8X Reducer/Flattener + Williams Optics Guidescope package. ) and is 125mm long. Dual ED - posted in Eyepieces: Any opinions on the Astro-Tech Premium Flatfield (PF) eyepieces versus the Dual ED eyepieces available from Astronomics and Agena? It seems like one is better-corrected for field curvature but the other is better-corrected for chromatic aberration. This Astro-Tech AT60EDT ED triplet refractor has: • 60mm f/7 fully multicoated apochromatic ED triplet refractor optics. Precision Locking Focuser for Auto Guiding with Starwave 60ED Refractor £99. The EDL series is an extension of the beloved 60ED and 72EDII. Loc: Georgia. For $50 more, the 80EDT gives you the performance of a triplet and significantly faster at F/6. - Astro-Tech AT72EDII f/6 - Explorer Scientific 80mm f/6 ED I don't want to spend too much budget on astronomy yet, i will not buy so expensive high end gear so i will keep myself in the intermediate or entry level if necessary, that is including the refractor as well, that budget i think it is in entry level to intermediate level, above $3000. I thought that I would do an unboxing of the newest addition to the family. Takahashi FOA 60Q *Like New* 11/10/2023 05:03PM. 95. Item location:California nebula Astro-Tech 60ED test Celestial hemisphere: Northern · Constellation: Perseus (Per) · Contains: California Nebula · NGC 1499 · The star ξPer. Ready to go on Celestron AVX mount with ZWO ASIAir Pro and ASI294 color camera. One of those world class designers was Thomas Back. On close inspection of the frames i have coma. Mounts for Astro Tech AT60ED - posted in Refractors : Hi folks, I recently picked up an Astro Tech AT60ED as my first scope and noticed the mounts on each side of the scope for spot/guide scope and other peripherals. Henault-Brunet´ et al. So we have the following in the “optical train”: Telescope > Reducer/Flattener (55mm spacing) > Stacked extension rings (total 20. My other two refractors are APOs (a TV-101 and the Mini Borg 60ED). " . Astro-Tech 60ED Unboxed Equipment Discussions. 6M subscribers in the astrophotography community. . 8X Reducer for 60ED (ATRF60) is an equipment item of class Accessory on AstroBin equipment database. 00. Looks like a sky rover 60ed rebranded, make sure it uses fpl53 glass and you should be good. Mpaige10 likes this Back to top #36 Mpaige10 Mpaige10. Most Read Articles • Contact UsContact Us • Moon PhaseThe Astro-Tech 127EDT, in comparison, is a relative monster. ASTRO-TECH AT72ED 72MM F/6 ED $379. Hi. We've helped hundreds of thousands of people pick the right telescopes or accessories since 1979. 80mm. The 2 inch focuser is extremely smooth and every screw has the non-mar clamping rings so. 67 = 2 / 3, 2 = 4 / 2). Astro tech 60ed . You can image objects like the Heart nebula, Andromeda galaxy, Veil nebula and many more. 8x reducer / flattener for the 60ED. Formal-Garden-7412 •. It’s really helped me understand the basics so I can evaluate the quality of my larger refractors outdoors. I have talked to the people at astronmics. 25” non-marring compression ring accessory holders• Vixen dovetail plate. Zenithstar 61 II vs. NEW V3 with X-Rings, Top. 8X reducer (384mm @ f/4. It will not work on all of them however. Astro-Tech . 00. However, for 80mm refractors and smaller, my new favorite Grab-and-Go mount is this one, the Sky-Watcher. 95, the ATR8 will work well with any brand of apo or achromatic refractor with a 2" focuser and operating at a focal ratio of. This is cocooned by an impressively long retractable dew tube that moves with silky smoothness. The EDT triplet is surprisingly 2 lbs lighter and comes with a case. The TS PhotoLine 60mm, f/6 FPL-53 apo arrives on the market amid some stiff competition from the suspiciously similar Astro-Tech AT60ED, the Altair 60EDF and the William Optics Zenithstar 61 apo (the Zenithstar’s 61mm, f/5. 8X reducer/field flattener is designed for prime focus astrophotography. The Astro-Tech AT80ED has a retractable lens shade and comes in a locking aluminum-frame carrying case with room for accessories. 72X Reducer for AT152EDT (AT152FF) Accessory: 1: 1: Astro-Tech . Our calculator, at typical seeing of 2-4”, uses the Nyquist formula of 1/2 and the 1/3 to stop stars becoming square so the optimal range is between 0. . It is not too heavy and gives you a focal length of 288mm. Reviews. Our calculator, at typical seeing of 2-4”, uses the Nyquist formula of 1/2 and the 1/3 to stop stars becoming square so the optimal range is between 0. Astro-Tech AT65Q ED. Wanted- Tele Vue NP101 or NP101is. The 2 inch focuser is extremely smooth and every screw has the non-mar. Not so good for planets. I am selling a very nice sample of AT 60ED doublet APO. Artificial stars at a. The AT 115 is coming into the U. Looks like a decent size scope I can hike with to remote locations and use with my Skyguider Pro with M4/3 and APS-C bodies, and its decently priced with its flat field corrector. I've never used it, but it looks like you need to use the Ocean OmniDriver to access the QEPro from LabVIEW. 00. GA] 22 Nov 2018. Sears 60mm x 700mm "Discoverer" (Towa) achromat, circa 1968, vs. Optically these should be identical to the original AT-102ED. Our shop offers you comfortable online shopping, fast delivery times. The TV-60 is the ultimate travel scope and. Page 1 A T80ED Thank you for choosing this Astro-Tech AT80ED high- performance ED refractor. 5mm and extension tubes will not be required. Would I be better off with the Flat61R on the AT60ED or the Astro-Tech . Spencer-3d. Theres a couple of dust spots in the lens but doesn't affect imaging and some marks on the dovetail. Astro-Tech AT72EDII. Astro-Tech AT60ED . And since we're a family business, we plan on being. 95, the ATR8 will work well with any brand of apo or achromatic refractor with a 2" focuser and operating at a focal ratio of f/5. No liability assumed for product specifications. • 2" and 1. The back focus is 55mm from the shoulder of the reducer to the. Edited by Joe Bergeron, 12 January 2021 - 09:16 AM. The F-7 ED 102 is a good general use scope with low CA. Price when purchased online. For Sale. An Astrozap focusing cap is a lightweight aluminum cap that fits over the front cell of your telescope. Both have FPL-53 glass. I record a 35sec AVI file (using Asi 290MC camera) and process in Autostakkert! I am blown away by the results. I’ve been lucky enough to spend a few months basking in the spectacular far southern sky of New Zealand. MPN. 00. The F-5 will have a lot of spurious color - CA. They are pretty much optical twins with no. Both have FPL-53 glass. 265. You can still get good images, but you would need to. 00 £806. The Astro-Tech reducer/flatteners thread into the focuser for a solid connection. Currently out of stock. Canon 300mm f/4 L Prime - posted in Refractors : Hello members of CN, I am trying to understand the differences between doublets + FFs and Canon L series Primes or Zooms. 25" · Optolong Red 1. Astro-Tech AT106. -- John Vienna, VA iexos-100-2, Orion 80 ED, Astro-Tech 60ED, Celestron Comet Catcher, Nikon D90 astro modified, SVBONY SV165 40mm, SVBONY 905c guide camera Screenshot _25_. It's all a compromise between lightweight portability and light gathering ability. Former President Trump on Monday hired white collar defense attorney Todd Blanche to lead his legal team ahead of his arraignment in New York City, Fox News Digital has learned. The Astro-Tech AT60ED APO Refractor that I recently purchased. The Altair Starwave 110ED-R refractor is a fantastic portable telescope that delivers detailed views at an enjoyable resolution. Astromart Customer Service. We carry all brands and products, like Meade telescopes, Celestron telescopes, and more. Refractors. I’ve owned both the ZS61 and AT-60ED. 8mm so, if so, you are already too long before adding spacers. Backfocus Confusion - AT60ED w/ field flattener - posted in Beginning Deep Sky Imaging: In the brief time ive been into imaging, my imaging train has been AT60ED > Apertura Adjustable Field Flattener @ 3mm > 16. Hello guys. The Astro-Tech 102ED is a handsome 102mm F/7 refractor. Astronomics has an Astro-Tech Voyager 2 that is pretty much the equivalent of the ES Twilight 1. in tandem with the MiniBorg 60ED for convenient RACI star hopping. Page 1 of 2 - First refractor: Need advice - posted in Beginning Deep Sky Imaging: I have an iOptron Skyguider Pro coming in a few days. Aperture: 60mm. We've picked some of the best budget and high-end travel telescopes. 800-422-7876. I believe many of the StellarVue 80 mm F/7 Eds used the same FK-61/FP-51 class glass as the Astro-tech 80 ED. It's performance punches way above its. No nicks or marks on any part of the telescope. • a rotating dual-speed 2. 134K subscribers in the telescopes community. 80mm. 95. 8X Reducer for AT102EDL (AT102EDLRF)GetLeadsFast, LLC. This is my plan to begin astrophotography on a regular. . You get a single ring with a. 76X imaging time of the ZS81. Orion 2” 38mm superwide eyepiece. 25" dewshield extended. VAT) Altair 70 EDQ-R F5 Quad APO Astrograph £1,150. 5 to f/7 range that use a 2" focuser. It's faster than the AT-60ED, I don't see astigmatism with the 31mm Nagler in my NP-101. SWSA is a small and portable tracker, not a full-weight mount. Altair 60ED, MG32 Guider and EQ3 Pro Synscan mount COMBO £968. Anyway, I couldn't source a flattener for it but TS offer the Flat60 which is designed for their F5. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Hardtailparty is gonna put out a review for the Habit soon. I have for sale a near new, recent vintage Astro-Tech AT60ED. Too many 60-62mm options! - posted in Beginning Deep Sky Imaging: Im going to be in the market for a 60-62mm refractor in a few weeks - to mount on my Star Adventurer. The foam conversion is not pretty but it safely holds the entire set up in a easy to carry case. 95. Edited by Phillip Creed, 11 July 2023 -. Hard Case: The Astro-Tech AT130CA hard case is designed to hold the Astro-Tech AT130EDT 130mm triplet ED apo refractor. While I wait for astronomics to deliver my scope, I. 98 (well, 0. Should I wait for the Astro-Tech AT60ED plus the 0. Focusing Masks For Telescopes. Finally, I have beautiful Rick. The AT80EDT is f/6, the ZS81 is f/6. Comes with the Astro-tech Camera Angle adjuster. $419. Celestron Nexstar 102 GT computerized 4” refractor $140. The Astro-Tech 60ED 1x flattener easily threads on to the focuser of your AT60ED after your remove the standard compression ring eyepiece holder. Bringing in an improved ED element to the multi-coated glass and paired with a focal length of 335mm and focal ratio of f/5. The AT70ED is bringing ED optics to you at a fantastic price. 6- Altair Starwave Ascent 102ED F/1122 - The planet killer outstanding high magnification performance. 11/10/2023 03:01PM. Quadruplet Apochromat. buy DETAILS *Special offer while stock lasts * The Astro Fi 6" is a computerized alt-azimuth Schmidt Cassegrain telescope perfect for terrestrial and celestial viewing on the go. Please tune in for my 1st impressions of it. For astronomy travel you'll need a compact, portable telescope that delivers results. A super portable refractor telescope with FCD100 ED glass, suitable for astrophotography or visual use, day or night-time. Maybe if they would come in stock. Stellarvue 80mm f/7 access. $599. 8X Reducer for 60ED (ATRF60) is an equipment item of class Accessory on AstroBin equipment database. The flattener is threaded for attachment to the telescope via a 54mm metric thread. The AT80ED is bringing ED optics to you at a fantastic price. 9 specification likely results from a lens cell with a slightly larger entrance pupil). I highly recommend it. Includes the following; 6260 mini 60Ed, 7060 tube rings, 7857 helical focuser, 7604 extention tube, 7364 adapter,7920 adapter, 7317 eyepiece holder and 7885 . Most Read Articles • Contact UsContact Us • Moon PhaseThe two silver allen bolts in the center of your photo. As soon as lifted the telescope free of the packaging and unwrapped it, I noticed an annoying rattle when moving the telescope around in my hand. Nirvanaepic • 22 days ago. 4KidsOneCamera • 3 yr. Here are a few comments for those who may be considering purchasing one. 8x Reducer Field Flattener For the 72EDII Optical Tubes. This instrument is designed as an astrograph. Astro-Tech AT60ED 60mm or Apertura 60mm FPL-53 Doublet APO Refractor - posted in Refractors : I am looking for a terrestrial scope that can also be used for a grab-and-go scope. The thing that has most helped me practically is having a small refractor (F/6 60ED) and an artificial star that I can play around with indoors, under controlled conditions. 7. Sharpstar 60ED Astronomical Telescope $366 / $436 with Flattener. I fashioned a solar finder from an old white plastic aspirin bottle, which works perfectly. 60mm Astro-Tech ED - posted in Refractors : My Astrotech AT72EDII shows identical diffraction rings inside and outside of focus when using an artificial star and a #58 green filter. 1" F/7 ED REFRACTOR - posted in Refractors : Well just ordered me a ASTRO-TECH AT80ED 3. If you wanted this scope but with blue trim, congratulations. Add To Cart. Telescope Express TS Photoline 60mm f/6 is the same scope as the AT60ED, but a different color. ZWO EAF. 8x field flattener (no stock currently) + William Optics 48mm T-mount for Sony E-mount OR 2. Not all apo’s are created equal. At the business end, the two-inch optical back consists of a millimetre-graduated lockable two-speed focuser and a 1. 67” and 2”. The Astronomics listing for this. Astro-tech 60ED with FPL53 glass (like new condition) Astro-tech . F/5, 300mm. SV102ED, 102mm objective, f/6. The new Astro-Tech ATR8 2" 0. This has been my quick view/travel scope for a couple of years and it is an amazing little scope, packing a big punch in a small package. William Optics RedCat 51 (Upgraded Version) + William Optics 48mm T-mount for Sony E-mount 2. )The optics. Here are some Borg 60ED images resulting from a Google search :-Gary Honis-modified Canon XS(D1000), Hutech 60ED F3. The Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50ED Field Flattener, instead, has only 17. Askar FRA300 f/5. 265. FPL-51 or equivalent in the triplet. The TV-85 is a great scope for astronomy with it's increased light gathering but too big and heavy to carry. The price difference may be due to the fact that the astro-tech uses FCD-100 and FK-61 glass whereas the StarField uses FPL-53 glass. I like both the build and look of it, and the functionality of the rack and pinion focuser, but Im having a problem that Ive never experienced. Add to Cart. 17 (ex. 00. 25" dewshield extended. The flattener is threaded for attachment to the telescope via a 54mm metric thread. Although designed primarily for use with the new Astro-Tech AT60EDT triplet apo refractor, and priced at only $119. Both WO refractors show exquisite but the price is expensive too, Sky Rover 60ED APO and WO Z61 looks no different to me but it is on a attractive price, the last AT65Q is already discontinued, but reviews are good. 25-inch adaptor. (From the website). ciently explore phase-space configurations of GCs without needing to specify their initial conditions,. It’s worth noting that the. Guidescope Suitability Calculator. 50 £82. 85x (#7885) Tube Bands - Pair (#7060) The entire package is enclosed in an Astro-Tech case. The handle will help making set up much easier as you have a solid part to grab onto and not just the tube. 5). ·. I am selling my Astro-Tech 60ed + . $369. It is compact, well made with a rotating two speed Crayford focuser, a sliding dewshield and nice overall finish. Astro-Tech has a reducer/field flattener for the 130EDT available for $199. Incorporates Ohara FPL-53 glass optics for enhanced contrast, color correction, and sharpness. SWAS70ED-VISKIT. 00. Astro-Tech 60ED Unboxed Equipment Discussions. New Scope Review: AT102ED. I mainly do imaging so the Astro-tech is a FPL-51 triplet and the APM is a FPL-53 doublet, I have a hard time figuring out which is better. 25 pounds all together. ") at 15mm. Apertura 60mm APO Refractor Specifications. arXiv:1810. I've had a number of medium-capacity manual Alt-Az mounts that would certainly handle an AT80ED. Buy telescopes and telescope accessories at Astronomics. 11/10/2023 04:51AM. For example, the fully-multicoated. 8X reducer/field flattener is designed for prime focus astrophotography with quality f/6 focal ratio apo refractors such as the Astro-Tech AT72ED and AT130 apo, it will also work well with Astro-Tech and other brand refractors in the f/5. Page 1 of 4 - ASTRO-TECH AT80ED 3. These have caught my eye: RVO Horizon 60ED ( £500 with flattener ) Altair 60 EDF ( £600 with flattener ) Both the RVO and Altair seem literally identical. Canon 300mm f/4 L Prime - posted in Refractors : Hello members of CN, I am trying to understand the differences between doublets + FFs and Canon L series Primes or Zooms. Mounting to a Refractor Mounting Ring: Select the F002 E above. Add To Cart. This Astro-Tech AT102ED refractor has: • 102mm f/7 fully multicoated doublet optics using FK-61 ED glass. Reduced retraction. My Astro-Tech AT80 arrived on Wednesday, along with the Astro-Tech 2-inch Dielectric diagonal. Brands / Companies 925 ; Cameras 3311 ; Sensors 465 ; Telescopes & lenses 3753 ; Mounts 613 ; Filters 2238 ; Accessories 1410 . The new Astro-Tech AT102EDL is an extension of the beloved 60ED and 72EDII. For sale is arguably the MOST portable astronomical telescope on the market: the Astro-Tech AT60ED 60mm F/6 FPL-53 ED Doublet with a focal length of 360 mm and a focal ratio of f/6. I am currently using the AT60ED without a field flattener with a crop sensor DSLR (700D) and have found that while it is usable, you want the field flattener. There's a batch of Apache sale coupons in the latest HF e-blast if anybody's interested. I would expect the 70ED to be very similar in performance to the 80ED, in. WO Zenithstar 61 APO $478. This scope is for the person wanting a little more than what the 60ED and 72EDII can bring to the table. The EDL has better glass. 6 lbs: 8. 25, 2022A number of people are using 60-80mm ED's as guide scopes, which is arguably even more overkill-y than using one as a finder scope. The FSQ-106ED is a 4. 00 usd. Telescope Service is one of the leading astronomy Dealers in Europe. With the ST80 I was always afraid of breaking or misaligning it somehow. We have had various world class, in my opinion, opticians working for us over the years. The EDL is an f/7 and the EDT is a triplet at f/6. 5 MC Red, mint condition. AT60EDP Then I googled for it to try to get more information and couldn’t find anything. For the Astro-Tech Reducer/Flattener the spacing is 55mm with image circle of 42mm. A super portable refractor telescope with FCD100 ED glass, suitable for astrophotography or visual use, day or night-time. Astro-tech AT60ED + Astro-tech 0. Dust / Reflection Calculator. Examtopics covers just the 6th. Nothing affecting the view. 5. Posted 04 October 2023 - 09:27 PM. It offers a the rack and pinion focuser and. The sleeve between the flanges is what affords the full 360˚ rotation of the focuser. The focuser can rotate as well to help you get the perfect framing. Add New Equipment To Database. My goal in purchasing the Astro-Tech 60ED is to have a very portable scope that lets me take moderately closer glimpses at deep sky targets of interest to me. VAT) Altair 70 EDQ-R F5 Quad APO Astrograph. 00 £806. When Thomas passed away, Astronomics, continued in their support of his family. The back focus is 55mm from the shoulder of the reducer to the. But at this price range, it could not be better. FocusKnobs. Astro-Tech AT60ED Backfocus Question - posted in Equipment (No astrophotography): I just received a brand new AT60ED today which I purchased hoping to upgrade the guidescope I was using. Find the position of dust or reflections in your optics. Quick view. That means imaging with the AT80EDT requires (6 / 6. Page 1 of 3 - Orion 80mm ED APO Refractor v. I`ve had the brief opportunity to try it out with my Canon 450D tonight. Resolution Formula: ( Pixel Size / Telescope Focal Length ) X 206. Inside the cap is a wheel that can be rotated to either line up the Bahtinov. 25" brass compression ring eyepiece holders. 85 reducer/ flattener. The EDL is an f/7 and the EDT is a triplet at f/6. 00 £632. Designed for a better astrophotography experience than its doublet predecessor, the Sharpstar 61EDPH II apochromatic triplet is improved in a few key areas. Mpaige10 likes this Back to top #36 Mpaige10 Mpaige10. 8x flattener. The 72 is half the price for only 10% less aperture. Refractors. ) They also have reviewed the higher spec Growler 40 some time ago. Deep sky object photographic data courtesy: DSS/STScI. Astromart. FF130. The Hotech SCA flattener I have. 8 with the optional Altair Astro 0. (0. Brand. So I've seen this topic come up a lot. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay. Switched from a SvBony 80ED to a new Astro-Tech 80EDT, apochromatic triplet telescope. Astro Tech 60mm . 265. With its retractable dew cap pulled in, its overall length is just 34 inches, but extending the cap fully makes it a bit longer than the Orion scope. The Starwave 60ED is super compact with a modular design and can be ordered with various accessories. 60mm Astro-Tech ED - posted in Refractors : Sears 60mm x 700mm Discoverer (Towa) achromat, circa 1968, vs. 1 F/7 ED REFRACTOR from our friends at Astronmic this will feel in the gap between my 120mm orion st f/5 and my 127 Orion mak as far as a grab and go scope. AT60EDP Then I. Sharpstar 60ED Astronomical Telescope $366 / $436 with Flattener. Theres two mounting screws on each side of the scope. Calculate the resolution in arc seconds per pixel of a CCD with a particular telescope. Spencer-3D. AT60ED AT72ED II AT92EDT AT102ED Thank you very muchAn astrophotograph by Gideon Golan on AstroBinAstro-Tech AT60ED and AT72EDII Black Friday Sale; Universal Astro Sale; Various Used and Demo Scopes and Mounts; iOptron 20% Off Sale While Supplies Last;. It adopts a double air-space achromatic design, which is carefully machined and adju. Happy 2023 to everyone! Ever wanted to take a telescope on vacation with you… but you’re flying there and not driving? You need an instrument considerably sm. The Starwave 60ED Imaging Refractor from Altair Astro offers a very portable refractor telescope with FCD100 ED glass, suitable for astrophotography as well as visual use, day or night-time. I have an Astro tech 60ED scope and recently purchased an ATR8 0. For the Astro-Tech Field Flattener the optimal spacing from field flattener to film plane: 57mm +/- 4mm and Canon is supposed to be 55. Telescop Expert ofera livrare rapida si cel mai bun pret din Romania. Pick up the phone, or drop us a line, and we will be happy to be of service. 130 mm. This finder shoe is designed to work on a variety of Astro-Tech telescopes. The Astro-Tech AT60EDP astrograph provides an exceptionally flat field for very wide images that are sharp edge-to-edge, with no need for a separate field flattener. This Astro-Tech AT70ED refractor has: • Single ring with a foot that has a 1/4" 20 thread hole for easy attachment to a dovetail. As you add equipment to the view, the details will appear below. Don't have an Astromart account? Click here to create one. This will be for visual use; no photography planned at this time. Tossed up between the Red Cat, the 60ED and a Sigma 180mm f2. Camera lenses are not really suited for deep sky photography. 5 version for a while). I'd expect them to be similar. Astro-Tech AT80EDT f/6 triplet. Starwave 60ED Imaging Refractor From: £379. This scope is for the person wanting a little more than what the 60ED and 72EDII can bring to the table from an optical standpoint as well as a mechanical standpoint. The AT60ED shown with a TeleVue Panoptic 24mm eye piece, a TeleVue Everbright 1. The telescope-side barrel is threaded for standard 2″ filters so you can attach a light pollution filter. Length: 18" dewshield retracted, 21. price is 300 dollars shipped in CONTUS. 60ED APO F/6 The new 60ED APO telescope from Sky Rover has excellent optics, a small and portable body, weighing less than two kilograms, so that you can travel to observe and photograph, no longer physical work, better enjoy the stars. Telescope Express TS Photoline 60mm f/6 is the same scope as the AT60ED, but a different color. The AT70ED is bringing ED optics to you at a fantastic price. Hello! I have an Astro-Tech 60ED 1x flattener for sale. 11/11/2023 05:45PM. The Starwave 60ED becomes a fast astrograph at F4. SKU: N/A Category: Discontinued Product. $139. Comes with the Astro-tech Camera Angle adjuster. At`$550, you should be getting an FPL-53 doublet. William Optics 6AIII 0. 8X Reducer for 60ED (ATRF60) · Raspberry Pi Raspberry Pi 4 Software Adobe Photoshop · Aries Productions Astro Pixel Processor (APP) · Astroberry Project Astroberry Server ·. However I have not been able to use it for astrophotography yet because the field flattner for it is on back order. Astro-Tech 70ED - posted in Refractors : Im thinking of getting the $299 AT70ED as my first foray into astrophotography. For planets/ moon general viewing you could also look at the skywatcher 100ed F-9 or the TS-102ED F-11. The important perfomance updates come in the type of ED element combination and the type of foucser the AT125EDL is built around. It is best used for lower power wide viewing 30-50X.