Archive for the ‘Telescope Reviews’ Category
Last Updated on Thursday, 8 July 2010 08:02 Written by admin Thursday, 8 July 2010 06:41
Orion 8 f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescope Review
PRICE:1,195.95
WARRANTY: One year
MANUFACTURER: Orion
The Orion 8″ Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph’s outstanding optical design lets you capture spectacular, detailed images of deep-sky objects like never before. Unlike conventional Newtonian reflector and Schmidt-Cassegrain designs that are susceptible to coma away from the center of the field, the Ritchey-Chretien utilizes hyperbolic primary and secondary mirrors, made of BK-7 optical glass, to achieve wonderfully flat-field images that are virtually coma-free. Images are also free from chromatic aberration, since there are no lenses. The Orion 8” Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph is ideal for use with small CCD-chip cameras such as our StarShoot line, as well as medium-format CCD and DSLR cameras. The telescope’s wide, fully illuminated flat field produces pinpoint star clarity all the way to the edge of the camera’s sensor. The Orion 8” Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph features a machined, dual-speed (10:1) Crayford-style focuser with an engraved millimeter scale on the drawtube. The secondary mirror is precisely center-marked to facilitate collimation. The 21-inch enameled steel optical tube weighs only 15.8 lbs. and features a Vixen-style dovetail mounting bar underneath, for trouble-free setup on medium or large-sized equatorial mounts. The inside of the optical tube is fortified with eight computer-positioned light baffles, and the primary mirror baffle tube and secondary mirror light shield are also highly baffled to ensure maximum image contrast. One-year limited warranty.
Use: Astronomy and terrestrial
User Level: Advanced
OPTICAL TUBE OTA SPECIFICATIONS
Aperture: 200mm
Focal Length: 1600mm
Focal Ratio: f/8
Optics Type: Hyperbolic
Glass Material:
Resolving Power: 0.58
Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 14.2
Tube Material:Steel
Optical Tube Length / Focal Length:21.8 in.
Optical Tube Weight:15.8 lbs.
OPTICAL MIRROR/LENS SPECIFICATIONS
Optical Design: [Optical Design]
Optical Quality: Diffraction limited
Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 48%
Secondary Obstruction: 23%
Mirror / Glass Coatings:
TELESCOPE MOUNT & GOTO SPECIFICATIONS
Tripod Material:
Mount Style: Optical Tube without Mount
Bearing Material:
Astroimaging Capability: Lunar, planetary and long exposure
Motor Drive Compatibility:
Computerized Compatibility:
Alignment Procedure:
Number Of Objects In Database:
Power Requirement:
Ports:
Tracking Rates:
Motor Type:
ACCESSORY SPECIFICATIONS
Finder:None
Focuser:2in. dual-speed linear bearing Crayford
KEYWORDS: 08958,8958,cassegrain, Ritchey-Chretien, telescope,coma-free, astrophotography, rc, RC, r c, R C
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Last Updated on Thursday, 8 July 2010 06:41 Written by admin Thursday, 8 July 2010 06:41
Review
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WARRANTY:
MANUFACTURER:
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OPTICAL TUBE OTA SPECIFICATIONS
Aperture: [Optical Diameter]
Focal Length: [Focal Length]
Focal Ratio: [Focal Ratio]
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Glass Material:
Resolving Power:
Limiting Stellar Magnitude:
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OPTICAL MIRROR/LENS SPECIFICATIONS
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Optical Quality:
Secondary Mirror Obstruction:
Secondary Obstruction:
Mirror / Glass Coatings:
TELESCOPE MOUNT & GOTO SPECIFICATIONS
Tripod Material:
Mount Style:
Bearing Material:
Astroimaging Capability:
Motor Drive Compatibility:
Computerized Compatibility:
Alignment Procedure:
Number Of Objects In Database:
Power Requirement:
Ports:
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ACCESSORY SPECIFICATIONS
Finder:
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KEYWORDS:
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Last Updated on Thursday, 8 July 2010 06:41 Written by admin Thursday, 8 July 2010 06:41
SkyQuest XX12i, Shroud and Case Set Package Review
PRICE:1,559.85
WARRANTY: One year
MANUFACTURER: Orion
If the idea of a big-aperture telescope appeals to you, but the portability issue has kept you on the fence, you can hop off it now. We’ve got the perfect solution – the SkyQuest XX12i IntelliScope Truss Tube Dob. It’s a deep-sky observer’s dream scope, offering jumbo 12″ Pyrex optics (f/4.9); a stylish, reduced-weight base outfitted with IntelliScope object location technology; and a sturdy truss tube design that disassembles in about a minute into compact, easily portable components. Finally, a deluxe, large-aperture Dobsonian that fits comfortably in a compact car for transport to your favorite observing site! The eight trusses (four captive pairs) provide more-rigid support than other designs in this category. We’ve also outfitted the XX12i base with nothing but the best materials: EbonyStar laminate and Virgin Teflon azimuth bearing surfaces provide silky smooth azimuth motion. Equipped with dual-speed (11:1) 2″ Crayford focuser, large 8″ altitude bearings, full set of great accessories, a computerized database of 14,000 celestial objects — and a price just north of a grand! — the XX12i is one killer telescope deal. One-year limited warranty. Package includes a custom designed water-resistant shroud and three waterproof, double-stitched polyester/nylon cases especially designed for the SkyQuest XX12i.
Use: Astronomy
User Level: Advanced
OPTICAL TUBE OTA SPECIFICATIONS
Aperture: [Optical Diameter]
Focal Length: [Focal Length]
Focal Ratio: [Focal Ratio]
Optics Type: Parabolic
Glass Material: Low thermal expansion glass
Resolving Power: 0.38
Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 15.1
Tube Material:Steel
Optical Tube Length / Focal Length:58.3 in.
Optical Tube Weight:49.5 lbs.
OPTICAL MIRROR/LENS SPECIFICATIONS
Optical Design: [Optical Design]
Optical Quality: Diffraction limited
Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 23%
Secondary Obstruction: 5%
Mirror / Glass Coatings: Aluminum and Silicon Dioxide
TELESCOPE MOUNT & GOTO SPECIFICATIONS
Tripod Material: Wood
Mount Style: Dobsonian
Bearing Material:AZ: EbonyStar/Teflon, ALT: UHMW/ABS
Astroimaging Capability: Simple moon shots
Motor Drive Compatibility:
Computerized Compatibility: Intelliscope included
Alignment Procedure:
Number Of Objects In Database: 14000
Power Requirement: 9-volt battery
Ports:
Tracking Rates:
Motor Type:
ACCESSORY SPECIFICATIONS
Finder:9×50
Focuser:2in. Crayford
KEYWORDS: 24757,SkyQuest,XX12,Intelliscope, Truss Tube, Dobsonian, shroud, cover,case, nylon, XX12 package, 9793, 15097, 15094, save
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Last Updated on Thursday, 8 July 2010 06:41 Written by admin Thursday, 8 July 2010 06:41
SkyQuest XX12i, Shroud and Case Set Package Review
PRICE:1,559.85
WARRANTY: One year
MANUFACTURER: Orion
If the idea of a big-aperture telescope appeals to you, but the portability issue has kept you on the fence, you can hop off it now. We’ve got the perfect solution – the SkyQuest XX12i IntelliScope Truss Tube Dob. It’s a deep-sky observer’s dream scope, offering jumbo 12″ Pyrex optics (f/4.9); a stylish, reduced-weight base outfitted with IntelliScope object location technology; and a sturdy truss tube design that disassembles in about a minute into compact, easily portable components. Finally, a deluxe, large-aperture Dobsonian that fits comfortably in a compact car for transport to your favorite observing site! The eight trusses (four captive pairs) provide more-rigid support than other designs in this category. We’ve also outfitted the XX12i base with nothing but the best materials: EbonyStar laminate and Virgin Teflon azimuth bearing surfaces provide silky smooth azimuth motion. Equipped with dual-speed (11:1) 2″ Crayford focuser, large 8″ altitude bearings, full set of great accessories, a computerized database of 14,000 celestial objects — and a price just north of a grand! — the XX12i is one killer telescope deal. One-year limited warranty. Package includes a custom designed water-resistant shroud and three waterproof, double-stitched polyester/nylon cases especially designed for the SkyQuest XX12i.
Use: Astronomy
User Level: Advanced
OPTICAL TUBE OTA SPECIFICATIONS
Aperture: [Optical Diameter]
Focal Length: [Focal Length]
Focal Ratio: [Focal Ratio]
Optics Type: Parabolic
Glass Material: Low thermal expansion glass
Resolving Power: 0.38
Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 15.1
Tube Material:Steel
Optical Tube Length / Focal Length:58.3 in.
Optical Tube Weight:49.5 lbs.
OPTICAL MIRROR/LENS SPECIFICATIONS
Optical Design: [Optical Design]
Optical Quality: Diffraction limited
Secondary Mirror Obstruction: 23%
Secondary Obstruction: 5%
Mirror / Glass Coatings: Aluminum and Silicon Dioxide
TELESCOPE MOUNT & GOTO SPECIFICATIONS
Tripod Material: Wood
Mount Style: Dobsonian
Bearing Material:AZ: EbonyStar/Teflon, ALT: UHMW/ABS
Astroimaging Capability: Simple moon shots
Motor Drive Compatibility:
Computerized Compatibility: Intelliscope included
Alignment Procedure:
Number Of Objects In Database: 14000
Power Requirement: 9-volt battery
Ports:
Tracking Rates:
Motor Type:
ACCESSORY SPECIFICATIONS
Finder:9×50
Focuser:2in. Crayford
KEYWORDS: 24757,SkyQuest,XX12,Intelliscope, Truss Tube, Dobsonian, shroud, cover,case, nylon, XX12 package, 9793, 15097, 15094, save
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