Orion ED 100mm OTA

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Brand and Model:Orion ED 100mm OTA
Price ($USD):999
Type:Achromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:100mm
f Ratio:f9
Focal Length:900mm
Finder:None
Electric Power:None
Mount:None
Tripod:None
Weight (lbs):8
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:Orion has recently released a larger version of it's impressive ED80mm refractor.

Vote Highlights Vote
Orion ED 100mm OTA
I recently purchased a pre-owned Skywatcher version of this telescope for a very good price. It came with a GSO two speed crayford focuser. This telescope is very light and is easily managed on an Orion EQ3 mount. Collimation of the optics for my sample is right on and the in and out focus star tests are a very close match. First light provided a great view of Jupiter even with a 3mm Radian (300x). Bottom line, I could not be more impressed with the level of performance of this telescope, especially at less than half of the list price. Since the EONs have been introduced I have seen more of these on the secondary market. If you would like a light, semi-portable high-quality refractor at a great price I suggest you give this one a try.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 20 (Notable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=580174

Orion ED 100mm OTA
I just purchased the "Skywatcher" version of the ED100. When I purchased I had the oportunity to do a side by side test with another sample. The one i ended up purchasing had slighty better contrast and a nearly perfect star test having identical diffraction patterns on each side of focus and a very sharp in focus image. No color was noticed at 300 power during testing on a artificial star source in the daytime. First light was with the gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn were tack sharp with no ca. The cresent Moon showed a wealth of detail at a variety of magnifications. Split Epsilon Bootes at around 80 power.
This scopes works well on a EQ3 mount due to the OTA being only 7 lbs.
Terrific scope i'll be hanging onto for a long time.

Stan Taylor Vancouver B.C.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=431770

Orion ED 100mm OTA
This report is for the SkyView Pro mounted Orion 100ED refractor. I tried to enter a separate listing for this scope, but for some reason, the website isn't accepting it, so I'll vote here.

This scope/mount combination is definitely a best buy in the 4" apochromatic refractor category. Although the mechanicals and finish are good, they aren't in the same league with the premium scopes that cost two to three times as much. But the optics are superb, and I think that's what counts most to skygazers. Of course, Orion's excellent customer service is a plus, too. Highly recommended.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=448135

Orion ED 100mm OTA
This is truly a great 4in refractor

Too bad Orion has stopped selling them

I am keeping mine !!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=607020

Orion ED 100mm OTA
This is one seriously nice 'scope. A 'no frills' version of the venerable Televue 102. Served up the best views of Mars I have ever seen during the '08 opposition. If you are looking for an excellent, all-round portable scope, then the Skywatcher/Orion ED100 refractor is a great choice. Highly recommended!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Ease of Use:8 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=574496

Orion ED 100mm OTA
I already owned the Orion ED80 before buying the ED100. The ED100 came up secondhand for a very good price. I knew I could get my money back should the scope not be what i was looking for.
Also have to say that before laying my hands on the ED100, I didn't have high hopes and was pretty confident I would be selling it on. And retain the ED80 instead.
From a looks and build perspecative, I already knew what I was getting. To look at it's just a longer version of the 80, only the tube length differs.
I do like the metallic grey Orion use, so that's a bonus. Fit and finish are pretty much identical to their Skywatcher counterparts. Both use the same 'low grade' Crayford style focuser. Although cheap feeling it works quite well. Certainly a huge improvement over the Rack & Pinion. I've now replaced the standard Crayford with a William Optics dual speed Crayford and boy what a difference. And it's not until you take the Synta Crayford off the tube, that you realise just what a cheap and pretty nasty looking piece of equipment the standard Crayford focuser actually is. I highly recommend the focuser upgrade. Whether it's the William Optics or the Moonlite, they are both well worth the expense.
I also replaced the 6x30 finder with a William Optics 7x50. And soon after that, added a William Optics 2" Enhanced diagonal. Have i mentioned I like William Optics a LOT!

Getting down to the business end...the optics! This is where the ED100 really really shines. I was a bit dubious with the f9 focal ratio but i had no reason to be. This is one seriously good lens. It performs on everything...planets, moon, deepsky. The Celestron 0.63 focal reducer works like a charm, as it does with the ED80. Which is good for the imaging.
It star tests beautifully. There's no chromatic abberation. Stars don't bloat on the images. It cools down quickly. It's relatively lightweight. As mentioned on a previous review, it works well on an EQ3. Works very well on an EQ6. Optically I have no complaints....the ED100 is the real deal.

I soon found i was no longer using the ED80 and in the end it was the ED80 that i sold, not the ED100.

I can whole heartily recommend the Orion ED 100, it's a fantastic scope. Even better with a new focuser fitted.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: https://www.excelsis.com:443/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=498691

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