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Post by Mike on Jul 5, 2011 20:08:38 GMT -5
"Astronomy Now" Neil English Review. Not the best review but here it is: I've been using a Perseus 150-12 for a couple weeks and I've found no CA to speak of with normal use, pin point stars across the field using an Ethos 21, black background and excellent contrast. Yes, I work for Istar but I call it as I see it. Attachments:
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Post by jimcurry on Jul 6, 2011 7:34:06 GMT -5
I found the article thought out, rational and well done. He gives a lot more than faint praise to the P150. What would be interesting is putting the P150 up against the Istar 127R30 or the LTT140 on those same planetary views. I suspect it would fall a little behind there, too.
Low price, performance, size(aperture). You can have any two.
Jim
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Post by Watcher3 on Jul 6, 2011 11:47:42 GMT -5
I can understand answering a post by comparing 2 very different scopes that someone may be considering, but for an article that is supposed to be an evaluation of a scope, I just don't get it. I could understand, if APM or D&G made a 6" F/10, you might find a comparison of a more well known lens valuable in determining performance. I can even understand if something like a D&G F/12 were used with a few caveats, but I think to bring an Apo into this review inherently gives the achro an uphill battle.
" Price, performance, aperture" You most certainly can't have all three if the performance is compared to a completely different class of scope. You can have a best value for a type of scope, that gives the best performance and aperture per dollar. I think the review made that tough to see. Someone with Neil English's credentials should be able to evaluate the optics, by simply evaluating the optics.
Well, that's my review of the review. I'm not disappointed because it's not a gushing sales pitch for ISTAR. I think hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly is beneficial to this community as well as ISTAR. I just wish he would have used a reference point on the same grid.
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Post by istarmullet on Jul 6, 2011 13:55:16 GMT -5
He's dissing the scope becuase it could not handle 300 -500X?  How many scopes out there can do this? Check out this thread on CN when I asked about magnification and views: www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4616616/page/10/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1And I agree, he should have compared it to a similar scope, not an ED. But, it reads as a positive review. To heck with those idiots on CN who were bashing ISTAR and even used the above review as part of their rationale. I am more convinced than ever that these scopes are keepers and are setting a new standard. |
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Post by Mike on Jul 7, 2011 0:04:08 GMT -5
There will be more reviews coming out soon in other magazines. Hopefully, they will be reviewing our scope's optics and not making comparisons to totally different types. I like Neil English and have read and enjoyed his book but I'll never understand why it was necessary to compare the APO. Another thing that I didn't care for was why it was necessary to remove the dew shield. Let's see, I'll just remove parts off your scope until I get it the way I want it. So what if it detracts from the looks with the bare cell showing.
I think I'll write a review of my 152 Fluorite and compare it to some ED doublet an inch smaller. Then, I'll point it to a bright star and wonder why the Doublet has some CA and the Istar doesn't or why the 152 will take more magnification. I mean there is only $6000 difference, right?
OK I'm done. Had to get that out. Sorry Neil. ISC rocks!
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astrosean
Full Member
Jack and Jill
Posts: 50
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Post by astrosean on Jul 7, 2011 8:11:47 GMT -5
As a Chef, I am used to getting reviewed and let me tell you, glowing reviews that set the bar unnaturally high are way worse than simple balanced reviews. I wouldn't have removed the dewshield myself and the comparison to a 127mm apo is a bit tricky for me as well.
Writing a review isn't easy, especially in this hobby where folks are technically literate. Everyone wants side-by-side shootouts but there are not enough of each scope around! When I put my scope together I spent the spring comparing it to a 50mm f20 refractor, 16" SCT and my own 12" newt. Why? because that is all I had around! It wasn't until I went out to a star party a year later-ish that I was able to compare it to a 6" f9 AP refractor and an antique 6" f15 achro from the 1890's. In no way have I been able to make a comparison to a scope of similar age or price point. Even a 6" f/8 Chinese Achro which you'd think would be ubiquitous has eluded me.
Give Neil a break, he wrote a good review with limited resources!
Sean
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Post by Mike on Jul 7, 2011 15:14:04 GMT -5
Sean, that's the problem, I like and respect Neil. And, so do a bunch of other people. That's what make this review hard to swallow. I've written my share of reviews. A couple for a popular astro magazine. I have never felt the need to compare to other scopes. I'm not saying my way is the only way. If you feel the need to do a comparison or "shoot out" please compare apples to apples. That's all I'm asking. I'm actually sick of the generic reviews that come from the popular magazines. They are so edited down that it sounds like it was written by a computer. Pretty much useless. I believe they are afraid to make the company mad. After all, there is a $5000 ad for the reviewed product on the next page  I also have a habit of saying (typing) what I think at the moment and then seeing the post the next day and regretting it. As a representative of Istar I should be more even tempered. When I like something and believe in it (Istar) I want to defend it. Spend any appreciable time talking to Ales and you'll quickly become equally loyal. Many things have been said about Istar that simply aren't true. Any idea how much restraint I have to use over on CN? |
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Post by jimcurry on Jul 7, 2011 16:01:45 GMT -5
Mike:
>Any idea how much restraint I have to use over on CN? <
Were you around a year or two ago when Mr. D&G 6" binocular was around?
Jim
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Post by istarmullet on Jul 7, 2011 16:25:30 GMT -5
I lost my restraint. The stuff some of those people were posting was unbelievable. I lost all respect for a couple posters due to their posts.
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astrosean
Full Member
Jack and Jill
Posts: 50
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Post by astrosean on Jul 7, 2011 17:35:00 GMT -5
Mike: >Any idea how much restraint I have to use over on CN? < Were you around a year or two ago when Mr. D&G 6" binocular was around? Jim HA! He was fun. You know he had an accident, he fell off his tower observatory head first. Luckily he landed on his ego. I had made an offer on one of his D&G objectives which he accepted but when he was posting so much hateful xenophobic crap I told him where he could shove it and put in my order with Ales. I like how things turned out just fine. Sean |
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Post by Watcher3 on Jul 7, 2011 18:21:01 GMT -5
That's the only person that I've conversed with in my years on CN that I have absolutely zero respect for!
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gord
Full Member
Posts: 82
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Post by gord on Jul 7, 2011 20:12:45 GMT -5
Ha ha, I had forgot about that...
Anyone remember the threat about calling in the authorities (Customs? IRS? FBI? DHS? Escapes me at the moment...) if anyone ever showed up at a star party he was at with an IStar lens? Classic! You just can't make this kind of stuff up!! LOL
Clear skies,
-Gord
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Post by Mike on Jul 7, 2011 20:55:25 GMT -5
I get a kick out of the telescope trio: Yuri, Markus and Roland. They get into the funniest arguments on the AP Yahoo forum. Since its Yuri and Markus always going at it, I guess Roland just lets it go. The accusations fly back and forth like two little kids. Both with their broken English. One accusing the other of using a defective eyepiece to claim the scope had astigmatism.
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