185 replies to this topic

[Doug Culbertson]

I have reached a point in this hobby where I would like to settle in with two or three decent scopes. My 10” dob is perfect for observing with night vision devices, mainly using Ha filters, but I have had the urge for a 5”ish refractor for some time. A little over a year ago I bought an AT130EDT to fill that spot, but the extreme front heaviness made it a real pain to haul out and mount, so I sold it.

 

Now the new large doublets have caught my eye; the APM 140 and 152, as well as the SkyWatcher 150ED, but mainly the 140. 

 

So, I would like to hear the thoughts of any owners of this scope. Any regrets, like wishing you had bought the 152, or found it too heavy, too small, etc? Is it well balanced; I.e. front or rear heavy? What are you mounting it on? Has it met your expectations? In other words, any and all information is welcome.

 

FWIW, I would be using it on an AYO Digi II on a Berlebach Planet tripod, and would probably go with the 2.5” focuser, as I am purely visual. 

[bobito]

I've been very pleased with my 140, only regret is I bought before APM started selling in the states so paid way more than what you can get it for now.

 

I have had no regrets about not going for the 152, I feel the 140 is a nice mix of aperture and handling.  The 152 is 8 inches longer.  I also like the 2.5 degree FOV, it's perfect for many of the larger objects.  It handles 300x on Planets no problem as well, which is about all I can ever use.

 

I'm sure you've read the reviews written by people with more skill at assessing a scope then I, so I'll just say the view looks great to me.  Tack sharp stars and no false color that I've detected.

 

I use it on a Stellarvue M2 or Orion Atlas AZ.  It's pushing the limit on the M2 but I'm happy with it after adding a sliding balance system so I can switch between light and heavy EPs without rebalancing the scope.  It pairs with the Atlas AZ nicely, but could probably have gotten away with a Sirius AZ.

 

Anyway, I'm sure you would be happy with it.  Especially at the price!

 

Good Luck!

[Jon_Doh]

The 140 is a big scope in its own right, but it's also not front end heavy.  It's well made, feels solid and has a nice focuser.  I don't regret not going for the 152 as I've owned a 152 achro in the past and I don't feel you loose much in terms of brightness, etc.  The 140 seems to be a good compromise in size and performance between the 5 inch and 6 inch class of refractors, imo.

[Doug Culbertson]

bobito,
Thanks for your assessment of the 140; that’s the kind of information I was looking for. Since this scope doesn’t come with a case, what are you using to transport it?

[bobito]

...

Since this scope doesn’t come with a case, what are you using to transport it?

I'm using the shipping box, the foam is very high quality so it can stand up to regular usage.  But at some point I'll likely come up with a case for it. 

This one is tempting:  https://www.cloudyni...rom-stellarvue/

Or I may go with this for a hard case:  https://www.roadcase...-cases-3-sizes/

[Doug Culbertson]

The 140 is a big scope in its own right, but it's also not front end heavy. It's well made, feels solid and has a nice focuser. I don't regret not going for the 152 as I've owned a 152 achro in the past and I don't feel you loose much in terms of brightness, etc. The 140 seems to be a good compromise in size and performance between the 5 inch and 6 inch class of refractors, imo.

Thanks, Jon

The specs put this scope at around 20 pounds, which isn’t much more than the AT130EDT I had. The fact that it’s not front heavy should help.

[Doug Culbertson]

Thanks again bobito! I should have thought of StellarVue; I’ve owned one of their cases before.

[Mazerski]

Doug,

 

For the Lunt LS152 solar scope... the hard case weighs more than the scope. That thing was so big and heavy... needed for shipping but man, moving that thing around on even a semi-regular basis is a task to avoid.

 

I can only guess that a hard case for the APM 140 is still big and heavy but considerably lighter and smaller than a 152 hard case.

 

A soft Stellarvue or Geoptik carry case would be the way to go.

[Auburn80]

I've enjoyed my 140 as well. But. It is fairly front heavy too. Probably not quite the imbalance a 130mm triplet would have though. Also of note is that I have the standard (lighter) focuser so that has an impact. When I add a 2" diagonal and eyepiece, it does improve things quite a bit.

[Jon_Doh]

I use an Orion soft padded case to store the refractor in and carry it out for viewing.  It's light weight and does the job.

[Doug Culbertson]

I used an Orion case for my AT130EDT. That was a nice case too. I don’t travel too much with my gear, but I do keep my scopes and mounts in an unheated ventilated shed, so the case is more for dust than for protection against dings. 

[gezak22]

My APM 140 is a keeper.

[emilslomi]

Still very happy with mine. With the 2.5 inch focuser, it mounts about in the middle of the ota. Just about 10 inches shorter than an f8 150. I have never owned one, but following the discussion here, even people that like them and are not bothered by the size occasionally remark that the 150 only sees use on days that make the trouble worthwhile. For me, the 140 is just on the good side of that worthwhile line. I will not give it up and I will not upgrade - my 'got there' scope.

 

Cheers, Emil

[Doug Culbertson]

My APM 140 is a keeper.

Ah, good to hear from a fellow NV enthusiast! Have you used your Mod-3 in the 140? 

[gezak22]

Ah, good to hear from a fellow NV enthusiast! Have you used your Mod-3 in the 140? 

Not yet. Between traveling and weather, I've only had very limited time with the APM where I only looked at the planets with the binoviewer.

[Doug Culbertson]

Yeah, I hear you. The weather here has been abysmal for the past year. I’m not even sure why I am looking at new equipment to be honest. 

[gezak22]

Yeah, I hear you. The weather here has been abysmal for the past year. I’m not even sure why I am looking at new equipment to be honest. 

Well, when the weather does clear up, it sure is nice to roll out the 140.

[JoeBftsplk]

Yeah, I hear you. The weather here has been abysmal for the past year. I’m not even sure why I am looking at new equipment to be honest.

Heh, when the weather is relentlessly bad, buying new equipment is the only way to stay connected with this hobby. It's why I've got so much.
Bob

[emilslomi]

Just read your first post again. I'm using it with the AYO digi II and the planet. Can't imagine a better combo.

 

Cheers, Emil

[moongold]

Very limited time because insane cold weather or cloud cover. Visually it is a fantastic feast for the eyes. I had a ES 127APO and there is quite a difference on the light gathering and the build quality is first rate. 

 

It is portable. Another bump in 10mm at the front end ends up being a unwinding beast to control. I have the EQ6-R and it mates very good.   The APM 2" Fast-lock diagonal works very well. 

 

Case....Orion padded soft cast with additional 2" of foam padding wrapped around the tube. The case itself is well made and nice for storage, but a bit thin for a car ride. 

 

Each lens is tested and comes with the report. It does install quite a bit of reassurance over most others. 

 

A great buy? Well...it is bare bones. No diagonal, no case  and no eyepieces. I was really bummed on no hard case but after I picked up [ literally lifted it up]  a empty one for the 152mm APO I realized it weighed in at 25lbs just for the case! So I bought everything just the way I wanted it. When your behind the eyepiece.....total bliss. Well done APM. 

[Doug Culbertson]

Thanks to everyone for your informative posts. I’ve been waffling between the APM 140 and a Mewlon 210, but I am leaning towards the APM.

[Jon_Doh]

. 

 

Case....Orion padded soft cast with additional 2" of foam padding wrapped around the tube. The case itself is well made and nice for storage, but a bit thin for a car ride. 

 

 

I have the same or similar case and I lay it in the back seat and secure it with seat and shoulder belts.  The set up rides just fine in the car.  I do the SW 120 the same way and use a soft case as the hard case that came with the scope is too big to fit n the back seat or trunk.  

[chemisted]

Doug,  Although I do not own one, I think the APM 140 looks like the ideal doublet refractor these days for NV - especially considering the price.  I thought I would add that the TV-140 with my NVD micro delivers that same (outstanding) views of DSOs that I used to get using my RC-10 with the Collins I³ on board (and I published a S&T article with that setup).  I don't think you will be disappointed with such a purchase.  Ed

[Maho68]

Hello,
I bought the APM SD Apo 140 f7 with 3.7 inch focuser in the summer of 2018 for € 3099 (reduced from € 3499 due to company relocation).
I am enthusiastic about the moon and the two stars, because of the low declension the planet is not enjoyable, too much of the atmosphere
Refraction.
I preferred this because of the better Strehlwerte-for something you have to orient yourself, if you have no telescope business in the area.
Unfortunately, apos are increasingly being developed only for photographers - an annoying development.
My balcony could have tolerated f 9-10 - it is mounted on Giro Ercole.
greeting Marc

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[Doug Culbertson]

Doug,  Although I do not own one, I think the APM 140 looks like the ideal doublet refractor these days for NV - especially considering the price.  I thought I would add that the TV-140 with my NVD micro delivers that same (outstanding) views of DSOs that I used to get using my RC-10 with the Collins I³ on board (and I published a S&T article with that setup).  I don't think you will be disappointed with such a purchase.  Ed

chemisted,

 

Thanks for that input. I remember that article about the Collins, and that device had me wanting to get into NV astronomy way back then.

 

So, having owned a 10” RC, and now owning a 140mm refractor (though obviously of better pedigree than the APM) would you recommend the 140 over a Mewlon 210 for conventional as well as NV astronomy? I followed a similar thread over on Cats and Casses started by someone contemplating the same two telescopes, and the Mewlon was the overwhelming recommendation. Of course, that’s to be expected in that forum just as I would expect the 140 to be the choice here. 

 

There are compelling arguments for either and, as usual, I am about to over analyze this.