Best scope for wide field visual only

[woaussie]

For those who have had good experience with Istar scopes how does the 5.9 or 6 inch work for wide field visual observing? I have a 4 inch ED APO refractor now and am happy with it. I am looking for a little wider visual view when looking at say the seven sisters, M13, nebulas clusters etc. I like the planets also but not as much as all the Messier, NGC and DSO objects and many others. This is why I was thinking at least 6 inch aperture if I am correct. There is a pretty good selection of 6 inch scopes here but which one ? Any feed back appreciated Thanks Bill

[bn1777]

I used to have a SW 6 inch f5 Bill and it was a great wide field deep sky scope , seen better views than a friends 8 inch Meade SCT that did not have a wide field , but my 150mm refractor seen easily as deep with nicer views .
Refractor like .

I got many remarks last Saturday night at our dark sky night on how nice my Istar's star images looked , perfect .
An Istar comet hunter 6-8 inch would be ideal for what you want , I think .

Brian.

[rgm]

Bill, As Brian has already stated, one of the Istar comet hunters might be what you are looking for regarding a wider FOV and bigger aperature. Part of your decision will be your mount. The 8" f6 is a heavy scope.

Bob

[woaussie]

I have an Orion Atlas mount so I think I am ok with it. If I do get an Istar it will be a 6 inch. I never get a chance to see one in my area. I want as wide a field as possible in a 6 inch. Looking at the Perseus AT150-8 6 inch or possible a Comet Hunter, but I see do not come in a 6 inch. What about the Asteria AT 150-8 R35? I think the lower F ratio will give me a little wider field but I also want a little more I think an F/8 will give some wide views but not as much as F/5 I know this. I know you can not have it all in one scope but it sure would be nice if we could. I hate it when there are to many scopes to choose from but that is how astronomy is. Any other feed back appreciated and thanks for the responces. Bill

[rgm]

Bill, what is the focal length or focal ratio on your current 4" scope? It is quite possible that the 150 f8 will be longer and therefore have a more narrow FOV.

[woaussie]

My current scope is the SW Pro 120 ED APO. Its 900mm F/7.5--4.72" aperture. I really like it but would like to have something with a wider field of view. Thanks Bill

[boomboom]

Bill have you used the TV eyepiece calculator? I ran a few numbers through it and get this result.
Always the 41 68º Panoptic comes out on top with the widest field. The only problem is the exit pupil (EP) can be bigger than 7mm depending on the f ratio of the scope.
Here goes widest field and exit pupil:
150 f5 3.5º EP 8.2
150 f8 2.2º EP 5.1
your 120 ED 2.9º EP 5.5
and just for comparison:
100 f5 5.3º EP 8.2
80 f5 6.6º EP 8.2 and finally:
204 f6 2.2º EP 6.8

The above is just with a 41 Pano but interesting that the smaller scopes give a much wider view, it's just the field curvature the small scopes throw up that is a consideration.
Found it interesting that your 120ED gives a wider view than the 150 f8, just a bit dimmer.
Bit of a compromise really.
I use a 70mm f7 with a 20mm 70º 1.25" eyepiece to give 2.5º's and an EP of a bit under 3mm as my wide field finder, very nice despite being a small achro.
Matt

[woaussie]

That is interesting. Now I am going to try to figure out which way to go. I have looked at the TV calculator. I guess what I am after is getting a wider view over the SW 120 ED APO I have now. When I look at M13 for example even at high power I can not make out individual stars. Its a cluster ok Like a ball. I guess I was ruined by my 12 and 14 inch dobs. For medical reasons they were to much to handle. I have no problem with the Atlas mount and the refractor scopes. I would like to see like M13 as a cluster and be able to make out individual stars and other open clusters and nebulas as well and do very little planetary. I have a good selection of ES eyepieces and 35 and 41 panoptics and a few meade 5000uwa. They all work fine in the SW scope.I know there is no scope that will do it all, but I want to try to find something a little wider and I see Istar has a pretty good selection to work with. Two that I was looking at was the Asteria AT150-8 R35 and the Phoenix WFT150-5. Would like to have at least a 6 in scope. Not knowing these scope Its hard to make a decision. No one here in my area of northern Ca. has this brand scope. I guess more research is needed and watch for any reviews on line. I will get something after the first of the year so have time to read and look for articles on Istar. Thanks for your info its appreciated. Thanks again Bill

[Mike]

Bill, there will never be a better time to pick up the Phoenix WFT 150-5. Current price is $1330 which includes a Moonlight focuser and I have some sample tube rings I'll throw in. Get a dovetail and you'll be ready to go. Keep in mind this scope is made for wide field, DSOs etc. at low power (25X per inch).

Email me for more info Mike Email

Mike

[woaussie]

Thanks Mike for the offer. I can not do anything till after the first of the year because of other obligations till probably around the middle of Feb or first of march. At that time I should have everything done possibly in Jan maybe. I will be around here and will really consider the Istar line. Thanks again Bill

[Mike]

OK talk to me then Bill we'll see what we can do.

Mike

[bn1777]

Damn , $1330 for a 150mm f5 Phoenix!!! with Moonlight , thats gotta be the deal of the year Mike , well done mate .
If only I needed another scope ,,,,,

Brian.

[boomboom]

Sept 9, 2013 22:17:11 GMT -5 bn1777 said:

Damn , $1330 for a 150mm f5 Phoenix!!! with Moonlight , thats gotta be the deal of the year Mike , well done mate .
If only I needed another scope ,,,,,

Brian.

One always needs another scope...it's more a question of if your allowed to have another scope

I' will have enough tube left over after the f12 to do a 150 f5...but haven't told my wife yet.

Matt