Thank you for the feedback .OzEclipse wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 7:46 am I have not seen recent examples. I have a ubiquitous Synta (Saxon) ED80 f7.5 gold tube that I purchased 16 years ago for my international eclipse chasing.
The OTA cost me AUD400 in 2005. Approximately USD300. I have to say it has generally excellent optics. I haven't put it up against a Tak or AP but I use it for a variety of uses. I purchased it toward the end of my time using film to capture eclipse photos for total eclipses in Libya in 2006 and China in 2008 and later in Cairns in 2012.
Upon switching to an APSC DSLR camera in 2007, I switched to a shorter FL William Optics M70 70mm f6.3 APO in 2009. That scope has travelled to China in 2009, French Polynesia in 2010, and Svalbard in 2015. Both scopes are quite capable of being packed into a suitcase. I used to send my ED80 wrapped in a towel in a checked normal suitcase. The M70 being much shorter could comfortably fit in my carry-on camera backpack like a glorified telephoto lens.
There have been many suggestions but we have not heard what you are planning on using it for? Wildlife, lunar, DSO?
If DSO, a small folding 6" or even 8" suitcase dob might be the way to go. For DSO, you really can't beat aperture.
Joe
I will mainly use it for the moon, the planets.
no astro photo for me.