Thoughts on Hardin 80mm refractor?

On 23 Aug 2003 07:58:19 -0700, (Brian) wrote:

Looking for an all-purpose telescope, one that does well at
high-magnification planetary observation, decent DSO viewing, and can
be used as a spotting scope for earth-bound viewing/photography so
small easily transportable package is a must. I see Hardin has an 80mm
f/6 short tube refractor for $299, with 9mm and 25mm eyepeices and a
EQ mount. Any thoughts on this scope? Anyone used one? I was thinking
about getting a barlow for it and veiwing Mars this week so any help
would be great!

Lots of similar discussions in other threads... A short tube refractor
is not a good high-magnification planetary scope. Think about it: that
9mm EP will only give you 80 x 6 / 9 = 53x. Typically 200x is a
magnification where Mars is large enough to see detail. That would
require a pinhole 2mm EP (or a barlowed 4mm), and 80mm is not enough
aperture to support that magnification anyway unless you have a
superior quality objective.

I have a short tube 100mm refractor and love it for what is does well:
wide-field views of open clusters and large nebula such as M8, North
American Nebula, etc. I don't recommend it for "high magnification"
use on planets. It was, however, great to observe M44 and Jupiter in
the same FOV last spring.

---
Michael McCulloch