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Thinking about upgrade from Star Travel 102

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#1 ddbufalo

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Posted 31 October 2024 - 03:13 PM

I currently have a SkyWatcher Star Travel 102 for deep sky images. I also have a Samyang 135mm for larger deep sky objects.

 

I am thinking about an upgrade for the 102, but still reasonably priced ~ $1200ish. The ZWO FF65 looks attractive with a good price. The focal length looks good for me, and I don't feel that I need a reducer, since I have the Samyang for larger objects. My camera 533mc, guide scope, and guide camera are ZWO, and I use the ASI Air mini. I've been happy with them.

 

I'm interested in any suggestions.



#2 scanner97

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Posted 31 October 2024 - 04:09 PM

There are plenty of great smaller ED refractors for imaging.  What are using for a mount?



#3 sevenofnine

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Posted 31 October 2024 - 04:19 PM

This one from our sponsor gets lot of forum recommendations for AP and grab-n-go visual. Good luck! borg.gif

 

https://astronomics....-ota-fpl-53-f-6.



#4 ddbufalo

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Posted 31 October 2024 - 05:32 PM

I use the Sky Watcher AZ GTi as my mount in equatorial mode with Williams wedge. I've been quite happy with it.



#5 Sacred Heart

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Posted 01 November 2024 - 02:46 AM

I currently have a SkyWatcher Star Travel 102 for deep sky images. I also have a Samyang 135mm for larger deep sky objects.

 

I am thinking about an upgrade for the 102, but still reasonably priced ~ $1200ish. The ZWO FF65 looks attractive with a good price. The focal length looks good for me, and I don't feel that I need a reducer, since I have the Samyang for larger objects. My camera 533mc, guide scope, and guide camera are ZWO, and I use the ASI Air mini. I've been happy with them.

 

I'm interested in any suggestions.

 

 

I use the Sky Watcher AZ GTi as my mount in equatorial mode with Williams wedge. I've been quite happy with it.

I guess there is nothing wrong with the FF65, but to be honest if you want to up grade from a 102mm scope I would think about upgrading the mount first.  With a bigger mount you will have more scopes to choose from.  

 

To me in astronomy, it begins and ends with the mount / tripod.  All things, mounts included have their top end specifications, the most it can reasonably / safely handle.  I know that asking to go $500 over your budget is huge, but if you were to get an AM3 it would open up choices for you.  However I do not know what your goals are, but usually the first real upgrade is the mount.

 

Just me,   Joe


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#6 ddbufalo

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Posted 01 November 2024 - 09:07 AM

Thanks Joe. That is helpful.



#7 scanner97

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Posted 01 November 2024 - 10:09 AM

I agree with Joe that the most important piece of equipment for imaging is generally the mount, and that should get the biggest chunk of the budget - at least when building a rig from scratch.  On the other hand, if your AZ GTi is working ok for you at this point, and what you want most to improve is the lack of color correction on your 102, you can do that by going with a decent ED scope.  It could be an ED doublet, or something with more elements, depending on how much you want to spend.  The main thing will be to keep the weight at or under your current weight, otherwise you may suddenly become unhappy with the mount's performance.

 

When thinking about the optics, you'll get a major improvement in color correction over your 102 going to even a decent ED doublet.  The color improvement from a doublet to a triplet or better will be much less.  (It will also depend on the type of ED glass used, but that's still fairly small differences compared to the improvement from using any ED glass at all.) 

 

If you go to a corrected astrograph like the FF65, the biggest additional benefit (which you are definitely paying for) will be a flatter field over a wider imaging circle.  Since you're using a 533, which has a modest sensor, you won't notice that right now.  If you're thinking about getting a larger (perhaps APS-C size) sensor camera and want to future proof, this would be more important to think about.  (Although you can generally add a field flattener later if you need to.)

 

And Petval designs, which the FF65 is and which you also pay for, will make it unnecessary to worry about backfocus.   


Edited by scanner97, 01 November 2024 - 10:11 AM.


#8 ddbufalo

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Posted 03 November 2024 - 12:08 PM

Thank you all for your thoughts. I am still deciding whether it is worth it to upgrade. I've run across a new SVBONY SV550 APO Triplet Refractor 80mm F6 with field flattener for $670 including tax and shipping. Seems like a pretty good deal, although it's still a chunk of change.




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