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Omegon AC 80/400?

Discussion in 'Telescopes and Mounts' started by Mak the Night, Mar 13, 2018.

Omegon AC 80/400?

Started by Mak the Night on Mar 13, 2018 at 3:56 PM

6 Replies 2540 Views 0 Likes

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  1. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 13, 2018
    #1
  2. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Mar 13, 2018
    #2
    It does look like an ST80, and F.R. is the same: 400mm. Orion is still selling the ST80.
     
  3. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 14, 2018
    #3
  4. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Mar 14, 2018
    #4
    This is getting stranger & stranger...

    How can you be certain it's not the same (Synta) refractor? I note the similarities - and some minor changes. But what or where is your story behind the conclusion?

    If this is true - we've got a more valable 'scope now! :p

    <off to contemplate my plans for my 2nd. ST80.....)
     
  5. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 14, 2018
    #5
    Well, I can't be totally sure Dave, but I've spoken to a few people who have actually used the new Orion 80mm short tube refractors and at least one retailer who don't think that they're Synta either. I've not seen one close up but the differences are telling. Firstly, the finder shoe being mounted on the OTA, which is atypical of the cheaper Synta air spaced doublet OTA's. The CT80 focuser is allegedly poor with a lot more plastic in its construction. The dovetail and dew shield don't seem Synta either from what I can see. The focuser seems to be the giveaway if you ask me. Standard Synta focusers are quite distinctive, basic, but well made and usually have an integral finder shoe.

    bk80.png

    I can't find the equivalent of the new Orion on the Sky-Watcher site. This BK80 above has fancy focusing wheels but is definitely Synta. 'Sky-Watcher' is the trade name for Synta in the UK, Canada, most Commonwealth countries and Europe. I believe the US market now has access to the Sky-Watcher brand. I think Orion decided to market a cheaper alternative to the ST80 as it couldn't compete with Synta in the US market selling directly as Sky-Watcher.
     
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  6. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Mar 14, 2018
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    Interesting, Mak. Me thinks I'll be holding onto both ST80's I have - the Orion and the UK SW ST80. Before Orion took up selling them here, a few SkyWatcher ST80's came over here and were sold in small numbers. Likely testing the market, wouldn'cha know.

    Now with that larger picture you posted above - I do see some differences alright. Until we get some good, objective reviews by end-users - I'll be leary of these.

    Thanks, Mak!
     
  7. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Mar 14, 2018
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    I don't know what it would cost to import from Germany to the US. I also don't know if you can just buy the Sky-Watcher ST80 OTA's in the US either. When I bought my Orion ST80 OTA I got it from Amazon. As all I wanted was the OTA and it turned out well.
     

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