TheSkySearchers

Just got email from Orion on their new product:

Orion 80ST in red on a GoTo mount which looks like Celestron Nexstar SLT.

https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-S ... eeker_ST80

I wish the price will be a bit lower, otherwise looks like an attractive package. Should be usable right from the box. Red dot, star diagonal and two 60deg EPs - basic but usable. I am glad they decided to go with aspheric EPs.

Neat future which I love on my AZGti mount is that you can control the mount with SynScan Pro app. This free app is fully compatible with SkySafari. Thus, the scope operation is just point and click, very enjoyable.

Interesting package.
I never thought about putting my ST-80 on my go-to mount, I have always used in on a manual mount.

I may have to try it some night

Oh, I do like the red colour

I’d be tempted if I were looking for new gear. I’d be drooling if it came in SkyWatcher green.

Didn’t know you can interface SynScan with SkySafari. That is very tempting.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Thu Feb 04, 2021 12:13 pm Didn’t know you can interface SynScan with SkySafari. That is very tempting.

I love the interface and prefer operating the scope from SS over the hand controller or SynScan alone. Another benefit is that you can go to any target in SS whether it is in SynScan/controller database or not.

Skywatcher was selling (backordered now) the StarTravel 80 with the AZ-Gte (not AZ-Gti) for $395. While the AZ-Gte does not have the AZ-Gti's "Freedom Find" feature, it is a decent combo. Not sure if the Orion Starseeker has a feature similar to Freedom Find.
https://www.skywatcherusa.com/products/ ... -80-az-gte

Orion is also selling the ST80 with an EQ1 mount (manual mount) for $249
https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-S ... 132759.uts

Looks like a nice little scope.

I really like my Meade ST80 - I assume it's the same OTA minus the Fancy Dan paint job. I did put a 2-speed Crayford focuser on it though.

The Orion mount has the dual encoders that allow manual movement without losing alignment, something I wish Synta would put into the SLT mounts.
They seem to want to keep differences between the house brand and their other common retail line.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:03 pm I really like my Meade ST80 - I assume it's the same OTA minus the Fancy Dan paint job. I did put a 2-speed Crayford focuser on it though.

The Meade Adventure 80s are still out of stock. All stores indicate they are backordered and not cancelled, so there is hope. It is interesting to notice that whoever actually makes these nowadays, sells them through Orion, and not through Meade currently.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 10:31 pm The Orion mount has the dual encoders that allow manual movement without losing alignment, something I wish Synta would put into the SLT mounts.
They seem to want to keep differences between the house brand and their other common retail line.

That is good to know. So, it is no surpise that Skywatcher added the Freedom Find encoders. If I read the prices right, the ShortTube 80 effectively costs $70 (with a dovetail) for the combo in the OP ($499-$429 for a no controller setup).

What does freedom find allow you to do?
The Skywatcher website is useless as ever on this.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 11:26 pm What does freedom find allow you to do?
The Skywatcher website is useless as ever on this.

Freedom Find allows the user to disengage clutches and move the telescope manually without losing alignment.

On paper it looks good, not sure if GoTos after a lot of manual moving are as accurate.