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[patrickm]

All four Astro-Tech Ritchey-Chrétiens are "Hot Products" and one is a $299 steal!

When Astro-Tech announced the AT6RC, the first 6” Ritchey-Chrétien, Sky & Telescope named it a Hot Product for 2009 at its expected price of $1295. Imagine everyone’s surprise when it came out at an actual price of $795. But take a deep breath, folks, because Astro-Tech has just dropped the price to only $299 !

So anybody looking for a cheap but awesome astrophotography scope can hardly do better on quality or price. Tempting for me to just stick on a shelf in the closet until I'm ready.

astronomics.com/main/category.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/NUTSFLBGA5XL8G6WQJWDSLB867/Page/1

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

One of our Chicago Astronomers I think will be getting this soon.

Already on order....And it's not me.

I anticipate the delivery.

[patrickm]

Seriously considering it!!! That's like a $35 eyepiece, except we know it won't suck...

[patrickm]

After sleeping on it, and rereading, I went ahead and placed my order...

Now to try to forget about it until it shows...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Sweet man!

Not for star parties, but the imaging will be so cool, riding on your mount.

I anticipate your arrival too.

[patrickm]

May 22, 2011 9:23:55 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Sweet man!

Not for star parties, but the imaging will be so cool, riding on your mount.

Unless we hook it to a monitor (iPad?)! Hmm...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Patrick,

Chicago Astronomer Steve did such a set-up last month at one of our session....using a monitor and monochrome electronic eyepiece.

What would you do to hook up a vid system to the new scope?

[atomant]

Video astronomy would be cool!

However, you have to remember the RC has 50% secondary.
The scope will have a theoretical visual contrast of a 3in refractor on solar system stuff.
Also for DSO, visuals will not be better than a 6in SCT or Newt.

As an astrograph, it's hard to resist the temptation of the loss leader price.
Do note that you will need a $60 combination of thread-on extensions to bring the 6RC to focus in eyepiece or camera.
Also $150 field flattener on top of guide scope setup and camera, etc.....

Your 9.25 Edge is already a very nice long focal length astrograph and visual scope.
The AT6RC is a little shorter at 19in versus 22in.
The RC weighs 13# versus SCT at 21#.

You might want to consider a short 80-100mm apo refractor as a better complement to your SCT.
You get wide contrasty views along with fast optics for shorter camera exposure times.

Used scope market prices have never been better!

[patrickm]

Hmmmmmmmmm

[tomlee]

Yes, Patrick, that other Astro Tech refractor you recomended which is also on back order seems to be even a little bit more of a deal in general though it's still not quite for me.

[patrickm]

On fifth thought, or perhaps more as I've been thinking about this a LOT lately, I cancelled my order for this and will look for a deal on a refractor. I think Bill is right. The price is disgustingly cheap, but it is $300 I can put elsewhere...

But man that price is right, isn't it?!?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Patrick,

It would have been nice, but if you have something else you got your eye on, then it's the right decision.

It would be great to have a dedicated tube just for astrophotography, but 3 bills are three bills.