dc2861
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/13/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Virginia, USA
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I had been on the prowl for a scope that I can whip out and have a look around without rearranging the cars in the driveway to pull the old NS9.25GPS out.
I have never owned a refractor. I've had Dobs, Newts and Cats. Funny, that sounds more like pets than scopes.  After perusing the refractor forum I decided to test the waters. I left the house this morning with the intent of driving up to Hands on Optics and ponying up the dough for a NightHawk. Problem was, they had the NightHawk setup on a tripod with the TAK 78 in kind of a "T" formation. I asked to have a look through the NightHawk and, I always forget her name, suggeted I have a look through both. I think I was being set up because after the initial glance I was hooked. Now I've heard there's a big difference between the APO and ACHRO especially with chromatic abberition but I was quite suprised at the signifigance between the two. Granted I was looking at the treetops a halfmile away, but the green and purple "shadows" were very apperent in the ACHRO while the APO offerd a very "crisp and clean" image.
What I would like to know from the EXPERTS  is did I make a good decision with the TAK or would I have been just as happy with the NightHawk? 
Thanks in advance for any comments/insights.
Best Regards...
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Darren
Celestron NexStar 9.25 GPS
Takahashi FS78
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Bill Grass
Prince Regent
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 11665
Loc: Baton Rouge, LA
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I'm no expert, but I think you made a good choice!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Well, you said EXPERTS, and I'm not even yet an expert, but I think it would be hard to go wrong with a Tak.
How much did you pony up for it if you don't mind my asking?
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Don W
demi-god
Reged: 05/19/03
Posts: 19226
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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I may not be an expert, but I'm closer to it than most people, LOL.
Actually, after using the Tak, I don't think you can go back to an Achromat. They're pretty nice scopes.
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DON'T PANIC!-Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Don Wyman
Obsession 18" f/4.5 #1166
W/Argo Navis DSC and Torus Primary
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ridurall
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/02/03
Posts: 860
Loc: SW Oklahoma
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Great choice Darren. I really like my FS-78 especially when the seeing conditions don't support larger scopes. Got to love those pinpoint stars and wider fields. You should also be pleasantly surprised at how much magnification you can at times get out of her. On a good night it will go way past 50x per inch "limit". What kind of mount are you putting it on? I alternate between piggybacking on my NS11, using a Giro II mount and an older CG5 mount. I put a red dot finder on it and it sure makes it easier to point on the alt/az mount.
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Ron D.
Brunton Epoch 8.5x43 binoculars
Canon 15X50 IS binoculars BROKEN
Steiner 10X50 binoculars
Alpen Model 350 7.5X32 binoculars (double barrel headaches)
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dc2861
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/13/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Virginia, USA
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Quote:
Well, you said EXPERTS, and I'm not even yet an expert, but I think it would be hard to go wrong with a Tak.
How much did you pony up for it if you don't mind my asking?
No I don't mind. We're all freinds here right. The OTA was $1195. The mounting clamp was $120. The finderscope was $125. The finderscope mount was...Are you seeing a pattern here. Yes. Each piece is sold seperately. The complete system, to include LOMO mount with single drive came to ~$1800. A little more than I intended but I think I'll be happy. 
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Darren
Celestron NexStar 9.25 GPS
Takahashi FS78
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dc2861
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/13/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Virginia, USA
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Ron
Thanks for the input. It didn't occur to me to piggyback it. I've got the NS9.25GPS. Will it support the FS78? If so what kind of mount am I looking at and where can I get one?
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Darren
Celestron NexStar 9.25 GPS
Takahashi FS78
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 33846
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I'm not much of an expert, but I'm married to one.
(I think you made a good choice.)
Tom T.
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You do not need a parachute to skydive, you only need a parachute to skydive twice...
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dc2861
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/13/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Virginia, USA
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Quote:
I'm not much of an expert, but I'm married to one.
Knowing my wife, that must make us inlaws of some kind.
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Darren
Celestron NexStar 9.25 GPS
Takahashi FS78
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ridurall
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/02/03
Posts: 860
Loc: SW Oklahoma
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I purchased my stuff at http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_pigy1.htm
The mounts are not as rigid as the Losmandy stuff but it's a bunch cheaper and seems to be quite stable. They are also split rings so you can remove the scope with less trouble when you want to mount it on your Lomo mount.
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Ron D.
Brunton Epoch 8.5x43 binoculars
Canon 15X50 IS binoculars BROKEN
Steiner 10X50 binoculars
Alpen Model 350 7.5X32 binoculars (double barrel headaches)
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Ricky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 2556
Loc: Nor Cal
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Hi Darren,
Takahashi = excellent choice! Let us know how first light goes.
Best Regards,
Ricky
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Regards Ricky
_______________
MN61, TS65EDQ, Mini Borg 50
Orion Sirius Heq5, Antares PED30
Phillips TouCam Pro II, DFK21au618.as, Atik 16
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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You'll really appreciate it for planetary work.
Let us know how it looks after you get it.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Nice scope, anything from Takahashi is going to be of the upmost quality. However, in defense of the Nighthawk...I'd like to point out that you can almost buy FOUR Nighthawks for what you paid for the Tak. That's pretty crazy! 
Just for kicks, did you check anything else out from Stellarvue? For what you spent, I beleive a 4" ED Stellarvue was in the same price range for the OTA only. Just a thought... 
So... getting the Tak was a great choice, no doubt about it. But, comparing it to a Nighthawk is not really fair when the price difference factor is almost 4x!
Enjoy your Tak.... you lucky clown you!
Mike
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dc2861
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/13/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Virginia, USA
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Quote:
You'll really appreciate it for planetary work.
Let us know how it looks after you get it.
I drove away with it. It's sitting in the family room looking at me with that "Lets go look at the stars!" look.
Last night was poker night. The game didn't break up until about an hour ago. My plans are to hit the sack now, sleep for a couple of hour and be ready when the sun sets tonight. Conditions appear favorable.
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Darren
Celestron NexStar 9.25 GPS
Takahashi FS78
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rboe
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 63466
Loc: Phx, AZ
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That will make for a great finder scope on your NS9.25. 
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
127mm F9 Surplus Shed/Crawmach kit scope
Coronado SolarMax 40 on a Celestron 102 Wide Field
Best of ATM
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dc2861
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/13/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Virginia, USA
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Quote:
That will make for a great finder scope on your NS9.25.
Funny, that was Ron D's recommendation. You Rons are all alike.
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Darren
Celestron NexStar 9.25 GPS
Takahashi FS78
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Victor Kennedy
Pooh-Bear
Reged: 05/22/03
Posts: 12190
Loc: Slovenia
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An ex is a has-been, and a spurt is just a drip under pressure.
When I grow up I'm going to buy a Tak scope. Till then, I'll just have to be satisfied with some Tak eyepieces.
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No matter how hard you push the envelope, it's still stationary.
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AstroRon
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/13/05
Posts: 1350
Loc: Maine Coast
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I know this goes back a few years but can someone tell me what a fair price of the Tak FS-78 might be today? I can find specs on it and original price, (I think $1200), but I'd like to know what it might be today.
Thanks,
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Ron, KF1H
PST/PSM40, ETX-125, Lunt LS60Ha50DS/BF1200 http://mysite.verizon.net/KF1H
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NHRob
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 4111
Loc: New Hampshire
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great choice
Rob
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Rob ... my avatar pic is me ... on a good day!
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Canon 12x36 IS binos
Spooner 6.5" f/8.6 dob w/Dobstuff mount
Past Scopes:
Starstructure 14.5", Starmaster 14.5", 10" f/6 Zambuto homemade dob
AP130EDSF, AP130EDT, Traveller, AP152 f/9, 6" AP Christen triplet,FS-102(x2),FC-100,FS-152,TOA-130,TEC-140(x2),TV-101, TV-102,TV-76,TV-85, WO Z80FD, SV105/LZOS, WOLZOS100/800, TEC-6,TEC200/15,MN56,APM130/1200/LZOS,Mewlon180, Jaegers 6" f/15 achro, Palermiti 6" f/15 achro
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Teal'c
Indeed
Reged: 08/02/05
Posts: 4268
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I've seen them (depending on included items) listed anywhere from $900.00 to $1300.00
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