Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apo Refractor Telescope Review
Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apo Refractor Telescope Review
Last Updated on Wednesday, 7 July 2010 05:43 Written by admin Wednesday, 7 July 2010 05:43
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Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apo Refractor Telescope Review
PRICE:499.95
WARRANTY: One year
We love those premium “apo” refractors as much as the next guy. We just don’t think you should have to work a second job or put the family heirlooms on eBay to own one. Now you won’t, thanks to our amazingly affordable 80mm ED refractor. Its multi-coated 80mm objective doublet contains one element crafted from extra-low-dispersion FPL-53 glass. Images are virtually free of chromatic aberration! With a focal length of 600mm (f/7.5), the “ED80″ is wonderfully suited for visual applications on both solar system and deep-sky objects as well as for prime-focus astrophotography and CCD imaging. Sold as optical tube assembly only, without accessories. Finished in gunmetal gray metallic enamel. Compatible tube rings are #7371, sold separately. One-year limited warranty.
Use: Astronomy and terrestrial
User Level: Intermediate
OPTICAL TUBE OTA SPECIFICATIONS
Aperture: 80mm
Focal Length:600
Focal Ratio:7.5
Optics Type:Air-spaced doublet
Glass Material:Extra low dispersion FPL-53
Resolving Power:1.45
Limiting Stellar Magnitude:12.2
Tube Material:Aluminum
Optical Tube Length / Focal Length:23.5 in.
Optical Tube Weight:5.7 lbs.
OPTICAL MIRROR/LENS SPECIFICATIONS
Optical Design: Refractor
Optical Quality: Diffraction limited
Secondary Mirror Obstruction:
Secondary Obstruction:
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. Crayford
KEYWORDS: 600mm,600mm focal length,80mm,80mm ED Apochromatic Refractor,9895,CCD,Crayford,ED,apo,apochromatic,astrophotography,f/7.5,f7.5,imaging,optical tube,refractor,stargazing,terrestrial,09895
I own a Orion ED 80 and for the most part its an awsome refractor. Collimation was dead on with diffraction rings perfect on both sides of focus. The focuser is very nice also since its a crawford & not a rack & pinion. Very smooth to the touch. At 7lbs. you don’t need a monster mount either, a simple alt/alz manual mount or a medium sized EQ will do nicely. Imusing a DS2000 go-to mount that I modified to accept the ED 80 and its a perfect match weightwise as the 80 is actually lighter then the 102 that my mount came with originally.
My only gripes about the ED 80 is the dew cover is way,way too tight. I purchased a Scopestuff dewcover that fits gently via felt lining it. My fear was that the overly tight original cover would eventually mar or chip the paint on the OTA.
The 2″ to 1.25″ adapter leaves a lot to be desired since it only has one set screw on it to hold the diagonal. Would be much better with 2 set screws set 180 degrees apart. Had I decided to keep it id have drilled & tapped for a 2nd screw but instead I purchased a compression type 2″ to 1.25″ this way I don’t have to worry about marring my eyepieces bases & the brass compression ring holds much firmer anyway.
My other gripe tho not really importaint is that bthe OTA dosen’t come with tube mounting rings, must be purchased seperatly etc….I bought my OTA used & it luckly came with the mounting rings. I seriously doub’t Ill ever let this ED go, its the one scope I think ive found that fits that nitch for ho quality looks, feel, views, & portability that I haven’t seen in any other scope ive yet to own.
Dave