332 replies to this topic

[LDW47]

Maybe I'm unlucky? I've had two Meade ST-80 clones (one Infinity amd one Adventure Scope) and one Celestron that was basically the same scope in a 102mm size all purchased new and all three were noticeably out of collimation under an out of focus star test.

I guess you were !

[Jaimo!]

So what are you saying ? What do mean ?

Chas has had a lot of scopes...  

[LDW47]

Chas has had a lot of scopes...  

I understand that and thats great but what has that got to do with my simple ? based on some of his posts ? 

[belgrade]

Move on people...

[blastr42]

Has anyone tried the ST80 as a guide scope?

 

Yup

[Jon Isaacs]

What would be the best choice for a 2" focuser?

I think the popular choice is the standard GSO two speed.

 

https://agenaastro.c...speed-86mm.html

 

Jon

[CHASLX200]

I think the popular choice is the standard GSO two speed.

 

https://agenaastro.c...speed-86mm.html

 

Jon

So i guess that is plug and play?  Once i get my ST80 i will see if it is better than my last one.

[Tom Stock]

Got a good look at Orion for the first time thru my ST-80 as it was cold, clear, and dark before the moon came up. Until now I had been fighting clouded skies and moonlight any time orion approached.

 

The entire belt fit into the FOV of a 32mm plossl.  Wow!

 

First time I had ever visualized the belt as an open cluster.  Far more stars there than I had ever noticed before.

 

I looked at M45 thru a small opening in a distant tree and that was a spectacular view.  I could see the both the branches and the entire cluster in the same view and it was beautiful.  I wish I could have taken a photo.

Edited by Tom Stock, 09 December 2020 - 09:31 PM.

[Sarkikos]

So i guess that is plug and play?  Once i get my ST80 i will see if it is better than my last one.

I guarantee that any ST80 you buy will have field curvature.  But a TSFLAT2 field flattener will flatten the field pretty well.  Then you'll be able to see more clearly whatever astigmatism the scope has.

 

Mike

[CHASLX200]

I guarantee that any ST80 you buy will have field curvature.  But a TSFLAT2 field flattener will flatten the field pretty well.  Then you'll be able to see more clearly whatever astigmatism the scope has.

 

Mike

I know all fast fracts have FC. I know collimation can very with these scopes. I may get mine on Fri.

[Sarkikos]

The ST80 doesn't have a collimatible objective cell.  It really doesn't matter if the collimation is right on or not when you get it.  You can collimate old school.  Loosen the objective cell.  Make sure the cell is pushed back securely.  Tighten the screws.  Put a refractor collimator in the focuser.  Loosen the focuser.  Tilt the focuser a little here and there until the donut in the collimator is concentric.  Carefully tighten the focuser attachment screws.  Recheck the collimation.  Repeat if necessary.

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 10 December 2020 - 08:12 AM.

[CHASLX200]

I know there is no collimation screws. I got this from Rolo and he said it was dead on. Looks like i should get it Friday.

[davidmalanick]

No one really answered this question,  does anyone here use it as a guide scope?   I bought one for that purpose,  just looking for peoples results as a guide scope. 

[hcf]

No one really answered this question,  does anyone here use it as a guide scope?   I bought one for that purpose,  just looking for peoples results as a guide scope. 

Orion does sell this in a guide scope package.

 

You can go to astrobin.com and use the search with filters (you need to login with an account), you can search the images with ST80 as a guide scope. There seem to be many, eg:

 

https://www.astrobin.com/4koqn9/

https://www.astrobin.com/43637/

[blastr42]

No one really answered this question,  does anyone here use it as a guide scope?   I bought one for that purpose,  just looking for peoples results as a guide scope. 

Look at my post above.  See that 90 inch telescope? Look for the ST80 on it (yeah it's tiny, but it's there).  Even professional astronomers use the ST80 as a guidescope.

 

Jeff

[BlueTrane2028]

It's F/5.  ST-80's are not about aperture, they're about field of view and exit pupil.

 

Add a 2 inch focuser:

 

31 mm 82 degree = 6.0 degree at 6.2 mm at 12.9x

35 mm 68 degree = 5.5 degree at 7.0 mm at 11.4x

41 mm 68 degree = 6.6 degree at 8.2mm at 9.8x

 

These are very special views, a larger scope can't go those places.

 

With the stock 1.25 inch focuser, it'll do nearly 4 degrees with a 24mm SWA or a 32mm Plossl..

 

Is your objective cell metal or plastic?

 

Jon

It's got the more common plastic cell.

I gave the scope another run tonight, now that I have a more solid understanding of what it is and what to expect.  Spent a cold but happy couple hours out under the stars.

It's not going to unseat my larger reflectors, but I'm off the edge with it somewhat.  At the least, the investment is minimal, as is the space it takes up.  No reason it can't come along for any session.  The OneSky is tiny like that too, but it needs a table.  I like not dealing with the table.

Edited by BlueTrane2028, 11 December 2020 - 01:52 AM.

[erin]

Look at my post above.  See that 90 inch telescope? Look for the ST80 on it (yeah it's tiny, but it's there).  Even professional astronomers use the ST80 as a guidescope.

 

Jeff

I love that pic! It’s like a “where’s Waldo?”

Edited by erin, 11 December 2020 - 07:52 AM.

[Sarkikos]

A mouse riding an elephant.

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 11 December 2020 - 07:56 AM.

[kksmith]

A mouse riding an elephant.

 

Mike

Yeah....but the mouse is keeping the elephant on the path.

[Sarkikos]

Mice are like that.

 

Mike

[Voyager1]

So I thought I'd talked myself out of this. But an ED refractor is out of scope (pun intended) until 2 of my daughters are out of college.  So maybe this ST80 can fill in and be a keeper.

 

But every time I check the Orion site, they're in stock, then a few hours later... gone!

 

Anyway, I see Baader Hyperions are on sale. Would they be a good fit for this scope, or overkill?  Would the AT Paradigms or X-Cel LXs be just fine?  There's a tiny bit of FOV increase with the Baaders. Not sure it would be noticed.

 

Would the Baaders clean up the view at all?

 

I did find the Skywatcher Startravel 80 with AZ3 in stock.  Is this the same scope as the ST80?  Or is it better/worse?  Can the front dew shield be removed to get at the lenses, i.e., to blacken edges, maybe resettle, etc.?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Sarkikos]

 

Anyway, I see Baader Hyperions are on sale. Would they be a good fit for this scope, or overkill?  Would the AT Paradigms or X-Cel LXs be just fine?  There's a tiny bit of FOV increase with the Baaders. Not sure it would be noticed.

 

Would the Baaders clean up the view at all?

No eyepiece can clean up the view if the view if fouled up by the telescope.*  Get as well-corrected an eyepiece as you can afford.  It will work well in any scope you ever own.

 

*Well, there are some exceptions, such as the Pretoria eyepiece that brought coma correction for Newts, or eyepieces with field curvature which somewhat correct the field curvature of the telescope.  But in general, it's best start with a clean slate.  Why unnecessarily complicate things?

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 11 December 2020 - 01:37 PM.

[blastr42]

I love that pic! It’s like a “where’s Waldo?”

Lol, yeah.  When I told my friend that I was ordering one, he showed me that picture of where they use it.  It's on the 90 inch Spacewatch scope on Kitt Peak.  If it's good enough for them...

 

-Voyager1, Orion had it on back order when I sent in my order, and UPS has it dropping off today (WOOT)!  I wanted the Orion version that comes with tube rings (no fixed dovetail) and a normal finder scope (I hate red dot finders).  Orion seems to be shipping them out as fast as they get them from the factory.  Get in line, and I'm sure it'll work out.

 

Jeff

[jcj380]

But every time I check the Orion site, they're in stock, then a few hours later... gone!

 

 

Interesting.  I bought a Meade AdventureScope 80mm clone from Amazon a year or so ago.  Looks like they're gone.

[CHASLX200]

Anyone know what size rings the ST80 needs?  I have around 3.5" ID rings for my 90mm Orion and wonder if they are the same size.