epee
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/30/06
Posts: 697
Loc: Suh-van-nuh, Jaw-juh
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It was there on sale Monday; gone Tuesday...
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Jim Girardeau
Orion XT12 Intelliscope
Celestron 11X80mm binoculars
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Karl_Bonner_1982
sage
Reged: 05/13/09
Posts: 298
Loc: Springfield, Oregon (4.5ish ma...
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Let's ALL call and complain en masse. The 100mm f/6 sounds like a nifty little scope, I'd hate to see it gone for good. Who knows, maybe they just ran out of supply temporarily.
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A lot of signatures are just there because people think they are "supposed" to have a signature.
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Raven911
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/12/05
Posts: 1811
Loc: by Cloudcroft, NM
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Hate to see it go. It is one of their better "sleeper" scopes.
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http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Raven911/Astrophotos/
http://www.eye-of-the-raven.blogspot.com/
My list of second-hand and home-made stuff:
Celestron SC6
Celestron C9.25
100mm F6/76mm F4.5/80mm F5/SV NHII 80mm F6 Achros
SBIG ST7/Canon 300D/DSI Pro Mono/Starshoot DSCI
8 inch F7 Newt on Edmund EQ
8 inch F4.5 Project Astrograph
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snart
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 596
Loc: Cincinnati, OH
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Hey, if you miss this telescope I suggest that you visit your local novelty store and buy a kaleidoscope instead. No difference...
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Celestron C100ED w/ Moonlite focuser
6" f/9.25 Newtonian - GEM
Meade 10" f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain
18" f/4.5 Newtonian - Dob
4mm & 5mm TMB SMCs, 6mm, 7mm, 9mm, 12mm UO HD Orthos, 4.8mm, 7mm, 11mm, 16mm, 20mm TV Naglers, 24mm, 32mm, 40mm TV WFs, 55mm TV Plossl.
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AlienRatDog
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 1084
Loc: Ann Arbor
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That was a bit mean, for those who cannot afford an apo and want refractor wide field of views for DSO, those aren't bad...I am sure they are better than a kaleidoscope....as long as they aren't looking at the moon or Jupiter...
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Abe -- the poor PhD student
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12" LX200GPS-SMT w/UHTC
Explore Scientific 127mm Triplet ED APO
Losmandy GM8 EQ mount
Nagler 31mm, 17mm, 13mm, 12mm, 9mm, 2.5x Powermate
12X50 Binoculars
Understanding wife
One beautiful daughter, Emma-Rose (born 7-29-2009)
Twin boys (cats), half Persian/half Alley Cat but all Vermin!
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desertstars
Please stand by...
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 34551
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Is this the one you mean? Astroview 100mm EQ
If so, it's still available.
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Tom W.
Collinder's Catalog
Jewels in Dark Settings
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Phil Frederick
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/19/05
Posts: 844
Loc: Seattle, WA & La Paz MX
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It DOES appear to still be available as a package but not just an OTA.
I owned one of these for quite a few years and, no, it's not an apo but IMO for $200+/- it's quite a good deal. It showed me a lot of stuff and served me very well. On starfields, clusters and brighter DSO's the CA is really minimal.
Phil
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Phil
Intes M500 MCT (Teton Mods)
Stellarvue SV115EDT
Stellarvue SVR70ED Raptor
Orion ST80 f/5 w/Crayford
SV F50 Sparrowhawk
SV F60 Biggerhawk
Tak Teeguls, SV MG, SV Stablelock tripod, TV Gibraltar tripod, a rebuilt TV Gibraltar tripod with fixed Walnut/Oak legs, M1 on Bogen475
... Naglers, Panoptics, Stratus'
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desertstars
Please stand by...
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 34551
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
It DOES appear to still be available as a package but not just an OTA.
I owned one of these for quite a few years and, no, it's not an apo but IMO for $200+/- it's quite a good deal. It showed me a lot of stuff and served me very well. On starfields, clusters and brighter DSO's the CA is really minimal.
Phil
That's probably what the OP meant, now that I think about it. I have essentially the same scope (labeled Celestron) and have enjoyed using it as a grab and go scope. With a proper filter it does a fine job on the Moon. Definitely not a bad option for someone on a tight budget who wants a really portable scope.
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Tom W.
Collinder's Catalog
Jewels in Dark Settings
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DLB242
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 543
Loc: Pen Argyl, PA
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Quote:
It was there on sale Monday; gone Tuesday...
Orion may be looking to replace the the 100mm f/6 with something like the AstroTelescopes 102mm f/7. Slightly longer comes with tube rings and a dove tail for $239.00 only $20.00 more than the 100mm f/6.
http://handsonoptics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_112&products_id=1551
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David B
10" f/5 DOB
6" f/8 DOB
Celestron C8
Antares 1529 6" f/6.5 MoonLite Focuser
Orion ShortTube 130mm f/5 Reflector
Stellarvue SV102BV f/8.7 LOMO Doublet APO
Stellarvue SV90T f/7 Fluorite
Synta ShortTube 80
Stellarvue SV70ED
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jog
member
Reged: 10/26/06
Posts: 90
Loc: nj
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They have lowered the price.
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=refractors/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=09837
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Karl_Bonner_1982
sage
Reged: 05/13/09
Posts: 298
Loc: Springfield, Oregon (4.5ish ma...
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So is it back in stock or is this a final discontinuation clearance sale?
Well at least they're not discontinuing the metal tube itself. The 80ED uses the same tubing as the 100 f/6, so you can still buy an OTA that looks the same on the outside even if it isn't the same on the inside. Food for thought to those who are more interested in looking at the scope than through it. 
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A lot of signatures are just there because people think they are "supposed" to have a signature.
Edited by Karl_Bonner_1982 (10/22/09 04:26 AM)
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Kfrank
super member
Reged: 12/20/08
Posts: 162
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Quote:
Hey, if you miss this telescope I suggest that you visit your local novelty store and buy a kaleidoscope instead. No difference...
I concur with the other respondent who commented on the meanness of this posting.
For many folks, both newcomers as well as seasoned observers, an achromat is a fine choice for the kinds of observing they do. A scope like the 100mm f/6 would be a perfectly reasonable choice for observing double stars and open clusters and many would consider them acceptable compromises for Lunar and planetary observing.
I wonder if this poster would compare Ziggy's 9" Alvan Clark refractor to a kaleidoscope? Granted, it's a much longer focal length but it is, after all, just an achromat. No ED glass or APO design here.
We need to remember that there are no perfect telescopes. Some telescopes do better at some things than others and some cost more (or a great deal more) than others. The existence of more expensive scopes doesn't remove the need for lower cost options. If low cost Chinese made achromats bring more folks into the hobby then God bless 'em and more power to 'em. It's good for all of us to have the hobby grow.
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Ken
ST80
SV80ED
ETX90 (Deforked)
Orion XT8
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rboe
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 45306
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Quote:
Quote:
It DOES appear to still be available as a package but not just an OTA.
I owned one of these for quite a few years and, no, it's not an apo but IMO for $200+/- it's quite a good deal. It showed me a lot of stuff and served me very well. On starfields, clusters and brighter DSO's the CA is really minimal.
Phil
That's probably what the OP meant, now that I think about it. I have essentially the same scope (labeled Celestron) and have enjoyed using it as a grab and go scope. With a proper filter it does a fine job on the Moon. Definitely not a bad option for someone on a tight budget who wants a really portable scope.
I have the same scope. It has its' place and I enjoy mine from time to time.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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seethat?
member
Reged: 03/12/09
Posts: 79
Loc: NOVA
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I have the 100mm f6 top of the 120mm f8.3. Same thing happened to the 120mm F8.3. The 120mm f8.3 ota was a bear to find. Hands on Optics got one from an estate sale. I'm a newbie and they are great for me. Both have a Baader Moon and Skyglow filter on the diagonal as I have to use them in LP looking vertical and south. 
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Mark
Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
So far:
Orion 100mm F/6 piggy backed
an a Orion 120mm F/8.3
on a Astroview EQ3 mount
with wooden legs.
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skyward_eyes
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/12/06
Posts: 2100
Loc: Arizona
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The 100 f/6 is a great little scope, not everyone wants/can spend the money on the Apo. scopes.
Its not what you have its how you use it!
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www.skywardeyes.webs.com
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galaxyman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/04/05
Posts: 1471
Loc: Limerick, Pa
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Quote:
Hey, if you miss this telescope I suggest that you visit your local novelty store and buy a kaleidoscope instead. No difference...
Have you actually seen through one of these scopes 
In reality this is a dynamite performer for the money, that I wouldn't have bought and kept if it wasn't.
Karl
E.O.H.
Chesmont Astronomical Society
Telekit (Swayze optics) 22" F/4.5 Dob
Homemade (Parks Optics) 12.5" F/4.8 Dob
TMB 8" F/9 Refractor”The Beast”. One great achro
ES 6" F/6.5 achro- NEW
Orion 4" f/6 Refractor. Also not bad for an achro
Celestron 10x60 binos
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So many galaxies, so little time!
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CollinofAlabama
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 1176
Loc: Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Well, perhaps snart is being a bit snarky, but as a former owner, I have to somewhat concur. Actually, I think observing in general is an evolution, and all steps must be evaluated at the particular time and point where one is. I wouldn't own this scope again (bad CA even when stopped down to a 53mm F/11.2 scope via the lens cap hole). But that's me (and apparently snart). However, the CA didn't bother me so much at first. It took a while for me to adopt snart's sensibilities to chromatic aberration, and some folks don't mind. Others only use this scope on DSOs, and I'll be the first to admit it does a GREAT job of that. I first caught the Flame Tree in an Orion 100mm F/6, so it can do quite a bit on DSOs, no doubt. It won't need collimating unless treated so roughly the person handling it thus shouldn't own a telescope. For low maintenance use on DSOs without a cooldown penalty, this scope performs well.
But I like a general purpose scope, and the moon and Jupiter just don't give it a pass. Also, splitting double stars in a short tube achromat is another unpleasantry, in my opinion. I don't want to have to pick between targets and the scopes I use. I'm for the ED scopes, myself, but it took some time for me to develop this sensibility, not counting myself amongst the rich. But now I have a 6" reflector, and 80mm & 100mm ED refractors (AT80ED, Orion 100mm).
Good luck to the original poster. These are quite adequate scopes for what they do, but just don't expect to split any closer doubles, or see details on Jupiter or the moon that won't look better in someone else's dobsonian or ED refractor.
CDS
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Coelum Serendum
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galaxyman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/04/05
Posts: 1471
Loc: Limerick, Pa
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Quote:
Well, perhaps snart is being a bit snarky, but as a former owner, I have to somewhat concur. Actually, I think observing in general is an evolution, and all steps must be evaluated at the particular time and point where one is. I wouldn't own this scope again (bad CA even when stopped down to a 53mm F/11.2 scope via the lens cap hole). But that's me (and apparently snart). However, the CA didn't bother me so much at first. It took a while for me to adopt snart's sensibilities to chromatic aberration, and some folks don't mind. Others only use this scope on DSOs, and I'll be the first to admit it does a GREAT job of that. I first caught the Flame Tree in an Orion 100mm F/6, so it can do quite a bit on DSOs, no doubt. It won't need collimating unless treated so roughly the person handling it thus shouldn't own a telescope. For low maintenance use on DSOs without a cooldown penalty, this scope performs well.
But I like a general purpose scope, and the moon and Jupiter just don't give it a pass. Also, splitting double stars in a short tube achromat is another unpleasantry, in my opinion. I don't want to have to pick between targets and the scopes I use. I'm for the ED scopes, myself, but it took some time for me to develop this sensibility, not counting myself amongst the rich. But now I have a 6" reflector, and 80mm & 100mm ED refractors (AT80ED, Orion 100mm).
Good luck to the original poster. These are quite adequate scopes for what they do, but just don't expect to split any closer doubles, or see details on Jupiter or the moon that won't look better in someone else's dobsonian or ED refractor.
CDS
Hi Collin
I agree with part of your post, though my evolution here is the understanding of what I want out of a scope, particularly for the money.
I bought mine as a very quick grab-an-go, but also as a second scope when I have one of the big boys out.
What I thought was interesting was for the past two CAS Starfest, which is our big public star party and maybe the largest annual star party. I used this scope.
I thought was interesting was the comments by our many guest on how clear and wonderful the views through this scope was.
For me personally I do admit this one seems to have very good optics (lucky I guess), but many who own one seems to like it a lot.
At our dark sites the scope does a very admirable job on various DSO's, and even Jupiter and Saturn (not my forte) aren't bad even up to 200x plus.
So Snart's comment is really way off base here.
Karl
E.O.H.
Chesmont Astronomical Society
Telekit (Swayze optics) 22" F/4.5 Dob
Homemade (Parks Optics) 12.5" F/4.8 Dob
TMB 8" f/9 Refractor”The Beast”. One great achro
ES 6" f/6.5 achro. New
Orion 4" f/6 Refractor. Also not bad for an achro
Celestron 10x60mm Binos
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So many galaxies, so little time!
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Karl_Bonner_1982
sage
Reged: 05/13/09
Posts: 298
Loc: Springfield, Oregon (4.5ish ma...
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So I wonder what is the best affordable compromise refractor for relative novices? Something that shows both DSO and planets reasonably well.
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A lot of signatures are just there because people think they are "supposed" to have a signature.
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zjc26138
Postmaster
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 5245
Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio and Morga...
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Quote:
So I wonder what is the best affordable compromise refractor for relative novices? Something that shows both DSO and planets reasonably well.
I would say a 5in Achro refractor, like the Meade AR5. Thats what I have and its a great all around scope. 
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Custom AR5
Stellarvue 80/9D
Bosma Goto Mount
Clear, dark skies everywhere,
-Zachary
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