383 replies to this topic

[PIEJr]

Bad joke.

I plan on contacting Astronomics about it.. with that said.

They’re an amazing co. First and foremost they have it in stock. It’s also my first purchase from them and they do everything right. I do wonder what sort of deal these companies make with fedex to have free shipping. Double/triple boxed and on my door step in 3 days. 
 

i commend those who set up a bigger scope than the 115 often. Recovering from a dislocated finger and sprained rib but these scopes are cumbersome to get mounted especially after flattener, camera, guide scope and camera. 
 

still working out some issues but initial night out imaging was overall great. A mostly flat field, pin point stars and no purple fringing made it a complete success. I have some cabling issues I need to sort out since all my lengths were set for a C8. I also used a new network cable but it’s way too stiff for the mount no matter what orientation I have it. Going to redo all my wiring anyhow. 
 

at115edt-1.jpg

So, I called Astronomics and my AT130EDT is on sale ($200 off) So the Cloudy Nights discount does not apply.

But heck, the sale price is probably better anyway.

Once I squeeze the trigger, and shot is on it's way. He told me it's one the FedEx truck and outta there.

He said I'd love the scope.

Wait... wait... wait... 

[aabusara]

 

So, I called Astronomics and my AT130EDT is on sale ($200 off) So the Cloudy Nights discount does not apply.
But heck, the sale price is probably better anyway.
Once I squeeze the trigger, and shot is on it's way. He told me it's one the FedEx truck and outta there.
He said I'd love the scope.
Wait... wait... wait...

I think that price is a steal. They were selling them for $1799 as far back as 2018. It is as if inflation never happened. I love my AT130EDT for imaging. My C8 and Askar FRA400 have been gathering dust ever since I got it. I am by no means an expert in optics, tilt, CA, etc. All I see are beautiful images coming out of those lenses. The details I am getting out of it based on what I am seeing are easily on par to what I see SCTs with much bigger aperture like C9.25 and even sometimes C11, despite having more than twice the focal length. I assume we hit Seeing limitations in most amateur backyards right around 1000mm in Focal length. The core of this nebula is less than 1arc minute across. There are other shots to see what the AT130EDT has been spitting out for me.

 

https://www.astrobin...sers/aabosarah/

 

 

Edited by aabusara, 08 May 2023 - 06:24 PM.

[PIEJr]

This target and result is something I always hoped to get. I wanted to get a "3D effect" and depth on M104. The AT130EDT delivered for me despite my novice post processing skills. I am sure someone can brighten then the outskirts of the galaxy better and get more details. I enjoy how the light from the core of the galaxy seems to cast a shadow and reflect off the circular dust lanes.

Well that sure is a great image.

Looks 3D-ish to me.

[PIEJr]

Well, I'm all excited seeing these pictures.

But... I have to wait.

So-K, that just means the moon will be less obnoxious when it does get here.

ETA Thurz-day. If Fed Ex comes through on time.

They don't have a great track record with me. Usually, a day late. 

[PIEJr]

FedEx gave me a scare. My scope arrived at Hutchins, TX and sat. 

Then it moved to Clint, TX. 

Then back to Hutchins. 

Finally, a day later it began moving West again. 

Tonight it is nearby, but set down again.

Hopefully, they can see their way clear to deliver tomorrow.

I have clear skies waiting. 

[Moondust]

FedEx gave me a scare. My scope arrived at Hutchins, TX and sat. 

Then it moved to Clint, TX. 

Then back to Hutchins. 

Finally, a day later it began moving West again. 

Tonight it is nearby, but set down again.

Hopefully, they can see their way clear to deliver tomorrow.

I have clear skies waiting. 

You have clear skies waiting? That won't do, Fedex will move it back to Hutchins until things cloud up.

[PIEJr]

There be Monsters out there!  

 

Arrived at 14:10 (2:10 PM) and I set about unboxing, then setting up this giant.

I transferred my hardware from the ED80T CF, the 14" Losmandy bar, my 7" Losmandy bar with the Guide scope and camera on it to the top of the rings, my ASI 1600mm Pro with the EFW, and the EAF focuser, and my StarTech powered USB hub

All told, ready in an hour.

There are a few things I'll tidy up as I go along, but all told it's ready for first light tonight. And the weather is going to be clear. So I covered it up so the clouds won't see it.

 

I mounted it to my GM811G HD Losmandy mount and balanced it. Then emailed Brian at Losmandy to see if they have any counterweights available because I need at least another 11 pound counter weight.

Hope they do so I can drive down and pick one up tomorrow.

 

OK, got to go play a bit, even though the RA isn't completely balanced. The DEC is fine.

I want to set the limits, or at least see how close things are.

 

 

[PIEJr]

You have clear skies waiting? That won't do, Fedex will move it back to Hutchins until things cloud up.

LOL!   

 

Too Late. I own it now.

 

But I do have it covered up.

Edited by PIEJr, 11 May 2023 - 07:54 PM.

[aabusara]

Well, I am jealous. I had nothing but clouds and rain for the last two weeks, and Astropheric says it will be nothing but clouds well into the next week. 

[PIEJr]

Well, I am jealous. I had nothing but clouds and rain for the last two weeks, and Astropheric says it will be nothing but clouds well into the next week. 

I'm sorry. 

But you know what they say in Real Estate,

It's Location, Location, Location....

 

Summer will get here one of these DayZ.

 

I still have to go and see for myself. Astropheric misses a lot here, too.

The Weather folks are the highest paid people who are consistently wrong that I know of.

 

When I started out 10 or so years ago, I was in the yard playing with my then new 80mm telescope. This one little cloud drifted across.

It stopped for about a minute looking down on me. Then continued on.

We had 6 solid weeks of closed in cloudiness after that little cloud told his friends I had a new telescope.

The person who invents a cloud filter for telescopes is going to be richer than Elon Musk. 

[PIEJr]

Anyone using an AT125 or AT130 on an AVX mount? If so, how "solid" is it?

Thank you.

It sank into the ground.... 

[Orion68]

Why is the AT125 doublet currently more expensive than the AT130 triplet?

[PhotogTom]

Why is the AT125 doublet currently more expensive than the AT130 triplet?

The AT125EDL uses FCD-100 glass with a Lanthanum mating lens - high end glass. The 130EDT is made with the FPL-51 equivalent glass, slightly less expensive.

 

Plus, the 130 is on sale right now.

[Jim in PA]

Why is the AT125 doublet currently more expensive than the AT130 triplet?

When not on sale, the 130EDT is about $100 more than the 125EDL.  The 125EDL now comes with a hard case too, like the 130EDT.

 

Meanwhile, the 102EDL is still on sale, and I'm sorely tempted

 

I didn't see it in Mike's e-mails, but the version 2 field flattener/focal reducer for the 130EDT is in stock.  Maybe I'd had bad luck every time I checked for one, but for about a year every time I checked they were "more on the way".  I'm not much of an imager at all, but I always like to have the stock ff/fr whenever I buy a refractor.  If anyone has been waiting on one, your ship has come in  

[Orion68]

I feel the temptation too Jim. Promised myself I was not going to buy another refractor, but the whole series; 102, 115, 125 is very appealing and a great bargain.

[aabusara]

When not on sale, the 130EDT is about $100 more than the 125EDL.  The 125EDL now comes with a hard case too, like the 130EDT.

 

Meanwhile, the 102EDL is still on sale, and I'm sorely tempted

 

I didn't see it in Mike's e-mails, but the version 2 field flattener/focal reducer for the 130EDT is in stock.  Maybe I'd had bad luck every time I checked for one, but for about a year every time I checked they were "more on the way".  I'm not much of an imager at all, but I always like to have the stock ff/fr whenever I buy a refractor.  If anyone has been waiting on one, your ship has come in

I ordered the V2 0.7x FF/FR on 5/14 and received it on 5/30 for the AT130EDT. Have not tried it yet. 

Edited by aabusara, 07 June 2023 - 06:22 PM.

[scout]

Astronomics sent out an email today saying the sale for the 115EDT and 130EDT ends this Friday, June 16. EDIT: The email says those EDTs go "off sale" on Friday. Not sure if that means the sale ends Thursday night or not.

Edited by scout, 14 June 2023 - 01:36 PM.

[RAKing]

I don't know if anyone else was bugged by this, but I was not happy that the rings were so short the dewshield could "clunk" against my dovetail when I was closing things up for the night.  So I found some spacer blocks in my junk box, put them under the rings, and am much happier with my 115EDT.

 

Cheers,

 

Ron

 

 

[BRCoz]

I don't know if anyone else was bugged by this, but I was not happy that the rings were so short the dewshield could "clunk" against my dovetail when I was closing things up for the night.  So I found some spacer blocks in my junk box, put them under the rings, and am much happier with my 115EDT.

 

Cheers,

 

Ron

 

A-T 115EDT 061523.JPG

Risers-2 061523.JPG

I had the same issue with 152EDT and made spacers.

Attached Thumbnails

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[PhotogTom]

I don't know if anyone else was bugged by this, but I was not happy that the rings were so short the dewshield could "clunk" against my dovetail when I was closing things up for the night.  So I found some spacer blocks in my junk box, put them under the rings, and am much happier with my 115EDT.

 

Cheers,

 

Ron

 

A-T 115EDT 061523.JPG

Risers-2 061523.JPG

I has similar concerns on my 130EDT when I changed to a longer Losmandy style plate/dovetail. I used spacers, about 3/32 of an inch, to add just enough space between the dew shield and the top of the dovetail to prevent contact. It was close and I 'might' have gotten away without, but adding a small amount of distance assured of no contact. I think I got slightly longer screws too - you want a few threads to be screwed into the rings for a good, strong hold.

[RAKing]

I has similar concerns on my 130EDT when I changed to a longer Losmandy style plate/dovetail. I used spacers, about 3/32 of an inch, to add just enough space between the dew shield and the top of the dovetail to prevent contact. It was close and I 'might' have gotten away without, but adding a small amount of distance assured of no contact. I think I got slightly longer screws too - you want a few threads to be screwed into the rings for a good, strong hold.

 

Yes, I changed my screws to M6 x 25mm and that length worked fine.  Long enough to go through the spacer and hold, but not so long they poked through the felt inner liner and scratched the OTA.

 

Ron

[sw196060]

Interesting.   My AT125EDL does not have that problem.  Apparently, the rings stand off farther from the plate.

[PhotogTom]

Interesting.   My AT125EDL does not have that problem.  Apparently, the rings stand off farther from the plate.

Same with my 102EDL - the mounting surface on the rings stands a little farther away from the tube, so plenty of clearance there.

[scout]

Interesting.   My AT125EDL does not have that problem.  Apparently, the rings stand off farther from the plate.

Same with my 102EDL - the mounting surface on the rings stands a little farther away from the tube, so plenty of clearance there.

My 102EDL too. The rings/plate is different on the EDL and EDT series.

[cbowlsby]

Great tip on the spacer blocks for the 115EDT, thank you!!