3 replies to this topic

[SkyfallerTac]

My current 8" ACF and 51mm Redcat cover me pretty well for widefield FOV and for narrow FOV for smaller objects (once it gets the 0.62 reducer bringing it to F/6~). What I would like is to have something to fill the frame with medium to large objects while still being able to image smaller objects at center of frame having to crop much less than the redcat..and hopefully getting more details out of them because of it.

 

The only OTA I can find that fits rather well and which I also have the opportunity of purchasing at a good price is the Evostar 80ED.

 

Per astronomy tools website FOV, it fits my requirements (see attached image) for fill-the-frame of M42/M45/M31 while still being able to image medium and smaller objects like M33 and IC434/IC443.

 

Evostar 80ED is also compatible as per the website's CCD suitability.. landing it right in the green zone ('ok seeing' since here in central florida, 'good seeing' is a cosmic accident) even with the 0.85x reducer so it'd also be a fantastic fit for my cameras (asi294mc pro & asi462mc).

 

Plus, I could also use it in conjunction with my other OTA's/cameras for guiding. I have another thread on this asking which camera to use/buy to best match the redcat/evo80 combo (

 

Are there any reasons not to go for this telescope as far the FOV and image quality I'd get out of it? Any real good reasons to go for it?

 

 

Thanks!

[drd715]

That little 80mm ED Evostar is a nice scope especially for the price. Maybe a bit slower at F-7.5, but certainly good quality for a good price.  You could go to the Esprit 100mm at a similar focal length (faster, more resolution, nearly the same fl),  but the cost is a big step up.  You do get the flattener and some other goodies with it though. 

[SilverLitz]

My mid size target champ is my Esprit 100 reduced to 413mm & f/4.13 (2019 version of TSAPORED075; no longer made).  This is terrific up to APS-C sensor size:

 

Here is my M31, using the Esprit with the QHY268M, apologies if it is too blue for your taste:

 

 

For smaller targets, it works great with the smaller pixel / smaller sensor 183mm-Pro.

Edited by SilverLitz, 05 January 2022 - 02:34 PM.

[licho52]

I have a 91FLT between my Redcat51 and RC 8".  Esprit 100 would be also a good choice (I had terrible luck with them, trying to get a good one without pinched optics).

 

I wouldn't go with SW80ED, it's well past its prime.  It's slower than my RC....Not a good buy with so many options available.  It's not even that cheap.