Starmaster 11" EL/ELT

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Brand and Model:	Starmaster 11" EL/ELT
Price ($USD):	2895
Type:	Newtonian
Attributes:	Go-To PEC
Aperture:	279mm (11")
f Ratio:	f/5.4
Focal Length:	1528mm
Finder:	Quick Finder
Electric Power:
Mount:	Dobsonian
Tripod:
Weight (lbs):	~60lbs
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:	Zambuto Primary Note, this scope comes is serveral f ratios including 4.3, 4.5, and 5.4. Starmaster's EL Page Ed Ting's Review Telescope Reviews' Review

Vote Highlights

Starmaster 11" EL/ELT

This is an awesome mid-size dob. It comes with an incredible Carl Zambuto Primary mirror which speaks for itself, so I won't say anything other than the views are nothing short of spectacular. The star test is perfect. This is a very well crafted telescope. It is quite obvious that Rick Singmaster, owner of Starmaster Portable Telescopes, does not rush his production, this scope is perfect right out of the box. The new ELT model has the truss and upper cage assembly that can be disassembled for much easier transport. The new system uses ball-and-socket type clamps with captive hand screws and holds the assembly together very firmly. While the
rocker box and mirror box are somewhat larger and heavier than you might expect, i.e. they do require a bit of space in whatever vehicle you use transport, they are still very manageable. The movement of the mount is buttery smooth on both axes and balance is perfect. The scope stays when you want it to and even when switching from eyepiece to eyepiece. I also have the Feather-touch focuser on mine and it is a work of art, smooth as butter on teflon and yet holds heavy eyepieces firmly with no shift at all.

There is very little to nit-pick about this scope but I do have a few minor items. One is the primary mirror cell. I holds the mirror very loosely. While this is arguably ideal for a stress free mirror, in a portable telescope, it is a little un-nerving to hear that mirror flop around in there while driving and carrying the mirror box. It rattles on its supports and falls against the mirror clips when placed in its required verticle storage position. Some felt pads on the mirror clips could assist here and also reduce the risk of the mirror clips scraping off the mirrors coating. Second, thumb screws would be nice on the secondary to make for totally tool free collimation. Third, and this is probabily due to my blindness in one eye, but the Rigel Quickfinder is very difficult for me to use the way it is mounted. It sits too low in the upper cage assembly and is hard to get the right eye position. To taller mount plate would be helpful. Perhaps I can make something. Thats why I gave the mount a 9. I gave it an 8 for value because it is an expensive scope however, for the quality and problem free experience out of the box, it is justified. However, there are other options out there that can come close in performance but at 50-75% of the cost of the ELT. Overall this scope is a 10 and I can't imaging anyone not being totally thrilled with this scope.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:8
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date: 07/31/2002 01:31:14 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.113.7)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=118925

Reply Replies: 0

Starmaster 11" EL/ELT

I have now owned 6 Starmasters. This is my second 11" EL/ELT. The f/5.4 ELT is a real gem. It does not require a Paracorr for the f ratio. It is very easy to transport and sets up very quickly. The Zambuto optics are legendary and perform to the highest of standards. The workmanship on the scope is well within the upper bounds of quality. It has been said, and it seems to hold up, that the 11" acts like a 12.5" scope in terms of performance. The only knock is that quality does not come cheap. Service on these scope is also second to none. The maker of these scopes, Rick Singmaster, seems to extend support to the scope, irrespective of the particular owner, so used scopes are just as coveted as new ones.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 02/15/2004 01:46:22 pm PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.209.74)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=341058

Reply Replies: 0

Starmaster 11" EL/ELT

Buttery smooth operation, excellent optics, the view equals the best refractors up to 5"

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:4
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 08/09/2002 01:08:26 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.151.154)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=123052

Reply Replies: 0

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