SkyWatcher102CT2(TelHOON)

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Brand and Model:SkyWatcher102CT2(TelHOON)
Price ($USD):275-300 OTA
Type:Achromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:102mm (4")
f Ratio:f/9.8
Focal Length:1000mm
Finder:6X30
Electric Power:optional
Mount:optional
Tripod:optional
Weight (lbs):lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:Comes with metal dewsheild,2"focuser w/1.25"adapter,lenscap,dewsheild cap w/aperture maskcap,,,,this scope is a great value for lunar and planetary lovers but shows decent DSO for a 4"achro.

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SkyWatcher102CT2(TelHOON)
Purchased this scope 2nd hand but is like new,must say i'm impressed,my 1st star test showed pinched optics and planetary views were kinda soft,i loosened the lens keeper ring with the tube upright and gently tapped the tubes sides and just snugged the keeper ring down and restar tested the scope,,,very very nice same inside and outside of focus,,the planets are now excellent as i can see 5-7 bands on jupiter,saturns rings are easily split all the way around,,and yes at anything over 150X there is false color(i use a #15 yellow filter)the moon is awesome,take the focuser apart and clean what ever that sticky gunk is out and relube with a good grade lube(you'll be glad you did especially in cold weather),1 thing i found is the quality of diaganals very widely so be sure to purchase 1 from a known company(televue,orion,intes)as a poor diaganal will only degrade the performance of your scope(i use a 2" Intes),,i've mounted this scope on a Meade Starfinder EQ pier mount which tracks very well and is VERY VERY stable,whatever mount you have i would advise you to get motor tracking of some sort as this let you observe with out constant movement from manual tracking,,,hope you've found some of this useful.

Happy Gazing !!!!!

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=40949

SkyWatcher102CT2(TelHOON)
Had this scope for 2yrs and enjoy it very much,the focuser cleaning of the previous reviewer is a must and greatly improves the smoothness of the 2" focuser.I've read some very negative feedback about Mr.Hoon and i have had excellent service from him both pre and post sale.Would do business with TelHOON again.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=40950

SkyWatcher102CT2(TelHOON)
I've had this scope for one year now and it's been great. A fantastic moon scope and good on the planets. Saw good detail on Mars in 2001 - Jupiter & Saturn always good. I'm using the stock diagonal but will probably upgrade to a better quality one when I can find one. I got mine on the improved EQ5 mount which bears the weight very well but still is a bit stiff in cold weather. Only the R.A. knob is stiff, you can can actually hear the grease move when the temp. is close to freezing. Once the scope has cooled down (20+ minutes at 5 degrees C = 42F) stars focus to a nice point. I've really only noticed significant false colour on magnitudes brighter than 1. Below mag 1, false colour is minimal or unnoticable. I can still see subtle colour differences within the double cluster. Contrast on this scope is very good. Most of my observing is done under heavily light polluted skies on the outskirts of a city of >1million and I can find several Messier objects now that I was not able to find with a larger but less appropriate 6" f5 reflector. The higher contrast made he difference. I would recommennd getting a single axis drive. I bought a dual axis drive but have since opted to leave the dec. motor off as I hardly used it - you really only need it for photography and not even for the moon at that. I would also recommend upgrading to a better diagonal at the time of purchase if you can as mine's a bit soft at higher magnifications. If you already have a mount & eyepieces etc., the OTA will cost you only $450 Canadian - a real deal considering the good optical performance of the objective and the price of other 4" refractors. When I rarely get out under a dark sky I have been very pleased with this scope as all Messier objects are accessible; nice detail in M42 and the the ring nebula was obvious albeit with averted vision. I'm giving it an 8 only because I feel I should upgrade the diagonal and regrease the mount. For dollar value and viewing pleasure I'm giving it a 10.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: <none>
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=40951

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