Sky Objectives RR 83/500 OTA (gold version)

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Brand and Model:Sky Objectives RR 83/500 OTA (gold version)
Price ($USD):225
Type:Achromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:83mm
f Ratio:6
Focal Length:500
Finder:
Electric Power:
Mount:
Tripod:
Weight (lbs):
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:Simple achromat with Synta focuser made in the Netherlands.

http://www.so-nl.nl

Vote Highlights Vote
Sky Objectives RR 83/500 OTA (gold version)
RR achromats evolved from the Rainpipe Refractor idea of mounting good lenses in PVC piping to get a cheap refractor with maximum optics for the money. The inventor started a small company in the Netherlands which delivers the optics, but also OTA's based on the same lenses.

Having this scope for 1 month now i can say i'm really happy with it. Although it's an achromat and has the colorfringing that goes with it, the doublet is very good. I'm no star test expert, but in- and outfocus look more or less the same, and light is spread nicely over the unsharp image. What's more, the wide field views with a good 35mm plossl are wonderfull. No obvious anormalities. With a 19mm panoptic everything is really tack sharp. Planets show more false color, but are nice and contrasty.

I'm surprised how much you can see in a scope this small. The bigger globulars do not resolve fully from my medium lightpolluted amsterdam sky, but they show a granular edge and are not much dimmer than in my starmax 127. Starcolor is nice and obvious; albireo looks fabulous.

I have the old, rather spartan "gold" version, 2nd hand. It's just an aluminum tube with a lens and a standard 2" synta focuser. No tv-76, but a solid performer, even without considering the low price. The new 83/500 model is very nicely finished and has a hand machined focuser. I guess it can compete with most non mass-produced achromats. OTA's and lenses are available from 83/500 to 210/1200 and 222/2700. The optics are chinese, but claim better than 1/6th wave.

The maker, Hans Winkelaar, is very helpfull. (i have no stake in his company, just a client)

I haven't looked through expensive enough glass to give 9s or 10s for telescopes, but for me the value is excellent!!!

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=236011

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