133 replies to this topic

[aa6ww]

Do you have any new or used refractors on your radar this year to purchase?

The only refractor that remotely grabs my attention is the Altair ASCENT 102mm F11ED Refractor. 

The long focal length with ED glass would become my double star refractor of choice. That's my justification for wanting one of these anyways.

I have other small, fully capable refractors for star splitting, but I just want one of these before the production of these stops. 

 

Anything I can mount on my Celestron Avx mount I consider a small telescope.

 

Once I pay off a few Christmas gifts, I should hopefully be ordering one soon.

 

...Ralph

 

 

[Jond105]

I’m planning on a house within the coming months. I’m hoping by years end I have another 120ED though. That’s probably all I really want. I thought about a 72ED. But, not sure anymore. 

[Steve Allison]

I may be looking at a Tak Sky 90 or one of the new lightweight FC series 4 inchers to take the place of my superb FS-102 NSV (sigh). As I age, the lighter the better.

 

I have a wonderful WO Megrez 80 with the "fluorite" objective upgrade that was gifted me by a stranger who has become a valued friend. I am using it more and more due to its compact size, light weight and smaller "swing angle" in use. But with new 4 inch Takahashis weighing about the same, and having fairly short 740 mm focal lengths, the extra aperture will likely be too much to resist.

[Ihtegla Sar]

I think I have all the refractors I really need right now. I have an 80mm Meade Infinity and a 102mm f/5 Celestron for low power wide field viewing, a 60mm Lunt tilt tuned for H-Alpha solar, an old 60mm f/15 Jason refractor for when I want to feel nostalgic, and (saving the best for last) a Takahashi FC100DL for everything else.  Since I am visual only, I feel like I am pretty well covered with the five refractors I already own and don't currently have plans for another refractor.

 

I came "this close" to buying the last SV80 Access on December 31.  But I couldn't see how an SV80 would fit into my lineup, so I hesitated for a day and then they were gone.  I have mixed feelings about that since the SV80 Access seems like a great scope and I missed the opportunity to own a great scope at a good price, but since I don't really need one and don't know how it would fit into my lineup, I guess I am okay I didn't get an SV80 before they were gone.  Hopefully whoever got the last one will enjoy it. 

 

I don't know what other refractor I might want.  Someday maybe a larger aperture refractor but those get really expensive quickly and are not as light or easy to use as the FC100DL.  I think that one will keep me satisfied with my refractor for years to come.

Edited by Ihtegla Sar, 02 January 2020 - 06:56 PM.

[ris242]

Probably not this year maybe next year. In saving mode right now.

 

If it tempts you into action - out of my 3 scopes the f11 will be the last one I sell. 

[Kunama]

Do you have any new or used refractors on your radar this year to purchase?

.....

No,  my wife cut up my credit cards 

[CHASLX200]

None at all.

[erin]

I just pulled the trigger on one of the SVbony short tube 90s on eBay. I love my 90 f6.7 but it is a bit too long for my camera tripod. The hard case is a plus. This will be the perfect grabngo and camping scope!

 

I am also hoping to get a pair of 20x80s, but that won’t be until the fall or later. So, would that count as 2 more refractors? 

[havasman]

Nah. There's really no chance of that. Last year's NP101is buy hooked me up for good. But that 102mm f11 ED scope looks like a good option for someone that needs it. I'm much more likely to be a net seller this year of all things astro including ep's, Dobs and refractors. That will be a big change!

[Jeff Morgan]

Should be taking delivery on an Agema SD150, although the deposit was made in October 2018.

 

No other new refractors on the horizon - but I'll stay open to new ideas (and opportunistic purchases).

[The Luckster]

LoL!  I'm not planning on any new refractors, which really means I'll be getting something.  What, I have no clue, but that new refractor I did not plan on buying is out there waiting patiently for me to pull that trigger. 

 

I'll let you now what I got that I wasn't planning on getting...

 

CS

 

jason

[erin]

LoL!  I'm not planning on any new refractors, which really means I'll be getting something.  What, I have no clue, but that new refractor I did not plan on buying is out there waiting patiently for me to pull that trigger. 

 

I'll let you now what I got that I wasn't planning on getting...

 

CS

 

jason

So true!

[OldManSky]

Probably not, I just ended last year on a binge...

https://www.cloudyni...03-has-arrived/

[RaulTheRat]

Would love to get an esprit 100 this year for my observatory project, not clear yet whether it'll happen or maybe have to wait a while. What I would love even more would be to get two of them, to have one in the observatory and another for mobile use but that's even less likely to happen

[geminijk]

Considering a refractor for visual and perhaps a dab into AP (mostly EAA now), since my 2020 resolution is to get back to some visual double-stars.

 

Under the 6"

AT 130mm f7

ES 127mm FC100 or the ED

 

Or 

 

SW 150mm Evostar

APM 150mm

 

John

[Nippon]

Thinking in the other direction of selling my 4" SV triplet. Too close to my 4" doublet.

[russell23]

No.  I bought 4 different refractors over the last 18 months and sold 2 of them so I have three refractors I am happy with for now.

[Eric H]

The answer is always...YES!

[sunnyday]

I ordered the 102 mm ed lunt, I'm waiting

[BKBrown]

_{Not planning on anything new, I’m pretty much good to go.}

 

_{Clear Skies,}

_Brian 

[Auburn80]

I'll probably pare my collection down quite a bit and replace my 115 and 140 with a nice 120.

[barbie]

I purchased my Altair 4"F11 ED Apo last month and it will be the last scope purchase for the rest of my life!! I have three beautiful apos now and have no cravings for any more!! I got bitten by the aperture bug long ago and have been downsizing for the last several years so I WON'T be going down that road ever again. It's now on to stashing more $$$ into savings.

[Ballyhoo]

I have been long considering the F5 meade 6000 70mm quadruplet for wide-field, fast imaging.  Should I get it? It would be my third refractor and my 5th telescope.   I know it would be great for imaging. and I just ordered a new 1600 ZWO mono camera.

[bugbit]

I was happy with my skywatcher 120. Then a tmb 130mm f /9.2 arrived so I was totally done. Then a tmb 175mm f/8 showed up. Hmmm.  I think I'm ok on refractors for now.

Edited by bugbit, 03 January 2020 - 12:17 AM.

[SeattleScott]

Already have three so no plans to add more in 2020. There is always a chance I find a screaming deal on one better than one I have, but not likely.

Scott