132 replies to this topic

[alex_d]

 

With all the love surrounding the ED 120, is there demand for an ED 140 doublet in the US, or is there not enough difference?

Personal choice and in most cases I think the 120ED would win out due to cost alone.

Still, the APM 140ED has sold quite well and I myself am seriously looking at one for a grab 'n' go Refractor.

 

Mike

 

Id think if i ever do want an upgrade from my 120 ed it would be with the scope you mention. At 20lbs and 3800$ id be hard pressed to call it grab and go though. My current scope sits in the garage mounted under a blanket (can have it out in 1 min), not sure id dare to do that with the APM. Still looks like a great scope though.

[BigC]

With all the love surrounding the ED 120, is there demand for an ED 140 doublet in the US, or is there not enough difference?

There is the Astronomics AT130 as an alternative or modest upgrade.Would need to add $900+ if sell my SW120ED and replace with AT130, for only 10mm probably not worth it. But for those not having a SW120ED yet purchasing the AT130 probably better long term IF the extra 8 or 9 pounds weight isn't an issue.
Then APM has 140mmm doublet.
And would Skywatcher think adding a 140 doublet a good idea or worry it would compete with their own 150triplet?

Edited by BigC, 25 May 2017 - 09:16 AM.

[JKAstro]

 

With all the love surrounding the ED 120, is there demand for an ED 140 doublet in the US, or is there not enough difference?

There is the Astronomics AT130 as an alternative or modest upgrade.Would need to add $900+ if sell my SW120ED and replace with AT130, for only 10mm probably not worth it. But for those not having a SW120ED yet purchasing the AT130 probably better long term IF the extra 8 or 9 pounds weight isn't an issue.
Then APM has 140mmm doublet.
And would Skywatcher think adding a 140 doublet a good idea or worry it would compete with their own 150triplet?

 

One thing about the ED120 is that it is a little steep in price as a first scope.  Many like myself start with a 4 inch refractor and then see the 20mm jump to the ED120 to be of questionable value. Then consider the AT130 but as a triplet I realize it may be too much for my mount and I may have to upgrade to a DM6, and if I'm going to do that then I should've gotten a 150mm.  Now if I buy a 140mm doublet and find I have to upgrade my mount I won't feel like I should've gotten a 150mm.

 

I guess it is odd to me that there are multiple US vendors to choose from for 130mm and 150mm triplets, but apparently none for a doublet over 120mm.

 

Long story short, if anyone is just starting out, just spend a little extra and get the ED120 first.

[BigC]

Wonder why SW didn't offer 130mm doublet?

[JKAstro]

Wonder why SW didn't offer 130mm doublet?

Too close to the 120mm. And apparently the cost to produce a 140mm is prohibative at this time?

[BigC]

I was thinking 130 instead of 120.
Perhaps tonight the weather will permit looking through instead of at,my scope.

[junomike]

Wonder why SW didn't offer 130mm doublet?

IMO the 120ED is right on the border of portability, weight, and CA control. Anything larger (back then) would have needed to have a longer Focal Length to match the excellent CA control, making it less portable.

 

Mike

Edited by junomike, 25 May 2017 - 11:38 AM.

[alex_d]

 

 

With all the love surrounding the ED 120, is there demand for an ED 140 doublet in the US, or is there not enough difference?

There is the Astronomics AT130 as an alternative or modest upgrade.Would need to add $900+ if sell my SW120ED and replace with AT130, for only 10mm probably not worth it. But for those not having a SW120ED yet purchasing the AT130 probably better long term IF the extra 8 or 9 pounds weight isn't an issue.
Then APM has 140mmm doublet.
And would Skywatcher think adding a 140 doublet a good idea or worry it would compete with their own 150triplet?

 

One thing about the ED120 is that it is a little steep in price as a first scope.  Many like myself start with a 4 inch refractor and then see the 20mm jump to the ED120 to be of questionable value. Then consider the AT130 but as a triplet I realize it may be too much for my mount and I may have to upgrade to a DM6, and if I'm going to do that then I should've gotten a 150mm.  Now if I buy a 140mm doublet and find I have to upgrade my mount I won't feel like I should've gotten a 150mm.

 

I guess it is odd to me that there are multiple US vendors to choose from for 130mm and 150mm triplets, but apparently none for a doublet over 120mm.

 

Long story short, if anyone is just starting out, just spend a little extra and get the ED120 first.

 

I totally agree with this statement except for one tiny detail.. I to started out with a cheap 250$ meade refractor and i still use it occasionally but being my first scope i definitely made a lot of mistakes, and i mean A LOT and inversely i learned A LOT. I definitely would not have wanted my learning curve to happen with the 120ED, so i guess i have to disagree .  Buy a cheapy learn to observe through it for at least a year, then upgrade.