[AZ-Observing] Re: Refractor Comparison

At 13:20 -0700 9/16/04, Stanley A. Gorodenski wrote:
>It seems refractors are getting more attention. I would like to order
>one, but it is difficult to determine what to buy without comparing
>f-ratios, aperture sizes, achromat vs. apo (or ed), and all the
>manufacturers (Meade, Celestron, T-V, Orion, RR, etc.). I propose all
>refractor owners getting together for a special event to compare each
>others refractors. I am leaning toward the Orion refractor because they
>have good reviews and are relatively inexpensive. What I am planning on
>doing is ordering the new 100mm ED, the 120mm f8.3, and the 100mm f6.
>The 120mm f5 is an interesting possibility, but I just cannot see how
>such a short focal length refractor can give a very good image even
>being restricted to deep sky. I would return all except the one I will
>keep (or possibly all if I am not happy with any one) within the 30 day
>time period to return refractors. If anyone already has one of these, I
>would not have to order it which could save me a return cost if it is
>one of the ones I end up not being happy with.
>
>How does this sound - a special get together of refractor owners? We
>hear individual accounts of performance, but we never really know what
>this means because we have nothing to compare with at the moment.
>Stan

It truly depends on what you want to observe. I love my refractors 
for solar system objects and double stars. For deep sky objects the 
name of the game is aperture and reflectors. If you expect to view in 
areas of bright skies, a refractor will be fine. But if you take that 
to a dark sky site and try to observe deep sky objects, the view will 
be disappointing compared to similar priced reflectors (DOBs).

I'd seriously suggest looking at some of the new DOBs, Orion has a 
10" for $489 and Celestron has a 12" for $899. Those will provide a 
superb view of deep sky objects. The down side is there is no 
tracking, but most deep sky objects are seen best at low power where 
tracking is not critical.

There will be a star party in Prescott a week from this coming 
Saturday (25 Sept) and the Thunderdbird  party the end of October. 
There may be some of the scopes you mentioned and you could get a 
chance to check them out.

As fr APO vs achromat while there is no argument the APOs are great, 
I have found achromats are equally excellent for much less money. Add 
a filter to the star diagonal of an achromat and the view will be 
hard to tell it's not an APO. I use a Moon filter ($14) with my 6" 
achromat and almost all of the color haze disappears. There are other 
filters that work for fainter objects.

DOBs are easier to set up than refractors, at least those under 14".

Jeff
-- 
Jeff Hopkins
HPO SOFT
http://www.hposoft.com/Astro/astro.html

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