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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Apr 20, 2012 4:59:57 GMT -5
Hello again Doug, glad to hear that even your wife liked the Istar diagonals. Next batch will have 3mm alloy bottom plate, powder coated black (mathing our scopes), the polished stainless is no longer available. We wanted to use 1,5mm stainess but it did not work out...Did you get the FG (Red) or BK7 (Blue)? both are identical optically, only the BK7 adapts to the temperature changes faster. I would be honored if you decide for one of our refractors. In my opinion the new line of Asteria a Ares (coming up very soon) is your best bet, both optically and price-wise. Otherwise all Istar scoeps are build with SAME quality componenets and materials, even the least expensive Perseus achromat uses same materials as most expensive Phantom CaF2 Fluorite APO triplet refractors. The build quality is something everyone likes and appreciates. Our tubes simply dont flex, sag, bend during even fast and dramatic temperature changes. So once you get a perfect focus (after the glass is stabilized) you wont have to change it or adjust it, even during long photo sessions. Must run for now, glad we have another good Istar Scope Club member. People out there should write here more though... there are thousands of subjects to discuss, Istar or non-Istar related. So guys, lets get this rolling a bit more....I will keep you posted about any news from Istar. Actually, this is the FIRST place where all news appear, even before our own web site.. Im really so happy that one of our own fans and customers took his time and energy to create and maintain this web site. cheers, Ales
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Post by laowho on Apr 20, 2012 9:03:11 GMT -5
Thanks For The Heads-Up Ales,
Especially as we know nuthin about refractors. We'd also like sumthin a little more portable.
We went with the red FG because our mirrors are FG, which saved us 1/3 and works as we're keepin the scope outside.
Ales, you mentioned "Phantom CaF2 Fluorite APO triplet." Is this the same as the Phantom coatings of Baader? I ask because their Aspherics are one of our 3 sets of EPs and we went with these hoping that, at 36mm and with a 6mm exit pupil, the coatings mite render better contrast for our light-polluted skies. We mita gone with the 31mms/5mm exit pupil for this but we didn't wanna surrender the FOV (they're our "finders" too), we wanted to maximize our low power capabilities, and the 36mms are in step with our 1.5x magnification progressions...36mm, 24mm, 11mm and 1.5x Barlows. (Only Barlowin the 1.25" EPs.)
Anyway, just wonderin about yer Phantom reference.
Cheers, and thanks, Doug
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Post by Watcher3 on Apr 20, 2012 19:31:05 GMT -5
Phantom, in this case refers to the top of the line ISTAR 6" APO with a pure fluorite element in the triplet lens. Poke around a little in Mike's gallery section, and you'll find some pics of it, and some taken by it. Very nice scope. I really wish I could go for one..........maybe someday.
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Post by laowho on Apr 20, 2012 20:27:29 GMT -5
Thanks Watcher,
Where's the blush emoticon? Refractors are intimidating methinks. Some day.
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Apr 21, 2012 3:25:42 GMT -5
Hello Doug, no, Phantom is name of our flaship, CaF2 pure Fluorite Super APO line of refractors. It has nothing to do with Baader "Phantom Coating". By the way I own only two eyepiece brands. Pentax (which I consider the best made and best performing eyepieces on the market with just ideal FOV.. I was never a big fan of the 100++ degree eyepieces since there is always some trade off for the huge FOV...) and Baader. The only once thing.. on their 36°eyepiece is a bit too much of astigmatism for my taste. Only about 40 percent of FOV is usable, rest is astigmatic. Their other eyepieces are fine regarding this aspect. Funny thing is that astigmatism on this 36° Baader 2" eyepiece varys based on type of refractor used...I must look more into this when I have time and do some direct comparisons and talk to our master optician about this shortcoming. But otherwise, Baader eyepieces offer the biggest bang for the money. But those of you who can afford Pentax.. the decision is clear. Basically we use Pentax eyepieces to test our own scopes since I did not find better performing eyepieces out there.. at any price. Hope I did not offend any of you in love with your green Televues, Celestrons and others.. (I know that Mike Harden is a hard core Televue fan) so please.. dont shoot me for my eyepiece preferences.... best regards, Ales
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Apr 21, 2012 3:36:24 GMT -5
Phantom, in this case refers to the top of the line ISTAR 6" APO with a pure fluorite element in the triplet lens. Poke around a little in Mike's gallery section, and you'll find some pics of it, and some taken by it. Very nice scope. I really wish I could go for one..........maybe someday. What do you mean SOME DAY.. we have lowered price of this flagship instrument by over 1500 dollars recently.. no more excuses! You start saving your pennies now..... .... but you are right, the Ares WFT 150-5 R30 will be a fine deep space sweeper/comet hunter. A good choice of a fine instrument at fraction of the Phantom's Fluorite Super APO.. by the way guys, we are producing 3 Phantoms and 3 Ares WFT 150-5 R30 as we speak.. its time to think about getting your new Istar refractor now since we have the production rolling full force and we will have over 50 scoeps in stock in matter of 3-4 week time incl. even the super huge Perseus AT 204-9 and Phoenix WFT 204-6. cheers, Ales
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Post by Watcher3 on Apr 21, 2012 7:14:59 GMT -5
Problem is Ales you guys make it so rough! there's too much else I want FIRST. I'll definitely need an 8 0r 9". Depending on the performance of my short 6", I may need the big scope to be an R lensed short focal length to fit my situation. Then, I'd like to get something to replace my 120 achro as a "well it's not to big to travel with if I can stick it on a CG-5 mount" scope. Hey, a 140mm fluorite doublet would fit that slot nicely. Then I wouldn't even need the Phantom.
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Post by mikey cee on Apr 21, 2012 10:02:01 GMT -5
:oJoe I've reached the conclusion that you don't know what the hell you want!! 8-)Mike
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Post by borispider on Apr 21, 2012 16:28:20 GMT -5
All I know is I want the clouds to go away.
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Post by Watcher3 on Apr 21, 2012 18:34:10 GMT -5
:oJoe I've reached the conclusion that you don't know what the hell you want!! 8-)Mike Well Mikey. If I could squeeze a long scope like yours into my life, I'd probably be driving Ales crazy looking for glass for an 300mm R30, and I wouldn't need niche scopes. At least this way I'll have a pretty neat collection if I never get to be as fortunate as you space wise.
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Post by mikey cee on Apr 21, 2012 20:51:04 GMT -5
Joe my dear pal if I knew what I was getting into with my "biggie" I would've not slept nights for months. There is no way in hell I'd ever go bigger. I'd still be looking for raw material to make turnings from. My mount would handle larger but my free machinist bud couldn't. A person doesn't realize all of the parts to the puzzle 'til your in up to your ass and it's too late. Having said that and now 100% finished I can honestly say that I my new scope! Mike
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Post by Watcher3 on Apr 21, 2012 21:44:50 GMT -5
I hear ya Mike. But look at you. Livin' the dream. I can only hope at this point , that I stil can take the opportunity sometime after I stop working, and before I become fertilizer. Be worth it to me if I had to live on ....... was gonna say cat food, but I can't even afford that Now!
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Apr 22, 2012 3:08:07 GMT -5
Boy, oh, boy. you guys worry me. How can I make our scopes more acessible to everyone...this question really drives me nuts...it is not in our profit margins.. they are so low, most other guys would not even get up from their bed in the morning.. for this kind of money... we use only top notch materials... if I go with typical Asian scenario, we will turn from CNC machined magnesium alloy to a thin aluminum and plastic. Instread of bolting everything together with stainless steel bolts, we could slap parts together with a regular glue. Switch from a custom made lenses to a mass produced Synta lenses, like just about everyone else these days.. but than.. we will become less expensive and fall into category of a "perfect low standard average" and who ever is going to have the lowest price will win this battle. Seriously.. after giving things much consideration.. I would rather close my shop before I become one of those. There are PLENTY of cheap scope producers out there, no need for another one.. so.. either you guys save more for a longer time, or you simply buy the cheap stuff... I still think that our prices are a steal for the overall quality we offer and it would make me very happy if I hear the words "yes, we agree"... well.. Im not much help about this situation after all... at least wrote some of my Sundays' thoughts on Istar Scope Club... cheers guys, Ales
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Post by Watcher3 on Apr 22, 2012 9:00:46 GMT -5
No No No Ales don't change a thing that you are doing. I for one really like the quality level. Good part of the reason that the ISTAR Scope Club is here. Like I said if it's above my pay grade, I don't mind. I want it. If I have to make sacrifices to own the ISTAR's on my list, I'll gladly do it. And I think we all know how Mikeycee likes the scope of his dreams. No Ales. just keep doin what yer doin, and a lot of amateur astronomers will be closer to their dream scopes than they ever were before you came along. Not a matter of cheap, it's a matter of affordable quality. at least that's how I see it.
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Post by Mike on Apr 23, 2012 19:20:45 GMT -5
I'll put my Televue Naglers up against those Pentax pieces anytime anywhere and any scope. Come on over here to the good ol USA and we'll have a eyepiece shootout. You'll go back to Europe with a box full of Naglers under your arm.
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