146 replies to this topic

[BrentKnight]

Happy to hear your ok. Sad you have to reallocate funds...

[Obs30]

Looks like I might end up canceling my pre-order

 

Was in a head-on collision (no serious injuries) and the money I had stashed away for this will be going towards a replacement car.

Hope you got better.

[Obs30]

Just received an e-mail from my Swiss telescope dealer. The ZWO 130FF has arrived and is ready for delivery. :-)

 

I should have it in my hands early next week.

Edited by Obs30, 29 July 2023 - 03:20 PM.

[Obs30]

Here it is. It’s a beauty …. and a beast 

 

Extremely well done. No plastic… Enjoy the pics :-)

 

To get started, I had put it on the iOptron AZM Pro. It will go on the M-Uno for imaging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Obs30, 31 July 2023 - 11:44 AM.

[Obs30]

The FF130 is very well built! The case is heavy duty! I am amazed at this level of quality. Worth every penny.

 

The carrying case is barely big enough to fit the scope. You have to remove all adapters, camera etc and fully retract the dew shield to make it fit.

 

The scope is pretty “front heavy”. In order to balance the telescope with my camera, OAG and filter drawer, I had to push the mounting rings a bit towards the lens. Since the dew shield could not completely retract in this state anymore, I could not put it back in the case until I pushed the rings back and then be able to fully retract the dew shield. Not a big deal… just a little bit extra handling every time to get set up.

 

I still need to check, if I can cut out the foam to make an electric focuser fit. I might have to get a long padded bag for temporary storage and “only” use the case for transport to a dark site. …. To be continued.

Edited by Obs30, 01 August 2023 - 07:26 AM.

[BrentKnight]

I figured out really quickly I didn't want to assemble the 130 every time I wanted to use it.  Perhaps something like this would work for you...

 

 

TeleGizmo cover for 5"-6" EQ mounted refractor

[brazzo229]

Hi 

 

I've had the askar for a few weeks now and was able to take some photos for two nights. It's a really good quality device, the mechanics etc. are certainly even better than my Esprit 100ED, the imaging quality is very good and the colour error is similarly low as with the Esprit. The stars are nicely rounded over the whole image. So far very satisfied, it is a little slower but the resolution is very good, my AM5 also carries the weight without problems, I have mounted a counterweight of 2.5kg.

 

Here are the first two images, both only 150 minutes exposure time with the ASI 2600MC.

 

Full resolution can be found on astrobin.

 

 

https://www.astrobin.com/mlw2bt/

 

 

 

https://www.astrobin.com/pkf8l7/

 

 

CS Sascha

[Obs30]

I figured out really quickly I didn't want to assemble the 130 every time I wanted to use it.  Perhaps something like this would work for you...

 

 

 

TeleGizmo cover for 5"-6" EQ mounted refractor

Thanks. Yes, I have a similar Alu-coated cover. That works for when we have a good week or so. Not really for permanent use.

[Obs30]

 

…

Here are the first two images, both only 150 minutes exposure time with the ASI 2600MC.

…

 

 

Beautiful! Great!

[Obs30]

I figured out really quickly I didn't want to assemble the 130 every time I wanted to use it.  Perhaps something like this would work for you...

 

Do you have enough clearance between the tripod and the scope when pointing at the zenith? I still have to check this on my M-Uno.

[BrentKnight]

Thanks. Yes, I have a similar Alu-coated cover. That works for when we have a good week or so. Not really for permanent use.

I've had it out there for two months. I live on the Gulf Coast and we've had monsoon like rains and wind. Absolutely no issues so far.

[BrentKnight]

Do you have enough clearance between the tripod and the scope when pointing at the zenith? I still have to check this on my M-Uno.

I have enough clearance, but I watch it closely and don't go beyond about 15 degrees past the meridian. My next upgrade will be a pier though...

[NoDarkSkies]

 

Here it is. It’s a beauty …. and a beast 

 

Extremely well done. No plastic… Enjoy the pics :-)

 

To get started, I had put it on the iOptron AZM Pro. It will go on the M-Uno for imaging.

I would like to click on your photos to get a better look but I get this "You do not have permission to view this image"
 

[Obs30]

I would like to click on your photos to get a better look but I get this "You do not have permission to view this image"

Here you go. Try it now. Should be allowed now.

Edited by Obs30, 01 August 2023 - 05:56 PM.

[Obs30]

I have enough clearance, but I watch it closely and don't go beyond about 15 degrees past the meridian. My next upgrade will be a pier though...

That’s my experience with these long scopes.  You don’t really know it until you try it

[Obs30]

I've had it out there for two months. I live on the Gulf Coast and we've had monsoon like rains and wind. Absolutely no issues so far.

Wow. Good to know! Thanks for the tip.  I would not do that with the cover I have now!

[BrentKnight]

That’s my experience with these long scopes.  You don’t really know it until you try it

Do you plan to use the reducer?  I didn't get one with my 130PHQ, but the 80PHQ I got a month later came with one.  I'm not sure I really want to mess with them though as it's so nice just swapping out cameras at will and changing focus.

[Obs30]

Do you plan to use the reducer?  I didn't get one with my 130PHQ, but the 80PHQ I got a month later came with one.  I'm not sure I really want to mess with them though as it's so nice just swapping out cameras at will and changing focus.

The reducer is coming in two to three weeks.  I will have to see.  There are mixed reviews (Nico and Luke).  I will try it once I have it. Yes, it comes down to ease of use!

[Obs30]

....

 

The scope is pretty “front heavy”. In order to balance the telescope with my camera, OAG and filter drawer, I had to push the mounting rings a bit towards the lens. Since the dew shield could not completely retract in this state anymore, I could not put it back in the case until I pushed the rings back and then be able to fully retract the dew shield. 

....

OK... I ran a few more tests today. I do NOT have to move the mounting rings anymore. I can well balance the telescope now with the camera (ASI294MC) and the OAG+filter drawer being attached. I can get the scope in and out of the carrying case without moving the rings.

 

I guess the problem before was, that I was testing with an eyepiece only. That configuration did not add enough weight at the end for a good balance.

 

If you have a filter wheel and bigger camera than me, the balancing will be even easier.

Edited by Obs30, 05 August 2023 - 01:50 PM.

[Obs30]

So far, the experience with the FF130 is outstanding. Super sharp images … and lots of light. Very high quality optics and mechanics.

 

The 0.7 reducers arrived today. Equally, a “monster”! Nice. When being installed, it basically disappears inside the focuser tube and is being screwed on with the M77 thread. Outside, towards the camera, are the same multiple threaded options as without the reducer, i.e. M68, M54, and M48.

 

I will make first shots with the reducer hopefully tonight or in the next few days.

 

 

A little note: While being obvious, it is a “new” experience for me to see perfectly round stars … and a lot of them, on the OAG imaging chip.

[BrentKnight]

So far, the experience with the FF130 is outstanding. Super sharp images … and lots of light. Very high quality optics and mechanics.

 

The 0.7 reducers arrived today. Equally, a “monster”! Nice. When being installed, it basically disappears inside the focuser tube and is being screwed on with the M77 thread. Outside, towards the camera, are the same multiple threaded options as without the reducer, i.e. M68, M54, and M48.

 

I will make first shots with the reducer hopefully tonight or in the next few days.

 

 

 

A little note: While being obvious, it is a “new” experience for me to see perfectly round stars … and a lot of them, on the OAG imaging chip.

I have the reducer for my Askar80PHQ.  It's a really clever design the way it hides in the focuser.  I still don't think I'll ever use it though...

[JSTAR0057]

>>We've confirmed with ZWO that all their scopes will come with a hard case. Our site has been updated as well.

 

ZWO has just informed us that the 65mm and 80mm scopes will NOT include a hard case, contrary to what they told us earlier; only the 107 and 130mm scopes will.

 

And only the 130mm scope has a Losmandy wide "D" plate. The others have the slimmer Vixen rails.

 

Regards,

Manish

AgenaAstro.com

I received my ZWO FF107 last week, with a hard case and the slim vixen/dovetail. The reducer is coming later. i pre-ordered directly from ZWO. The hard case is nice, but I am upgrading to a Losmandy plate mainly so I can work on my scope on a table without it tipping over. lol

[NoDarkSkies]

 

Hi 

 

I've had the askar for a few weeks now and was able to take some photos for two nights. It's a really good quality device, the mechanics etc. are certainly even better than my Esprit 100ED, the imaging quality is very good and the colour error is similarly low as with the Esprit. The stars are nicely rounded over the whole image. So far very satisfied, it is a little slower but the resolution is very good, my AM5 also carries the weight without problems, I have mounted a counterweight of 2.5kg.

 

Here are the first two images, both only 150 minutes exposure time with the ASI 2600MC.

 

Full resolution can be found on astrobin.

 

https://www.astrobin.com/mlw2bt/

 

https://www.astrobin.com/pkf8l7/

 

CS Sascha

 

Do you maybe have a link to a larger file size to review the Stars?

Thanks

[ssnolan]

Hi,

 

i have an older eq6 and wonder if you think I could mange imaging with one of these 130’s??

 

I also have a zwo 6200mc, and filters, just only this smaller mount as of now.

 

I had passed along my eq8 and hd 925, but kept the imagine related bits so I could downsize.

 

anyway - that’s my question, any concerns about the eq6.

 

thanks

[Domerman]

Hi,

i have an older eq6 and wonder if you think I could mange imaging with one of these 130’s??

I also have a zwo 6200mc, and filters, just only this smaller mount as of now.

I had passed along my eq8 and hd 925, but kept the imagine related bits so I could downsize.

anyway - that’s my question, any concerns about the eq6.

thanks

My eq6 handles the ts photoline 130 with relative ease. It is however permanently mounted on a steel pier and I use the 2600 air duo to guide. RMS anywhere from 0.25 to 0.75 at a focal length of about 730 mm. Hope this helps.