40 replies to this topic

[WorldSwirl]

Just noticed this message on High Point Scientific, “Sky-Watcher has discontinued the Sky-Watcher 150mm Esprit Refractor, and we are out of stock.”

I bought one about a year ago and love it for AP.

[Refractor6]

 Wow...that was their flagship scope when released in 2012. The one I tested back then had simply outstanding optics.

 

 Wonder if it has anything to do with what the new price in the US will be with the tariffs...oh well.

[lumos]

I also have and love the Esprit 150. I was looking at First Light Optics and they show all Esprits as unavailable. I wonder if Skywatcher has abandoned the whole series. I was thinking about adding the Esprit 120 but I guess I will have to make do with the Tak TSA-120 now.

[amoy]

Maybe new esprit edx is coming. 

 

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[MaxN]

Skywatcher discontinued the Esprit line a while ago. UK retailers have been selling them at a discount since the announcement.

[Refractor6]

Maybe new esprit edx is coming. 

 Maybe...but no 120 or 150 it appears if that's the case.

[skyward_eyes]

We will provide information once more is available. 

[skyward_eyes]

 Maybe...but no 120 or 150 it appears if that's the case.

You will have to wait and see.

[Drothgeb]

I also have and love the Esprit 150. I was looking at First Light Optics and they show all Esprits as unavailable. I wonder if Skywatcher has abandoned the whole series. I was thinking about adding the Esprit 120 but I guess I will have to make do with the Tak TSA-120 now.

 

Skywatcher discontinued the Esprit line a while ago. UK retailers have been selling them at a discount since the announcement.

I already had one 150. But then noticed that FLO was selling them for way less than half price, so I bought another one. Supposedly, it was FLO’s last 150. 
 

Skywatcher, please fix the dew cap on the new models. 

[lumos]

I already had one 150. But then noticed that FLO was selling them for way less than half price, so I bought another one. Supposedly, it was FLO’s last 150. 
 

Skywatcher, please fix the dew cap on the new models. 

The last price they listed was £3499 down from £5000. Are you saying that you paid less than £2500? That seems astonishing.

[MrRoberts]

I really liked my 120. 

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[Jon_Doh]

I hope they're revising their line to stay competitive.  It would be great if they updated and improved the Evostar line too.

[25585]

Maybe a combined reducer and flattener, or the latter built-in?

[Refractor6]

  Since almost everything on the market is about imaging these days I suspect whatever they have in mind for changes will cater to that crowd directly more than those who do visual observing. 

[lumos]

  Since almost everything on the market is about imaging these days I suspect whatever they have in mind for changes will cater to that crowd directly more than those who do visual observing. 

Perhaps, but my Esprit 150 has provided all the imaging performance I could have asked for. It is odd that they have just withdrawn it without there being a replacement ready to announce. People like me who need a 120mm right now have to go elsewhere as there is no indication of what is coming. My FSQ 85 does keep asking for a big TSA 120 sister however.

[Vince_VdB]

Perhaps, but my Esprit 150 has provided all the imaging performance I could have asked for. It is odd that they have just withdrawn it without there being a replacement ready to announce. People like me who need a 120mm right now have to go elsewhere as there is no indication of what is coming. My FSQ 85 does keep asking for a big TSA 120 sister however.

Scopes are made in batches and you not want to have too much stock when the new line is launched. The stock clearance started a few months ago so it is _for me_ pretty normal to see scopes labelled as discontinued at shops that are out of stock and can't get them from the manufacturer.

 

There are rumours of a +/-130mm William Optics Ultra Cat refractor and other rumours have it that Askar will have a bigger SQA refractor in the 120-130mm range. Interesting times :-) 

[SilverLitz]

I wonder if SW's license to the Esprit 150 design expired?  The Esprits are not cookie cutter designs like most of mass market OTAs, with multiple selling channels selling the same design, with some modifications.  SW seems to have had exclusive rights to the Esprits, and contracts generally have expiration dates.

 

Esprit 100 and 80 have been designed by Gyulai Pal in Hungary (current designer of CFF), while Esprit 120 and 150 were designed by Hugo Ruland of Lichtenknecker Belgium.

[Refractor6]

I wonder if SW's license to the Esprit 150 design expired?  The Esprits are not cookie cutter designs like most of mass market OTAs, with multiple selling channels selling the same design, with some modifications.  SW seems to have had exclusive rights to the Esprits, and contracts generally have expiration dates.

 

Esprit 100 and 80 have been designed by Gyulai Pal in Hungary (current designer of CFF), while Esprit 120 and 150 were designed by Hugo Ruland of Lichtenknecker Belgium.

 Great background information.....

[Drothgeb]

The last price they listed was £3499 down from £5000. Are you saying that you paid less than £2500? That seems astonishing.

Here in the US they are $8250 plus tax (6% for me)= $8750. I got mine delivered to the US for just under $4000 including shipping, import fees, and taxes. I forget what the actual prices was, but it was under £3000. Glad I bought it before all of the tariff BS.

Edited by Drothgeb, 15 April 2025 - 07:51 PM.

[Joe G]

Wow, that is an awesome price.  Even good quality used ones have gone for more.  Maybe the best deal ever.  They are awesome scopes.

[lumos]

I am so pleased you managed to grab that wonderful bargain. Perhaps it is just my lack of imagination but there is nothing on my list of improvements for the Esprit 150. I use it at the native focal length of 1047mm with the flattener. I use it with the 2600MM so I cannot comment on its performance with full frame sensors but I find it sharp and well illuminated across the field.

[sehoon104]

I loved using the sharp optics esprit150 offers, but there's certainly a thread regarding flaws of Esprit 150.

 

1. Severe pinch optics, I seen the issue myself and I think it'll vary depending on the environment. The owner reported the issue gone after exchanging with SVX152T

2. Flappy Dewshield. I didnt care about this at all in Esprit 100, but Esprit 150 is quite flimsy. This can be adjusted for some user customization, but I'd expect something better from a premium scope.

Edited by sehoon104, 16 April 2025 - 02:38 AM.

[Wow!]

Esprit optics can be amazing, but those dew shields... yikes. What were they thinking.

It's worth an upgrade alone just for the dew shields.

[lumos]

Funnily enough, I never gave the 150's dew shield much thought and I do loosen the thumbscrews and retract it each morning to put the Telegizmo on. I think I know what you mean it is a bit wobbly when loose, but it stays in place. It successfully shields my front element from dew so it is fulfilling its fundamental duty. 

 

I suspect, given enough scrutiny, I too may have hitherto undetected deficiencies. 

[WorldSwirl]

Esprit optics can be amazing, but those dew shields... yikes. What were they thinking.
It's worth an upgrade alone just for the dew shields.

Should never of had to but I “Fixed” my Esprit 150 dew shield by simply placing a couple white rubber bands behind it. Hasn’t slipped even when pointed at zenith with my large Lights flat panel on top.
My Esprit 150 also slid in the tube rings at first. Sky-Watcher was quick to supply additional felt to fix it. But since that experience, I placed another white rubber band behind each tube ring so it can’t slip.
I wasn’t done there. I have trouble turning the Blocking Ring & Adapter Ring on the Focuser Drawtube when framing an object on my camera sensor. One more rubber band on each ring and I can now easily grip and turn the rings to reframe.

FYI, my Esprit 150 also had pinched optics. I contacted Sky-watcher and they didn’t hesitate to replace it. Sky-Watcher was amazing to work with and due to my service I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again.

(Tried uploading before/after images of pinched optics but the resolution of the image in this post seemed unviewable to me).