Apogee AP-8000

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Apogee AP-8000
I have read praising reports on this scope, and I've read blistering reports. I have to acknowledge that my reaction and appraisal of the scope falls somewhere in between. The blistering reviews blast the finder scope, and these reports are absolutely true. It is, without question, the worst finder scope I've ever seen, and I have to say that I'm amazed Apogee hasn't opted for a different one, and they should be ashamed to put such a piece of garbage on their equipment. It arrived completely out of focus. It turned out the objective lens was in backwards! Once this was corrected, however, the field curvature was so bad that all but the very center of the field is rendered useless. I returned the thing to Pocono Mountain Optics and they replaced it with a new one. But the new one wasn't any better. When I was considering buying the scope and I examined the floor model Pocono Mountain Optics I was very impressed by the focuser. It was extremely smooth and had no side play from the rack and pinion. On the scope that arrived at my house, however, the focuser was much tighter (read, difficult to move) and had definite side play. With some adjustment this has improved, but it still doesn't match the floor model. The disappointments out of the way, I will say that I have been happy with the optical performance of the scope. Collimation is, of course, critical, and I can't say I have mastered it by any stretch. For the $600 dollars I spent, I feel I have received pretty good value. But I confess that I have thought that maybe I should have saved longer and bought the Vixen R200ss on the GP mount.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39563

Apogee AP-8000
I threw out the finder scope which is much like looking through a coke bottle. The scope performed adequate on a star test, and the diagonal is properly matched to the primary. My focuser was excellent for the price, and collimation was not difficult (although the manual was unintelligible.) The mount is fairly stable, but the supplied drive runs too quickly at its slowest speed. Overall it seems like a pretty good knockoff of the vixen 8" f4 -- if you ignore the atrocious finder.

Overall Rating: No Vote
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39564

Apogee AP-8000
Provides great,sharp deep sky objects and,with a barlow, gives great views of double stars,binary systems,and the planets. THis telescope is the best value today.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39565

Apogee AP-8000
I am on my second mirror since I broke the first and found the new one to be
better than the original. I also upgraded the finder scope for a minimal
charge since the original wouldn't come into focus. In spite of these small problems, I am very pleased with the scope and exceptionally pleased with the fine service I have received from the company. The mount is just barely stable enough - could be beafier but it does suffice. The motor tracks very well. It's a good scope for the money.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39567

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