Radian 61 - The Most Annoying Telescope

Dear all,
In this example, I will focus my discussion on why user experience matters, and not just the specs of a telescope. I will use the Radian 61 as my example and talk about why I think the user experience of the Radian 61 makes it the most annoying, unrewarding telescope I have used. #radian61 #refractor #astrophotography #astronomy #astro #williamoptics #redcat #spacecat

[@jeremiahpoole5704]

Great job, im sure glad I did not get this scope. I honestly lost respect for the "designer" of this scope and the way he backed it having the years of experience in the hobby. Atleast there are guys willing to stand up and tell us new to the hobby what's up. I appreciate you.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you for the support. To be fair, he's not really the designer of the scope, but rather having his name attached to an already existing scope and (Sharpstar 61 EDPH II), but I get what you mean. I personally think these are real issues and no amount of optics will make this experience better. I meant it when I said I have no desire to use this scope ever again. Thank you for watching! 🙂

[@aw7425]

Thank you for your candidness and as always your honesty, we appreciate it very much. Clear skies our good friend

[@AZ4Runner]

great honest video Angus!! I went back and forth between the Radian 61 and the redcat51 way back, and was leaning towards the radian but it was out of stock at the time. the Redcat came in stock and I jumped on it.. Really glad I didn't get the Radian 61. I've been very happy with the RedCat.

[@TheJerryRN]

Thank you! I can tell this wasn’t a fun time for but you are saving a lot of newer astrophotographers a huge headache.

[@poruatokin]

Wow, thanks for this. I was actually looking at this scope as an option. Just made my choices more easy.

[@jeremiahpoole5704]

Also want to say telling the truth about a matter in a respectful way as you have displayed here is excellent and always welcome in my eyes. Keep it up and you never know maybe things will change due to the truth being displayed.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Yeah I wanted to use this scope as an example of things to look out for. We all do it, we look at the specs and buy the specs. But we all have had gadgets with nightmare ownership experience. So I hope that more people consider beyond just the specs.

[@billvinson7859]

I use my c8 for public viewing at my astronomy clubs public nights at our local college. I use my Redcat 51 and Canon EOS Ra, 60Da, Sky Watcher Star Adventure, Orion Sirius mount, and Astro Tech 72mm doublet for Astrophotography. I also use my Meade 16” Light Bridge to look for deep sky objects in my yard. ❤

[@stevenickolls8016]

Sorry to learn of your experiences with this OTA. Astro-imaging is an expensive business and we can ill afford to buy lemons. Thanks for using your right as a purchaser to call out problems which make the item a struggle to use. I concur on the other hand over the quality and thought gone into the RedCat 51 design, when I received mine I was so pleased at the sheer quality of the build that even taking off the end cap was a pleasure. Keep enjoying this great hobby and thanks for posting the video.

[@nocturneastro2539]

I was not a fan of this thing during the initial release, especially with the shady marketing around it. So I bought one to test for myself, putting my money where my mouth is. I wouldn't say this is a lemon, but just a terribly designed telescope. Thanks for the support!

[@remigerber63]

Hello Angus, Thank you for that great video : it’s always nice to have a longtime user feedback and an honest point of view on astronomy gear especially when it comes to those price ranges. It’s nearly impossible to get this telescope here in Europe for a reasonable price : 1700€ !!!! That’s twice the price for the same sharpstar branded scope with it’s 0.8 reducer … I can't understand what the purpose of all this is, and still, you have the decency not to mention the very relative optical quality of this telescope and the chromatic aberration problems that many users encounter with theirs. I am in awe of such self control 🤣 Keep up the good work and clear skies !

[@nocturneastro2539]

I already mentioned the chromatic aberration and halos in my original review of it, I didn't think I needed to spend too much time on it again here. I thought it would be better if I focused on why user experience matters in astrophtography, because this telescope failed at that as well.

[@dalepowell7353]

Thank you for making this video!

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thanks for watching!

[@Photothesky]

So sad that OPT never took responsibility for manipulating their customers. Dustin Gibson was behind this all knew this was a sharpstar rebrand.

[@michaellorentzen1672]

At one point I nearly bought this scope. It would have been my first, and I am so happy I bought a redcat instead. Great video, as always, very thoughtful.

[@nocturneastro2539]

I really hope this isn't most people's first refractor for astrophotography. Because as you mentioned, there are better alternatives, and for less money as well. Thank you for your support!

[@JethroXP]

Sorry you had to learn a $1000 lesson. Thanks for sharing so other's don't get duped by "Influencer Marketing". I don't have a problem with someone being sponsored, but that "reveal" video last year really did misstate and overstate a lot of things, particularly when you realize this is just a different color version of a telescope that sells under its own name for $600. I've got a RedCat 51 now and you are right, the build quality it amazing.

[@nocturneastro2539]

I bought this telescope for the very reason to objectively assess it. Prior to, and during the initial release, I became very skeptical of this scope because of the marketing materials around it. So, I figured to put my money where my mouth was, and bought one to review. You can still get great images out of it, but the user experience has been an absolute failure in my opinion.

[@marklewis9265]

i agree with the dew shield and lens cap, and it cost me 5 minutes of my time to fix the dew shield (it's not difficult to remedy), however my raptor has no chromatic aberration to speak of, so I will respectfully disagree with your comments there. I ended up choosing this over the sharpstar, being that I am happy to pay the asking price, and to that I am happy with the purchase. I guess user experience does count for enjoyment, I appreciate your honesty.

[@emanuelchacim7681]

Hey Angus! Nice video, and very honest review! In my case, i would never buy a scope without knowing the specs of the lenses, which are the heart of the scope. Together with all those flaws, its even more reasons not to buy it. I have to say that i really loved the look of it, when i saw it for the first time, but, here in Europe, its even more expensive, and with all those issues, its not a option to me. I do own a Takahashi FSQ 106 ED, and although i spend a lot of money on it, the build quality and image quality are something to be drolling about , and i had never regret to buy it, even after 6 years.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Yeah I just wished they did more thinking regarding the user experience prior to repainting this telescope from the Sharpstar 61 EDPH II

[@Wheeljack678]

This is a very disputed telescope with some controversy surrounding it. You continue to make reviews that feel honest and trustworthy, especially since you even bought it yourself. Negative reviews doesn't have to be about bashing a product. Negative reviews can still be done in a respectful and informatinal manner like you did. I felt the telescope was overpriced when I saw the announcement and I am glad I decided to wait until more people used and reviewed it.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you! I was not a fan of it due to the marketing materials around it. And so I put my money where my mouth is and tested it. It is overpriced and it honestly doesn't live up to it. And thank you for your support!

[@rickpaul9858]

So glad I got the RC51 over the Radian. I love my Redcat!

[@legacysearches4481]

I cringed watching the filter install. Ugh... the filter will have fingerprints that will drive you crazy. Glad I went with the RedCat 51 and I love it. I honestly think it's the best and easiest scope I have ever used in this price range.

[@user-mu5xs6tv5w]

God bless you for helping that animal

[@wolfgangkuechle9085]

Shocking video about the Radian 61. Admittedly my dust cap of the WO Zenithstar 73 is falling off too. Everything else is well built though. Have fun with your very cute "space cat".

[@AstroSoundscape]

This really does look like a very poorly thought out telescope. The rotator/filter drawer is basically redundant out of the box. Good to get all the information out there Angus, good video.👍

[@nocturneastro2539]

Yeah, because it's so poorly thought out equipment, I can't recommend it even if it provides the best image quality (and it doesn't). And really, at $1000usd, there are so many better and less expensive options.

[@aradani3]

This is a very important video. These are the kind of things you don't know before buying a scope. I shoot OSC and I only have two filters: Optolong L-extreme and UV-IR. One for home (the city) one for dark sites, so sometimes need to interchange between them. I am using the cheapest field flattener I could get online, on the cheapest 60ED FPL-53 doublet I could find. Nevertheless, it looks like it's easier for me to change filters than it is for Radian OR WO users. I can do it in a dark site eyes closed. Design is important! But what is important in design is usability NOT how posh it looks (it's dark anyway)

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you! Also, I'm pretty sure your "cheapest 60ED FPL-53" is a better scope than this. 😉

[@heavyjohnny]

A simple piece of felt glued to the inner dimeter of the dust cap will solve that issue

[@Swedishoyster]

I really like negative reviews, I always get suspicious when someone only has praise for a product. I recently got the Redcat51 and to be honest, it's an awesome piece of equipment, you can tell there has been a lot of thought behind the design. I don't mind the focuser since I use an EAF. Best cat of the video was the kitty though.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Hahahaha thanks! Appreciate it!

[@bullshitvendor]

OPT/AstroBackyard cash grab con job. Like this hobby inst already expensive and full of pot holes and pitfalls, it certainly doesnt need any more oportunists like these

[@nocturneastro2539]

You, my lord, has the best name ever. Hahahah 🤣

[@benc7102]

Gday Angus Totally agree with your comparison & review Totally over priced & hyped scope the Radian Raptor Cheers

[@figzastro-photography]

The filter draw is terrible. Especially if you need to change or add the filter in a dark area.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Yeah, but at $1,000 to start, I wouldn't even want anything loose on my telescope.

[@figzastro-photography]

I agree.

[@nathanmay3658]

Yeah, that filter drawer is crazy annoying. Especially on location, at night when it is cold. I tried it once and promptly put a ZWO filter drawer in the train.

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@nathanmay3658 yeah no way am I going to want to change filters on site. I'd do everything inside first before heading out. But there will always be nights where you do need to change filters on the spot. And that's a big no no with this telescope.

[@actudoran]

Take care of Somnus! Keep digging into the nitty gritty of scopes and stuff

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you, I will and appreciate the kind comments.

[@ckuethe]

Greetings from another s2k-driving urban astronomer with new kittens. I'm a year in on a bargain telescope (svbony) and I'm only now starting to appreciate what I'd be looking for in a "good" telescope. If you didn't get a rotten lemon unit there.. my SV503 just put the radian to shame. I've dropped it a few times, got dew between the lenses, did other bad things to it and it still holds up.

[@figzastro-photography]

Great video.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you!

[@antonypage1442]

what a little beautiful cat Angus. I miss my Tilly who i had for 14 years. 😂

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you! He's getting stronger and more active. Finally behaving like a kitten. He was so lethargic when I first got him. I was not thrilled about his fosters, who I thought were incompetent.

[@Cult1022]

I bought the Raptor 61 as my first scope, trusting trevor to know what he's doing. I have cicumnavigated or solved all this scopes weaknesses and made it work. I thought that was the way you do it was. Only now i see that it is a bit an annoying piece of equipment.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Yeah... I am glad there's another option for us to choose from (having choices is never a bad thing). But I think this scope was just too underdeveloped for what it's trying to do, or compete against.

[@achernarpolis8842]

A flat head? Whaaaaaat? That’s nuts, my Z61 has a simple screw knob. The flat head is dumb.

[@nocturneastro2539]

I agree completely. If someone forgets to bring a flathead out to a dark site, the night is over.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I had a good fix for that dew shield on my own video. Little electrical tape.

[@nocturneastro2539]

It shouldn't happen on an instrument that starts at $1000usd. It's like buying a premium car but the front bumper comes off. Nor should the dew shield be loose and rattling.

[@figzastro-photography]

@The Narrowband Channel I saw your video and used the electrical tape. Thank you.

[@SunJao]

I would not put electrical tape near the glass as it will turn to goop in a short time. You are asking for real trouble cleaning it off later on.

[@figzastro-photography]

@@SunJao It’s not for the glass.

[@SunJao]

@@figzastro-photography LOL, putting electrical tape around the cover is too close to the glass.

[@ddiver7908]

put it simply, the Radian 61 ain't all that...and Trevor Jones (who claimed to have personally designed and spec'd it out)and Mack Murdock should be ashamed of egregiously pushing shitty marketing tactics to sell that piece of junk to unsuspecting hobbists.

[@Mistr_A]

The kitten stole the show

[@nocturneastro2539]

Hahaha thanks. I had to explain why I was gone for the last 2-3 weeks! This little guy was in bad shape when he came to me.

[@patrickquinn7458]

Well done and thanks! Another blow to the Raptor.What a piece of...x@#*

[@neilsmith5883]

Great vid was looking at the radian , I won’t anymore, terrible design.

[@astrophotonics9470]

Surprised people are still buying this thing, this was obviously marketed for Trevor Jone's Moonies mostly newbies that don't know any better , his credibility went out the window after that.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Having options is still a good thing, it'll only encourage more and more competition between manufacturers, which is great for us consumers. And that's why I made this video. All the specs in the world won't matter if the user experience makes you want to throw the thing into the abyss.

[@Barbaria_Sailing]

NEVER take a influencers word for a fact.

[@tacomaastro7462]

Okay, now breath and play with your new owner 🙃

[@barkatthemoonlunatic1715]

weird that you were so against people 'wining' on cloudy nights about this scope, but later here you are wining on how annoying it. You even said it 'isn't my cup of tea'. Yet here you are with it. so negative

[@nocturneastro2539]

Would you rather me bullshit my way through a video and my thoughts about it? I don't have to like everything on the market and my opinion on an equipment can change over time. You can move on if you like.

[@zalllon]

“Whining” not the alcohol version you used 😂

[@barkatthemoonlunatic1715]

@@zalllon that's the version I wanted to use :)

[@reivang7196]

Radiant looks beautiful and review of owners are great I’d let them take my money any day.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Interested in buying mine?

[@mikehardy8247]

Although I appreciate and agree with everything you said, your disorganized presentation was as annoying as the Radian 61. SORRY

[@nocturneastro2539]

That's great, I'll keep doing it.

[@noahhussein8301]

Anything William optic is trash I mean it’s not bad but way too over price

[@chrisvig123]

Actually they’re quite good…it’s a lot better then that Raptor 61 piece of shit and a lot cheaper

[@DennisMammana]

Easily the most annoying review I’ve ever heard! 10 minutes in before even begins to mention the Raptor, and 15 minutes in before he gets to his first “significant” issue about it. While he makes a few good points, these could’ve been more effectively presented in just a five-minute video. FOCUS! Its not just for optics!

[@nocturneastro2539]

Nah, since it annoyed you so much and your feedback doesn't even sound all that nice to begin with, I'll make a 30mins video like this next time.

[@DennisMammana]

@@nocturneastro2539 I fully expect you will. Apparently you like the idea of an honest review when you’re giving it, but not when you’re receiving. All I’m saying is focus. You will get more attention and more likes, and will be more effective by being clear, concise, and to the point. And then, if it still takes half an hour, you will have given your viewers 30 minutes of useful information.

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@DennisMammana I have no problem with your suggestion. I have a problem with your attitude, tone, and the way it was delivered. If that's how you expect to listen to you, then think again. I don't care for the words from someone as abrasive as you.

[@spordniar]

You should reach out to @TrevorJones and give him your feedback and see his reaction.

[@chrisvig123]

Trevor’s probably skulking in the corner already knowing he made a mistake attaching his name to that piece of crap

[@Kyle_Hubbard]

@@chrisvig123 Doubt he cares, probably sleeping quite well before, during and after the fact. Why anyone would buy something hes endorsed I'll never know. I've not watched anything from him for admittedly around two years or so, so maybe this doesn't apply. However, when I watched twenty-thirty of his videos I noticed a few things. 1) He loves to "review" products. 2) He loves to shill a product and then ultimately never uses it again if hes allowed to keep it. 3) He NEVER changes anything, "This is the way I've always done it and therefore I'll continue to. Now that last part is important because he'll shill a product and then he'll use it maybe once or twice and then not use it again. I'm paraphrasing here but I remember him saying something in one of his videos and I stopped watching after that. I think it was something along the lines of "You can make up your own minds if you want to purchase it but if you don't see me using it then it wasn't for me" Or something to that affect, I can't remember exactly what was said and how, I just remember it was to do with a filter and he was in his garage, around three-four years ago I think.