56 replies to this topic

[Mike Sandy]

I agree with you Dave as it relates to the low end...but I think there is some middle ground between the junk stuff and the really high end APO refractors. D&G and the APM come to mind - and there are surely more. There is just so much hype over APO's that other quality scopes get overlooked.

[Stacy]

Hey Dave,

How do you upgrade the focuser on the AR-5? I was wanting to do that myself, but it didn't look upgradeable.

Thanks,
Stacy

[Mike Sandy]

Hey Dave,

D&G Is your company! Check out the website:

http://www.dgoptical.com/index.htm

These are BIG OTAs 5" f12 (and up). They all come with AP's 2.7" focuser. A 6" f12 runs under $1900. Very nicely done if you can deal with the size.

That's the middle ground I was talking about.

[Stacy]

Hey thanks Dave. It's been cloudy for about a month now here so I'm off to check out the Feathertouch! Anacortes server almost floated away from all the rain!

Stacy

[Stacy]

$300 for mine just thought id warn you to sit down when pricing one.

Well that's a little steep right now (I only paid $275 for the OTA). Burgess Optical has a back plate and focuser for $250 that looks nice and replaces the whole focuser. I'll have to look around on astromart

I wonder how SAL's new OTA worked out?

Regards,
Stacy

[Stacy]

I know what you mean. At first it seems "man! that's a lot of money!" then as you rationalize , ok the EP I’m putting in it cost that much … then you slide down the slippery slope to their web site and before you know it … it’s on it’s way to your house! :o

Is that the Sirius V-Block? Did you get the 1.25 or 2"

Regards,
Stacy

[SAL]

The more I deal with Orion, the more impressed I am with them. You are not going to believe this update. (I must admit, I am really feeling a little embarrassed and perplexed on this one). Orion repair contacted me via telephone this afternoon to update me on my 120mm. They indicated they performed a series of tests with a professional Ronchi (spelling?) tester as well as star tests on my scope. The results found my scope tested better than 3 "new" examples of the same OTA. No astigmatism evident, and "optics are as good as they get for one of our 120mm achromatics". They told me my particular OTA actually had the best CA performance of those tested! Thinking the diagonal might be the problem they also tested it and found it to be "just fine with no problems". They told me my collimation adjustments were spot on and could not be improved upon. As we discussed the scope, I was dumbfounded at their findings to say the least. Then we discussed the focuser and I pointed out how collimation appears to vary as the drawtube is extended and retracted. They asked me to give them 20 minutes to check it out. They then called me back indicating they felt the focuser could actually stand some adjustment and they would perform that for me and get the tube back to me ASAP. (Dave, I think you might really be on to something with these focuser issues).

The technician felt much of what I observed could have actually been particularly bad seeing conditions over the three-day period. But be that as it may, Orion again told me they want me to be comfortable with my purchase, and are willing to either exchange my OTA for a brand new one, or refund my money.

So, again I am astounded by Orion's commitment to me as their customer. The have demonstrated a real interest in making sure my situation is effectively addressed. I am eagerly awaiting the OTA's return. I have the piece of mind that my scope tested favorably, and I’m assuming whatever caused those weird effects is now resolved… (Scott)

[Mike Sandy]

Now that is a cool story! I wish every company took that much care with their customers. You spend Multi $K on a scope and it goes without saying that this would be the level of service you'd expect. But Orion has a huge chunk of money invested in this testing - I'll bet it approaches the cost of the scope. Hope it comes back and gives you the views you were hoping for!

Thanks for sharing.....

[SAL]

Update: I received the scope back yesterday. FedEx delivered it in good condition. Orion repair sent me a note with the scope indicating they did actually find problems with the focuser (Dave you knew all along didn’t you…) and effected repairs. Conditions last night were mostly cloudy, but I did manage to take advantage of a 60-minute break in the clouds. The scope now appears to perform every bit as well as my first Orion 120mm! Stars are pinpoint dots all the way to the edge of the field of view. I viewed Vega and Capella closely and false color is drastically reduced. (I think it might even be slightly better than my first Orion 120mmm in regards to CA). Polaris’ companion was seen clearly at 38x and still visible (though very dim) at 200x. With my 26mm I scanned the large open cluster between Mirfak and Delta in Perseus. I then checked out the Double Cluster in Perseus, with excellent views from my 26mm, 25mm and 17mm Sirius plössls.

Unfortunately due to clouds rolling in I was only able to view stars to the north. By the time I set up the scope on the south side of the house, clouds were back. I will check Mars and the Moon out next time conditions permit. I have never seen Saturn through a scope before, and it looks like I can catch it after midnight now, so that is my next target for sure. Everything looked fine during my short observation session. Only problem was the temp was down to 34 degrees… ouch! Just think, in a few short weeks that will feel warm. Orion also reminded me that they are still willing to exchange this OTA for a new one or refund my money if I am not fully satisfied. This has been a fabulous customer service effort from my perspective... (Scott)

[Bill Grass]

That's fantastic, Sal!! Orion rocks! I'm glad everything appears to work well.

[Trever]

Customer services makes all the difference. They are top notch.

[SAL]

Thanks Schultze. I'm sure Meade will get your mount issues worked out for you as well. Hopefully it won't take too long... (Scott)

[SAL]

Update: I have now been able to spend a few hours with my repaired scope. I am very pleased with its performance. I would say it is just about equal to my first 120mm f8.3 OTA in overall performance, with perhaps slightly lower CA and false color. Overall, I am very happy with it. Bad news is my neighbor was recently promoted and moved out of state very suddenly, prior to selling his home. Now that the house is empty, the real estate company has elected to turn all floodlights on for security. They shine (you guessed it) directly into my back yard observing area 24 hours a day. The only objects I can really see well now are the planets and the moon. I did see Saturn for the first time last night! It was a very impressive sight to these inexperienced eyes. I’m hoping the house sells quickly so the new owners will shut off those floodlights ASAP so I can get back to more DSO observing…

[Stacy]

Many municipalities have laws concerning light trespass now. I would contact the real estate outfit and tell them to get it together. Or just unscrew them. Houses can take forever to sell sometimes. What about your old neighbor? Maybe he could have them turned off. That will get old real fast.

Regards,
Stacy

[SAL]

Stacy, I agree with your fear that the house might take a long time to sell. I came home tonight and the floodlights had been turned back off! I have no idea who did this (probably a realtor). Anyway, I am going to monitor the situation, and hope they remain off. If not, I will contact the reality company to see if I can convince them to leave them off in the future… (Scott)