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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Aug 11, 2014 5:28:59 GMT -5
Hello iStar friends and associates, as promised, Im happy to post some spot diagram comparisons of the latest generation 150 F/5 R60 SLIM with other lenses. These 3 attachments are showing the new 150 F/5 R60 SLIM (currently wrongly marketed as 150 F/5 R35 SLIM) compared to the latest generation 150 F/8 R35 SLIM and even the extremely popular 127 F/12 R30 (purchased by Neil English and many other demanding amateur astronomers. In my opinion this new 150 F/5 R60 SLIM (I think it will be R60 but the final decision will be made by our master optician Zdenek) is comparable with 127 F12 R30 lens... this is an absolutely amazing achievement for a doublet in 150 F5 configuration. I will add a direct comparison of already promised 150 F5 R55 SLIM and 150 F5 Classic Fraunhofer within next day or two. Best regards, Ales
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akhael
Junior Member
Posts: 18
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Post by akhael on Jan 31, 2015 13:12:56 GMT -5
Hello Ales, i am bringing this thread back to life since I couldn't find on the website the comparison between the 150 F5 R55 and a classic 150 F5. My most used instrument is a 150 F5 Skywatcher refractor so it is of great interest to me. Thanks in advance.
Edit : I finally found the Istar classic 150 F5 diagram on the website but I guess it is better than a standard SW...
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Post by jolasa on Mar 2, 2015 16:35:42 GMT -5
I see this Comet Hunter anastigmatic scope on the site: istar-optical.com/comet-hunters-ii.html Is it in stock (in the USA) ready to ship?
And is there a similar scope using the R60 lens?
JonS
PS Is Mike still with Istar. Tried to email him during the last 2-3 weeks, no replies.
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Mar 3, 2015 13:51:54 GMT -5
Hello Jon,
yes, the Ares WFT 150-5 R50 is in US stock, ready to ship. You can call Mike in Florida or me in Arizona (619)-452 9820 for more info. This new R50 is on 5% sale, all other second generation scopes are on 45% total liquidation sale.
best regards,
Ales
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Post by francescot on Mar 4, 2015 7:52:15 GMT -5
Hi Ales I just received the 220-3300 , it looks VERY professional:-) Just curious about the R 35's on stock: when you say "all second generation scopes on 45% liquidation " do you mean the R35 doublets In cell too? I am very interested about the 180 f 12 R35 that you have on stock
thanks!!
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Post by jolasa on Mar 4, 2015 13:26:37 GMT -5
quote-
Hello Jon,
yes, the Ares WFT 150-5 R50 is in US stock, ready to ship. You can call Mike in Florida or me in Arizona (619)-452 9820 for more info. This new R50 is on 5% sale, all other second generation scopes are on 45% total liquidation sale.
best regards,
Ales
Read more: istarscopeclub.proboards.com/thread/588/new-slim-spot-diagram-comparisons#ixzz3TRWlr6XO
***********************************
Ales,
What is a "second generation" scope? All the Istar anastigmatic scopes with R30 and R35 lenses?
You say the WFT 150-5 R50 is in stock ready to ship - but the website shows the WFX 150-5 R50. www.istar-optical.com/comet-hunters-ii.html What is the difference between the WFT and the WFX?
I want to use this scope as an Astrograph for imaging - I will NOT use it for visual.
All of my imaging is with APS-C sized sensors (Canon DSLR) or smaller. So I need comments about using this scope as a dedicated imager.
Can I have the following specifications for the WFT (X?) 150-5 R50:
1. Flatness of field for APS-C or smaller sensors (Canon DSLR or smaller sensor)? So this is a question of scope image size at focus for a sensor 22.3mm x 14.9mm (diagonal = 27mm) or smaller. What is the size of the image at focus?
2. Stock focuser drawtube total travel, full in to full out, in mm?
3. Reducer available?
4. Native back focus?
5. Mount plate - Losmandy or Vixen?
And, please give me Mike's phone # in Florida.
JonS
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Mar 4, 2015 13:37:33 GMT -5
Hello Francesco, second generation tubes are those still made with Austrian made 3mm tubes and hard bolted (but easily removable) dew shields. These scopes were designed and built to last for generations but most people prefer weight reduction over rock solid tank-like built. So the decision was made to completely redesign our scopes from bottom up and with this we achieved nearly 50% reduction in weight while still maintaining all CNC machined, hard bolted, solid construction with many improvements (no sag retractable dew shield, super thin feather lightweight magnetic lens cap, new slim reduction rings, new slim CNC baffles, spit construction counter cell, white powder coat, etc..). List of scopes on sale will be soon posted by Mike Harden. I believe he will post this list on ISC and AM today, I will post it on CN in following day or two. The 180 F12 is definitely not on sale, we don't even offer OTA in this configuration. We only offer lenses in 180 F12 R35. I will not consider production of this scope anyhow. We have something much better and more exciting being prepared. So please stay in touch, best regards, Ales
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Mar 4, 2015 14:31:04 GMT -5
Hello Jon,
well, the difference is in a TYPO Ive made... sorry :-) I did mean WFX 150-5 R50. With all these different models we offer, I do get mixed up time to time...
Im not sure how well will this scope perform on imaging. We never tried. Mike still has one or two in stock, I will ask him to try to make few photos if he finds time. I would be interested myself to see how this cope performs. For sure it is priced considerably lower compared to any other fast refractor. But the matter of fact is, that this scope, regardless of reduced CA, will still show secondary spectrum both visually and on photos, especially when pushed over recommended maximum magnification of approx. 0.35D which translates to 52x. On second thought, if you use narrowband filters or RGB filter wheel and shoot each color separately, Im sure it will perform well on any APS format chip. We will be more than happy to send you one of these, if you are unable to take decent photos with it, simply send it back to us and we will refund your money or offer you a different model. Have a wonderful day and thank you for your recent phone call. Very nice talking to you over the phone. We need more happy repeat customers like yourself. Best regards, Ales
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Post by jolasa on Mar 6, 2015 13:07:23 GMT -5
Ales,
I need to know some specs for the Ares WFX 150-5 R50 scope before I proceed:
1. Scope image size at focus for a sensor 22.3mm x 14.9mm (diagonal = 27mm) or smaller. What is the diameter of the image at the sensor focus point?
2. Stock focuser drawtube total travel, full in to full out, in mm? And also the same measurements for the Williams Optics, and Moonlite focuser options?
3. Reducer available sometime?
4. Native back focus of scope?
5. Mount plate - Losmandy or Vixen?
Need prices for Williams Optics 3.5” focuser, and the Moonlite focuser.
5% sales price off $2,085 = $1,980.
Shipping estimate from Florida to Oakland, CA 94602.
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Mar 6, 2015 20:32:57 GMT -5
Hello Jon, this is very strange. I talked to Mike twice today, his phone was on and I got thru. Just to make sure you guys have the correct phone number it is 239-898-0974 I can answer some of your question right now, rest I must discuss with Mike 1 The image circle this scope is designed for is 44mm 2 Our standard 2" focuser travel is 80mm which is little over 3 inches. I do my best to design our scopes with the image of star coming into focus approximately 20 to 25mm on focuser scale. But this can change based on type of focuser you are using and type of focuser reduction ring. New reduction rings are made in slim style, nearly 1" thinner compared to older style. 3 Do you mean optical reducer? 4 Back focus of this scope with focuser and focuser reduction ring removed is 275mm. Again, this can vary based on actual focal length of the objective lens. Each one is hand figured and focal length can vary plus minus 1 to 8mm 5 Our mounting rings are custom designed to fit ALL 3 major types of dovetails: 60mm Losmandy, 80mm Losmandy and Vixen 6 Mike must give you these figures. The scope is priced with standard 2" rack and pinion focuser 7 Yes, we offer this scope on sale for 1980 USD 8 Shipping of such scope via UPS should be around 60 dollars, but Mike will be able to give you more precise estimate.
I hope this info helps, thank you again for staying in touch and sorry about the trouble you and some others have when trying to reach Mike. He is resolving the issue with his phone, I hope it will be all fixed within next few days. Mike will for sure let you know, best regards,
Ales
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Mar 7, 2015 12:28:42 GMT -5
Jon, I called Mike this morning (Saturday March 7, 2015) and left him a detailed message about your remaining questions. He will follow-up directly thru this thread. Thank you again, talk to you soon, cheers, Ales
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Post by Mike on Mar 8, 2015 14:50:50 GMT -5
Hello Guys, My Istar phone was found to be bad. They are sending me a new one right away. Now, to say I'm not answering email is incorrect. I am known for and receive praise all the time for responding to email immediately. Let me make a simple statement: If I do not respond to your email, I did not get it. I have had guys chewing my behind only to find out their email server would not let my reply mail through. Here I am receiving the mail, answering it but it keeps bouncing back and the customer is upset with me. If you can't get me, then try Ales, Petr or Gay Ann. PLEASE do not say I am not answering your email. This makes me and Istar look bad. I am currently making my living from Istar. I simply cannot afford to not answer email.
Email is easy, inexpensive and convenient. But, not 100% reliable.
Mike
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Post by jolasa on Mar 8, 2015 20:04:42 GMT -5
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Mar 9, 2015 12:50:08 GMT -5
Hello Jon, yes, this is correct email for Mike Harden. Mike recently replied thru this forum, please read his post. If you dont receive response from him in reasonable amount of time, write him again with copy to me ales@istar-optical.com and I will get in touch with Mike ASAP. best regards, Ales
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Post by jolasa on Mar 31, 2015 13:00:51 GMT -5
What is the warranty period for new Istar scopes?
Is the warranty transferable?
JonS
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