What are the most popular affordable APOs?

[Dipper]

Hi!
While I am saving for an imaging f/4 Skywatcher plus EQ6 I ran into some stunning galleries of astrophotographies made with much smaller APOs and that made me think what's better - big apperture Newtonian (I was thinking of the 8") or a small APO. Problem is I never owned a refractor and know next to nothing about APOs and some of the prices I've seen quoted rased my eyebrows. I could afford about 1000 USD for the telescope and was wondering what would be some of the better choices to spend that sum on. I don't plan using it for visual much, perhaps on the planets but not much more than that.

[Patrice Lanteigne]

Some will state that what I'm about to say is blaspheme but Synta and GSO are making excellent small aperture triplets and ED doublets. Check out the 80 and 100 mm refractors from Skywatcher and Orion. There are others as well. You don't have to sell a kidney to get a nice small refractor.

[Flea77]

I have not used many but I have been very pleased with the performance of my Orion (although it seems they quit making my model). I have heard good things about the Orion EON series as well, and the Meade 6000s I believe they are.

Allan

[John999R]

I've looked as well and as long as you stay under 90mm, a very good triplet is within reach of your budget. The prices jump dramatically after 80-90mm. As you found out smaller triplet refractors will surprise you on how well they can bring in DSOs with processing. I only mention the triplets, there are many good doublet APOs, but you want one as color free as you can get when pursuing AP I would think. The used market is a viable option of course. You can up your game so to speak there.

Stellarvue is taking orders on their beautiful SV80st2ps 80mm triplet with the Stellarvue 2.5" rack and pinion focuser, Ohara FPL-53 glass, etc. This prize goes for $999.

[Star Rider]

I have a E/S 127 APO and really enjoy it. I did get mine at the "old" price though. But they are still under $2K...thats a bargin for a nice APO.

Clear Skies,
Bob

[b .nordstrom]

I have just recieved my new Long Perng 90mm f5.5 ( 500mm fl) and for $850 au delivered its a steal .
It has FPL53 in its doublet and is very , very good .
Here is s a photo .
Brian.

[ChuckWalters]

The Explore Scientific 80mm APO Triplet is a great scope and fits your budget well. I love mine!

[cbrucker]

I have the 102 mm Explore Scientific Triplet and would recommend it highly. Based on my experience with ES on their EP's, scope, and support I would strongly recommend one of their APO's. There are others here who have them and also highly recommend them.

[MLaferriere]

I had my heart set on the Orion 80mm triplet but they raised the price while I was saving for it so I decide to shop around a little more. Explore Scientific scopes were on sale in May and they came with a NICE storage/carrying case, diagonal, finder, rings etc. After having worked at UPS for a while and seeing some of the disappointing posts about scopes arriving damaged I am glad I ordered the ES. The case sounds like a silly accessory but it is strong enough where it can be placed on the bottom of a truck with boxes piled on it for a cross country trip and survive. I always ship ground to save money. This is a good money saver but the longer it is in shipment the more it gets handled and the more chances it has to get dropped, crushed, or fall off a belt.

I don't think I would have been disappointed in any way shape or from if I had jumped on the Orion 80mm but I really like my ES apo. They appear to be discontinuing the metal ota's and going with carbon fiber so now might be a good time to pick one up.

Oh, both Orion and ES have answered my email questions within hours and ES has a five year warranty.

[cbrucker]

Yes. The 102 mm has been discontinued and will be replaced with a Carbon Fiber version. You can still find them and they are still at a good price. And if you check my blog and/or post on ES 102 unboxing you can see the box as well as the rest of the kit you get with it. While there may be some other scopes that appear cheaper when you total up everything you get for the price (2" diagonal, focuser, case, and OTA) it really comes out as a very good deal.