CosmoQ
super member
Reged: 08/26/06
Posts: 147
Loc: NH
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Now that the ZS110 is no longer in production, I just wanted to reminisce a little with all of the owners of this fine scope. The ZS110 is my first and only refractor; I'd like to think it will be a scope to be remembered as new scopes come and go. I doubt I'll ever be able to afford any of the larger more costly high end scopes  , so the ZS110 will be in my possession for some time. I just wanted to hear from the ZS110 owners out there in an attempt to refresh our memories as to why we purchased the “black beauty.”
Like many of you I ended up buying a bunch of WO EPs and erecting prism just for the ZS110. I’ve been enjoying the observing through this scope… even here in the light polluted sky during our winter stay here in central Florida.
After reading all the CN posts on the newer, larger (read-envy) refractors on the market, I just thought it would be nice to hear from other ZS110 owners. (That is if some of you original owners still own a ZS110!)
Thanks, Dave
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Meade LX90, Fujinon FMT-SX 16X70 Binos, and WO ZS 110 TMB/EZTouch Mount
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urbanMark
member
Reged: 07/08/06
Posts: 94
Loc: San Jose, CA
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Yep, still got mine. Traded my 102ED for the ZS110. Can't say there was a significant difference visually, but the construction of the ZS110 was way above the 102ED. This is one scope that I enjoy looking at almost as much as looking through.
Now that I have my 152ED working, the ZS110 will become more of a CCD scope. I'm toying with the idea of installing a Moonlight focuser to handle the heavy load. Notice the scope on the right side of this page:
http://www.focuser.com/cgi-bin/dman.cgi?page=category&plugin=dstore.cgi&category=2
I've got the scope and the G-11. Just need the S-BIG and the focuser.
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Mark
80mm Megrez FD APO
110mm ZenithStar Triplet APO
152ED
G-11 Gemini
WO EZ-Touch
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outlash
super member
Reged: 06/16/07
Posts: 109
Loc: Cambridgeshire, England
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When I picked mine up, the ZS110 got discontinued soon after and then WO released the FLT110 which is £800 more ($1600) it made me realise what a bargain I got considering they're optically indentical  . If I could only keep one scope, it'd be this one as it can do a bit of everything (to a point). It goes on my AZ3 for grab & go, does deep sky on the EQ6, good on the planets and imaging. The only complaint I have is when it's on CCD imaging duty, I have to add a 50mm AND an 80mm extension tubes just to bring the cam to focus. Madness!!
Tony..
Tony..
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Resident of cloudy Cambridgeshire, UK.
William Optics Zenithstar 66
Skywatcher ED120, ED80
Orion Argonaut 150 Mak-newt
TAL1 on dob mount
EQ6, CG5, Nagler & TAL EP's and a load of other bits & bobs .
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rszabo
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/17/04
Posts: 574
Loc: Elk Grove, CA
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I had fun with my ZS, despite the fact that it took two tries to get a good optic. WO was more than good about taking care of it, but the fact that it took two tries managed to sour my experience. It's not a reflection of WO, it's just the way I am. I sold the scope soon after receiving the second (and vastly better) optic to fund a new apo built by me using an oil-spaced triplet sourced from GPU, but alas, the tax man came and cleaned me out. I'm now trying to save for the GPU triplet so that I can build my dream scope. It's a long way down the road though.
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Rob
The Astrono-Pilot-Ographer.
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scopedude
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/26/06
Posts: 831
Loc: 6 deg. South
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Still got mine, and I don't plan to sell it. It's not perfect, but close. Overall performance is great, and mine has been tried by the local weather (dew, fog, etc) and is still standing strong. I like the finish which is very easy to clean and maintain. Focuser can be improved, but I'm not complaining at the price. I'm planning to get larger APO and Cat myself, but ZS110 stays!
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Megrez 80 FD, Megrez 88, FLT-98, ZS110 APO
Vixen R150S, Vixen NA140SSf
Celestron C8 CF, C5 Spotter
WO 7x50
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Nick Lloyd
He asked for it
Reged: 10/24/06
Posts: 2185
Loc: cincinnati
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I've got the ZS105... can I join the Zenithstar 4" club? 
After replacing the collimation screws in the lens cell, I've grown very fond of my ZS. The focuser unscrews from the body and I can pack it away on a Pelican TSA-approved carry-case. This little scope and a set of binoviewers at 13,000 feet in the Colorado rockies... that was a great trip!
By the way, has anyone dis-assembled the focuser to clean it? The "feel" of the focusing is more rough than I remember. I think there might be a bit of loose dirt/grime.
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"The best scope is the one you use." -rcg
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dougspeterson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 1069
Loc: Murrieta, CA
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Quote:
When I picked mine up, the ZS110 got discontinued soon after and then WO released the FLT110
Actually variations on the FLT110 with TEC (which I owned) and the TMB lens existed before and concurrent with the Zenithstar version. That is why my ZS110 was such a steal!
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18" Dob
12" SCT
8" TMB F6 + Chromacor
6" F6 APM/LZOS Fluorite triplet, 32", 32lbs
2ea. 6mm singlets, one blind
"--Granted, that's a worse case scenario. The destruction might in fact be ... limited to our own galaxy."
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Nick Lloyd
He asked for it
Reged: 10/24/06
Posts: 2185
Loc: cincinnati
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What designates the TMB-factor on used Zenithstars? Are all Zenithstars TMB-designed?
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"The best scope is the one you use." -rcg
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CosmoQ
super member
Reged: 08/26/06
Posts: 147
Loc: NH
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Great posts everyone!!! I'm glad to hear all of you have good things to say about your ZS. You're right, it certainly is a great value and optics to boot! Let's see how many ZS owners we can get to respond!! Of course all other similar size scopes are welcome to comment.
I'm just enjoying reading ZS110 owners talking about their scope again!
Dave
Dave
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Meade LX90, Fujinon FMT-SX 16X70 Binos, and WO ZS 110 TMB/EZTouch Mount
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dsnope
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 1019
Loc: OC California
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Here is mine getting ready for a nice evening out.
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The stars burned with a lidless fixity and they drew nearer in the night until towards dawn he was stumbling among the whinstones of the uttermost ridge to heaven, a barren range of rock so enfolded in that gaudy house that stars lay awash at his feet and migratory spalls of burning matter crossed constantly about him on their chartless reckonings. In the predawn light he made his way out upon a promontory and there received first of any creature in that country the warmth of the sun's ascending
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dsnope
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 1019
Loc: OC California
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And a photo taken through it.
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lineman_16735
Tak-o-holic
Reged: 12/04/04
Posts: 2738
Loc: Central PA
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Quote:
Yep, still got mine. Traded my 102ED for the ZS110. Can't say there was a significant difference visually, but the construction of the ZS110 was way above the 102ED. This is one scope that I enjoy looking at almost as much as looking through.
Now that I have my 152ED working, the ZS110 will become more of a CCD scope. I'm toying with the idea of installing a Moonlight focuser to handle the heavy load. Notice the scope on the right side of this page:
http://www.focuser.com/cgi-bin/dman.cgi?page=category&plugin=dstore.cgi&category=2
I've got the scope and the G-11. Just need the S-BIG and the focuser.
Hey that is my scope! I no longer have the ZS 110 but do have the 2.5" focuser and flange that allows you to reach focus without an extension tube. PM me if your interested.
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Chris
Takahashi 7x50 finder
8300 chip
Astro Physics 900 GTO CP3
Astrodon Filters & Takometer
www.thegeekshed.com
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scopedude
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/26/06
Posts: 831
Loc: 6 deg. South
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That Atlas makes the ZS110 looks small. Nice pic too!
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Megrez 80 FD, Megrez 88, FLT-98, ZS110 APO
Vixen R150S, Vixen NA140SSf
Celestron C8 CF, C5 Spotter
WO 7x50
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 6795
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Quote:
What designates the TMB-factor on used Zenithstars? Are all Zenithstars TMB-designed?
No, Tom Back designed some of the objectives for WO, for Zenithstars, I believe the 80FD and 110 are the only TMB designed objectives.
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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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outlash
super member
Reged: 06/16/07
Posts: 109
Loc: Cambridgeshire, England
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Quote:
Quote:
When I picked mine up, the ZS110 got discontinued soon after and then WO released the FLT110
Actually variations on the FLT110 with TEC (which I owned) and the TMB lens existed before and concurrent with the Zenithstar version. That is why my ZS110 was such a steal!
Alas, this poor little rainy island didn't get the FLT until after the ZS disappeared (we don't even have a William Optics 'UK' as such). Not that I'm complaining or anything, an extra £800 for a bigger focuser isn't something I wish to pay for .
Tony..
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Resident of cloudy Cambridgeshire, UK.
William Optics Zenithstar 66
Skywatcher ED120, ED80
Orion Argonaut 150 Mak-newt
TAL1 on dob mount
EQ6, CG5, Nagler & TAL EP's and a load of other bits & bobs .
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Pasquale
Encrypted
Reged: 10/12/05
Posts: 2222
Loc: Olympia, Washington
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I love that classic black and gold look; I never get tired of it! Nice scopes, folks... wish they still made 'em...
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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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CosmoQ
super member
Reged: 08/26/06
Posts: 147
Loc: NH
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These are outstanding comments on the black and gold ZS110 scopes. It does an owner good to see and hear of the great photos and veiws these scopes are producing. Thanks for attaching some excellent photos of both what the scope can do as well as some beautiful pictures of your scopes.
Surely, there are more than 15 ZS110 owners still out there!! I've pulled out the E and F stars in the Trapezeum in central Florida under a really bad sky!!! Sure, I needed a little help with averted vision but none the less, they were there!!!! 
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Meade LX90, Fujinon FMT-SX 16X70 Binos, and WO ZS 110 TMB/EZTouch Mount
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Daud
sage
Reged: 08/05/06
Posts: 250
Loc: AZ, Scottsdale
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Possibly my last refractor scope, as I am only visual and a bigger APO does not make sense.
Custom anodized knobs, AYO mount (now replaced with a Sirius goto).
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WO ZS110 | Meade SN-6 | Johnsonian 16" goto | Celestron Regal 8x42 | Canon 15x50IS
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37913
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Those sure are pretty scopes. 
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  SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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Rat8bug
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 1498
Loc: Michigan
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another WO bites the dust? Samething happened to my ZS 105mm.
http://www.barrie-tao.com/wotriplet.html
Ciao....Barry
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Nikon D40/D50/D70 DSLR
WO 105mm Triplet APO
WO Zenithstar 66SD APO (Black 'n Blue)
WO 8 x 45mm APO Bino
UO 20 x 80mm Bino
Vixen 80SS Refractor
Orion 127mm Apex Maksutov
Vixen GP-DX with Skysensor 2000
SBIG STV and e-finder
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