601 replies to this topic

[KWB]

Another revelation was that I can live, easily, without using my 2" eyepieces on this scope.  This relieves me of changing tension when changing between 2" and 1.25" eyepieces.  The 24mm Panoptic gives up nothing other than FOV to my 28mm AT UWA...and my 21 Ethos is just too heavy to drop into the back end, despite the amazing views.  From the 24mm Pan (23x/2.9 deg FOV), I am most likely dropping right down to my 10mm Delos (56x/1.3 deg FOV) which is a 1.25" eyepiece. I have been mulling over the idea of getting a 1.25" diagonal to further aid with balance, but I've spent a bundle on this rig already...so need to really decide before I just act to try it out....any reasons why not to get a 1.25" diagonal?

 

 

 

AT-80EDL.jpg

Alan

 

I have been fighting that battle will my AT60 and am happier with using an 1.25 diagonal with my 24mm/65 eyepiece. The TFOV is plenty large enough (4.33 degrees) from my suburban location. The telescope balances far easier and is noticeably lighter to pick up and take outdoors. I still have the 2 inch option for a dark sky location.

 

I'm not willing to lose 1 degree TFOV by using the 1.25 24mm/65 (2.79 degrees) versus my 2 inch 30mm/70 (3.75 degrees) with my 80mm scope. I no longer have my ST80.

 

It all depends on what one wants and how one uses their telescope.

[Scott in NC]

My first complaint about the AT80EDL: we’ve had mostly crappy weather ever since I bought it, and I’m blaming this on the scope.  It looks really nice sitting in its new case, but surely I bought it so I could do more than just admire it in its new home!
 

[Scott in NC]

Or maybe it’s the case that I bought that brought the bad weather, and not the scope.  Come to think of it, it was warmer and clearer soon after I bought the AT80EDL, and it’s only been within the past several days that I’ve been unable to use it.

 

On a more serious note though, in response to some of the earlier posts in this thread, I’ve not come across any issues with balancing this scope while using a 2” diagonal with Pentax XWs.  I’ve been using this scope with a DM4 mount (which is pretty insensitive to deviations from a perfectly balanced state) as well as a UA Unistar (which is a little more sensitive, although not overly so, to balance issues).

[KWB]

I don't have any balance issues either of these two new eyepieces to my lineup. One of them is a 2 incher and both terrific performers so far in limited usage with this little EDL.

 

[Scott in NC]

Kenny, what brand are those?  I don’t think I’ve seen them before.

[wrvond]

Kenny, what brand are those?  I don’t think I’ve seen them before.

Isn't Meade the only company with Series 5000 eyepieces?

 

 

Edit: Answering my own question - apparently they are.

Edited by wrvond, 12 February 2023 - 10:36 PM.

[KWB]

The Meade 5000 UHD series. As far as I have learned they are cosmetically different from the APM UFF series but duplicate the performance. The 24mm 1.25 inch is a fantastic eyepiece though on the slightly large size. It's the only eyepiece this glass wearer has ever used in comfort. Goes about as wide as a 32mm plossl with more magnification and darkens the sky with a smaller exit pupil. The eyepiece of choice with my AT 60ED.

 

I think plenty has been repeated here about the 30mm UFF. Having that type performance is an asset for me though the ER is a bit disappointing.

[Scott in NC]

Isn't Meade the only company with Series 5000 eyepieces?

Yeah, you’re right.  I found the answer by googling “30mm 70 degree eyepiece.”  I should have known they were Meades by the labeling, but the color threw me off, and so I thought they were a new brand that I hadn’t heard of before.

[KWB]

Isn't Meade the only company with Series 5000 eyepieces?

 

 

Edit: Answering my own question - apparently they are, and these EPs run about $130.00.

Try again. I paid $280 for the 24mm and $300 for the 30mm.

[Scott in NC]

Sorry guys—I didn’t really mean to lead this topic astray, but was curious about the eyepieces.  Then again, we were discussing eyepieces used in an AT80EDL, so I guess we’re still okay.

[wrvond]

Try again. I paid $280 for the 24mm and $300 for the 30mm.

Easy there, Killer. I had already edited it while you were typing. 

[KWB]

I'm the the one that started with the eyepieces, Scott. These are sizeable eyepiece and balance is relevant to the topic.

 

We are OK here, I do believe, my friend. 

[KWB]

Easy there, Killer. I had already edited it while you were typing. 

Be quick or be gone. 

[Scott in NC]

I don’t think I’ve tried anything heavier than a 30mm Pentax XW (690 g, or 1.52 lbs.) in a 2” diagonal with my AT80EDL on the mounts mentioned above.  And as I mentioned above, I didn’t notice any balance issues.

[KWB]

The 30mm UHD weighs about the same as what that XW does. Surely not 31T5 Nagler territory but heavy enough for a good test.

[wrvond]

Kind of apples to oranges, but in order to balance mine with the N31T5 I had to move the rings back pretty far and then move the plate up in the saddle a bit:

 

[Alan S]

Or maybe it’s the case that I bought that brought the bad weather, and not the scope.  Come to think of it, it was warmer and clearer soon after I bought the AT80EDL, and it’s only been within the past several days that I’ve been unable to use it.

 

On a more serious note though, in response to some of the earlier posts in this thread, I’ve not come across any issues with balancing this scope while using a 2” diagonal with Pentax XWs.  I’ve been using this scope with a DM4 mount (which is pretty insensitive to deviations from a perfectly balanced state) as well as a UA Unistar (which is a little more sensitive, although not overly so, to balance issues).

The balance issue for me is mostly solved/not noticeable as the SV M2C holds it just fine, with sufficient tension on the altitude axis.  If the scope itself were closer to being truly balanced, I could use less tension for slightly easier motion of the mount.  If you walked up and moved the mount around you’d say it was operating fine, which it is.  But it is not actually balanced; it’s just the mount has sufficient capacity for me to be within some functional tension range…and fortunately there are no motors to strain here like on a GEM.

 

images in the post above show this scope balanced.  Note how far forward the scope is, placing the focus knobs over the saddle…granted it’s the terminagler

 

Im very close to pulling the trigger on a 1.25 diagonal, both for balance, and overall weight savings on this grab and go.  I can always swap in a 2” if I need it.

 

Alan

Edited by Alan S, 12 February 2023 - 11:32 PM.

[iKMN]

I just ordered mine and it's coming Thursday and we have excellent weather this week and new moon coming too.  I have the same mount and tripod as OP, I can't wait.  I miss having an 80mm scope for quick views.  I will probably get the amazon case for $23 as well.  

 

I'm saving up for the 125 EDL... I think it will be in budget about Sept/Oct just in time for our Florida rainy, cloud season to end.

 

I'll post more when I get the 80EDL.

 

cheers

 

K

[Alan S]

I just ordered mine and it's coming Thursday and we have excellent weather this week and new moon coming too.  I have the same mount and tripod as OP, I can't wait.  I miss having an 80mm scope for quick views.  I will probably get the amazon case for $23 as well.  

 

I'm saving up for the 125 EDL... I think it will be in budget about Sept/Oct just in time for our Florida rainy, cloud season to end.

 

I'll post more when I get the 80EDL.

 

cheers

 

K

Congratulations! Let me know if you want the link to the gasket material I ordered to make the gasket between the M2C column and the carbon fiber tripod’s metal top…I really feel it helped!

 

Alan

[iKMN]

Congratulations! Let me know if you want the link to the gasket material I ordered to make the gasket between the M2C column and the carbon fiber tripod’s metal top…I really feel it helped!

 

Alan

I guess I don't have the same tripod as you... I have the metal tripod from Celestron the same as on an EQ6.  I do actually want to get a smaller tripod\mount for this scope down the road but the M2C is going to be great for now.  The scope is coming tmrw and I can't wait.  I will post pics soon.  I really like these AT scopes, I've had the 72EDII, the 102EDL and a 115EDT over about a ten year span.  The plan.. is the 80EDL and 125EDL to go with the C11.  I really loved my 102EDL but I want an 80 and 125 so the others had to go.

 

Cheers

 

K

[Scott in NC]

The plan.. is the 80EDL and 125EDL to go with the C11.  I really loved my 102EDL but I want an 80 and 125 so the others had to go.

I think you’ll find the AT80EDL and the AT125EDL to be a good match.  Despite the fondness that I feel for my 102mm apo, I find that I use my 80mm and 128mm apos much more frequently.

[KWB]

I think you’ll find the AT80EDL and the AT125EDL to be a good match.  Despite the fondness that I feel for my 102mm apo, I find that I use my 80mm and 128mm apos much more frequently.

Scott

 

I can't say that I disagree with your logic but I'm going in a different direction that I think will work for me. My 80EDL replaced three existing refractors I had on hand, two of which were short in focal length. The EDL will now serve primarily in the low power, wide field mode I so much favor for a big chunk of my viewing pleasure.

 

But 80mm of aperture is still just 80mm of aperture and I want to step up my game with a noticeable improvement in planetary and double star resolution. I believe I will get where I need to go using the AT102 EDL. I ordered one this afternoon. If this telescope is as well corrected as the 80EDL is, I'll be one happy camper. 

 

I am not yet ready from a financial nor from an ergonomic standpoint due to the correspondingly larger mount required, to step up to a 125mm class telescope to consistently use on a nightly basis. I'm not getting any younger. I feel very fortunate for what I already have.

[Scott in NC]

Kenny, I think we’re like minded on this issue.  It’s just that for me, when I want to use a larger scope than 80mm, I like jumping up to the 125-128mm range.  But the day will come when I don’t like handling a scope that large, and when that day comes, a 102mm refractor will suit me just fine.  That’s one reason I’m keeping a 102mm refractor around, even if I’m currently using it less than my 80mm and 128mm scopes.  And also like you, I feel very fortunate for what I already have.

[iKMN]

I got my AT80EDL today serial #40.  I used it tonight but got run off by clouds it was a short session.  I can see what ya'll are saying about the balance, I will have to play with mine in the tube rings.  Luckily the tension on the M2C I can find a sweet spot that holds the scope fine.

 

I only have 3 eyepieces at the moment... Pentax 23,16.5 and 7 XWs as I sorta was in a transition from APM XWAs to Pentax XWs.  I just sold some more stuff so I am going to place an order for another XW tmrw...  most likely the 10mm which I think will get a lot of use in this scope and will be a good planetary eyepiece for the C11.  

 

A few thoughts about the scope... well I knew what I was getting cause I've had the AT 72EDT II, 102EDL and 115EDT.   No offense to the 72 fans but it just always kept me wanting more aperture - in spite of it being a one hand out the door scope.  80mm is just perfect for GnG for me.  

 

Well, I've always had issues with field curvature for my eyes with short FL refractors but the 23 Pentax seems like my eyes can accommodate and I can get a good focused image with this scope in the eyepiece.  So I could be happy with this as sorta widest field of view 2" eyepiece for "my eyes".  I haven't crunched numbers but its probably something over 3 TFOV.   I eventually want to get a 40XW for my C11 and I probably will try it in the 80EDL - maybe just large nebula with a filter will be good?

 

I looked at a few DSO... Double Cluster - Orion Nebula - Caroline's Rose - split the double star in Gemini either Castor or Pollux I forget which is which.  It was pretty much just a test run cause like "clouds".

 

Some thoughts on the viewing... double cluster looked great in the 16.5mm... there is a group of stars that look like a trapezium between the two main clusters and I can see all 4 stars one of them is really dim (In an 80mm scope) but it's there so I was pleased.   One of the stars is orange\yellow and you can see the color too which is also great.   The 7mm is a bit too much power for this DSO so I think the 10mm will be my next EP.

 

M42 was impressive with the 7mm - the trapezium was easily seen and split - I could swear I could see one of either the E or F stars blinking in and out.

 

Carolines Rose was nice in the 16.5mm you could see some resolving of stars it was faint but present.  The 7mm was just too much for this target in my sky. 

 

I had a really nice clean split of double star in Gemini.

 

Anyway love the scope and eyepieces.   I'm going to get that cheap case in this thread and use the foam from the packing and maybe over the summer try and grab a smaller\tripod\mount for it but it's still easy setup on my M2C.

 

cheers

 

Kristian

 

 

 

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[KWB]

Kristian

 

Welcome to the 80EDL club. 

 

My scope serial number is 00011. This has become my grab and go wide field viewing telescope of choice. I like the F/7 focal ratio for lessened field curvature, eyepiece astigmatism and greater magnification capability over my AT60ED F/6 telescope. The added aperture makes it a slam dunk replacement for that telescope.

 

The double star in Gemini you split is Castor, pretty easy pickings with this telescope. I think you did well in choosing this telescope, my friend.