Have you heard anything about AstroTech's low-cost Ritchey-Chrétien scopes?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around AstroTech's low-cost Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes, specifically their 6" and 8" models. Participants explore their features, potential issues, and suitability for astrophotography, with a focus on user experiences and technical specifications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the pricing of AstroTech's f/9 6" and 8" scopes and expresses general satisfaction with AstroTech's products, mentioning potential collimation issues with Ritchey-Chrétien scopes.
  • Another participant points out the lack of reviews for these specific scopes and raises concerns about back-focus limitations for visual observing, suggesting they may be more suitable for DSLR astrophotography.
  • A later reply references a prototype review and indicates that back-focus may be adequate for visual use, although this remains uncertain based on the available information.
  • Participants discuss the trend of using small APOs for astrophotography, citing impressive results achieved by others, which may influence their interest in the AstroTech scopes.
  • One participant shares personal aspirations for digital astrophotography and mentions financial constraints affecting their ability to purchase new equipment.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the performance or suitability of the AstroTech scopes, with multiple viewpoints regarding their usability for visual observing versus astrophotography and the reliability of available information.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of user reviews and the uncertainty surrounding the back-focus specifications, which may affect visual observing capabilities.

chemisttree
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AstroTech has an f/9 6" for around $1,300 and an f/9, 8" for $3,000. Anyone heard anything bad about these? I've been pretty impressed with AT's products so far... my AT80ED APO is pretty nice for the price and would make a good guider for something like this. I've heard that collimation can be a problem with RC scopes. Any experience with them?
 
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I don't know of anybody yet who has posted reviews on this scope. It appears to lack the back-focus for any sort of visual observing (unless perhaps you can view without a diagonal). That aside, if you're serious about DSLR astrophotography you might be pleased with this OTA.

Lots of folks getting into astrophotography these days are using small APOs with fast focal ratios, and some are getting extremely impressive results. Look what Greg Parker can do with a Sky 90.

http://www.newforestobservatory.com/
 
I posted this before I looked on Cloudy Nights for info. The scopes appear to be brand new and no one has one yet. The one review (if you can call it that) used the prototype... and there are pics as well.

See http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthre...age/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/2/vc/1". Backfocus appears to long enough for visual, if you can believe the pic.

That Tak as well as others were on my list. Thanks for the website, definitely food for thought.
 
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chemisttree said:
That Tak as well as others were on my list. Thanks for the website, definitely food for thought.
You're welcome! Greg (imager) and Noel Carboni (image processor) are members of an astronomy forum that I'm on, and they have an incredible astrophotography image book in the works. They have produced so many APODs that I have lost count!

Greg is pulling off stuff with the Sky 90 that I could never have accomplished with my 6" Astro-Physics APO during the film days. I've got a couple of Canon 30Ds, and after I've reconciled some financial doldrums (unemployed due to medical disability) I hope to house that instrument in a roll-off-roof observatory and jump into digital astrophotography.
 

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