1993 Astro-Physics 155mm F9 EDT

  Late in 1991 I heard a rumor that Astro-Physics was going to release a new line of Refractors. I called Roland and he stated that the new Refractors were going to have a new Triplet Objective that would use ED glass. The color correction would be almost perfect. Basically there would be virtually no noticeable false color visually or photographically. In focus or out of focus. That got my attention. I placed an order for a 155mm F9 EDT almost immediately. It took about a year for the 6" EDT to arrive. This Refractor cost me $3,195. Big Bucks for me. Almost twice as expensive as my 1988 5" F8 Starfire. 

  While I was waiting for the 6" EDT I started looking for a mount for it. I had heard that Scott Losmandy had a new mount. It was called the G-11 and was fairly priced. I called him and he told me to come down to his machine shop in LA and take a look at one. When I arrived he took me out back and there sitting all set up was a G-11. It was a beauty. I asked about the price and he said a complete G-11 with tripod and dual axes drive was about $1,150. I was thrilled. I ended up buying a G-11 and I still own it today. As many of you know the G-11 for the price is the best bargain out there. My controller finally went out last year (11 years) and Scott said send it in, so he could check it. In 1 week I had the controller back, working perfect and there was no charge. Pretty nice. 

   The 6" EDT arrived in January 1993 in a light gray case and was another Masterpiece. The tube was white, Countercell was black along with the 2.7" focuser. To say it was a beauty was an understatement. The AP tube rings and Losmandy dovetail system made it a joy to mount the Telescope on a mount. Another thing that impressed me was the 2.7" machined focuser. The first time I used it I was floored at how smooth and solid the focuser was. It was a joy to use.

    I will be honest and say although the 6" was bigger than my 5", I really did not think that I would get that much more performance out of the 6" EDT over my 5" Starfire. I was wrong. In times of great seeing the 6" EDT could pull 125x per inch. I can remember many times over 3 years being setup in my backyard or at a Star Party . Seeing was a 9 or 10. Views of the Moon at 725x were breathtaking. The Image would SNAP into focus, Contrast was superb, Detail was stunning and no False Color. The views were better than my 5" Starfire and I was at 725x with the 6" EDT. Once again Roland had pulled another rabbit out of his hat.  I have so many wonderful memories of high power views of Saturn, Mars, Jupiter and the Moon. Also looking at Deep Sky Objects with perfect pinpoint star Images on a jet black background is something I will always remember. Splitting Double Stars was a snap and fun to show off.

  Having people look through the EDT was something I really got a kick out of. When the 6" EDT was setup on the G-11 at a Star Party or anywhere for public viewing. It was always very popular. It was common to hear people talking almost in disbelief.  What they saw through the Telescope did not seem real, it almost looked fake, like I had cut a picture out of a book and pasted it on the front of the dew cap. I enjoyed that. 

   In 1995 Roland came out with his next Generation of Refractors. The EDF. It was as good as the EDT and faster. You could order a 155mm F7 or a 130mm F6. After much sole searching I decided to order a 130mm F6 EDFS. It was $2,995. I decided I wanted a Telescope that was more portable than the 6", but still had the quality views of the EDT. The 130mm F6 EDFS seemed to fit the bill perfectly. But I had to sell the 6" EDT to buy the 5" EDFS. So I ran an Ad in Telescope-Trader. I priced the EDT at $3,800. It sells in one day. Once again I used my AP Refractor for 3 years and sell it for more than I paid for it. This is great. As I Package the 6" EDT up to ship off, I get a bad feeling in my stomach. I am making a big mistake! Off the EDT goes to it's new owner. As I sit here today (June 2002) I am sure the guy I sold the 6" EDT too, would sell it back to me, If it were For Sale for only $7,500 if I was lucky. Probably more like $8,500.

   As I write this today I have decided that I want another Astro-Physics 155mm F9 EDT or possibly a 180mm F9 EDT (about $15,000 used). Roland has quit making both of these CLASSICS. Many  hardcore observers say these two Refractors are the finest visual Refractors ever made. I totally agree. Now days the majority of AP buyers like shorter and faster, so that is what Roland builds.

   Many of us hope Roland has a change of heart in the future and decides to give us the option to buy a new 155mm F9 EDT or 180mm F9 EDT once again. 

 For now the only way to get one is to try and find a used one. 

The search is on!