127 mm ED APO (or W.H.Y.) wanted

[Kev]

Seeking a good refractor, mainly imaging and some visual.
Must have excellent focus system, prefer triplet but optical quality is paramount.
Just OTA, or complete rig on appropriate "goto" with guide ability.

[Radar]

G'day Kev,

What type of budget are you looking at spending? Do you already have a mount? Do you want it to be portable?

Ray

[Kev]

Hi Radar,

good but difficult question....

1. I can get a new "in the box" HEQ6Pro with all the fruit for $1499 anywhere and for as little as $1299 if I sell my soul LOL.

2. I have researched North's ED APO 127mm Triplet which looks to be an excellent piece of equipment (nice looking package - must be the missing Meade) - and I expect to pay $1100 or very close depending on diagonal, finder, extra eye pieces and a barlow - delivered.

3. Lee Andrews has set the cat amongst Tasco's pigeons and they are matching him (got to be good for us punters) so I can get an Equinox 120 ed plus the HEQ6PRO, warranty and all for "somewhat less" than advertised (can't say how much in fairness to all concerned). Lee is also looking good for new, and bigger, stock any day.

From my photographic and instrument background I think I've got a congenital case of aperture fever, so I've been researching the importation of one or more even larger ED APO's (triplets) from North who may have a new toy in the works for later this year.

It's worse than buying a car, the more you look the more that gets offered and the lower the price gets, until eventually you end up totally unhappy with everything!!

So short answer somewhere between $2K and $5 plus or minus the "attraction" coefficient which might be 0.5x.

Temptation is to go with the Equinox 120/HEQ6 and then maybe bolt on one of North's bigger toys when they come available. Of course there are some Chinese RC's in the pipeline for before Christmas and well under $10K with all the fruit you could possibly want - astrophotography heaven!

Well there you have it, now I'm off to (perhaps) chair last months meeting of procrastinators anonimous.

Unless someone offers a very nice Vixen, Williams or even TAK that's taking up space their wife needs for shoes? Then I'm here to help!

OH yes, semi-portable would be good, we are building in Stakehill about 8 K north of Mandurah but the lights are coming and I'm afraid our bushland paradise is going to be surrounded by suburbia in another 5 years or so, might have to go portable then for eyeball entertainment.

[Radar]

Hi Kev,

Sorry about the delay in my reply.

I must admit, the equinox 120ed sounds nice. I don't have any experience with this particular scope, but Sky Watcher make a nice scope, especially for what they charge. I've read up about that scope and it looks good. I think with an HEQ Pro 6 you'd be well setup.


Well there you have it, now I'm off to (perhaps) chair last months meeting of procrastinators anonimous.
[quote]

I am a life long member mate.

[quote]I'm afraid our bushland paradise is going to be surrounded by suburbia in another 5 years or so, might have to go portable then for eyeball entertainment.

I know the feeling sadly. :frown:

Keep us posted on what direction you take mate.

Cheers

Ray