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Equipment Discussions >> Refractors

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jerry10137
member

Reged: 01/26/13

Loc: Texas, USA

Really nice midsized refractor
#5660665 - 02/03/13 08:18 PM

Hey everyone, I'm looking to purchase a nice midsized refractor and wanted your thoughts on this....

http://www.astronomics.com/tmb-92-signature-series-92mm-apo-refractor-optical...

Looking for something between 80mm and 100mm that will be great for both photography and viewing. Would this be a good clear choice? Budget is 2,500 and due to mount restrictions, it really should weigh less than 10 lbs.

Post Extras:

Scott in NC
Mad Hatter

Reged: 03/05/05

Loc: NC

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: jerry10137]
#5660678 - 02/03/13 08:29 PM

How about the Stellarvue SV90T f/7 apo triplet?

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jerry10137
member

Reged: 01/26/13

Loc: Texas, USA

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: Scott in NC]
#5660696 - 02/03/13 08:47 PM

That is def another option that seems to fit the bill. Thanks for the recommendation.

The TMB and SV seem to both be priced about the same.

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Scott Beith
SRF

Reged: 11/26/03

Loc: Frederick, MD

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: jerry10137]
#5660845 - 02/03/13 10:39 PM

Both will be excellent for your uses. The TMB is faster at f/5.5.

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Scott in NC
Mad Hatter

Reged: 03/05/05

Loc: NC

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: Scott Beith]
#5660907 - 02/03/13 11:31 PM

I mentioned the SV90T because that's the only 90mm scope that I have personal experience with, but now that I've had a chance to read the specs on the TMB92, I think that looks like a really nice scope. I don't think you'd go wrong with either one.

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jerry10137
member

Reged: 01/26/13

Loc: Texas, USA

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: Scott in NC]
#5666085 - 02/06/13 09:50 PM

How about a Williams Optics? How are those stacking up against these?

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Scott Beith
SRF

Reged: 11/26/03

Loc: Frederick, MD

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: jerry10137]
#5666139 - 02/06/13 10:13 PM

Which model from WO?

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jerry10137
member

Reged: 01/26/13

Loc: Texas, USA

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: Scott Beith]
#5666216 - 02/06/13 11:07 PM

I've been eyeballing the GTF81 5 element. It comes with a field flattener built in. I believe their 98mm models are too large for what I'm going to use them for.

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Mike Clemens
Frozen to Eyepiece

Reged: 11/26/05

Loc: Alaska, USA

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: jerry10137]
#5666334 - 02/07/13 12:52 AM

If used is an option... I've found two TMB100/8 over the years for under $2 grand. That's as good as it gets in 4".

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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: jerry10137]
#5666838 - 02/07/13 10:53 AM

Quote:

I've been eyeballing the GTF81 5 element. It comes with a field flattener built in. I believe their 98mm models are too large for what I'm going to use them for.

What are the mount restrictions you refer to? What mount are you planning on using? For photography, combination focal reducer/field flatteners are available so the built in field flattener is not such a big deal.

Jon

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jerry10137
member

Reged: 01/26/13

Loc: Texas, USA

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5667804 - 02/07/13 08:25 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I've been eyeballing the GTF81 5 element. It comes with a field flattener built in. I believe their 98mm models are too large for what I'm going to use them for.

What are the mount restrictions you refer to? What mount are you planning on using? For photography, combination focal reducer/field flatteners are available so the built in field flattener is not such a big deal.

Jon

I'm trying to stay somewhat conservative if I can. I'd like to start taking some nice photos. I purchased a used C9.25 and CI700 mount for a pretty good deal. The mount is rated at 60lbs and is in great condition. It has been well kept. What I wanted to do was view or guide thru the 9.25 and piggyback a refractor on top of it for some photos. THE OTA is 20lbs. A refractor under 10lbs will put me at the 30lb half way point that I keep reading about. Obviously, a camera and an eyepiece will add a little more weight. What I really wanted to do was throw a C11HD on it and piggyback an AT65EDQ or a lighter 80mm but have decided against that for right now. And you are right, the field flattener is not a huge deal but I will need one either way.

Right now I am considering a WO81GTF, TMB92L/SS or a SV90T Triplet. Right now the SV is winning the race for me.

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jerry10137
member

Reged: 01/26/13

Loc: Texas, USA

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: Mike Clemens]
#5667810 - 02/07/13 08:31 PM

Quote:

If used is an option... I've found two TMB100/8 over the years for under $2 grand. That's as good as it gets in 4".

Used is def an option for me. The astronomical community takes very good care of their things for the most part. However, I have not seen a used TMB100 lately.

Post Extras:

JJK
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/28/08

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: jerry10137]
#5668378 - 02/08/13 06:30 AM

Quote:

Hey everyone, I'm looking to purchase a nice midsized refractor and wanted your thoughts on this....

http://www.astronomics.com/tmb-92-signature-series-92mm-apo-refractor-optical...

Looking for something between 80mm and 100mm that will be great for both photography and viewing. Would this be a good clear choice? Budget is 2,500 and due to mount restrictions, it really should weigh less than 10 lbs.

A 92 mm refractor is not mid-sized; ~ 150 mm is.

Post Extras:

Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: JJK]
#5668399 - 02/08/13 07:08 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Hey everyone, I'm looking to purchase a nice midsized refractor and wanted your thoughts on this....

http://www.astronomics.com/tmb-92-signature-series-92mm-apo-refractor-optical...

Looking for something between 80mm and 100mm that will be great for both photography and viewing. Would this be a good clear choice? Budget is 2,500 and due to mount restrictions, it really should weigh less than 10 lbs.

A 92 mm refractor is not mid-sized; ~ 150 mm is.

In the big picture, a 150mm scope is a small scope, maybe borderline medium, 300mm is mid-sized, 500mm large...

But refractors are a special case, I consider a midsized refractor to be around 4 inches. In any event, the original poster has already defined "mid sized" for the purposes of this thread, something under 10 lbs.

Jon

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turtledude1
member

Reged: 10/08/08

Loc: SW Fla.& SW. NM

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5669218 - 02/08/13 02:50 PM

Both the TMB 92SS an the 92L are great scopes, what sold me on the 92SS was all the great reviews and the 3" Feather Touch focuser. I also have 5 Stellarvues so I won't say anything bad about those, just check to see if they are using florite glass. I just ordered one the first William Optics GTF 102 it will be here Monday. Well i guess I approve WO also but if I were picking a new 92 I would go with the TMB as first choice.

Russ

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Paco_Grande
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 07/14/12

Loc: Napa Whine Country

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: turtledude1]
#5669294 - 02/08/13 03:38 PM

How about the new William Optics GTF102 102mm f/6.9 Apo? I almost pulled the trigger on one and then stumbled on a used WO William Optics FLT 98 Triplet and bought it instead. I like the fact that the GTF has a built-in flattener, which is not true of the FLT.

The GTF is listed at 11 lbs tube weight.

http://agenaastro.com/william-optics-gtf102-apo-refractor-telescope-with-flat...

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jerry10137
member

Reged: 01/26/13

Loc: Texas, USA

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: Paco_Grande]
#5675029 - 02/12/13 12:05 AM

Well I ordered the SV90RT from OPT this afternoon. It will serve multiple functions and I can't wait to get it.

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JMW
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/11/07

Loc: Nevada

Re: Really nice midsized refractor new

[Re: jerry10137]
#5676045 - 02/12/13 03:12 PM

You will enjoy your scope. It is a very usable size but will work well for wider views and darker skies.

JJK:

If 150mm is a mid sized refractor, than you will have to budget a lot of money for a large APO refractor. Here is my grouping of refractor sizes:

<100mm small
100-150 medium
150+ unaffordable

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