If you want the absolutely best largest single person portable APO refractor, look no further than the TEC APO180FL.  

The optics are stunning, several people have who have looked through mine have stated that it is the best refractor image that they have ever seen.  I agree.

I live in the NE USA and cooldown of optics is a big factor in the performance of telescopes here for critical work.  The 180FL cools down faster than one would think based on its size, and so far I can do decent high magnification planetary work in under an hour on the worst of nights.  Ive yet to get a night in which the scope could not keep up with the falling temperatures, or at least fool me into think so, which is just as good.

The ability of a 180mm APO to do deep sky work is amazing, especially if you think will only be a little bit better than, say, and 8 SCT.  The images arent a little bit brighter and better, they are a whopping bit better.

I need to do a side by side, but I find it just as good on DSO as a 11 SCT.  I know that it cant be just as bright given the difference in photon collection surface area, but it sure looks it!  In any case, one can be very happy with nothing larger than this scope on DSOs for sure.

From: | Created on: 10/16/2009 1:48:53 PM