62 replies to this topic

[barbie]

I had one when they first hit the market and really enjoyed it.

[kmparsons]

Terra Nova: Thanks much! Is Universal Astronomics out of business?!? That would be a terrible loss to amateur astronomers. 

[Mike W]

Yes, I also have the "Planet Killer" 102mm f/11 from Kunming. Though "only" an inexpensive achromat, I always thought the views were terrific. I have not used it in a while because it just is not stable on my alt-az mounts. Can anyone recommend an alt-az mount that would be sturdy enough to hold it steady? 

The TV Gibraltar 5 with Berlebach tripod will handle it nicely:

 

[25585]

Today I bought & took home a Vixen A102m, F10. It will be interesting to compare it with my F9 apos. The Vixen is lighter than my 100 Equinox, but heavier than my Tak DL. It will fit fine on the Tele Gizmo Ercole atop an EQ6 tripod.    

[John Huntley]

Today I bought & took home a Vixen A102m, F10. It will be interesting to compare it with my F9 apos. The Vixen is lighter than my 100 Equinox, but heavier than my Tak DL. It will fit fine on the Tele Gizmo Ercole atop an EQ6 tripod.    

I used to have one of those back in the early 1990's. Very nice achromats. My current Vixen ED102SS is essentially short tube version with an F/6.5 ED doublet in it.

Edited by John Huntley, 19 February 2020 - 05:43 PM.

[25585]

I used to have one of those back in the early 1990's. Very nice achromats. My current Vixen ED102SS is essentially short tube version with an F/6.5 ED doublet in it.

Got the green finish, nostalgic as I wanted one when first starting in the hobby, but could not afford new.  

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[Terra Nova]

Terra Nova: Thanks much! Is Universal Astronomics out of business?!? That would be a terrible loss to amateur astronomers. 

Yes, unfortunately they are. However, they do come up periodically in the used market.

[coopman]

Larry, owner of UA, took a full time job at a local university, I believe. 

[Pentax Syntax]

Late to this party but I love my Astrotelescopes 102 which I picked up directly from Gary Hand at HOO.  It is mounted on a Twilight II Alt-Az and is wonderful for both planets and brighter deep sky objects.  The pinpoint stars through this scope are a delight to behold.  While one can always barlow a shorter scope like my Stellarvue 80mm, I really enjoy the views through the F11.

[GOLGO13]

Late to this party but I love my Astrotelescopes 102 which I picked up directly from Gary Hand at HOO.  It is mounted on a Twilight II Alt-Az and is wonderful for both planets and brighter deep sky objects.  The pinpoint stars through this scope are a delight to behold.  While one can always barlow a shorter scope like my Stellarvue 80mm, I really enjoy the views through the F11.

I had one of these and was very impressed by the fit and finish of the scope. It was a very nice scope. But ultimately I felt my Vixen 103s was better in nearly alll ways and certainly easier to use. However, it was a very cool scope with quality that surprised me. Was able to sell it to a person getting their first scope...so that was cool.

[dusty99]

Somebody might want to jump on this before I do:
 

https://www.teleskop...AP-Focuser.html

 

;-)

 

(That’s the equivalent of yours Thomas, correct?)

Edited by dusty99, 25 March 2020 - 09:33 AM.

[NickWDavis]

Somebody might want to jump on this before I do:
 

https://www.teleskop...AP-Focuser.html

 

;-)

 

(That’s the equivalent of yours Thomas, correct?)

I've wanted one since the achromat version came out but now that I have a Tak DL I'm not sure when I'd use it. Still, I might break down and get one just BECAUSE....

[dusty99]

Just because it’s a screaming deal!   
 

I've wanted one since the achromat version came out but now that I have a Tak DL I'm not sure when I'd use it. Still, I might break down and get one just BECAUSE....

[daquad]

Just because it’s a screaming deal!   
 

 

I've wanted one since the achromat version came out but now that I have a Tak DL I'm not sure when I'd use it. Still, I might break down and get one just BECAUSE....

 

You'd better break down soon, because this looks like the only one.  Probably a return or demo.  For ~$500 bucks right now with the exchange rate, including shipping, how can you go wrong?

 

Dom Q.

[Astrojensen]

Somebody might want to jump on this before I do:
 

https://www.teleskop...AP-Focuser.html

 

;-)

 

(That’s the equivalent of yours Thomas, correct?)

Yes, it's the same scope, save for a different name on the dewcap. And it's even lower priced than mine was. An incredible deal, I'd say.  

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

[drd715]

Couldn't resist  $525 shipped.  Probably didn't need it, but always wanted one of these for general visual quick use.

[dusty99]

Congratulations!  I hope you like it as much as others seem to have.  In the meantime, I might make a 100mm aperture aperture mask for my f/7.5 SW120ED and see if I can squeeze any of that long focal ratio goodness out of it (I've done this with an achro, but never an apo).  I had made a deal with myself that there would be no new scopes until I sold my 6SE, and this CoV-2 thing has put a damper on face-to-face sales.  Maybe in a couple of months...

 

 

Couldn't resist  $525 shipped.  Probably didn't need it, but always wanted one of these for general visual quick use.

[25585]

I've wanted one since the achromat version came out but now that I have a Tak DL I'm not sure when I'd use it. Still, I might break down and get one just BECAUSE....

Get a Q1.6x extender for the DL instead, you will have F14.4 140mm fluorite. 

[daquad]

Couldn't resist  $525 shipped.  Probably didn't need it, but always wanted one of these for general visual quick use.

Congratulations.  Enjoy!

 

Dom Q.

[Jond105]

Congratulations!  I hope you like it as much as others seem to have.  In the meantime, I might make a 100mm aperture aperture mask for my f/7.5 SW120ED and see if I can squeeze any of that long focal ratio goodness out of it (I've done this with an achro, but never an apo).  I had made a deal with myself that there would be no new scopes until I sold my 6SE, and this CoV-2 thing has put a damper on face-to-face sales.  Maybe in a couple of months...

Your essentially have made the 100Ed, which is flawless. But between my old 100ED and 120ED, always preferred the 120 any day for that added 20mm of aperture. 
 

sorry, carry on with the 102 f/11

[dusty99]

I agree, but I already have caps that are a perfect fit, so just a matter of cutting a neat circle and black spray paint!  It should be pretty easy to see whether there is an effect or not.

 

Your essentially have made the 100Ed, which is flawless. But between my old 100ED and 120ED, always preferred the 120 any day for that added 20mm of aperture. 
 

sorry, carry on with the 102 f/11

[Jond105]

I agree, but I already have caps that are a perfect fit, so just a matter of cutting a neat circle and black spray paint!  It should be pretty easy to see whether there is an effect or not.

Good news, if you do that, you may be the first person on all of CN to compare the AT102ED and the Synta made 100ED finally. Wondering minds would love to hear your results. Meaning if you do, PM with the results please. 

[grif 678]

How does the 102 F-11 from China compare with the 102 F-10 from Japan

[ris242]

Yes, it's the same scope, save for a different name on the dewcap. And it's even lower priced than mine was. An incredible deal, I'd say.  

 

 

Clear skies!

Thomas, Denmark

The R&P is still 545 euro ex tax

the Crayford is way cheaper if that’s what you mean?

[torsinadoc]

I use a Canadian Telescope 102 F11 for solar imaging and planetary/lunar viewing.

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Edited by torsinadoc, 26 March 2020 - 04:54 AM.