Antares 812T

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Brand and Model:	Antares 812T
Price ($USD):	$600.00
Type:	Achromatic Refractor
Attributes:	Go-To PEC
Aperture:	120mm (4.7")
f Ratio:	f/8.3
Focal Length:	1000mm
Finder:	8x50
Electric Power:	none
Mount:	none
Tripod:	none
Weight (lbs):	15 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:	This is a custom refractor built by Sky Instruments in Canada with 120mm lens made in Japan by the same supplier as the Vixen Achro's. The basic ota is Synta based but the new version has the adjustable lens cell. Each scope is tested by Sky Instruments and am told is much better than 1/4 wave optics, closer to 1/6th wave plus less false color than the synta lenses have. All surfaces on the objective are Multi Coated.

Vote Highlights

Antares 812T

I picked up one of these scopes used on astro mart about 2 months ago and have been really surprised on how well the optics have performed so far. When I got it the adjustable lens cell was out of collimation plus the lens in its cell with a retaining ring was not even close to being tight. I had taken it outside and re adjusted the lens in the cell first for proper alingnment and checked it by doing a star test and watching how perfect the diffraction rings looked on both sides of focus and then adjusted the cell to the optical tube. Then I did a Ronchi test and it looked like better than 1/6th wave overcorrected which is very good. The best CR150 was around 1/4 wave but nowere near as sharp. The lens is multi coated and its the deep blue of Japan made optics not the cheap coating seen on allot of synta products today.
The focuser is like all the rest, its synta so I had to re build it, now its ok but I think a Burgess Optics focuser is in order down the road. The mount is like every CG5/EQ4 and a new tripod is in order but the 120mm F8.3 OTA fits well on the mount so at least this is a good match. Now to tthe optics, first off I have owned a C102HD, Orion 120mm virsion of this scope, Photon 127, 2 Skywatcher 150's and 2 CR150's, MN56 and now the MK66. The best Cr150 never ever came close to the MN56 or MK66 and even on DSO's the 66 smoked every 150 I have had the chance to compare it with. The Antares 120 is real close to the best CR150 I have owned with less false color but the detail and the way this scope snaps into focus is far better, Planetary and lunar detail is as good as what I have seen on the 56 and its not far behind the MK66. The cool down time is nice on this scope too so this will be the winter scope at this time. I am testing out a MV20 filter by Sirius Optics and I feel this combo will be a killer combo on the planets. Also double star work with this scope is just outstanding, clean detail splits and each star is a perfect disc. This scope also star tests better than anything coming out of China that I've looked threw so far. I hear that Sky Instruments might not bring these lenses into Canada any more cause of the cost, this to me will be a great loss, this is head and shoulders above allot of scopes out there and the optics are as good if not better than the old Celestron/Visen C102GP's. This is a keeper and I hope they keep bringing these scopes into North America, these same as Vixen optics are a cut above the rest, really very good optics for a decent investment and easy scope to use

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date: 03/13/2003 01:11:15 pm PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.193.152)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=206485

Reply Replies: 0

Antares 812T

A very good buy for what you get. If you got the money for the high priced stuff fine, you can do your star tests etc. while I'm enjoying really using my scope. While I lugged my 4 inch Unitron to the field for over ten years I finally had to procure a slightly lighter scope because of a heart condition, I gained aperture and some really great views of the heavens even with false color etc but I have learned to overlook, this is a good instrument for the buck and I do recomend highly.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:7 Mount:6 Ease of Use:5 Value:9
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date: 11/26/2002 12:24:15 pm PST
By: killer123
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=156800

Reply Replies: 0

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