Telescope Reviews: Anacortes Telescope Star Party

Last night I attended the first day of a two day star party at Anacortes Telescope and Wild Bird. The weather was not very cooperative as it was 60% cloud cover, 25 mph winds and a temperature of about 48*F. The folks at ATWB did a nice job sponsoring the event but were distracted a little by about 20 3rd graders that were overly excited. However, the kids were fascinated and amazed when they got to look at Saturn. Future astronomers! The shop set up an 8" and 11" Meade GPS Go-To. There was also a 12" home made Dob. I got to look through all the scopes present but had to wait till after everyone had left before they brought out the Takahashi 22X60 binoculars and a new Megrez II APO 80mm scope. The Moon, Jupiter and Venus were the only objects visible by the time I got to observe. I was able to compare the Megrez II APO and the Takahshi 22x60 by observing the Moon, Jupiter and Venus.
The Tak 22x60 showed the most beautiful view of the Moon I have ever seen. Very crisp, tack-sharp image and zero C.A.!
In fact, I had managed to briefly observe the Moon in most of the scopes I looked through before I looked through the Tak including the Megrez II APO. In my newbie opinion, and the opinion of a few experienced observers, the view through the little Taks was superior in every way. Extremely sharp contrast, with a very black background, no false color, and tack-sharp images. I did not notice much if any edge softness. I looked at Venus briefly, and again a clear image with zero color fringing. The view through the Taks was clearer than the Megrez, in my opinion, and in the opinion of those that also compared the two.
I was unable to test any other binoculars as I spent my aloted time with the Megrez and the Takahashi. The sky conditions were not clear enough to look at any DSOs but did look at Jupiter and saw 4 moons as perfect points and no spikes or distortions looking at the Jovian sphere.
In conclusion, I liked the Taks very much. I just wished the objectives were 80 to 100mm and would like to compare them to the Miyauchi 22x77 and 100mm before I would recommend them.
Hope this is useful
Jim

Edited by 777Guy (04/25/04 02:28 PM)

Post Extras