[SJAAboard] Lee's stored refractor - reviews

[Nelsonastro at aol.com]

There are a number of reviews of the refractor that Lee
has 'in storage'.
 
Orion Astroview 120ST f/5 refractor, on GEM mount
with Orion EQ-3M two motor drive.  May be $640
full retail.
 
  In general this seems to be a reasonable 2nd level
beginner or a second scope.  Most of the reviews
were by people with experience -  they rated it go
for a "grab and go" scope because of its small size
and light weight.  It has been compared as a refractor
version of the Star Blaster.
 
 It definitely needs a 'minus violet' filter, there have
been both good and bad reviews of how much
'power per aperture' it can take.  Most of the reviews
were agreed - a good small wide field refractor (for the
money a good deal).
 
  The mount is not at all going to work for astroimaging!
 
  Dec motor probably not necessary, tripod shaky if
  legs 'all the way out'.
 
Apparently - with a good 2" diagonal and a wide field
eyepiece views of very open clusters and nebula in
a dark sky are quite appealing (especially to somone
who has used a small Questar).
 
Steven
 
refs:
Stary nights John Zimmerman July 2005
Amazon.com product description June 24, 2005
tripod.com
retrevo.com
etc. (http://retrevo.com) 



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