Orion 100mm f/9 ED Apo

4.0 Orion 100ED f9.0 OTA

Good optics, nice paint job, robust construction

Longish OTA requires sturdy mount (Unistar, SkyView Pro or Vixen GEM). Utilitarian construction.

Surprised this one was not yet reviewed. Now available for under $700 with tube rings, this is one of the best deals out there. My first unit was out of collimation and as it is not user adjustable, so I returned it for replacement. The second unit tested spot on. The focuser is smooth and will hold a Denk binoviewer in place with no problem. Like most Orion products, the construction is robust and workman-like, but hardly refined as found in top of the line products that I own or have owned (read TV, Tak, etc.). The coatings are very good and the objective shows no color in focus. It will handle 50x per inch with no image breakdown

The tube is longish and requires a suitable robust mount. Mine is on a Vixen Super Polaris with tall wooden tripod and Orion drives. Still light enough for quick set up and suitable for higher power planetary, lunar and double star work. Good value!!