ST vs. STS (1 Viewer)

[jeremyks]

Can anybody tell me the difference between the 80mm HD ST and the 80mm HD STS. The ST is a gray scope. Im thinking of purchasing it used but want to make sure there are not any advantages of the newer sts.
Thanks for any help
Jeremy

 

[andrew_s]

Optically, the improvement of the STS scope body over the older ST is marginal.
The new STS eyepieces are better than the ones that were current with the ST, but they do fit the old scope OK.
The ST is bigger & heavier, and isn't rubber armoured.
A stay on case for the ST will be hard to find if it doesn't have one and you want one.
The foot of the ST doesn't act as a tripod QR plate like the STS foot does.