As in maany hobbies;, they tend to be expensive. They say that 'BOAT' means "Bring Out Another Thousand!" Unfortunately, astronomy, and especially astrophotography is kind of in the same place. Far t oo easy to spend a lot of money on your next purchase. If I was just starting out, I could easily spend $5,000 on a entry level set up for astrophotography! If that is the way yiy plan on going, make sure that you find a local club to help guide you. I ended up buying all the wrong stuff, and spent a lot of money I coulld have spent on better stuff, if I had just known. Good luck to you and clear skies.
I bought one of these back on the mid 2000's along with a porta II mount. I've since replaced the visual back with a Baader click-lock and replaced the mount with a Skywatcher AZ-GTI mount. It's a really good grab and go rig.
Hi Ed. Thank you for the info. Very informative. I purchased the celestron 8se 4 months ago. I'm in upstate Ny still waiting for clear skies. Can't wait to get started. Thx for your chanel. It helped school me through the winter. Clear skies!
I've been looking at these and the 4" versions as a lighter alternative to my 8" Meade SCT. The temptation's always to go bigger, but as discussed on another of Eds videos, size has to be balanced with weight, especially as the years pile on!.
Hi Ed, just saw this video and have to agree the ED80sf is a great value in a refractor. It is my primary scope for Sidewalk Astronomy in Portsmouth, and coupled with my William Optics binoviewer, has generated a lot of OMGs and "no ways," and some tearful responses, over the years when viewing the moon. My scope was originally owned by Ted Blank who traded it in to Rivers Camera (in the day) where I snapped it up for $495. Also have the PortaMount which makes for a quick grab and go. I got the longer twist knobs for it to make it easier to use.
Thanks Ed. After this video, I purchased a Vixen ED80Sf with Porta II mount (not GoTo). A very good scope with a sturdy and easy to use mount. Optics are top quality.
@@Dimensionsbrecher Hello. I'm definitely happy with it. Optics, finder, mount... So good. Daytime observation is very sharp and fun. Almost no CA at the sky objects.
Hi Ed, I have a Vixen ED80sf and mount it on a Advanced Polaris mount of which I love! It is a light weight mount and it compliments the ED80sf. I sold my CPC deluxe 925 edge HD because of the weight and the fact that I only used it 2 or 3 times a year. I will miss the goto! I bought a Celestron C6 OTA from highpoint and mount it on the AP mount too! Now I have two great scopes from Luner, planetary, double stars and deep sky! Clear Skies! Joe G
I just got one as my third telescope, with a matching Porta II tall mount/tripod. Overall, great small scope and travel friendly with the included case. Biggest gripes, are the straight through finder (very awkward) and set screws for visual back (vs compression ring). Very stable on the Porta II system. FYI: a Synta RACI finderscope will NOT fit on the OTA.
The orion ed80 with an 8" celestron edge HD with hyperstar 4 and an apertura ad10 dob has been a great, versatile set of scopes for almost any occasion, AP or visual.
I read a fellow opining that the EdgeHD/Hyperstar combination isn't really like having two scopes because switching between the two configurations is a non-trivial exercise. He said that people tend to use the scope one way or the other. I take it that you don't agree?
Just a FYI for anyone considering one of these 80ED Apos, which are all great in their own way, is that the Skywatcher 80ED comes stock with a 90 degree finder scope. Which for me was the final and most major selling point. However as Ed said, they all are great entry-level apochromatics!
Vixen moon image like 3%-4% better Ed😮 Edit neat to see my analysis agrees with consensus. I'd like to have seen a SW version also. But a photo never really equals what the eye sees does it. Great stuff as always ❤❤Ed Clear skies
I have considered buying a telescope for a while, which is the reason why I subscribed to this channel. I am totally new to the hobby but believe that I would tend towards astrophotography. As I currently don’t own any tools of the trade, which accessories (besides a tripod) would I need, if I buy the ED80Sf when it comes onto the market where I live (in the summer)?
I think the differences in the focuser has more to do with when the scope.was made than the brand, a vixen that was the same.age.as the orion would probably have the same focuser
Hi Ed. I've posted the following question around the community but am awaiting responses. Meanwhile, as a "no-bling-no-B-roll" astronomer I'd value your opinion. This one has been bugging me for a while. "Old school" astronomers continue to say "one can't break the laws of physics" when referring to telescope aperture being exponentially better in terms of resolution per inch of diameter, but I'm assuming they are referring solely to visual observation. Given modern imaging technology - CMOS/CCD sensors, tracking, stacking, post-processing and whatnot - is that rule of thumb now potentially misleading as to telescope choice with regard to astrophotography, whereby even a 50mm objective is now far more useful than it was considered only a few years ago? In which case, with the exception of purely visual astronomy - which is always a great pleasure - would you say there's no need to invest in those very costly light buckets any more? Best wishes, Ant.
Another nice informative video, Thanks !👍 Ed.... I got my first telescope in 1966 and it was a 3" Gilbert reflector. Is that one on the table behind you?
Yup. The AWB Celestron ED80 is the same exact platform. They're all the same optical set by Synta. The SkyWatcher version has a dual speed focuser but other than that they're all the same OTA.
The only difference is the celestron 80ed, at least the old ones, had a standard 80mm tube where the orion, vixen and skywatcher are in a 100mm tube same as the 100mm models. But the optics were all the same
Ed, thanks for a Great video, I always enjoy your videos. Question, over your right shoulder the larger Newtonian behind you it has the finder scope & a refractor behind it, what is the brand and model of the longer refractor you have on there? I have a 10 " Cave Astrola I want to set up with that scope. Thanks for your time...
@@edting Thanks ED, on the 8" on top there are 2 finder scopes mounted, one short in the front and on the other side of the focuser a longer refractor type scope, im curious what the longer refractor scope is mounted on top of the with the shorter finder scope. Been trying to find info of what these might be with no luck, I'm guessing about a 3" refractor but I'm not sure. Thanks again for your time Ed...
The longer finder is a Meade 50 mm X 600 mm guidescope. The shorter stubbier one is their standard 8X50 right-angle finder. Both have interchangeable .965" eyepieces. I don't believe either was original to the scope. They appear to have been added on afterwards by a previous owner.
The shorter tube gives you room to add optical accessories like a filter wheel, a microfocuser, an off-axis guider, etc. If I were shopping for one, I would go with a short tube. You can always add on extenders as needed.
Ed, I'm curious. When you did the side byside, it appeared that the Orion was actually longer than the Vixen. Is the focal length and the f/ratio the same for both, and if so, what am I missing? TIA.
Hi, there have been a few people commenting that the Orion appears bigger. Most of that is forced perspective. The camera is slightly closer to the Orion. I just measured both telescopes and the Orion is about 1/4" longer than the Vixen.
@@edting Thanks Ed! I understand perspective, but I didn't think iit was that bad in this case. Thank you for taking the time to clarify it for me, and for the rest of us.
Actually, I'm kind of surprised there is 1/4" difference between them. Different production runs? Varying QC out of China? You'd think they'd be exactly the same.
@@edting Yiou would think they would, or at least shouldl be, the same, but I guess if the lens cells were slightly different in design, improvements and upgrades through the years, or just a design change to differentiate between manufacturers, but I can see a 1/4" difference between two of the same desisgns to accomodate that.
Hi, is this your first telescope? I'm wondering what drew you to this model. This will do the job but for me it is a good 2nd scope. If you get one, be aware of two things: 1) The long focal length means you must get a sturdy mount (the midsized mounts like the AVX/LX85/etc are barely adequate) 2) The long focal length boxes you in to mid-to-high power, which can feel claustrophobic. Again, these are good scopes, just be aware of what you're getting into.
Does anyone can measure the case to tell me if it is equal or less than 55cm? I'm asking this because I'm thinking in buy this telescope in europe and bring it with me at flight cabin. That way, I don't need to pay for extra ludgage. Thank you in advance!
I've viewed several of these videos, and always catch the part where you explain your club "tricks out" a telescope you donate to libraries. I work for the city of Santa Fe in NM, and would love for our libraries to be considered for that donation. We have beautiful skies devoid of light pollution, and I know we would spark so much interest with a donation like that. Please let me know what I can do!!! Please feel free to contact me for my personal contact information!
After reading about the lawsuit with Meade and it seems that almost all the telescope's out there are made by the same people and only different paint colors and labels and seems like all of Us have been getting scammed with prices and etc for years now???
There are a handful of manufacturers, Not just one 2 or 3. But most come from Synta, GSO and JOC. There are others Ningbo sunny, Kunming/KUO, long perng etc. And a few in Japan, vixen, takahashi, mizar, towa, goto, khokusai khoki, fujiyama, nikon, pentax, fujinon, Canon etc...
Ed, thank you for taking the time to do all of these informative videos. Much appreciated!
Thanks for the nice comments!
I got my first telescope today I can’t wait to start a new hobby.
That's awesome, I wish you luck in viewing the night skies!
What did you get?
Astronomy can be a lifelong hobby. It has been for me. Glad to hear you got into it. Clear skies.
As in maany hobbies;, they tend to be expensive. They say that 'BOAT' means "Bring Out Another Thousand!"
Unfortunately, astronomy, and especially astrophotography is kind of in the same place. Far t oo easy to spend a lot of money on your next purchase.
If I was just starting out, I could easily spend $5,000 on a entry level set up for astrophotography! If that is the way yiy plan on going, make sure that you find a local club to help guide you. I ended up buying all the wrong stuff, and spent a lot of money I coulld have spent on better stuff, if I had just known.
Good luck to you and clear skies.
@@Space_and_weather I would Love to see you make videos to!
I bought one of these back on the mid 2000's along with a porta II mount. I've since replaced the visual back with a Baader click-lock and replaced the mount with a Skywatcher AZ-GTI mount. It's a really good grab and go rig.
always a pleasure to watch this channel
I am going to get a binoculars Mr.Tkng suggested in one of his videos I am so excited to biggin this new hobby
Hi Ed. Thank you for the info. Very informative. I purchased the celestron 8se 4 months ago. I'm in upstate Ny still waiting for clear skies. Can't wait to get started. Thx for your chanel. It helped school me through the winter. Clear skies!
I've been looking at these and the 4" versions as a lighter alternative to my 8" Meade SCT. The temptation's always to go bigger, but as discussed on another of Eds videos, size has to be balanced with weight, especially as the years pile on!.
Hi Ed, just saw this video and have to agree the ED80sf is a great value in a refractor. It is my primary scope for Sidewalk Astronomy in Portsmouth, and coupled with my William Optics binoviewer, has generated a lot of OMGs and "no ways," and some tearful responses, over the years when viewing the moon. My scope was originally owned by Ted Blank who traded it in to Rivers Camera (in the day) where I snapped it up for $495. Also have the PortaMount which makes for a quick grab and go. I got the longer twist knobs for it to make it easier to use.
there's also another 80ed, the celestron C80ED-R
Thanks Ed. After this video, I purchased a Vixen ED80Sf with Porta II mount (not GoTo). A very good scope with a sturdy and easy to use mount. Optics are top quality.
@@Dimensionsbrecher Hello. I'm definitely happy with it. Optics, finder, mount... So good. Daytime observation is very sharp and fun. Almost no CA at the sky objects.
Hi Ed, I have a Vixen ED80sf and mount it on a Advanced Polaris mount of which I love! It is a light weight mount and it compliments the ED80sf. I sold my CPC deluxe 925 edge HD because of the weight and the fact that I only used it 2 or 3 times a year. I will miss the goto! I bought a Celestron C6 OTA from highpoint and mount it on the AP mount too! Now I have two great scopes from Luner, planetary, double stars and deep sky! Clear Skies! Joe G
I just got one as my third telescope, with a matching Porta II tall mount/tripod. Overall, great small scope and travel friendly with the included case. Biggest gripes, are the straight through finder (very awkward) and set screws for visual back (vs compression ring). Very stable on the Porta II system. FYI: a Synta RACI finderscope will NOT fit on the OTA.
I enjoy your videos. I'm learning. Cheers!
Thank you so much!
Excellent short review! I'm thinking of getting one for myself.
100% sure that sales went up for each scope that has been reviewed here
The orion ed80 with an 8" celestron edge HD with hyperstar 4 and an apertura ad10 dob has been a great, versatile set of scopes for almost any occasion, AP or visual.
I read a fellow opining that the EdgeHD/Hyperstar combination isn't really like having two scopes because switching between the two configurations is a non-trivial exercise. He said that people tend to use the scope one way or the other. I take it that you don't agree?
Just a FYI for anyone considering one of these 80ED Apos, which are all great in their own way, is that the Skywatcher 80ED comes stock with a 90 degree finder scope. Which for me was the final and most major selling point. However as Ed said, they all are great entry-level apochromatics!
Thanks for the information. Greetings from the UK
Vixen moon image like 3%-4% better Ed😮
Edit neat to see my analysis agrees with consensus.
I'd like to have seen a SW version also.
But a photo never really equals what the eye sees does it.
Great stuff as always ❤❤Ed
Clear skies
Sample to sample variation, and different time of manufacturing. They all.come from the same factory to the same specification
The Vixen seems to have better contrast and also a little sharper
Thanks for your review! :-)
Thank you!
Ed. I mount my Vixen ED80 on an Explore Scientific FirstLight EXOS Nano Mount. Perhaps under mounted but it works.
I have considered buying a telescope for a while, which is the reason why I subscribed to this channel. I am totally new to the hobby but believe that I would tend towards astrophotography. As I currently don’t own any tools of the trade, which accessories (besides a tripod) would I need, if I buy the ED80Sf when it comes onto the market where I live (in the summer)?
I think the differences in the focuser has more to do with when the scope.was made than the brand, a vixen that was the same.age.as the orion would probably have the same focuser
Fyi for buyers, AT has a new 80edl, FCD100+ Lanthanum with a dual spd rack and pinion + retractable dew shield.
AT?
@@ronstewtsaw Astro Tech
Hi Ed. I've posted the following question around the community but am awaiting responses. Meanwhile, as a "no-bling-no-B-roll" astronomer I'd value your opinion. This one has been bugging me for a while. "Old school" astronomers continue to say "one can't break the laws of physics" when referring to telescope aperture being exponentially better in terms of resolution per inch of diameter, but I'm assuming they are referring solely to visual observation. Given modern imaging technology - CMOS/CCD sensors, tracking, stacking, post-processing and whatnot - is that rule of thumb now potentially misleading as to telescope choice with regard to astrophotography, whereby even a 50mm objective is now far more useful than it was considered only a few years ago? In which case, with the exception of purely visual astronomy - which is always a great pleasure - would you say there's no need to invest in those very costly light buckets any more? Best wishes, Ant.
Another nice informative video, Thanks !👍
Ed.... I got my first telescope in 1966 and it was a 3" Gilbert reflector. Is that one on the table behind you?
Yes, good catch! I keep meaning to do a video on it. I'll get there eventually...
Nice! Ed did you ever got your hands on a Meade ETX 80 refractor?
Greetings from Switzerland
Can you please do a Tutorial series for beginners? Every TH-cam video is about buying a basic telescope and that's it. But then what?
When you have the time, could you review a 80mm F6ish doublet for visual and astrophotography?
Have you ever reviewed about light pollution filters?
Haz un Review del Vixen R150s!
Is this also the same as the Celestron C80ED? I was under the assumption it is.
Yup. The AWB Celestron ED80 is the same exact platform. They're all the same optical set by Synta.
The SkyWatcher version has a dual speed focuser but other than that they're all the same OTA.
The only difference is the celestron 80ed, at least the old ones, had a standard 80mm tube where the orion, vixen and skywatcher are in a 100mm tube same as the 100mm models.
But the optics were all the same
Ed, thanks for a Great video, I always enjoy your videos. Question, over your right shoulder the larger Newtonian behind you it has the finder scope & a refractor behind it, what is the brand and model of the longer refractor you have on there? I have a 10 " Cave Astrola I want to set up with that scope. Thanks for your time...
The 8" is a Meade #826 (I have two of them) and the 6" is a Meade #591. Both are from the late 1970s or early 1980s.
@@edting Thanks ED, on the 8" on top there are 2 finder scopes mounted, one short in the front and on the other side of the focuser a longer refractor type scope, im curious what the longer refractor scope is mounted on top of the with the shorter finder scope. Been trying to find info of what these might be with no luck, I'm guessing about a 3" refractor but I'm not sure. Thanks again for your time Ed...
The longer finder is a Meade 50 mm X 600 mm guidescope. The shorter stubbier one is their standard 8X50 right-angle finder. Both have interchangeable .965" eyepieces. I don't believe either was original to the scope. They appear to have been added on afterwards by a previous owner.
@@edting Thanks ED, I enjoy your videos, Great Info...
U got any recommendations for telescope around 700 to 1500 dollars?
I reckon the best all purpose visual telescope is a collapsible 10" Dob. Anyone want to correct me?
The vixen tube looks a bit smaller. I wonder how that effects its visuals.
The shorter tube gives you room to add optical accessories like a filter wheel, a microfocuser, an off-axis guider, etc. If I were shopping for one, I would go with a short tube. You can always add on extenders as needed.
Ed, I'm curious. When you did the side byside, it appeared that the Orion was actually longer than the Vixen. Is the focal length and the f/ratio the same for both, and if so, what am I missing? TIA.
Hi, there have been a few people commenting that the Orion appears bigger. Most of that is forced perspective. The camera is slightly closer to the Orion. I just measured both telescopes and the Orion is about 1/4" longer than the Vixen.
@@edting Thanks Ed! I understand perspective, but I didn't think iit was that bad in this case. Thank you for taking the time to clarify it for me, and for the rest of us.
Actually, I'm kind of surprised there is 1/4" difference between them. Different production runs? Varying QC out of China? You'd think they'd be exactly the same.
@@edting Yiou would think they would, or at least shouldl be, the same, but I guess if the lens cells were slightly different in design, improvements and upgrades through the years, or just a design change to differentiate between manufacturers, but I can see a 1/4" difference between two of the same desisgns to accomodate that.
Is an Orion 180mm maksutov-cassagrains telescope good for amature astronomy.
Hi, is this your first telescope? I'm wondering what drew you to this model. This will do the job but for me it
is a good 2nd scope. If you get one, be aware of two things: 1) The long focal length means you must get a sturdy mount (the midsized mounts like the AVX/LX85/etc are barely adequate) 2) The long focal length boxes you in to mid-to-high power, which can feel claustrophobic. Again, these are good scopes, just be aware of what you're getting into.
가격은 얼마인지요?
구입 가능합니까?
could you please review the william optics Zenithstar 81?
I'd love to! Haven't had one cross my path so far...
Would the Vixen scope be decent for astrophotography?
Edit: Nevermind! I asked that question before I watched the whole video.
실물 볼수 있는장소를 알려주세요.
Does anyone can measure the case to tell me if it is equal or less than 55cm? I'm asking this because I'm thinking in buy this telescope in europe and bring it with me at flight cabin. That way, I don't need to pay for extra ludgage.
Thank you in advance!
The outside dimensions of the case are 26" long, 7.5" high and 11.25" deep.
Dang, I just sold my ED100Sf
I've viewed several of these videos, and always catch the part where you explain your club "tricks out" a telescope you donate to libraries. I work for the city of Santa Fe in NM, and would love for our libraries to be considered for that donation. We have beautiful skies devoid of light pollution, and I know we would spark so much interest with a donation like that. Please let me know what I can do!!! Please feel free to contact me for my personal contact information!
After reading about the lawsuit with Meade and it seems that almost all the telescope's out there are made by the same people and only different paint colors and labels and seems like all of Us have been getting scammed with prices and etc for years now???
There are a handful of manufacturers, Not just one 2 or 3. But most come from Synta, GSO and JOC. There are others Ningbo sunny, Kunming/KUO, long perng etc. And a few in Japan, vixen, takahashi, mizar, towa, goto, khokusai khoki, fujiyama, nikon, pentax, fujinon, Canon etc...
2 years later, it costs over 2 thousand dollars
That might be the ED81, which is a real Japanese made vixen not a synta