Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Bob, altough 80 % of the pics I saw are yours, and yes, they are good!, I did find a few more -you are right-, looking around the members of your SS group it seems that at least 4 or 5 other people got one ..
It's quite a few more than 4 or 5 but we'll leave it at that.
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But the impression I get from reading CN is that these two lines (SS and AT) (which seem to be different only for marketing, as in, made in the same place and with TMB label to allow for different pricing of the two), are actually rather over-hyped due to the Astronomics connection to CN... It is as clear as it can be, but it does not mean that they are not good scopes! Just that they are over hyped.. But if I want an over hyped scope I "get" a BO.. If you check on Astromart, you get a more balanced opinion (and I think better information because people like Roland are there to give advice).
You may be getting that impression but it's an incorrect impression. The scopes are hyped because they are that good. S&T made the 130SS one of their "Hot Products" for 2007. They have also said that "Everyone should own an AT66" Perhaps becuase Astronomics carries the scopes and the exposure is higher your getting that impression. And the scopes are not one in the same re-badges.
Astromart for Non hyped opinions  I have to differ with you there. Some of the most lopsided comments and signs of favoritism have reared the'r ugly head over there. As for Roland posting over there, that's great but it proves nothing really. I think he may be leary of posting here as this is such a more popular forum with more members he's afraid of being barraged with questions and PM's.
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I could not find any info on the 111mm on Astromart and almost nil in other forums.
Well that's pretty easy to answer. Nobody else has any. That would make it kinda hard for anyone to post about it anyplace other than here.
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The AT 111 is the one I am most interested in. I recently found out it is a TMB design, so I think it is basically the younger brother of the 130SS.
Nope. The only thing the 111 and the 130 share is both are a Thomas design and both are triplets. They use different glass, different focusers lens cells etc.
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There are still doubts on the Japanse origin (?) of the 130SS, but who cares, as long as it performs well..
Exactly my stance on the issue. We both can agree on that.
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What do you make of this shot:
http://sky.prohosting.com/mikedodd/Rosette-SE-large.html
Is it pinched or something?
I think you linked to a picture from Mike D's site that was taken with a 9.25" SCT and shows classic SCT flaws. That image was not taken with a TMB130SS.
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I think that this one is better but shows that the scope does need a field flattener...
http://homepage.mac.com/jprovi57/.Public/TMB%20130SS%20ngc2244.jpg
Yeah it does but that was also taken with an ST11000 camera. That's a mighty big chip to fill and there are very few scopes out that can cover that chip flat.
CS's
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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strgazr, are you some kind of promoter for the TMB SS series? it seems that in every discussion regarding this line of refractors, you seem to always find yourself either defending and/or promoting the product. I don't mean to question your impartiality, but it would be nice to know if there's some sort of bias in your communiques.
If you do some research on the subject you'd find that I preface everything I have said about the 130SS and the 111 with the fact I DO NOT, HAVE NOT and WON'T take/get anything from Astronomics or AT for the reviews I present here. I consider the chance to use the scopes a bonus. I defend what I think are good products and also promote what I think are good products. Isn't that what everyone should do? I took a beating when I first spoke about the 130SS. The funny thing is what I had said has turned out to be true and backed up by more people than just myself.
And lets be honest, you asking the question does, in a way question my impartiality and that's fine. 
I'll say it here and than be done with it. The ONLY thing I get from Astronomics or AT or anybody else I may have the pleasure of testing for is the ability to use a scope before most people can get their hands on it. I help with suggestions, answer questions about design and performance based on MY experience and observations from ACTUALLY using the equipment. I hope that I can continue to etst for Mike or anyone else who may ask me to.
That's all I'll say about the sunject anymore. Your free to draw your own conclusions.
CS's
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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waterskies
member
Reged: 08/18/07
Posts: 93
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Thanks!
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waterskies
member
Reged: 08/18/07
Posts: 93
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I thought you had mentioned that some had been shipped both in the US and overseas? So now, not even one has?
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3044
Loc: Right Here
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What I said in the thread was "There are some CN users that have had prototypes of the instruments for months so they can make sure they work in all different conditions." There have been two prototypes of the 111mm. One is in the states and the other piece is overseas. Either tomorrow or the next day there will be 50 111mm in the store and many will ship out to the states or overseas.
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Michael Bieler
I live vicariously through myself.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
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waterskies
member
Reged: 08/18/07
Posts: 93
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Bob, let's leave aside the hype and actual number of 130... I think most people don't care, so I will just keep my opinion to myself.
Sorry about the Rosette you are right! I wanted to link to the RBG one ! 
http://sky.prohosting.com/mikedodd/rosette-large.html
I think that a scope in that class should perform well with a large chip! Otherwise what refractors can? Which field flattener you recommend with it and with the AT 111 (if anyone has an idea)
You tried both scopes right? What differences can you highlight?
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lineman_16735
Tak-o-holic
Reged: 12/04/04
Posts: 2582
Loc: Central PA
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I was under the impression that the S&T Hot Products ad was just that a paid for ad. At least I was told that by someone in the industry who has been "selected" as a hot product.
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Chris
A mount from Illinois
A scope from Japan
A camera from Cal-I-Fornia
A dog from Kentucky
A wife and kids from the "Twilight Zone"
The Geek Shed
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waterskies
member
Reged: 08/18/07
Posts: 93
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Gotcha. Please do let us know once you finish testing them all and they start shipping!
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3044
Loc: Right Here
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Untrue. Sky and Tel editors get together and pick products they like and think represent good value to the hobby.
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Michael Bieler
I live vicariously through myself.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3044
Loc: Right Here
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Will do.
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Michael Bieler
I live vicariously through myself.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25120
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
I think that a scope in that class should perform well with a large chip! Otherwise what refractors can?
I think that'd be nice, too - but no triplet can do it without help. Wishing won't make it so. The only 5" telescope I know of that will do it unassisted is the NP-127 (not a triplet - and $3000 higher in price).
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John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
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Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Quote:
I think that a scope in that class should perform well with a large chip! Otherwise what refractors can?
John is right. The only other one I can think of and it's 5mm smaller is the Pentax 125 and it's $3000 more than the 130 and $5000 more than the 111. It's also a 4 element setup with a built in corrector so it's really not even a valid choice.
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Which field flattener you recommend with it and with the AT 111 (if anyone has an idea)
Both Andy and I have used the 111 with the TV .8 reducer flattener with some decent results. As this was the only unit either of us had on hand that's all I can add to that.
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You tried both scopes right? What differences can you highlight?
The optics and color correction are both better in the 130 as they should be and is no surprise. There is no competition in the focuser department as the 130 offers the absolute pinnacle of focusers in the Feathertouch 3545. The 111's is VERY nice for the price point and won't dissapoint. It carryies a 40D with no sag or shift but it's just not the FT. I like the lens cell better in the 130 than the 111 but the 111's is still a nicely done unit. The tubes are very similiar in fit and finish.
HTH's
CS's
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Quote:
Sorry about the Rosette you are right! I wanted to link to the RBG one !
http://sky.prohosting.com/mikedodd/rosette-large.html
I see a shot that suffers from several issues. Soft focus, frame alignment that is off and tracking that is a bit suspect. This is also a narrowband image and they are very hard to process. I wouldn't use this image to judge the optics IMO.
CS's
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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waterskies
member
Reged: 08/18/07
Posts: 93
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Bob, honestly I do not know the 125mm Pentax (although I read some good things about it especially for wide field medium format shooting: this is another scope few people own anyway.), but I seriously hope that the performance is better than the other Pentax I've seen... They are just horrible in the blue! I don't know why so few people notice that. Even if you can of course eliminate it, makes one think about using the word APO for them.
What about a flattener for the 130? What did you use?
What are the differences you mention in the lens cells? Are they both collimatable?
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Strgazr27
Vendor - Deep Space Mods and Composites
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 6984
Loc: StonyHill Observatory
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Quote:
Bob, honestly I do not know the 125mm Pentax (although I read some good things about it especially for wide field medium format shooting: this is another scope few people own anyway.), but I seriously hope that the performance is better than the other Pentax I've seen... They are just horrible in the blue! I don't know why so few people notice that. Even if you can of course eliminate it, makes one think about using the word APO for them.
What about a flattener for the 130? What did you use?
What are the differences you mention in the lens cells? Are they both collimatable?
Some of the Pentax scopes will show a hint of flase color from what I have also seen. The older ones seem to be a bit worse than the new ones. The trade off is the ability to completely cover a 4X6 format camera with an almost perfectly flat field. Most imagers would rather fight with a bit of spurious color than to have to deal with a badly curved field.
I didn't test any flatteners with the 130 as the 2 cameras I used with it (Modified 20D and a MONO ST2000) showed almost no curvature with that size chip If you hunt around you'll also find that a high quality flattener for scopes of the 130 size and up can get VERY expensive. Some of them can cost as much as 1/4 the price of a 130 itself. I have heard of one gentleman using the flattener for the TMB 152 with success but thats a $1000 flattener. Another has tried the TAK 130 unit also. You may be able to use the TV piece for 800-1000mm scopes but this will seriously vignette a full frame camera. Unless your using a large chip CCD or full frame DSLR there is really no need for it based on the images I have seen and taken.
Now back to the 111.
CS's
CS's
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Bobby
StonyHill Observatory
Skywatcher EQ6 Pro (On it's way)
AT 130 F/6 Prototype
Royce 10" f/4 Astrograph (Under Construction)
Self Modded 40D
70-200 F2.8 L IS
SSAG
YAHOO TMB 130SS Group
Astronomy Technologies Yahoo Group
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LLEEGE
Running out of Oxygen
Reged: 03/03/05
Posts: 8936
Loc: Cloud-chester,NY
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The FLT110 flattener should work well with the AT111. They are essentially the same optic. Although, you may need an adapter made to connect it to the focuser.
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"Okay! You draw the straws. I'm-a taking the parachute."
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Buzzer
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/21/07
Posts: 658
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Hello Again,
Thursday night the weather cleared for a few hours, 3-1/2 hours to be exact. Here is a picture of M81-M82. 55-4 minute subs through the 111,Canon 40D unmodded, iso 800. I cropped the edges slightly. The moon was half full, Andy
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Meade SN-10 Carbon Fiber
TMB 92ss
Mini Borg 50 Guidescope
Celestron CGE Mount
QHY8
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
http://buzzer.zenfolio.com/
"I THINK THE WEATHERMAN NEEDS MORE EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT"
WANING CRESCENT OBSERVATORY
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lightfever
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/27/04
Posts: 1253
Loc: Macomb Michigan
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Boy I would like to get one of these, I think it would be nearly the perfect scope for my needs.
Hmmmmmm ...... lets see...... What could I sell?
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Mark
Tasco 15-TE 76mm
Sky Watcher 80mm ED
AT-111 Triplet
XT8i (with Woden re-figured mirror)
Discovery 12.5" f/5 Premium DHQ (PDHQ Split-tube Dobsonian)
12.5" f/6.3 Dob (Underconstruction)
Celestron CG-5GT EQ Mount
Celestron C4 EQ Mount
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain" unknown
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amirab
super member
Reged: 03/03/04
Posts: 195
Loc: Israel
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Anyone tried this scope yet ? Any reports ?
Amir
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Amir
AT-111 APO TRIPLET
TV Genesis- SDF
MEADE LX90 8' UHTC
MEADE STARFINDER 12.5' DOB.
APOGEE SA-88-RA BINO.
OBERWERK ULTRA 15X70
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