: 05/26/05
Posts: 13421
Loc: Oort Cloud
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Very objective and informative review, Jon!  
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A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife, two curious cats and one sadly departed.
"Semper ubi sub ubi"
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ckwastro
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/23/05
Posts: 802
Loc: AZ
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Great review Jon - very well done!! Thanks!
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Kerry
- AP 92mm Stowaway (f/7 version.....actually f/6.57)
- Takahashi Mewlon 210
- Giro 3 Twin View
- 10x42 Audubon Equinox
- Bogen 3221 tripod / 3047 3-Way Head
- Denk Std BV
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vct
newbie
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 2
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I would say the review is right on the money
I have an at102ed.
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skymac
member
Reged: 11/07/05
Posts: 34
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Jon,
I use a Porta Mount with my AT-80ED and find its marginal for handling even that 8 or 9 pound scope (including diagonal and heavy EP) Did you find that it still worked OK with the added wwight of the AT-102ED?
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BCB
Undercover Saboteur
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 5193
Loc: Look over your shoulder
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That article, as well as an in person inspection, is what sold me on mine.. 
VERY accurate article..
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Mark
Lost in thought. Please send search party!!!
Astro-Tech 111EDT
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory
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CollinofAlabama
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 1176
Loc: Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Okay, Jon,
You've had this for more than 6 months now, what do you think? Is this scope better than your 130ST? How do they compare?
Inquiring minds want to know,
CDS
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Coelum Serendum
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 648
Loc: Louisiana
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Post deleted by Jack Huerkamp
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Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Coulter CT-100
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
 Waning Moon II Observatory
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neptuneblue
member
Reged: 04/04/09
Posts: 34
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Very fine unit.
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neptuneblue
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