Telescope Reviews: Apogee 88 RA Initial Impressions

The Once Over
The Apogee 88 RA arrived in two business days from OpticsPlanet.com in a large cardboard box and protected by thick foam packaging. Opening the cardboard box revealed a solid aluminum carrying case containing all the binocular components seated tightly within a cut to fit foam liner. This is a great setup for travel as the case is small enough to qualify as carry-on luggage. The first thought when looking over all the parts was how everything fit so perfectly in the case, right down to a pair of white gloves to prevent fingerprints on the binoculars’ gloss black finish. The fit and finish of the binocular are wonderful. Aluminum objective end caps lined with felt fit onto the retractable dew shields. The drop-in EPs (20x and 32x) fit very snug in the binocular and was impressed by the tight tolerances. Focusing knobs are smooth. Coatings look good. Exit pupils do show a bar on the bottom edge blocking about 10% of the light as noted by others on CN.

First Light 0.5
A major factor in selecting this binocular is the 90 degree oculars. These angled oculars not only enable more comfortable viewing, but also accommodate more simplistic homemade mounts. At 13.3lbs tradition mounting options would cost several hundred dollars, and decrease portability for travel. Currently in the process of constructing a collapsible patio table mount, but headed out for a quick look using a pillow and milk crate.

Good Stuff
So many great targets this time of year, but started with the double cluster in Perseus. Wow!! Very nice detail at 20x, stars were sharp in the 2.5 degree TFOV. Cassiopeia also showed several other interesting star groupings including NGC 457. Moved over to the Pleiades (M45) and it was just a fabulous at 32x, (TFOV about 2 degrees) just detected some nebulosity. Comet Holmes was terrific!

The Apogee 88 RA ($499) has the potential to deliver a good value. Will continue testing (with a good mount) and posting, as I have 30 days to find any issues.

A couple of links to more information, Supplier in China and Excelsis Reviews

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Matthew

10" Antares Dobsonian, 8x50 RACI, Telrad, Green Laser
Apogee RA-88-SA, Custom Mount, Green Laser
Garrett Gemini Lightweight 11x56 Binoculars

Edited by DeepSpace67 (11/16/07 01:37 PM)

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