169 replies to this topic

[sw196060]

I am wondering if anyone uses an AP Stowaway for just visual use??

I think it is a perfect size for a GnG visual scope with great optics. However it seems the lions share of users are for imaging.

[Auburn80]

Raising hand . . . .
Use it fairly often at low, medium and high powers - terrestrial, solar system and deep sky.

[SilverLitz]

It is great for imaging as well.  With the 92FF, my Stowaway is good on full-frame QHY600M.

[chuckles]

I've used mine for the last year and a half for visual only and mostly before that as well. Because of my current place in life, it's probably my most used scope. It also goes on just about every vacation. I've had better than expected views of M101 from upstate Maine and high power Jupiter views from Florida. Quite an amazing little scope! It's excellent for imaging too, but because of the fabulous visual ergonomics of the Stowaway I've retired it from that use for the time being.

[ichdien]

I use my Stowaway exclusively for visual just as I've used its predecessor, an AP Traveler, since 1995.  

[betacygni]

Just from years of watching Stowaway forum posts I’d say it’s the opposite, most users get it for visual I suspect.

90mm class is indeed the ideal grab and go visual scope size in my experience. Surpassing 80mm significantly in performance but at a negligible size penalty. 100mm class scopes on the other hand don’t perform much better than 90mm for the significant size/weight and increased mount size penalty.

Edited by betacygni, 06 December 2024 - 10:37 PM.

[paulh83]

I am 100% visual only for mine. 

[Phil Cowell]

Never had an eyepiece in mine. Augmented observing and imaging only.

[Polyphemos]

My Stowaway is a strictly visual.

[Dave Novoselsky]

Just from years of watching Stowaway forum posts I’d say it’s the opposite, most users get it for visual I suspect.

90mm class is indeed the ideal grab and go visual scope size in my experience. Surpassing 80mm significantly in performance but at a negligible size penalty. 100mm class scopes on the other hand don’t perform much better than 90mm for the significant size/weight and increased mount size penalty.

Excellent assessment which I agree with.  Despite the overwhelming emphasis on AP today, I would not underestimate the number of us who remain purely visual users.  I also agree that the 90mm class is the sweet spot albeit as much as I enjoy my AT 90 CFT, my Takahashi FC 100 DC is not in danger of an immediate sale.

Edited by Dave Novoselsky, 06 December 2024 - 11:59 PM.

[sw196060]

It seems a Tak FC100 is not much of an increase in

bulk, with a bit more aperture too. 

[Spikey131]

The Tak FC-100 DF is almost 7” longer than the Stowaway.

 

That is a lot more bulk to me. 
 

I have a Stowaway on the way which will be used exclusively for visual astronomy.

[CHASLX200]

I am wondering if anyone uses an AP Stowaway for just visual use??

I think it is a perfect size for a GnG visual scope with great optics. However it seems the lions share of users are for imaging.

I would. Slap in a 21mm ethos and sweep away.

[t.r.]

Visual only with mine. Fantastic g-n-g, travel and Quick Look scope. May be the last scope I keep using in old age, when that comes.

[alejandrocarelli]

I count myself in, visual 98%.

 

Maybe a few shots from time to time.

[Cliff C]

Visual only for me as well.

[Jeff Gardner]

I'm visual only with all my scopes and my Stowaway has taken over as the scope that gets the majority of star time. Prior to getting the Stowaway, my TV-85 was the scope I used most often. I own a few others, AP Traveler, NP-101, etc. The Stowaway is the perfect sweet spot most used scope for me.

[bobhen]

Just from years of watching Stowaway forum posts I’d say it’s the opposite, most users get it for visual I suspect.

90mm class is indeed the ideal grab and go visual scope size in my experience. Surpassing 80mm significantly in performance but at a negligible size penalty. 100mm class scopes on the other hand don’t perform much better than 90mm for the significant size/weight and increased mount size penalty.

Not too sure about that. My 100mm Takahashi FC-100DF OTA at 6.3 pounds weighs almost a pound less than the Stowaway and has 8mm more aperture as well. Be interesting to see how they perform visually side-by-side. 

 

Bob

[sw196060]

The reason I ask is that I just from AP that a Stowaway
has my name onit!
I haven't decided yet. $4300 is a lot for 92mm of aperture.

[k5apl]

I use my Stowaway 92 for visual only.  Never had a camera attached.  Almost exclusively with binoviewers.  

 

A few years ago at Texas Star Party, in the dark, a stranger wandered up and looked through my scope.  His comment was:  "Wow, what kind of scope is this"?   Enough said.

 

Wes

[CreatorsHand]

The reason I ask is that I just from AP that a Stowaway
has my name onit!
I haven't decided yet. $4300 is a lot for 92mm of aperture.

I assume that you meant to say that you just got an email from Astro-physics...

 

It is true that $4300 is a lot of money for 92mm of aperture; I felt the same way about the 110GTX I just purchased (with nothing but clouds since and in the forecast...), but went ahead because everything I have read about A-P scopes is that they punch above their weight (aperture) class. The question to ask now that you know so many people are using a Stowaway for visual, is how many that are doing so regret their purchase. The way I look at it is this: what do you have to lose? If you can reasonably afford it, and want one of the best scopes of that size class, buy it. If you get it, and truly believe that it isn't worth the money you spent, there is any number of people here on CN that will happily give you what you paid for it (and maybe a little more) to take it off your hands. If you are happy with what you have, and don't know what all the fuss is all about, and don't care to find out, pass on it, and the next guy on the list will thank you. You may never get another chance to own a new Stowaway; make your decision wisely.

 

Paul

[Sean Cunneen]

The reason I ask is that I just from AP that a Stowaway
has my name onit!
I haven't decided yet. $4300 is a lot for 92mm of aperture.

Congratulations!

 

My Stowaway is by far my smallest scope, and I did not think I would use it much, but it is by far my most used scope. It does everything and shows a shocking amount of detail to a trained eye. I compare it to a 10" reflector. Truly an amazing instrument. And when you are ready to try imaging, it steps right up to the plate. The best part is, all of the hard stuff about imaging, the spacing, tilt in the optical train etc is not there. It is expensive, but truly "buy once cry once" applies and the result is worth the expense.

 

Sean

[RichA]

Side issue;  Alan French used an original Stowaway for birding and said it handily beat the top spotting scopes.  So technically, the Stowaway is a 24hr a day scope.

[Alan French]

I still use my Stowaway for birding and astronomy. It has provided fine views in both realms and given me a lot of pleasure for more than a quarter of a century now. I'm now well retired and hoping my eyesight will allow me another decade or more of enjoying it. 

 

Clear skies, Alan

[sw196060]

Yup, I got the email from AP.
I am also retired now so I need to choose big purchases
wisely.