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Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 25th 06, 03:47 AM posted to uk.sci.astronomy
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Default Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor

Hello all,

Has anyone here dealt with Agena AstroProducts lately? I'm curious about
their stock and reputation for customer service.
The product I'm interested in is the Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor. I've
been considering an inexpensive 6" refractor for awhile now as an
occasional use scope. I'm narrowing it down to the Antares model and the
Celestron (Synta) C6 150mm f/8. Both models have adjustable cells which
I like. (I wonder who makes the Antares objective?)

If anyone has had the opportunity to view through either of these two
models I would enjoy reading the comments. I've read the reviews in
'Cloudy Nights', but there must be more written somewhere. Not a word to
be found though as to who makes the objective cell for the Antares.

Thanks!

  #2  
Old May 25th 06, 05:46 PM posted to uk.sci.astronomy
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Default Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor

Hi,

Jinghua Optics make the scope FWIW, it's the same scope as Teleskop
Service sell in Germany, I've got the f8 model and an very happy with
it.

Gaz

  #3  
Old May 26th 06, 05:11 AM posted to uk.sci.astronomy
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Default Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor

Thanks for your reply Gaz.

Is your f/8 the same scope as that sold under the 'Zhumell Kepler' brand
name as well? Does yours have an adjustable cell? I think I had read
somewhere that the 152mm Antares was also offered in an f/8
configuration, but I don't see it anywhere, so I'm wondering if I just
dreamed that.
That f/6.5 Antares seems a bit fast for me in an achromat of that size
(152mm) for the price range. I'm a bit concerned about false color being
more that I can take in anything less than f/8.

Thanks again,
Marko

  #4  
Old May 26th 06, 08:03 AM posted to uk.sci.astronomy
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Default Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor


Hi Marko,

Yes, it's the same scope as the Zhumells, the lens cell is adjustable.
I remember reading somewhere that Antares didn't take up the option to
sell the f8 version for some reason.

The f6.5s are supposed to be well corrected considering how fast they
are, but theres bound to be quite a lot of CA in a achromat with those
specs, theres just no getting around it. The false colour is still
there in my f8 model but nothing that I find too objectionable, I have
a minus-violet filter that I don't bother using so it can't be that
bad!

One thing to be aware of if you go for the f8 model is how big and
heavy these scopes are, they are heavier than their Skywatcher/
Celestron equivilents. You'll need at least a HEQ5 class mount whereas
you can get away with an EQ5 for the lighter scopes. I've got mine on
an EQ6 and it doesn't feel overmounted (I have got a 100mm f5
piggybacked though)

All the best
Gaz.

  #5  
Old May 28th 06, 04:12 PM posted to uk.sci.astronomy
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Default Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor

Hello Gaz,

Thanks for your detailed information on the Zhumell and your personal
experience with the mounts for your 152mm, f/8 Teleskop Service scope.
I went to the Teleskop Service web-site and was pleased to find they
print a lot of information about their products. The mount descriptions
were especially of interest. They did a rather detailed comparison of
the HEQ mount and the Celestron CG-5. I was surprised at their comments
and observations.
Have you had the opportunity to compare the Teleskop Service/Zhumell
(Jinghua) 152mm, f/8 optics to the SkyWatcher/Celestron 150mm, f/8 out
in the field? I read someplace that the Skywatcher/Celestron also has an
adjustable cell, but I'm wondering how the optics compare.

Once again, I thank you for your time and comments.

Best viewing,
Marko

  #6  
Old May 28th 06, 05:42 PM posted to uk.sci.astronomy
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Default Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor


".. Rocaille.." wrote in message
...
Hello Gaz,

Thanks for your detailed information on the Zhumell and your personal
experience with the mounts for your 152mm, f/8 Teleskop Service scope.
I went to the Teleskop Service web-site and was pleased to find they
print a lot of information about their products. The mount descriptions
were especially of interest. They did a rather detailed comparison of
the HEQ mount and the Celestron CG-5. I was surprised at their comments
and observations.
Have you had the opportunity to compare the Teleskop Service/Zhumell
(Jinghua) 152mm, f/8 optics to the SkyWatcher/Celestron 150mm, f/8 out
in the field? I read someplace that the Skywatcher/Celestron also has an
adjustable cell, but I'm wondering how the optics compare.

Once again, I thank you for your time and comments.

Best viewing,
Marko

One thing you have to be very careful about, when talking about the
'CG-5', is that there are so many versions of this. The original Celestron
unit, then the latter one with improved RA bearings, then they improved
the lubricant selection a little, and the latest version, has ball races
on the worms. The current CG-5, is excellent value for money, and nine out
of ten, work well (better in many cases than more expensive mounts), but
with the 'caveat', that though the improved bearings do help carry more
weight, it is really overloaded with the heaviest scopes Celestron offer
on it. Unfortunately, because of the number of versions, it can be hard to
know which variant is actually being referred to in posts, and reviews...

Best Wishes


  #7  
Old May 30th 06, 03:47 AM posted to uk.sci.astronomy
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Default Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor//CG-5 Mount

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your input on this one. These are factors I had
not known of and they will indeed influence a decision.

I've wanted another mount to use with my William Optics 'Zenith Star
105',, as the Orion SkyView Pro mount I'm using is a tad light for this
one. Also, I would like to try the CG-5 with the Antares 12012 (the
127mm, f/9.4,, also sold as the Teleskop Service & Zhumell brand).
Eventually, by Summer's end, a 6" Antares or Celestron is on the list,
but it appears that the CG-5 may not be enough mount for this size.

Of course this information you give now prompts a question. Does
Celestron still have a lot of the older versions of their CG-5 in
distribution as 'new - old stock'? Perhaps there's a way to know by
looking at one (without disassembly) which would be the latest version,
i.e. a number or casting mark. I guess I should be giving Celestron a
call on this one to see if they are willing to give up this information.
I've read where their customer service is good and this would be a test
of that.

Thank you again,
~M

  #8  
Old June 1st 06, 04:04 AM posted to uk.sci.astronomy
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Default Antares 152mm f/6.5 refractor//CG-5 Mount

Thanks to you both for your advice. On your combined experience I've
decided to go with the Antares (Jinghua) 127mm, f/9.4 refractor instead
of the 152mm. I placed the order today with Anttler's Optics in
Michigan.
The 6" model would indeed need a more substantial mount. This will have
to wait a while longer in order to gather the funds. Until then, the
127mm Antares will suffice and have to make do with the Orion 'SVP'
mount I already have.

I'll let you know how the 127mm works out.

~~M


 




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