· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements >> Vendor and Group Announcements Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | (show all) Astronomics Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong. Reged: 06/07/04 Loc: Right Here New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics.       #2906650 - 02/03/09 10:14 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The stellar review in Sky and Telescope's March issues has kind of opened a box. When I was talking to Tom about the 92, we had talked about it from an imaging standpoint. Addressing back focus and large chip cameras. However, it has become clear to me that people really want a visual scope in this size and could care less about the imaging aspect. So here it comes. The TMB92L proposed features. Same exceptional optical system S and T called virtually perfect. 90~95mm OD tube. 100mm of backfocus. The tube would be around 15" bow to stern. 2" crayford focuser, maybe 2.5". We are trying to save weight. Possibly not baffled, but flat black pebble painted interior or flocked. This has worked for years in other high end scopes so I don't see why it can't work on this one. I have some fears about the light cone and the baffles may just prove to be useless in that size tube. Best part. Price....$1495ish. We hope to have a sample or two at NEAF. Mike www.astronomics.com Post Extras:       oldsalt Astro Philosopher Reged: 02/12/05 Loc: Pa - between starparties Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Astronomics]       #2906668 - 02/03/09 10:26 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That is one sweet deal, Mike. Looks like the TMB booth will be really busy. Post Extras:       pop super member Reged: 02/11/05 Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: oldsalt]       #2906956 - 02/04/09 02:36 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   WOW!!! This is a good news to me to have a TMB 92ss for imaging scope and visual scope. Do you have a dedicated field flattener for this scope yet? When to finish? Thanks Best Regards, POP Post Extras:       echan super member Reged: 03/24/05 Loc: Los Angeles, CA Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Astronomics]       #2906963 - 02/04/09 02:59 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Is this a 2" or 2.5" feathertouch focuser Mike? If this can be done for around $1500 I definitely would be looking to get it Post Extras:       tigerroach Pooh-Bah Reged: 08/13/08 Loc: Houston, TX USA Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: echan]       #2907124 - 02/04/09 08:19 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Sign me up! I would consider this for a travel rig, so I support a flocked/thinner and lighter tube over a fatter one with baffles. The flocked tube in my TV102 works pretty well. Post Extras:       Astronomics Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong. Reged: 06/07/04 Loc: Right Here Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: tigerroach]       #2907151 - 02/04/09 08:36 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I don't think it will have a Feather Touch at all. To go with a FeatherTouch will put the scope at around $1795. We are trying to keep the price reasonable as well. It is a fine line since the 92 is priced so well with the focuser it has currently. One of the few ways to drop the price is in the focuser. The optics will cost the same, and the tube will be a little less expensive. It all comes down to the focuser. Post Extras:       RAKing Postmaster Reged: 12/28/07 Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Astronomics]       #2907179 - 02/04/09 08:56 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My flocked TV-102 has served me very well. While I like FT focusers, I don't consider this a deal killer. The folks who gotta have one can probably upgrade. This sounds like a very nice travel (or GnG) scope, with a "just right" aperture. See you at NEAF. Ron Post Extras:       Clive Gibbons Mostly Harmless Reged: 05/26/05 Loc: Oort Cloud Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: RAKing]       #2907258 - 02/04/09 09:54 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The 90mm triplet market sure is getting interesting!... and a great bargain, to boot. Post Extras:       Glassthrower Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Reged: 04/07/05 Loc: Oort Cloud 9 Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Clive Gibbons]       #2907514 - 02/04/09 12:25 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It's always good to see another premium-grade small APO with a sub-premium price. The Feathertouch would be nice, but it would also jack up the price like Mike said. Anyone who really wants the FT bad enough can always get one afterwards and retrofit it, I imagine. Post Extras:       7331Peg Sirius Observer Reged: 09/01/08 Loc: North coast of Oregon Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Astronomics]       #2907795 - 02/04/09 03:17 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I've got two scopes with FeatherTouch focusers and an AT-90 with the stock focuser, which I believe was used on the early TMB scopes. I don't use any of the scopes for photography for the present. The FeatherTouch focusers are very nice, very well constructed, and very smooth. The focuser on the AT-90 also is very well constructed and almost as smooth. The knobs are a bit larger and have a slightly different tactile quality, and to be honest, I actually like the feel of it it more than the FeatherTouch focusers. From a photography standpoint, the AT-90 might be subject to a bit of flexure, but apart from that, it is a very solid, very well constructed little beast. So I see no reason why the absence of the FT focuser on the TMB92 should detract from it's value. And off topic just a bit, the optics on the AT-90 are excellent. This scope has not attracted the attention it deserves. Even at the original price before it went on sale, it is a steal. Post Extras:       Mark Costello Carpal Tunnel Reged: 03/08/05 Loc: Matthews, NC, USA Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Astronomics]       #2908035 - 02/04/09 05:21 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hey Mike, any 's? Thanks, Post Extras:       Glassthrower Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Reged: 04/07/05 Loc: Oort Cloud 9 Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Mark Costello]       #2908082 - 02/04/09 05:44 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Post Extras:       jtpowers more clever in the first place Reged: 11/03/05 Loc: Cambridge, MA Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Glassthrower]       #2908641 - 02/04/09 10:59 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Just a few comments, questions: I think a feathertouch would be well received even at the higher price. It's still cheaper than the original 92SS, and would be high end front to back... Perhaps a choice? Why 100mm back focus? It seems that 2.5-3" works well for visual 99% of the time. So- sliding dewshield and no tube extension, right? Lastly- my vote would be 95mm O.D. 90mm O.D. might look funny having a fat cell in front of a skinny tube... Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: jtpowers]       #2908777 - 02/04/09 11:58 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I want one, then I again I want alot of scopes. I'm looking at picking a scope up at NEAF and this might have to be it. Post Extras:       Astronomics Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong. Reged: 06/07/04 Loc: Right Here Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: zjc26138]       #2909080 - 02/05/09 08:03 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   100mm gives people that want to image with the scope a good chance. Sliding dew shield and not extension is correct. THe 90mm is a standard in the industry. That means no special tube rings or exterior accessories. The WO and SV scopes use a 90mm tube right now. Post Extras:       dougspeterson Pooh-Bah Reged: 09/01/04 Loc: SANTA ANA, CA Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Astronomics]       #2909177 - 02/05/09 09:10 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have to vote for the NOT Feathertouch focuser. I do not believe the added expense makes sense, and the asian focusers are just fine. Post Extras:       Starhawk Post Laureate Reged: 09/16/08 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: dougspeterson]       #2909213 - 02/05/09 09:31 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have to agree the Asian focusers are more than adequate. And if the goal if this model us to reduce price along with weight, that is the way to do it. On the barrel and baffles, there would still be dome room for a few baffles once you were about 70mm from the front of the tube. They wouldn't be very deep, but they would still be effective. Then again, a well flocked tube may be a 99% solution if the focuser draw tube is well done. -Rich Post Extras:       Trombone scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 07/11/05 Loc: Canadian west (and north!) Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Astronomics]       #2948053 - 02/24/09 11:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Any news on this scope? Post Extras:       Astronomics Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong. Reged: 06/07/04 Loc: Right Here Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Trombone]       #2948063 - 02/24/09 11:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yep. The tube is going through final design and I hope to have a solid price shortly. They have two cells to build the scope around and it will be at NEAF. Post Extras:       islandsteve11 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/08/07 Loc: World Class LP of Las Vegas Re: New TMB 92 Light, same 4.5 star optics. [Re: Astronomics]       #2962795 - 03/04/09 09:31 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I want one. Are you taking pre-orders? Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 9 registered and 4 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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