296 replies to this topic

[Phil Cowell]

First night out with the AT152EDT. The picture makes the mount look off level, it wasn't.

[rkaufmann87]

Looking forward to reading your review and seeing more photos. 

[PowellAstro]

Me too?

[Phil Cowell]

Managed to get first light last night with the prototype Astro-Tech AT152EDT.
6" of pure Apo goodness. Saturn had set too early to catch but we managed to get in a few deep sky objects.
First target was M45 with the ES 20mm 100 and it was stunning with the field filled. We hit a few glob's and the color rendition of individual was very nice. Albireo in the ES 5.5mm 100 the two stars were beautiful and the color contrasts made for long viewing. There's no hint of CA and the coatings keep colors neutral without modification.
The focuser is excellent and 3.5". No problem with locking the ES and diagonal in place with no movement of them while slewing. Focusing is very smooth and can be adjusted to your personal tastes.
The focuser can also be rotated which will be great for when we start imaging.
There is going to be a reducer/flattener in the future.
The scope weighs in at 25# and has a handle on the top of the rings, it makes life a lot easier carrying and mounting the scope.
The next week the weather looks typical north east weather, but looking forward to a longer session now everything is dialed in.
Once again the mount is level its how the cell phone was held that gives the off kilter look.

[Phil Cowell]

Looking forward to reading your review and seeing more photos.

Will do Roger, I'll get some more photos of the scope during the week.
Planning to get a few different scopes out when the weather cooperates and I get a few folks together to get some comparisons.
With the first outing the scope is very impressive and the optical prescription Astronomics have in this scope works really well.
A 6" Apo refractor is well kick tail sweet.

Cheers
Phil

[bobhen]

Phil,

 

Can you tell us…

 

What are the glass types used?

 

What’s the FL?

 

Is there a price point?

 

Did you star test that particular sample?

 

Is there an optical quality guaranteed minimum?

 

Is there a scheduled delivery/availability date?

 

Thanks in advance.

Bob

[Cotts]

Is that frost on the grass?  "Winter is coming, Jon snow...." 

 

Looks like a great scope!

 

Too bad we'll have to wait to hear of its planetary performance...

 

Dave

[Phil Cowell]

Phil,

 

Can you tell us…

 

What are the glass types used?

 

What’s the FL?

 

Is there a price point?

 

Did you star test that particular sample?

 

Is there an optical quality guaranteed minimum?

 

Is there a scheduled delivery/availability date?

 

Thanks in advance.

Bob

Bob,

  Glass types you should check with Astronomics as this is a prototype. If my memory is correct it’s a Thomas Back design with a Lanthenum element in the mix. FL is F9 and a reducer flattener is in the works. The star test was very good both inside and outside of focus. Price and other questions you need to ask Astronomics. 

  I was just lucky enough to be asked to give the prototype a test drive. After last nights outing I honestly think they have a winner. It was rock solid on the Mach1 but I think a G11 would be a good host for the scope too. The handle really is nice, it feels right and doesn’t look like an after thought that some do. Fit and finish rocks, the focuser really is a step up, I normally replace focusers with Feather Touch ones but this focuser doesn’t give me that urge.

[Phil Cowell]

Is that frost on the grass?  "Winter is coming, Jon snow...." 

 

Looks like a great scope!

 

Too bad we'll have to wait to hear of its planetary performance...

 

Dave

Dave,

  Yes that’s frost on the grass. I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of Saturn, in the next few days but it is low to the horizon and wouldn’t be optimal. But next year is the Mars opposition.

[Scott Beith]

At f/9 that would make a gorgeous observatory scope.   You might have changed my future scope plans with this thread.  I am definitely looking forward to hearing more about this scope.  Yep - I'm drooling!  

[Astronomics]

The glass is an f/8 triplet using FK-61 and a Lanthanum element.

$3999

We have our minimums, but nothing published. It has worked out very well for the rest of the EDT lines and our scopes over the past decade.

Delivery would be Early Spring 2018, Possibly late February if everything went perfectly.

[Scott Beith]

Mike do you guys have plans for a 7" or an 8" version at around f/9?  

[bobhen]

 

Phil,

 

Can you tell us…

 

What are the glass types used?

 

What’s the FL?

 

Is there a price point?

 

Did you star test that particular sample?

 

Is there an optical quality guaranteed minimum?

 

Is there a scheduled delivery/availability date?

 

Thanks in advance.

Bob

Bob,

  Glass types you should check with Astronomics as this is a prototype. If my memory is correct it’s a Thomas Back design with a Lanthenum element in the mix. FL is F9 and a reducer flattener is in the works. The star test was very good both inside and outside of focus. Price and other questions you need to ask Astronomics. 

  I was just lucky enough to be asked to give the prototype a test drive. After last nights outing I honestly think they have a winner. It was rock solid on the Mach1 but I think a G11 would be a good host for the scope too. The handle really is nice, it feels right and doesn’t look like an after thought that some do. Fit and finish rocks, the focuser really is a step up, I normally replace focusers with Feather Touch ones but this focuser doesn’t give me that urge.

 

Thanks Phil,

 

Many years ago I bought an Astro-Physics F9 triplet. I got the scope in 6-weeks so that shows you how long ago that was. That scope used NO Ed glass but was basically color free for visual being a triplet at F9.  A triplet at F 9 or F8 you don’t need real exotic glass. However the AP had a superb figure and if this scope is geared toward being a lunar planetary refractor I would like to see a high strehl guarantee or at least comparisons with other known high quality refractors.

 

Could be interesting though.

 

Bob

Edited by bobhen, 21 October 2017 - 01:11 PM.

[Zamboni]

WOWEE WOW WOW!

With a 3.5" focuser, will you offer a visual back that will allow the use of ES 3" diagonals?

[Heywood]

Mike do you guys have plans for a 7" or an 8" version at around f/9?  

 

I can hear the laughter at Astronomics now.

[junomike]

Mike do you guys have plans for a 7" or an 8" version at around f/9?  

Best option is to look for an old Meade 178ED and fix the Lens cell (like the rest of us... ).

[Phillip Creed]

The glass is an f/8 triplet using FK-61 and a Lanthanum element.

$3999

We have our minimums, but nothing published. It has worked out very well for the rest of the EDT lines and our scopes over the past decade.

Delivery would be Early Spring 2018, Possibly late February if everything went perfectly.

That's a very reasonable price for a 6" apo triplet.   As the proud owner of an AT115EDT, I don't have any doubts in regards to the quality of the AT152EDT.

 

Clear Skies,

Phil

[stevew]

The glass is an f/8 triplet using FK-61 and a Lanthanum element.

$3999

We have our minimums, but nothing published. It has worked out very well for the rest of the EDT lines and our scopes over the past decade.

Delivery would be Early Spring 2018, Possibly late February if everything went perfectly.

It looks great, And the price is excellent.

Any specifications on the lens? Strehl ratio, or wave front??

Is it a Thomas Back design?

Edited by stevew, 21 October 2017 - 06:35 PM.

[Scott Beith]

 

Mike do you guys have plans for a 7" or an 8" version at around f/9?  

 

I can hear the laughter at Astronomics now.

 

You have to try...  

 

It's like asking your parents for something monsterously huge and happily settling for something good.  You have to "ask big".  

[Scott Beith]

 

Mike do you guys have plans for a 7" or an 8" version at around f/9?  

Best option is to look for an old Meade 178ED and fix the Lens cell (like the rest of us... ).

 

I was looking at the Meade lineup the other day and thinking about the fact that a big 7" doublet at around f/9 should still be marketable if the cell design and the rest of the mechanicals were good.  Kinda like a 7" or 8" Lunt ED with a bit longer focal ratio and FPL-53 to keep the blue away.  The only reason the big 178 failed was the cell.  If there had been no issues that scope would still be selling.

[Scott Beith]

Now back to our regularly scheduled program of the newly designed AT152EDT.  

 

That is an incredible price point for that scope.  We truly do live in a golden age of astro gear.  

[stevew]

Phil, please post some day time close up picture of the 152 when you get a chance,. I am very interested in this scope.

 

Steve

[Phil Cowell]

Phil, please post some day time close up picture of the 152 when you get a chance,. I am very interested in this scope.

 

Steve

Steve,

  Will do.

[dpastern]

I'm too poor for a monster like this

[zjc26138]

Thanks for the report Phil. The scope looks beautiful!

With so many new AT refactors coming out it's a great time to be in this hobby.