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Siguy
sage
Reged: 01/05/08
Loc: Massachusetts
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What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
#2471062 - 06/19/08 11:09 PM
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A couple days ago, the Celestron Astromaster 114AZs were at a "sale" price of $99, normally $159. Now they're on sale at $89, normally $99.
Probably a good deal, though. If I had gobs of fluid cash, I'd buy one. But I don't particularly like Bird-Jones catadioptrics...
Speaking of 114mm reflectors, by the looks of this, perhaps Tasco quality is improving. I think some of their scopes are actually made by Synta now. Not sure about this one though.
Also, it says this is "easily collimated". 
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okiestarman56
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/10/08
Loc: 36.9'33" N 95.23'29" W
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: Siguy]
#2471153 - 06/19/08 11:54 PM
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who has it
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Siguy
sage
Reged: 01/05/08
Loc: Massachusetts
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: okiestarman56]
#2471845 - 06/20/08 10:52 AM
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Adorama.
link
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dmgriff
sage
Reged: 09/20/06
Loc: 30 degrees latitude, USA
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: Siguy]
#2471957 - 06/20/08 11:39 AM
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As for the Tasco 500mm fl 114mm primaries, they are more than likely spherical mirrors, and the image will degrade comparable to a Starblast parabolic mirror. Eps are probably not good.
However, that said, for the price, imo, it might make a nice starter scope for a kid, or an inexpensive low power wide field (with a good ep and collimation).
Good viewing,
Dave
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Siguy
sage
Reged: 01/05/08
Loc: Massachusetts
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: dmgriff]
#2472005 - 06/20/08 11:52 AM
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Yeah, spherical mirror, that's what I figured. So the Astromaster might have less spherical aberration depending on the quality of the Bird-Jones barlow corrector. Anybody know if the ones on Synta scopes are coated? If not, then I'd actually prefer the Tasco...
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dmgriff
sage
Reged: 09/20/06
Loc: 30 degrees latitude, USA
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: Siguy]
#2472042 - 06/20/08 12:06 PM
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I had (have, just dont use it) a refurbished meade 114 1000mm fl with the corrector in the ep drawtube on one of the old ds2000 series one arm gotos, maybe three years so ago when I wanted a cheap goto experience. I never got the thing collimated right or a really good image. The mirror was so spheroid, it wouldnt work at all without the corrector. Just my experience, and, someone may join in and say they dont have a problem with that optical design.
Good viewing,
Dave
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rnabholz
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/25/04
Loc: Iowa
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: dmgriff]
#2472123 - 06/20/08 12:37 PM
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The corrector lens in these scopes make collimating them a real pain - I would stay away.
However some of the non-corrector, full length 4 inchers can throw up a pretty nice view when used with decent eyepieces. I would scout around for one of those instead if you are looking for something in this aperture range.
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Siguy
sage
Reged: 01/05/08
Loc: Massachusetts
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: rnabholz]
#2472244 - 06/20/08 01:22 PM
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I'm not looking, I just happened to find this.
Also, can't you just remove the lens for collimation? I once had an eBay 6'' reflector, the worst scope ever made, a complete horror, but I remember that though difficult, you could remove the lens. This was a long time ago, so I don't remember whether or not it was coated (I wouldn't be able to tell, anyway, since I didn't know about coatings.)
I'm sure, though, that Synta B-J telescopes are much better than the complete junk eBay ones.
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dmgriff
sage
Reged: 09/20/06
Loc: 30 degrees latitude, USA
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: Siguy]
#2472810 - 06/20/08 05:58 PM
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Quote:
I'm sure, though, that Synta B-J telescopes are much better than the complete junk eBay ones.
Yes, they may be better, than the ebay stuff, however...as Rod noted...
Quote:
However some of the non-corrector, full length 4 inchers can throw up a pretty nice view when used with decent eyepieces.
A 4.5in f8 newt can be a nice light scope. Just upgrade the optics and finder. If you have an ota with a reasonably good and smooth focuser (clean it and put on some good grease) just put it on a decent mount. I have a Tasco Luminova f8 ota with a 8x50 straight thru finder and a e-scopes coulter 1/8 wave primary on a meade lxd300-eq3 mount (with ra controller). Light enough for grab and go outside, for me. Nice and sharp images, and useable setting circles. Use binoviewers on this setup with no problem (maybe a half lb. magnetic wt at some positions for really good balance).
I have 6in and 10in newtonians, but, the 4.5in/114mm f8 still has a place.
Good viewing,
Dave
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PianoPaul
sage
Reged: 02/07/07
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: Siguy]
#2472854 - 06/20/08 06:17 PM
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Don't do it! You'll regret it!
If you really want a 4.5" Newt, get either the Orion XT 4.5, or my favorite small Newt, the Starblast 4.5 f/4. I have not used an XT 4.5 dob, but I just
love my little Starblast. Last night I saw Jupiter's stripes very sharp, tantalizingly close to seeing festoons and barges, too; often I can see the Great Red Spot, and shadow transits are easy, if the stability is good. I've even
been able to follow a moon transit for a few minutes, if I started watching at the beginning; but I'd not be able to find it again if I looked at something else, and came back. Whadday want, it's only 4.5" of aperture.
With a 30mm Ultrascopic ep. it shows over 3 degrees of sky and with the right eps, it will hold up very well at 180-200X, a little more on the Moon. What more can you want from a 4.5" f/4 Newt? You do have to collimate it to get this kind of performance, but it actually does collimate easily and well, unlike most of these short tube reflectors with the spherical mirrors and relay lens....
It's just amazing under dark skies. Go Starblast for a mini-dob Newt.
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Siguy
sage
Reged: 01/05/08
Loc: Massachusetts
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Re: What's going on with the Astromaster 114AZs?
[Re: PianoPaul]
#2473273 - 06/20/08 10:38 PM
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I'm not shopping myself, just pointing out a possible deal.
The Celestron Astromaster and Tasco Spacestations are completely different instruments than the Orion 4.5'' Dobs, though.
If I had the money, I'd totally get a Starblast. They're cute scopes.
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