Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT

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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
A superb scope optically and mechanically. About the 'perfect' size. Should hold value extremely well. Pride of ownership.

Overall Rating: 10
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
Review of OTA only. This scope is truly outstanding. Perfect star tests, contrast is above excellent, has to be seen to be properly described, and contrast is why you would purchase a scope of this caliber. Anybody who has an opportunity to view through this instrument will be looking to buy one if they can find/afford it. Requires a substantial mount, this OTA is much larger and heavier then what you may expect for a 13cm, particularly if doing photography.

Not saying this survey isn't "fair", but with all things in prospective, this f/8.3 Triplet Apo is heads above most of the other instruments listed here, some with higher ratings.

Overall Rating: 10
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
I have circa-1993 f/8 EDT obtained second-hand. It provides extraordinary contrast and wonderful images on planets and deep sky. As mentioned above, the tube is a lot "bigger" than you might expect (especially compared to a Traveler). I use it on an A-P 400 mount that is fine for visual use, but I don't think it would do for long-exposure astrophotography (but I've not tried it).

If you want the best, don't pass up a chance to get one of these scopes if you should have the opportunity.

Overall Rating: 10
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
I have been using my AP 127mm f/8 "blue tube" (1989) for two years. I purchased this ota used on the internet with a UO finder, as well as a Thousand Oaks solar filter for $1700. This telescope requires a sturdy mount. It performs very well. I like to push really high magnifications on the moon and planets. You will need excellent eyepieces for this scope. I keep buying better eyepieces and the image keeps improving everytime I upgrade. This scope is well made, well baffled, with a very smooth and solid 2.7" focusser. This scope really suits my dual purposes. Try a 2" D'Amici 45 degree prism with a 55mm Plossl for some fabulous terrestrial viewing!
Negatives? I would rather have a 24" f/20 Cassegrain for planetary and lunar viewing and imaging, but they are even more pricey and hard to find than the refractor!
With the seeing around here, I am sure I would spend more time at the refractor!

I rate this refractor as a 9 because there is a trace of color on Vega or Venus when you really crank it up, then again it is NOT the EDT, but rather an older triplet with less exotic glass, and a less sophisticated optical design and coatings. The star test on this scope I have been told by others who should know is close to flawless. I'm no expert in this area.
The planetary performance of this scope does not leave me wanting, but rather with a lot of visual information to sort out after an observing session, and that is really the reason I invested in the first place.
Too much aperture for urban light conditions relegates many larger telecopes to the closet. This aperture does REALLY well as a compromise in the urban light polluted sprawl most of us have to deal with.
Another good reason to be at the eyepiece instead of just waiting.
Clear Skies!

Overall Rating: 9
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
Outstanding performer, viewed transit of Mercury in Nov. '99, exceptional quality and performer. Only thing that is better is my 155EDFS, both no color, acceptional quality, thanks Roland! AP1200GTO mount, superb, will handle both scopes at once with my 5'2" wife on top of it all! GOTO precise, one side of the sky to the other, once polar aligned, perfectly centered on the StarLight Xpress MX5-C one shot color CCD camera. Get AP equipment and hold on to it, you may never get a chance to own the best again for years!!

Overall Rating: 10
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
This is an outstanding instrument - 130 F/8 EDT. Excellent contrast, terrific planetary images, text book star test. This is a great balance in portability, aperature, etc. I mounted this scope on a G-11 and find it acceptable for both visual and photographic use. I'll own this scope forever - even though the used market could potentially fetch $4500-$5000.00 for the OTA alone. A TRACE amount of LIGHT green on the edge of the moon at high powers. Once you look through a premium APO of this quality, only a select few instruments will measure up optically. Superb Telescope.

Overall Rating: 10
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
Excellent contrast on both planets and deep-sky objects, and extremly pin point star images. No trace of false color.

Overall Rating: 10
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
Unit has performed flawlessly for visual and photographic use. Tom Back says it is an unbelievable value in astronomy. Thanks Roland!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
For it's aperture it's the best you can own for at any price. The Taks and TMBs are right there in quality, both mechanically and optically.
However, I now evaluate scopes based on price performance, not just on how well it performs by itself. All scopes are tested against others side by side against each other over many nights. A 5" Mac newt, was so close to this scope in image quality, it was nearly impossible to tell them apart, except under the superb sky conditions....and even then they were virtually tied. The AP did not win by much.
Against any larger scope...C8, C9.25, Meade 8 or 10", 8" Starsplitter Dob, EL11, EL12.5, and a 15" Dob...it lost by varying margins, on deep sky and on Planetary contrast and detail. Even under average seeing conditions.
Experience has taught me that hype doesn't give good images...good optics with aperture does. Atmospheric seeing does play a part with larger scopes...but not as much as is stated in the literature. Local seeing has a lot larger affect...(ex. Not allowing a reflector enough time to cool down to ambient temperature.) Also, collimation is crucial for good images.
Refractors are not better or even equal to reflectors dollar per dollar...not even close. Reflectors are far superior...sorry.... 5 Taks, 3 APs, and 3 Vixens later...I finally trusted the eyes of my friends and my own. Aperture is king. All the refractors are gone and now I have a lot of cash in the bank...and the best planetary images I've ever seen, through my 15" obsession, and my 8" Dob.

Overall Rating: 5
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:6
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
in response to the last comment, all things being equal aperture wins. but all things are rarely equal and i have yet to see a eight inch dob that gives better planetary images than this 5" AP. i am not saying that one does not exsist, they are out there, but they are rare. deep sky faint fuzzies are the targets of choice for large scopes, but for brighter targets i will take the APO. set up, cool down time, are all reasons i hate big scopes. i love the images they give but they always seem to become a reason not to go out and observe. and i hope you were not suggesting that the AP scopes are all hype. anyone who has spent time with any of the AP scopes knows that this is as good as it gets in the world of APO's, and oh how sweet it is.

Overall Rating: No Vote
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
last night had clear dark skies and temps around zero. set my small scope outside for about 15 minutes, had excellent views of saturn and jupiter. i think i spent an hour outside until the cold was getting to me, i was back inside and ready for the evening movie in no time at all. if all i had was a large dob i would not have had the time or will to set the thing up and wait for it to cool. i got quality viewing time in and enjoyed a nice evening with my wife. large scopes are great to look thru but be careful, after i got rid of a large dob and replaced it with a high quality APO my observing time increased dramatically. after a hard days work i prefer the easy use of a smaller scope, and i dont miss the big dob one bit. i get my share of views thru large scopes at star parties. this 5" AP is a great all around perfect size scope, not to big and not to small and absolutely awesome viewing.

Overall Rating: No Vote
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
This is a great scope for doing CCD images with but, if you are into looking through the eyepiece, get a Starmaster or other large telescope of at least 10in. or more. I have been to many Starparties in my 20+ years in astronomy and the big scopes ALWAYS have the big line behind them. The larger the scope the more you will see in the eyepiece!

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Mount:9 Ease of Use:4 Value:7
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
In my opinion, this is the finest all-around scope ever made. The optics are flawless, whether used for widefield or planetary views. The scope is small and light enough to set up easily on a GEM or LightSpeed Alt-Az. It cools quickly and is sufficiently short to handle well. You get the views of a fine 5" scope with the handling of a 4". This scope can be used with a binoviewer/diagonal - with or without 2" barlow.

Most of the other "reviews" here have nothing to do with this scope, but deal with the economics of large reflectors vs small APOs. You can sell your AP 130 f/6 for more than you paid; how can you have higher value than that?

There are lots of fine small refractors available to amateurs. This is the finest.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Yes, if you are a ferenghi, this scope is a 10. When you are a astronomer it's a 8 to 9..

>In my opinion, this is the finest all-around scope ever made.  The optics are flawless, whether used for widefield or planetary views. The scope is small and light enough to set up easily on a GEM or LightSpeed Alt-Az.  It cools quickly and is sufficiently short to handle well. You get the views of a fine 5" scope with the handling of a 4".  This scope can be used with a binoviewer/diagonal - with or without 2" barlow.
>
>Most of the other "reviews" here have nothing to do with this scope, but deal with the economics of large reflectors vs small APOs.  You can sell your AP 130 f/6 for more than you paid; how can you have higher value than that?
>
>There are lots of fine small refractors available to amateurs.  This is the finest.
Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
This Telescope has the best optics i have ever seen. It is portable, sturdy and color free. The only downside is the price and the 4 year wait.

PH

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
This scope is a 1998 130 f/6 StarFire EDFS. The 130 is a very impressive, capable of superior planetary and wide-field observing. Aperture and dimension combine to make an almost perfect scope. This is not really a travel scope - it's versatile and portable, but deserves a solid mount. That combination can't be stuffed into an overhead bin. Most people wait years for AP, or pay a premium for a used scope. Either way, precious few have an opportunity to have one of these great scopes. Owning one has been my good fortune.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=328384

Astro-Physics StarFire 130 f/6 EDT
Just as the fool who continues to use this as a place to vent his frustration(or more likely envy), I have much experience comparing scopes. Many consider me a bit of an equipment junkie. The reason for that is my relentless pursuit of the "perfect scope". It does not exist. Certain scopes will excel at a few things, but never at all. Apos come the closest if you set cost aside. I have owned and used MANY scopes. Most SCT's stink at anything other than low to mid mag. Any compound will be limited by cooldown issues. I've also owned Dall-Kirkhams(2), achromatic refractors(7), Mak-Newts(4), SCT's(5), MCT's(4), and Newtonians(6). Nothing, including so called "top end" optics has ever matched the image quality delivered by top notch apos. If you think so fella, have your eyes checked. I can pick out more detail with a 130 EDFS than you can with an 8" Meade SCT. It will be dimmer, but at least it will be there.

Perhaps blobs and smudges ARE your idea of a quality image, so long as it's bright blobs and smudges. It won't be the first time I've heard one claim quality when the view is pure garbage. Don't leave out contrast either. Most apos can pick pout dark lanes better than inferior optics. In many mass produced scopes, the sky is gray for Pete's sake! You can attempt to dance around the effects of MTF. You can even argue against the effects of gravity if you wish. To this day there are those that claim the world if flat and mankind has never left the Earth.

Sure, most apos are aperture limited. They become very big and even more expensive in larger apertures. Bear this in mind....if everyone else claims superior image quality in apos, yet you say the only thing that matters is aperture; chances are you're wrong. If you still don't believe that, save your breath because most tend to ignore a crackpot after a while. If an apo does not fit your needs and/or budget, walk away!

As for the scope itself....(whew!), what an optical masterpiece! The absolute faintest stars visible present themselves at tiny specks of light. They are often more easily seen than with larger reflectors. The contrast between nebulosity and associated dark lanes presents a true picture of what most objects REALLY look like. Such contrast is often awash in stray or scattered light in lesser scopes. This scope will show you everything that is there to see in a scope of this size...nothing more, nothing less(literally).

Mark

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=432298

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