Hello and help USA/80mmED

Looking for advice on a couple of issues.
No.1
I’m travelling to USA (West Coast) in March for two weeks and was wondering
If anyone here could suggest places of interest to visit, anything related to Space, Astronomy, Apollo Missions and Telescope stores.
No2.
I would like to take advantage of $/€ rate by getting some astro equipment.
I’m thinking of a 80mm Ed refractor for imaging with a DSLR camera
But very confused as to which one. I was looking at Orion ED80 because of glass type FPL53 and top notch reviews but not too happy with their focuser as I would like a dual speed, rotateable Crayford- style focuser. My other purchase hopefully is a zoom eyepiece 8-24mm, again confused so any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

My budget is $1500
ED80mm scope or 100mm if I can get it into my suitcase.
350d camera body
Zoom eyepiece

I know I’m starting at the wrong end here as everyone says go for top notch mount first if you wish to image. But I have always done things backwards, to my cost. I don’t think I would get past customs with a top end mount sticking out of my suitcase but I might with a small refractor.
Cheers
Tony

Looking for advice on a couple of issues.
I’m thinking of a 80mm Ed refractor for imaging with a DSLR camera
But very confused as to which one. I was looking at Orion ED80 because of glass type FPL53 and top notch reviews but not too happy with their focuser as I would like a dual speed, rotateable Crayford- style focuser. My other purchase hopefully is a zoom eyepiece 8-24mm, again confused so any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
My budget is $1500
ED80mm scope or 100mm if I can get it into my suitcase.
350d camera body
Zoom eyepiece
Tony

Well, I certainly like my Orion 80ED...you could get a replacement Moonlite Crayford focuser for it..beautifully made and seems to get very good reviews.

While zoom eyepieces seem like a good idea, they do have drawbacks, one being that the field of view is narrower (about 40 to 60 degrees usually) than individual eyepieces, especially towards the 24mm end. Another is that optically they are not quite as good as individual eyepieces. Having said that I do have a Vixen 8-24mm zoom eyepiece and use it occasionally with the 80ED and PST but my Radians and Naglers get far more use.

The TeleVue 8-24mm zoom is I believe made by the same factory but has the benefit of click stops. Meade also have one. Baader's Hyperion 8-24mm zoom has click stops and wider fields of view so may be a good one to consider (probably cheaper to get in Europe) and William Optics are bringing out a new 7.5mm-22.5mm zoom...not sure when.

Looking for advice on a couple of issues.
No.1
I’m travelling to USA (West Coast) in March for two weeks

Where abouts on the West Coast?

Hi Albertw
I should have been more specific.
I’m starting in San Francisco then LA, Vegas, flying home from San Diago.

Gordon
Thanks for the info. I just checked Moonlite focuser web site and they are fantastic looking focusers but this will add $275 to ED80 which is $529 making this set up over $800 I’m just sure if it’s worth it compared to William Optics or a Stellarveu for around $600 which come rotating focuser and some nice extras, it’s this glass thing that has me bothered as the other makers don’t specify what glass they use .(Information overload)
Regarding eyepieces yeah the Baader's Hyperion 8-24mm looks good and Nikon 7-21 with 50 to 68 Fov but I can’t seem to be able to find a supplier for the Nikon. I have a set of Meade 400, Celestron and Tal (which I’m going to put up for sale in the next few days) as I don’t see much difference in them, I was thinking Zoom and keep my 19mm Antares W70o and Celestron 32mm and maybe get a good quality 7/8mm. What do you think?

Cheers
Tony

Hi Tony,

I've sent a Private Message to your mailbox on this site ... some info in it on where to go (Scope City is near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco). Griffith Observatory in L.A. is well worth a visit and there's a load of observatories accessible. We've done the Vegas trip too (Hoover Dam just 10 miles from the city).

All the best,

John