Telescope Perfection! The Astro-Physics AP130GTX 130mm f/6.3 Apochromatic Refractor.

[@mikereilly2745]

As the former owner of Telescope-Technologies co , I have had the privilege of looking through many amazing scopes , One I'll never forget , Was , My friend Chuck Pizza's 6'' f12 super planetary astro-physics refractor. Dark sight , Florida , Super steady sky. We all could clearly see Detail on 2 of Jupiters 4 main moons . Not spheres of light. You could discern their polar regions , Moments revealing an actual surface , Absolutely amazing. I had a 6'' Takahashi fs152 f8 , It never did that for me. I had the chance to buy his AP , I really should have. Thank you Ed.

[@deanking1698]

I am remembering reading a review of an AP 130 by a certain Ed Ting on the website. I noted extreme optical quality and more extreme waiting list. I thought what the heck, I'll sign up. I will never actually get it anyway and no obligation. In June 2020 I get the e-mail that I can order and was temporarily rendered stupid. I'm not a young man and knew I would never get this chance again. I got way down in my wallet and placed the order. That was an 'ouch' but my chance to have the best of something. I thought about how I got into this in the first place -- Ed Ting review. While trying to determine if I should thank you or blame you I took delivery - 8 years 8 months 23 days after getting on the list. I got it in time to see the Saturn/Jupiter conjunction - in the same field of view and sharp as a razor. So, I guess I'll just say 'thanks'.

[@edting]

8 years is good for a waiting time. You got lucky!

[@tim71pos]

Somehow I ended up with both the GT 130 and the recent version of the stowaway. The thunk sound is very nice.

[@vitalieBu]

Any chance we could see what this scope is capable of???

[@davidgraham2673]

Such a good story. Good for you. Thanks for sharing.

[@twm1452]

@@vitalieBu There were about 30 photos taken with scope in the video.

[@billducas]

"Boy, we had fun tonight." YES! I'm 65, and my observing buddy is 83, and we say that to each other all the time. He was my astronomy instructor in Jr. High School when I was 13.

[@granthiestand8525]

I bought my Starfire in March of 1997. At that time, the scope was an expensive purchase at $3240. There was no wait list...I simply baked and said I wanted one. The wait to get it was, as I recall, about 7 months. I had it well in time for Hale Bopp and still have it to this day, along with field flattener, telecompressor and even an upgraded focuser. It's been a joy to own and take images with. They really are the cream of the crop in telescopes.

[@opponoastos]

My dad gave me his AP 130mm a few years ago. I can't stop using it. Super bright and magnificent contrast.

[@edting]

Wow, someone gave you an AP130!

[@opponoastos]

@@edting Yes 😁

[@bourkland1]

The "thunking" noise was very pleasing to experience

[@johnmars1765]

I have had my 130mm Starfire GTX for almost a year now, and yes I was on the waiting list for over 10 years. It is a fantastic scope with optics as good as my Tec 160 but much easier to deploy. I typically mount the telescope on an old Astronomics alt az mount and Celestron CGE tripod and use my Nagler 26mm for deep sky observing. The relatively wide field, contrast and sharpness are excellent in dark skies. The best view, so far was the solar flares on the sun during the total solar eclipse. I have done limited imaging with my QHY 294C 1 shot color camera. Without the focal reducer I can still image the Flame and Horsehead nebulas in the same field of view. Unfortunately, Astro-Physics changed the travel case they shipped with the scope! So no more sniffing the foam! However, there are still very pleasant thunking sounds to be had with every eye piece removal.

[@iz8904]

I can always count on a good chuckle or two from one of Ed's videos.

[@HungNguyen-ti5dz]

Waited nearly 20 years to get the traveler/stowaway 92mm F6.65! It was worth it!

[@wildfury77]

Nice! I’m looking to get an 80-85mm apo for grab and go viewing…..my bigger scopes (whilst great) take a while to setup and my current WO Megrez 72 just feels a little too small (dim….). I was looking at the TV-85, but am interested in how portable and fast to setup a 92mm scope is?

[@palmereldrich]

An apo's performance when done to an extreme level is truly unimagineable. The true colour and the insane contrast !! Oh wow stuff.

[@masterxyr]

I smiled throughout the whole video! It's great to see your enthusiasm and humour. Brilliant pictures, you're too humble. What a great all-rounder it is, just like you said. Can you not use your own music (piano) on the film? Such another wonderful talent which would so enrich your videos :) thanks!

[@Pollix780]

1:52 any reviews for that TEC 140 scope there? Hear a lot of people talk about AP, Taks and Stellarvue refractors. But almost nothing about TEC or CFF scopes

[@mbmurphy777]

Thanks for crushing my dreams of owning an astrophysics refractor!

[@WayneScott-w7z]

Hi Ed, many years ago a friend of mine, the late HJP Douglas Arnold of Hampshire, England; he was a professional photographer and avid astro imager of the Sun in Ha and the moon and portrait exposures of the night sky with the best Nikon DLSR camera body, this was back in 2006, the year he sadly passed away. Douglas actually owned and used a Astrophysics 7" f9 starfire refractor which was supported on a huge pier and mount and housed in a big white dome. I viewed the sun through that magnificent telescope and a 0.7 angstrom Ha filter and it was was the best view of the sun I ever saw in my life and the planets through that refractor is another story. That fine refractor is now part of the Hampshire Astronomical Society where it is proudly owned and used and I think it a fitting place for that fine telescope to be kept and used.

[@px7460]

10 years on wait list! :)

[@Mr-fz2cb]

Thanks for sharing this! Seems I'm not going to have one of these... However, I specially enjoyed the last bit, making us hear the 'Fump' sound of taking out the eyepiece ;).

[@ducatifriedrich2910]

I had one of the fairly rare AP 140's with a Tak EM-200 mount. As much as I loved it, I just had to admit putting all that stuff in the car and going to a dark site was such a hassle, I didn't do it often. When I luckily got a new AP 92mm Stowaway, I sold the 140 and EM, and bought a nice iOptron CEM26 mount and a Explore Scientific 12-inch Dobsonian. The dob is on a wheelie cart which I role out of my garage and use visually. I can go from sitting in my kitchen to looking into space in about 5 minutes. The AP 92 and much smaller iOptron mount are much more manageable for remote photography. As they say, the best telescope is the one you use. I would not get another 140, or even 130, unless I had a permanent observatory.

[@starastronomer]

I saw several "blue tube" AP's in 1991 in La Paz, Baja California Sur for the total solar eclipse. When I got back I called AP to order a 6" f/12 Super Planetary. I've had several other AP refractors since and mounts. Always like your reviews Ed.

[@binomania]

Dear Ed, I also thank you very much for this video. I've been reading you since I was a boy and I have to tell you that it's also thanks to you that I've become a journalist in this sector. When I was in university I spend many hours reading your reviews. Warm greetings from Italy

[@edting]

Thanks for the nice comments!

[@e.l.robbins5614]

I'm new to the hobby, but your videos are always interesting for me to watch. The Starsense dobsonian behind you is more my speed right now. Thank you for the video.

[@MarkManner]

Ed, thanks for the review of this. It has, as your other reviews have, pushed me to find one. I may have to take a break from watching your channel! Best, Mark

[@heliczer]

That is surely the best *THUNK* I have ever heard from a telescope (apparently quite a splendid bouquet too, by all impressions)

[@chaseking7545]

I am dying for Ed to do a video on a Stellarvue refractor. Everything I've gathered is they are world class

[@unaeruditi]

Nice Vid Good to see you still are in the hobby. You might remember me I still have your 20mm Nagler. The FC 76 is long gone but it served me well over the years. Moved into a 130mm Starfire, then a 155mm EDFS and soon to be a 160mm. (of course selling them along the way) Take care and be well and keep up the good work.

[@edting]

Ah, the 20mm Nagler! I remember that fine eyepiece!

[@ryanweiss7560]

I delayed watching this for a day or two because of the great pain it brought me. I owned an AP130GTX that I got new after spending roughly 10 years on the waitlist (I joined right after graduating college on a whim) and sold it during a bad case of aperture fever. I've sold a lot of scopes, including some big APOs, but I don't miss any of them except the 130GTX. In 2020, my name came up on the Stowaway list and I bought it instantly. That scope is even better than the 130GTX and will never be sold. Period. As far as the waiting goes, I agree that it is used market only at this point. Roland isn't getting any younger and it will be an amazing accomplishment if he gets through the existing lists.

[@edting]

With me it was my Traveler. I waited for it, barely owned it, then I got an offer "I couldn't refuse." Now I think about it all the time.

[@martiny1804]

Nice talk on this ED. With exchange rate and mount required that puts in around the $25000 mark for me in Kanada. I'll just go back to my corner and weep a while.

[@brentjablonski3730]

You can tell that AP is a benchmark in the hobby... No discussion of optical quality necessary! 😉 I envy you the views, Ed. Acutally, at this point I'm envying ANY views. Working on about 8 weeks of near solid overcast in MN. Oh, there were a couple nights clear - and also sub-zero temps. Brrr! Looking forward to looking at anything.

[@mod7897]

Great episode Ed and great images.

[@surgeon1000000]

Hi Ed, great video! thanks for showing us such a great scope! It would be nice to include more details on the optical quality of the reviewed telescopes. Maybe even include out of focus and in focus star images and comment on spherical aberration, astigmatism , surface roughness etc. It would be useful for us in order to learn how to distinguish good quality samples from bad ones.

[@MattEdwards1]

Fantastic video, infectious enthusiasm as always 😂

[@MikeLikesChannel]

What a beauty! Alas, not in this lifetime.

[@gregerianne3880]

😄 Thanks for another terrific video! (Removed references to AP140 and AP170 - it was incorrect. The scopes I was referencing are TEC scopes (a 140 and a 180), not Astro-Physics.)

[@gothicm3rcy426]

Ap 170? Im drooling

[@gregerianne3880]

@@gothicm3rcy426 Actually, I was incorrect. The scopes my fellow astro society member are TEC scopes (a 140 and a 180), not Astro-Physics. I modified my original comment... I'm still drooling as well, though. 😁

[@jimzeleny7213]

The foam in my 6 f8 case actually glued itself to the tube in a mottled pattern. Had to use varsol to remove it. Waiting list back in 1986 was 9 months (turned out to be about one year). Guessing that the newer scopes are better but not 24 years better.

[@wongchristian5181]

AP and Carl Zeiss APQ are my dream refractors

[@AmatureAstronomer]

I have a 150mm f/6.3 apochromatic optical tube. It is called a Celestron Schmidt Cassegrain optical tube with a x0.63 reducer/corrector. When I use my HyperStar 6 v4, it is an f/2. It cost less.

[@baselsalam]

I love your video. I got an allocation of a 110GTX, and your vids convinced me to accept it. Could you please suggest a few accessories choices: 110TCC for F5 550mm VS 110FF for F6.65 732mm FF vs APS-C Astrocamera I've only done eyepiece + camera AP over 10 years ago, so this'll be my first foray into serious AP.

[@mrh9635]

So, if most haven't got a prayer of owning one of these, a video on what might be the next best thing would especially help first time refractor buyers.

[@sfomann]

Exactly my question. Hope to hear Ed response!

[@WilliamBlakers]

Surely some model of Takahashi ?

[@mrh9635]

@@WilliamBlakers I thought of them, but I doubt they would want to be defined as the company that's almost, but not quite as good, as Astro Physics. A look at the pros and cons of other competitors at the high end would be nice.

[@WilliamBlakers]

@@mrh9635 I think given that Takahashi actually produces enough scopes that people can buy them, whereas AP are rarer then hens teeth, and the fact that Taks are probably just as good quality as AP is something to be proud of.

[@philc6736]

I have the 130 GTX and the New Stowaway. Amazing quality and worth saving for, Nothing better for imaging, they are the pinnacle.

[@mikem9246]

I image with an AP Mach 1, but only with mortal telescopes. :) At Cherry Springs one year a guy set up next to me with the full 130gtx setup for visual. Match1, Eagle Pier, the fancy trays and pier extensions, gtx130, the hand controller, the RAPAS, and of course, Televue eyepeices. Got to take some looks, it really is amazing. The RAPAS was the only polar scope that I enjoyed using. Its big pile of money for visual, you could get a 25" dob for less, and it would probably weight less. But people with AP gear never complain about it. :)

[@kasa6038]

Looks like a beautiful scope

[@KimbaIsHere]

Wow, I am one of the lucky one that own a Brandon 130mm. Looking for a mount and wondering if I should get a harmonic drive mount.

[@johnpancoast1312]

Ed, thank you for this review. I just stumbled on a 6" f/8 and am keen to explore with it when weather and time allows. The link to the Thomas Back article is broken. Do you, or does anybody else know, how to access it?

[@marcpopick248]

It will be interesting to compare this to the Questar

[@jonathanfegelein9361]

Works the way it is supposed to. Just Good

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Yup never in my lifetime will I ever own one of these but it's a beautiful piece of engineering, the closest I got to an AP scope is seeing one on display at the Practical Astronomy Show near where I live & I doubt I'll ever see it again.

[@WilliamBlakers]

Chuck your name on the waiting list and then if your time ever comes and you can't afford the scope auction off "your place" in the queue to someone with deep pockets.

[@alexkalish8288]

I have an Meade LCX- 14 and an old Tak EC-103. I have a home made mount that can move an anvil and is computer controled so that's not an issue. I'm at 6500 feet with dark dry skies. This piece of glass is going to cost me more than a used car but.... those are incredible images from the east coast - I think it my next astronomical purchase., they do show up for sale on occasion ...

[@douglaslegvold9215]

Nice!

[@paulwood6729]

Great review Ed. It' be very interesting if you could get your hands on one of the np series Televue scopes. There is surprisingly little out there on those.

[@edting]

I don't know why the TeleVues aren't mentioned more often. Want a Stowaway but don't want a Chinese product? Get a TV85!

[@ba2724]

What a beauty! If you own one, life is pretty good.

[@CleverGoatee]

Hey Ed ! Thanks a lot for your vidéos. I would love to have your opinion concerning harmonic drive mount :)

[@paullee7724]

Can you split the star Mizar into 3 separate stars with that telescope.

[@edting]

You can do that with a cheap scope.

[@RS-jz2yu]

Thanks Ed, another great video. A great video that makes me wonder. I have been lucky enough to come across a blue tube Brandon 130 and an old 5 " f8. Although I love the history of the Brandon, should I part with both of these and replace them with a new AP130GTX?

[@edting]

Tough call. I did a video on Collector Scopes where I display a couple of Brandons. I think the Brandons are underpriced right now.

[@paullee7724]

Hi Ed. Do you know what is the difference between a doublet refractor and one that's not a doublet.

[@Senluis13]

cant beat it for the price, put it on a marlin 60 22.Did have to order rings for rim fire, attached photos of 2in targets shoot at 75 feet at indoor range.

[@StargazerFS128]

Now I’m curious about the foam, I think I’ll order one just for the foam. Joking aside, I’d love to hear about a visual observing session with this scope and the TOA-130 side by side.

[@edting]

I had a friend call AP to order replacement foam, saying his had deteriorated. I wonder if what he really wanted was to recharge the smell.

[@douglaslegvold9215]

How about Takahashi refractors? How do they compare?

[@edting]

I am a huge Tak fan.

[@jaredl.4922]

First :) ! As always Ed, wonderful presentation and video. 7 months of research to make a video shows your dedication both to the hobby and an amazing refractor. What a truly beautiful instrument the AP Gran Turismo is! Maybe I will get 1 for retirement in a few decades :) For the time being, I will just have to suffer with my WO Zenithstar 61 and my AT102-ED LOL! Kudos and thanks for all you do!

[@PafMedic]

Looks Like That Is The Scope To Have,I Think They Just Like Hearing The Thunking Noise🤣🤣🤣Nice Looking,and Great Review..Thank You..God Bless And Clear Skies🙏🏼❤️🌏✨🔭

[@wd3574]

Question for all of you. Is the intended use for these scopes primarily for imaging or for visual?

[@meropealcyone]

Either works, of course, but imagers will benefit more than visual observers. For visual, I use my 130GT with a Barlow, and it produces fine results as you would expect. But I do not think I am using it to its full capabilities, as an imager would. That's why I'll probably sell it.

[@jimpoop]

Hey Ed, how would you say an Astro-physics compares to something like a Takahashi TSA-120 or TOA-130?

[@edting]

Ha! You could start a war with that comment! I buy Taks because of their availability myself.

[@tim71pos]

Brands that reach a similar level of quality, besides Takahashi, include the cff refracting telescopes and the tec 140. They all have waiting lists but the times are more reasonable like 2 years. It is my privilege to own a cff 92 mm and it gives up nothing in quality to the stowaway 92 mm which I also have. Believe it or not I have different applications for these two scopes.

[@jimpoop]

@@edting Haha I guess that could bring out some strong opinions.. I somehow managed to pick up a TSA120 as a 30th bday gift to myself and I'm blown away by it... but Astro-Physics scopes just seem to have that allure that others don't and I'm a little curious... Maybe a future video you can do a shoot out between Tak and AP.... east vs west 😆

[@jomon723]

Does it smell like a new 8-track case back in the 70's :))

[@edting]

It actually smells a bit like a new car.

[@TR6Telos]

Sounded like a wine cork.

[@mikereilly2745]

Yes, A cork popping out of a very expensive bottle of wine.

[@peterbresler1382]

Do you think there is any difference between other high end makes like TEC, Stellarvue and Takahashi?

[@meropealcyone]

My experience, being a current owner of both AP and SV telescopes, was that the seeing was the limiting factor. My AP is better mechanically, but it is also fifteen years younger than my SV. But newer SV scopes are better constructed. I did not see any significant difference at the eyepiece. Perhaps I would have if I were observing in the Atacama Desert...

[@ishanr8697]

Do you think off axis reflectors can match expensive refractors like this?

[@edting]

No. There's something about the contrast on a first-rate refractor that can't be matched by any other design.

[@ishanr8697]

@@edting Thanks for your answer. I noticed a review from 2000 on your site for an OA design and the company (DGM Optics) it seems is still going and even produce a 9-inch beast! I don't want an 8-foot scope but I wouldn't mind a look through one...

[@WinginWolf]

How dark skies would be adequate enough to see a lot of this stuff? I obviously can't see the andromeda galaxy anywhere close here (Central Texas). I've got a Powerseeker 127EQ *gasp* xD ! I've so far just used it for planets and it's aight..

[@Jimddddd1981]

If I buy two can I strap them together and use them as binoculars?

[@edting]

I saw someone at Stellafane once who did a homemade rig with two AP refractors. It was an impressive setup. If you stop and think about it, you have to be good at a lot of things to make such a thing work.

[@MrFlextor]

I own a 130 EDF and 155EDFS ( small 2,7" focuser ) , and I will never ever sell them again 😀😉. There is only one thing on the bucket list from AP left from my side, I am still waiting for my chance to grab a 175 EDF...

[@jimzeleny7213]

There was a small run of 175's a few years ago. Those on the "large lens list" were contacted and offered one. A guy from Greece was offered one and turned it down. And then said "he wanted to be included on the next 175 list" right...

[@MrFlextor]

@@jimzeleny7213 I know, they are very rare and very expensive... atm there are 2 collectibles from AP on astromart. The first is a brand new in box 180 and second a 206, bnib too... But the price for each of them is way off my possibilities 😞 , the 180 is $40k and the 206 is $100k. I am from Europe, so there comes alot on top for each, vat , import tax, transport, insurance ... 🤕, as a rule of thumb add 25-30%.

[@BlueTrane2028]

Yaay, unobtanium refractor. Very cool I'm very jealous, etc. But, back in "real world land" I have to ask: Has the StarSense Dob unseated the XT8?

[@edting]

It could for some people. I still use Dobs manually myself.

[@martinwarm4041]

Astro-Physics...the Rolls Royce of telescopes..👍

[@socaldawnpatrol]

I’d say the Bentley of telescopes. I have an auto enthusiast friend who pointed out to me once that RR had an “owners club” where Bentley had a “drivers club”.

[@martinwarm4041]

@@socaldawnpatrol maybe Takahashi is the Bentley then lol!

[@anata5127]

Which one is better Tak 130 AP 130 or TEC 140? Thanks

[@edting]

I'll take the AP over the others, but hey - you're going to start WWIII with a debate like that!

[@anata5127]

@@edting Could you briefly outline reasons? Thanks

[@christianpankratz]

Nice tekescope for sure. But I think because it is not really available, it is expensive and so on, I would rather buy an APM manufactured model. APM SD APO 140mm for the win. 👌🙂

[@Grumpy_Cyborg]

My name came up at the beginning of last year. I turned it down due to my eldest son starting university and my youngest starting this year. So it would not have been a good decision. Come August last year a big financial change happened and I now have the cash sat in the bank. If your name ever comes up make it happen life is short and you wont loose your money if you ever need it back. But you probably won't get another chance for one of these.

[@heyhey97777]

Cool

[@ronboe6325]

Added my name to the list around 2002 thinking a good year or two wait and it listed, if memory serves, about $3500. 8 or 9 years later I get an email that my name was up and it was over $5000. I simply could not justify it (looking back, perhaps I should have! LOL ). And frankly, I'm just not serious enough in the hobby to justify it. sigh

[@ultrametric9317]

I call that the "wine bottle" sound :)

[@dept9203]

Ahh, the smell and the eyepiece noise... I did both prior to your video.

[@dept9203]

It's the QTCC reducer, not the flattener.

[@edting]

Yes!

[@astrodad656]

Who knew?: Ed: "...the thunking noise."

[@cbf63]

By the time i could get one my eyes (original equipment) would be so bad it wouldn't matter.... I'm 63 now.

[@miocello9715]

Hi. Do you think a 90mm (3.5 inch) refractor is a good telescope for a beginner. I have been looking at a meade polaris 90 and a celestron astromaster 90az on the used market for around $80 each.

[@edting]

Ouch, that's dept store grade stuff. Avoid AstroMasters and PowerSeekers and anything that says "xxx by Meade"

[@ziggyfrnds]

I know I can't afford one......or even get on the waiting list to get one apparently, but try stop me from dreaming about it :)

[@johnreilly8672]

I know the economy is in a tailspin now but before this happened I was wondering why ED glass had not come down in price. Is it not a known quantity by now. You would think with all the manufacturers cranking out scopes the deluge of equipment would bring those exorbitant prices down within the reach of the amateur wanting a taste of a good or even great ED refractor. I've talked to Vic Marris a few times but he's not very personable unless your spending the big bucks. I had hoped the market would be flush with ED scopes so as to bring the prices down. But not now in this economy. Very sad

[@ratnamaravind]

For every AP, there is an APQ :)

[@edting]

Good point!

[@davidparadis490]

There's a memory altering chemical in the foam that makes you forget how long you waited and how much you paid

[@edting]

I like that!

[@TR6Telos]

If everyone took one on a plane it would not be able to take off, thank heavens for rarity!

[@jbrady1725]

The idea of a waiting list for a product being closed doesn't make sense. If that many people want it, increase production and you increase sales. If being Mammonic, just raise the price and demand will go down. How could demand for an expensive niche telescope be so high (what, tens of thousands of people waiting to buy a $5000+ telescope?) that they couldn't produce enough of them for decades of time? Over decades of time they can't increase production? Not meaning rudeness, curious what the reason is.

[@terry58501]

I just went to their website and OH MYLANTA!! the price gave me a heart attack! Goals, I guess.

[@edting]

Go to the Takahashi website next.

[@mikas2051]

If only the issue was the price.... you also need to have the years to wait till you get yours.

[@Beaver-be8vk]

Goals

[@WesleyRice-wr5xe]

Sent a pathetic little note to AP asking when the next list to join the list opens. Maybe I’ll have one of those vaunted phone calls 25 years from now😂

[@edting]

Your pethetic little note is probably next to mine!

[@WesleyRice-wr5xe]

@@edtingI don’t suppose in your remarkable scope journey that you’ve ever come across the AP 22” Mak Cass? That looks like a beautiful beast.

[@vampolascott36]

I just went to their website and you need to sign up and win a lottery to get on the waiting list. I very likely will be dead by the time Astro-Physics delivers my refractor, so an A-P telescope will not be in my future.

[@edting]

Yes, that is normal for this brand. I didn't win the lottery this past time...

[@concernedcitizen780]

No I will never own one of these. But… I wish I did.

[@grandmasteryoda9893]

AP looks good and are build well, but my lord are they bad deal.

[@meropealcyone]

Why do you think that? They are expensive but tend to hold (or increase) their value.

[@grandmasteryoda9893]

@@meropealcyone performance vs cost. Like my f4 newt to 500 buks is both fast and get more light. Apo are normally bad value, but AP er extremely over priced.

[@meropealcyone]

I’m glad you’re enjoying your newt! It’s great to have options like that. When I got my newt, anything faster than f/8 was expensive.

[@georges.5612]

Ed seemed on the fence with this one. Pretty sure he was itching to get outside with one his preferred ETX-90 RAs rather than waste his time dealing with heavy focusers and precision machining that take away from the experience under the stars. If you are not regularly cursing loudly enough to wake the neighbor's dog at 3 am after your focuser rotates and dumps a Nagler onto a paver stone, you haven't experienced real astronomy. Shame on Astro-Physics for robbing ten or 15 astronomers a year from a true night under the stars. All is not lost for AP owners though. I'm pretty sure the situation can be vastly improved by incorporating a photo tripod and a Ramsden into the observing mix.

[@KingLoopie1]

As an old fart, I just don't see anything you could've done better on those images... 👍

[@edting]

Ah, just see the kinds of images people get these days. I am awestruck by the level of talent out there.

[@David_Brinkerhoff93]

Astro Physics are cool but are essentially condemned to the land of science fiction in a galaxy far far away... So my curreny dream is to simply own all of the televue refractors. Just bought a tv60 for my second telescope. Somehow, I caught the apo refractor disease and there is no hope of recovery despite being "insulated" with a very respectable sct.

[@edting]

A commendable goal! You are going to have to define what "all" means at some point. Will you go after the discontinued TeleVues? (Good luck finding an Oracle in good condition!) There were two variants of the Genesis, Pronto, and Renaissance, and many of the models were available in both white and green.

[@joeshmoe7899]

Gear heads.

[@kingcraven8056]

Foam smells like money.

[@johnanthony6038]

If you’re not doing photography then spend your money elsewhere, the visual difference is negligible

[@webbles]

How about you review scopes people can actually buy new? Anyone who willingly supports their business model is doing the community a disservice.

[@mattmagilke2433]

Mr. Ting has done a ton of reviews of scopes people can actually buy new. If you have a particular scope in mind, post a request here and maybe he’ll put it on “a list” and review it in the future. 😁

[@oculuis]

Your ignorance is showing when he has already reviewed dozens of affordable telescopes since 1997. Check out his website 'Scopereviews' on his KZbin channel if you want to see more. If you took the time to review his videos, there are plenty of affordable telescopes he reviewed already: Orion ST80, Sky-Watcher Heritage 150, Orion XT6, Celestron FirstScope 76, Sky-Watcher EvoStar 100ED, GSO 6" Newtonian, 10" Celestron StarSense Explorer, and his beloved Orion XT8!

[@twm1452]

Nothing wrong with their business model.

[@sigma-wh3uw]

Can I please have it for free