This is my second telescope after a much smaller triplet from a well-known Taiwanese manufacturer. I use this scope almost exclusively for imaging, but it does a great job for visual astronomy as well. I have had great guiding success using an EQ-6R mount, and off-axis guider. I also use a focus motor with the stock focuser which performs very well holding a full imaging train.

The optional carrying case is also really nice, and a pretty cost-effective option when compared to hard cases.

If you're still thinking about it, just buy it. It takes text book images with perfect round stars. Just as good as more expensive brands costing thousands more. Best telescope I have ever owned. It sits in my observatory year round and works flawlessly. I do have it air conditioned in the summer when it gets really hot. I replaced the focuser with a 3". My only complaint is it has a really crummy lens cap, I dropped it and it has never fit right. The 3" reducer/flattener is a must have. Overall I would buy again. Fantastic customer support!

Amazing telescope! Highly recommend if you want to do deep sky (galaxy and nebula astrophotography). Images are amazing!

The optics are great and clear despite initial dust I had in the OTA (ES took care of that - thanks guys!!). I find the optics with the modern coatings better than what I observe with my TAK-102FS (using a ZWO 1600mm-Pro and narrowband filters). Visually the Tak is a tack nicer but that might also be attributed to the superior feather touch focuser I have in there. The Hexagon Focuser is nice but has a little bit of backlash - you only really notice that when working with cameras and it still is really nice to work with.

Overall 5 stars for the optics - I just bought 2 2" focal extender that should pair well with this scope. Thanks for producing great optics in this price range!!!

I am a past RC owner and the larger OTAs were becoming too heavy to safely handle. I decided it was time to move to a lighter weight optic and this refractor is in the sweet spot between the lower end telescopes and the $6K and up variety. Visually I see no color fringing at all and while it's smaller than my larger RC, exposure times with my QSI683 are not much longer than I had previously.

Plus I have the added advantage of the wider field of view. My first image was M27 (of course) and when I compared the image with what I had previously made with a 10" RC and ST-8XME, the detail in M27 was very comparable (indicating seeing was perhaps more important as aperture).

I can recommend this OTA for the serious astrophotographer as well as the visual user.