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Skynyrd
member
Reged: 12/15/10
Loc: Fayetteville Arkansas
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Larger achromat or smaller ED?
#5283781 - 06/22/12 12:43 PM
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Trying to get the best bang for the most useable buck here.
I already have 16X50 binos/tripod.
I already have Zhumell Z8 reflector.
I have decided my next purchase will be a Short tube refractdor.
Would I be better off with; my limited collection, with a larger achromat like an Orion ST 120, or a smaller 80mm ED?
I need an all rounder gab and go, the Z8 is a pain, just trying to learn the sky.
Also, which one would I most likely still have in my collection several years down the road?
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Binojunky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/25/10
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Re: Larger achromat or smaller ED?
[Re: Skynyrd]
#5283881 - 06/22/12 01:37 PM
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OTA wise the 120 will come in at lower price than say most of the ED80,s however you need to pick up a diagonal for it and a finder of some sort. More colour with the 120 as its a fast achromat however under dark skies it will show you more because of its greater aperture. The ED80 is more of a do a bit of everything scope while a ST120 tends to be better at lower power views (rich field) but will still work quite well on luner and planetary targets, DA.
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Astropin
super member
Reged: 08/30/07
Loc: Michigan
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Re: Larger achromat or smaller ED?
[Re: Binojunky]
#5284129 - 06/22/12 04:31 PM
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If your interested in doing any AP then the ED80 all the way.
Purely visual....depends on how sensitive you are to CA. The 120 will show a lot of color on virtually all of the "bright" objects. The ED80 should be relatively color free when in focus. The ED might retain its value a little better as well.
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caheaton
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/26/09
Loc: SW Ohio
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Re: Larger achromat or smaller ED?
[Re: Astropin]
#5288153 - 06/25/12 10:08 AM
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I own both (in a way), the ST120 and an 80mm ES triplet. For planets and the moon, I'd say the ED80 by far over the 120. For deep sky, I'd go with the ST120 as it will go significantly deeper. As a general purpose scope, I'd probably go with the 80mm. It's enough aperture that it can show some nice deep sky (especially clusters) while still being a capable planetary performer. Both scopes will be beaten on both planets and deep sky by your 8".
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bluestar
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/06/05
Loc: Maryland Eastern Shore
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Re: Larger achromat or smaller ED?
[Re: caheaton]
#5288217 - 06/25/12 10:54 AM
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At f/5 the 120 will be awful for planets...even with a minus violet filter you're dealing with a lot of lost detail. Been there; done that. This is a deep sky scope. Given the choice I'd go with the ED.
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Messyone
super member
Reged: 05/02/12
Loc: Down Under
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Re: Larger achromat or smaller ED?
[Re: Skynyrd]
#5289843 - 06/26/12 10:10 AM
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The keeper would be the 80 ED but can you get a 100ED of classifieds? I got a 4" ED for $600 and that is definatley a keeper. Short Tubes have curved fields, I know as I have a 4" f5 achro as well, love it as a super finder in my light polluted backyard. The 4" ED is better than my 8" Newt on planets.
Matt
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Re: Larger achromat or smaller ED?
[Re: Messyone]
#5289872 - 06/26/12 10:25 AM
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ED80.
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Sean Puett
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/06/10
Loc: always cloudy, washington
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Re: Larger achromat or smaller ED?
[Re: Scott Beith]
#5290863 - 06/26/12 10:56 PM
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Since you have the 8" reflector, an 80-100mm ed scope or a triplet would be a better fit. You would probably find that a 120mm is not any easier to setup than your z8. My z8 is ready to go in one trip. My refractor takes a minimum of 2. It is an older heavier type with a heavy overkill mount though. I like it that way. Sturdy mounts are essential for a good refractor.
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CounterWeight
Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/08
Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR.
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Re: Larger achromat or smaller ED?
[Re: Skynyrd]
#5290963 - 06/27/12 12:40 AM
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If you're going to get a refractor, what are you going to mount it on? I get the impression you want something 'grab and go' that will hold up? Depending on your skies and habits and learning style, there are a lot of helpful tools available to learn the sky. Some folks like 'Turn left at Orion' others the 'Pocket Sky Atlas', and others 'Stellarium' ... Some folks feel a 'goto' mount does not help learn the sky, and folks like me that think it helps. Another point is do you want something that tracks or not?
Hard to speak to years down the road. Buying on the used market and selling into same can make indecision a bit less painful. I'd get something with ED glass and good reviews just to be on the safe side.
Another thought, I'm not really a fan of small refractors under LP skies at all. It might seem a bit of a tease. Something like the EON 120 might give a better initial experience, but IMO you will miss the aperture of the Dob/Newt on possibly a lot. On maybe a CG5(if you want a goto tracking mount) or something like it?
My thoughts with the information you provided.
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA
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Re: Larger achromat or smaller ED?
[Re: CounterWeight]
#5291242 - 06/27/12 09:10 AM
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Quote:
Another thought, I'm not really a fan of small refractors under LP skies at all. It might seem a bit of a tease. Something like the EON 120 might give a better initial experience, but IMO you will miss the aperture of the Dob/Newt on possibly a lot. On maybe a CG5(if you want a goto tracking mount) or something like it?
The 120mm EON is probably more effort/hassle to setup and use than the 8 inch Zhumell Dob. And by the time all is said and done, mount and all, this is a $2000 rig that will be underpowered in comparison to the 8 inch Dob.
If it were me, I would go with an ED-80, affordable, a nice companion for an 8 inch Dob and capable of pristine views.. Small refractors like this also double as terrestrial/birding scopes, quite a plus. One would have to shop the Astromart/Used marketplace if money were an issue.
Jon
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