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ST102 - anyone used one?


Nigeyboy

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Hi all


 


First post here (apart from my ‘Hello’ earlier today!), so go easy!


 


I am in the process of getting a basic set up together. I have the mount – a nearly new SW EQ3-2 – but am still deciding on what OTA to adorn it with!! Do any of you have first hand experience with the SW 102 ST? I am only going to be doing visual for the time being, while I save and gain experience to allow an upgrade in a year or two.


 


I know I will see CA on bright objects, and some field curvature due to the fast optics – but for visual, how does it fair? I am also aware I won’t get great views of the planets, but that’s only half a dozen objects so am not too bothered!


 


Should add, the reason I’m looking at fracs, rather than a reflector is portability and the need to grab and go, with minimal fuss. I live in the city, and want to be able to pop it into the car, drive somewhere dark, and be set up and observing in a few mins. Dob’s aren’t really in the frame, as I also want to be able to pack it when we go on holiday.


 


Thanks in advance


 


Nige


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I have the ST120. I'm not too impressed with the planetary views, and yes it does show CA on brighter objects. You could choose to moan about the CA, or just accept and ignore it. On star clusters and nebulae you don't see any CA anyway.

As a robust grab n go for wide field, relatively low power views, it does an excellent job for the money. I've seen some wonderful low power, wide angle vistas with it. You would have to pay a heck of a lot more money to be rid of the CA and get crisper planetary views.

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I looked at the 120, but I think it will be to big for my EQ3-2, hence the 102 idea. I have read so much about all the different scopes in my budget, and keep coming back to the 102. Seems to be a good compromise between aperture and portability.  


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Not that much difference between the two in weight or performance, and I would have thought your mount would be equally ok with either. Both very good for the price if you can't run to the price of an ED :)

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An ED frac is out of my budget at the moment!! I am keeping my eyes peeled on the usual sites to see if any bargains come up though.


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My ST 102 is my most used scope. It lives on an old AZ3 mount these days and is ready to take out, plonk down and view almost instantly. Granted, planets are not its forte but I've still had some nice views of Jupiter and Saturn using a Vixen SLV4mm eye piece. The 25mm EP that comes with it is ok, the 10mm is rubbish and will make you think that the scope can't cope with the magnification! The 4mm gives 125x mag and I've seen Jupiter's Great Red Spot with this combo, just! 


Very nice for open clusters and wide views. Relatively easy to find stuff with the wide views so good for learning the sky.


What can you see with it?


Bright galaxies like M31, M 81/82, M106. Asterisms like the coat hanger, Pleiades, NGC 457(Owl Cluster). M57. The moon! I made a white light solar filter With the Baader film for mine so sunspots. 


And yes, robust and easily transportable.


I took this shot of M106 with it some time back.


14456554408_e69de80806_z.jpg020 M106. r NGC4248,4231+4232,below asterism4217+below L 4226.jpegframes.59x45sec.44min 15sec. iso800. 500mm.f5. 66%crop startravel 102 by Alan Piggott, on Flickr


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Also, have a look at "Refractor advice?" in Beginners Area. There's more on the 102 and 120 in there.


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That is a lovely image Alan. :2thumbsup:


 


Most people don't show images taken with anything less than an ED, but yours is great and shows numerous galaxies with plenty of detail in the full size, and loads of stars.


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Thanks for all the advise – that’s a cracking image Alan! Great to see what can be done with an inexpensive telescope. When you compare the cost between the 102ST and a similar aperture APO then it’s a no brainer for me!! Suppose I could sell a kidney . . . . . . !!


 


I think the little achro’s are much maligned, but in reality they are pretty good value – especially for someone like me just getting back into the hobby. The 102 seems a good compromise between portability and aperture.


 


I will check out the info on the Beginners forum – thanks for the tip!


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I looked at the 120, but I think it will be to big for my EQ3-2, hence the 102 idea. I have read so much about all the different scopes in my budget, and keep coming back to the 102. Seems to be a good compromise between aperture and portability.  

 

My first scope when I got back into astro was an ST120 on an EQ3/2 mount and had no handling problems. The ST120 is quite a lightweight scope compared to all these CNC machined jobbies out there that weigh half a ton and its nicely matched to the eq3/2. I did however change the tripod.

 

I started DSO imaging with it and soon learnt its limitations but with a Mintron video camera in it I was amazed at what could be seen live through it, Horsehead Nebula, M51 with loads of detail, arms in M33 and globular clusters wow!

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Spotted the sky was clear so jumped out with the ST102 about 21-00. used C du C to get co-ordinates and found Venus. Through the 4mm SLV it's now a nice thin crescent. I was able to fix my setting circle and Wixey so then looked up Saturn's position. With a 20mm EP I got Saturn about 21-15 well before I could see it naked eye. I've given it a bit more time to get dark and been out for another look. After finding it again,  swapped to the 4mm EP. It's a bit wobbly but could just see the Cassini division coming and going, see the shadow of the planet on the rings and make out slight banding on the planet surface. Off out for another quickie before I loose it behind the house.  


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I like these scopes. I have the St 120. But because I brought a Skywatcher 2" Di-Electric Star Diagonal and use my own heavier eyepieces I found the az3 mount unable to hold position on a vertical angle. Just ordered the steel az4 mount. But going back to the views, I love it, as people say clusters and bright nebula are great in these grab and go scopes.

Tony

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I have the ST120 on an AZ4 and it works well with my heavy eyepieces. Like you say it is a capable scope for the price :)

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I’m still scopeless, and will be until at least Autumn by the looks of things. I have had my hours cut at work, from 5 days down to 4 days. While I can still manage on 4 days, it means ‘disposable income’ has been curtailed until things pick up again. Still – the nights are still short, and the weather is poor! I can use the time to decide what I’m going to get! Your experiences with the ST range all seem favourable, and the 102 is still my favoured choice from them.


 


In the meantime, I am going to set up a budget widefield rig with my little EQ3-2 (plus RA motor when I can find one used) and my existing DSLR camera set up. I have a couple of UK based holidays coming up (Pembrokeshire in August, and Whitby in October), and want to try some basic on a shoestring AP! Watch this space for how I get on!


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Sorry to head about your work situation Nigel. I hope things pick up soon.


What camera and lenses do you have? 


Edited by Werisit
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Sorry about your short time working Nigel.


 


In the meantime, if you don't already have any, a pair of binoculars will be ideal to help you learn your way around the sky and can be very enjoyable.


 


Maybe borrow some, or get a cheap secondhand pair, there are lots on ebay.


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Thanks both – yeah it does kind of suck! However, as I am currently contracting it comes with the territory!


 


Alan – camera wise I have a Canon 400D with battery grip, and a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8. I have found that for 99% of my photography, this one lens pretty much does everything I need. I am eying up a good quality longer zoom, probably the Canon 70-200mm f4L. My thinking however is the 17-55mm would be pretty good for WF astrophotography. It is fast-ish at 2.8 and the image quality is nearly ‘L’ glass level, even wide open.


 


Steve – I do have a very old pair of Miranda 10x50’s  got when Hale-Bopp came round in the mid 90’s!! They are now well out of alignment and pretty much unusable (they have been dropped once or twice!!). Funny though, that looking for a new set of bin got me back into astronomy, and wanting a telescope again! That’s being said, a slightly larger pair of bins (have been looking in the 15 or 20x80 range) may be a good investment.

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Nigel, your Canon and 2.8 lens are perfect for WF astro work. Although pricey, the Baader / Canon light pollution clip filters are good if LP is a problem for you. Also, there are many lenses that will fit the Canon DSLR bodies via an adaptor (ebay) since the lens mount to sensor distance is shorter than most. You won't have A/F and other auto functions but they are useless for AP any way.  


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hi nigel,


 


if you are going to the wymeswold meeting on the 8th of august i will bring my st120 and you can use that for the night as i will also bring my big scope as well. it might give you an idea of what the these shorty scopes can do


 


tony


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Thanks both – can you give me any further info on the Wymeswold meeting on the 8th August? Would like to see if I can make it down there!

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Thanks both – can you give me any further info on the Wymeswold meeting on the 8th August? Would like to see if I can make it down there!

 

Nigel,

 

Check out the main meeting thread, which is here.....

 

http://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/topic/10482-dark-site-meet-wymeswold-sat-8th-august-2100/

 

I have added address information to the 1st post.

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Cheers Darren – I will do my best to get down there. Sounds like it could be a good night!

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Me again!


 


Looks like I will be able to attend the meet on Sat 8th August, so looking forward to meeting you all!


 


Tony – very kind of you to offer the use of your 120 on the night. Its very much appreciated. I’m sure looking through it will be a hundred times more useful than reading a load of reviews!  I will bring my EQ3-2 along with me so I can see how it fairs on the mount.


 


See you all on the 8th!


 


Cheers


 


Nige


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No worries Nigel

Will bring my new az4 mount as well. Fingers crossed for clear skies

Tony

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