13032 replies to this topic

[Paul G]

I have the Elite Bug Shirt and pants, 100% effective against mosquitoes. Looks a little goofy but who cares. I use the microfiber version because of the heat and humidity here, cooler than the cotton.

[NHRob]

Hey Rob, dibs if you decide to sell it!

Just kidding, congrats on a fine telescope. I've owned one in the past, and can tell you that it's a fine instrument. Beware though, it may lead to the purchase of an FS-128!

No Tak for you !!

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[Doug Culbertson]

Hey Rob, dibs if you decide to sell it!

Just kidding, congrats on a fine telescope. I've owned one in the past, and can tell you that it's a fine instrument. Beware though, it may lead to the purchase of an FS-128!

No Tak for you !!

Awesome Seinfeld reference!

[peleuba]

I have the Elite Bug Shirt and pants, 100% effective against mosquitoes. Looks a little goofy but who cares. I use the microfiber version because of the heat and humidity here, cooler than the cotton.

I purchased the shirt and pants at your suggestion a few years back after reading another complimentary post that you made. These are awesome and really work. Just had it at Cherry Springs last week.

[waso29]

the disease is spreading.....

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[Olee]

I'm feeling Tak green with envy!!

[NHRob]

Well, life is not cooperating. Very bad weather and the few good nights, other life stuff got in the way. Still hopeful to compare soon.

BTW, I have a lead on a used FS-128. Would I be crazy to sell off both these 4" apes and get the FS-128? I'm thinking about it.

CS,
Rob

[tomcody]

Rob,
The FS128 is definitely a step up from the FS102 ( I sold both my FS102 and TSA 102 after buying the FS128), but the FS128 is a much bigger scope ( only weighs about 17 lb) but it is long and make sure you have a mount that can handle it with the tripod extended for good viewing height.
Also it is not exactly grab and go so plan on a little more setup/ transport issues with a matching mount. But it is a keeper scope, I got one after selling my AP130GT and would never go back to the AP!
Rex

[Allan Wade]

What is fair market value for the FS scopes these days?

[Allan Wade]

I got one after selling my AP130GT and would never go back to the AP!

Rex, that is very high praise for the FS128, must be some great telescope

[tomcody]

IMO the FS128 and AP130GT are different scopes, the AP is very fast and has to much curvature in the FOV for my tastes, don't get me wrong, it is a very high quality lens that resolves such targets as the moons of Jupiter , Uranus and Neptune as well as any scope out there, but for me the flatter FOV of the FS128 is more natural.
I think that Astro Physics had photography and binoviewing in mind on that design, you can pair it with a MarkV binoviewer and have one of the best bino friendly scopes made, ( as the recommended 1.25x GPC extends the FR to a more natural F8), and if I were into binoviewing, I might own one, but for mono, I Prefer the FS128.
Rex

[crazyqban]

I had a Tak FS-102 that I sold to purchase a Tak FS-128 which I will be selling because I just acquired a Tak FS-152 (should be arriving soon). When I had the FS-102, I purchased a TSA-120 with the intention of replacing the FS-102 but found them to be very close so I sold the TSA-120 and kept the FS-102. Shortly after that, someone that I know locally aqcuired an FS-128 and I told him that if he decides to sell it to hit me up first. Less than a month later I ended up with an FS-102 and an FS-128. The jump up from the FS-102 to the FS-128 was much more noticeable and pleasing than the jump from the FS-102 to the TSA-120 and thus I thought that the FS-128 would be where my refractor quest would cease. Then someone told me that the FS-152 is not much longer (8 to 10 inches) than the FS-128 and this marinated in my mind until a couple of weeks ago that I saw a Tak FS-152 SV for sale and jumped on the opportunity. No I am waiting for the FS-152 to be delivered and will hopefully get a chance to compare both scopes side by side. Believe it or not I do consider my FS-128/DM6 combo a brab-n-go. I have had many small grab-n-go setups but I just did not find the views very pleasing especially when compared to my 16" F4 dob. With the FS-128/DM6 combo, I grab the tripod with the mount and set it outside, then grab the light weight OTA, wait a few minuted for cool down and voila, wonderful views. I hope to be doing the same with the FS-152. Although this would not be the definition of a grab-n-go system, the little bit of extra effort is very worth it in my opinion.

[tomcody]

Sergio,
I agree that the FS128/DM6 combo is great and I think that the FS152/ DM6 will be just as good ( and portable) with the right tripod ( maybe something a little taller? than needed for the FS128?).
Rex

[crazyqban]

I am currently using a double clamped Berlebach UNI 24 extended about 10 inches with the FS-128/DM6 combo with great results. I will raise it a bit more and see how it works with the FS-152. If it does not work well the I will probably have to get a Berlebach Planet or Losmandy HD.

[Allan Wade]

I have noticed the Losmandy HD and pier extension is a popular setup with the DM6. I imagine it would certainly be rock solid.

[crazyqban]

I used to have one with my old TOA-130F and it was excellent. But I like the look of the Berlebachs more.

[t.r.]

Rob, you and I discussed long ago that a 5" is thee "sweet spot" in our neck of the woods...HECK YEAH, get the Tak FS128!!! It was your long range plan to settle in with a 5" anyway, do it now, life is too short. Then we'll get together and shoot out my AP130GT and your FS128 and see if Markab is full of it or not!

[roadi]

the disease is spreading.....

You do have a severe attack of Takitis
How do you feel??

[waso29]

i feel like looking for a mt160 to convert to dob or maybe try cn212....

[roadi]

i feel like looking for a mt160 to convert to dob or maybe try cn212....

Oh.. This is serious! Guess theres no cure for you.. God bless you

[NHRob]

Hi Tim,
I decided to hold off and spend more time with my FS-102. The FS-128 looks nice but, I'd have to upgrade my mount as well to handle it.


Rob

[roadi]

No, it's not an inflammation of your Takahashi!

Instead, I picked up a used FS-102 on AMart and will be doing visual comparisons against my SV-105T as soon as I can. The Tak should arrive today/tomorrow. I have a MT Pro and I'll see if I can mount both scopes together for doing side-by-sides!

Only issue is that the FS has only 1.25" visual back and I only have a 2" diagonal. Oh well, I might have to view straight through to compare.

Stay tuned ... pics will be provided when I can.

Rob, to get the best out of the FS102 you should get a high quality diagonal, preferable a high quality prism.
Should the Tak be the better one you probably won't see it with a mediocre (most dielectric) diagonals.
I've seen this many times with various diagonals on my former FS102

[NHRob]

Hi Rodi,
Prism diagonal ... hmmm, interesting. Do you have any recommendations?

Thx,
Rob

[Starman27]

I landed the TAK eyepiece turret with a prism diagonal from E-bay for my FS128NSV. I don't know how I got along with out one. BTW works fine with other scopes like my 14 inch Meade SCT.

[roadi]

Hi Rodi,
Prism diagonal ... hmmm, interesting. Do you have any recommendations?

Thx,
Rob

Yes.. in 1.25" Tak's own prism is excellent. I bet the baader/zeiss 35mm prism is just as good or even better yet, but I don't have any experience with this one.
If two inches, Baader/Zeiss "expensive"
If mirrored diagonals I would chose NONE dielectrics units. Not to say there isn't any good dielectric units out there, I just havn't seen one yet that match the sharpnes and contrast of the excellent prisms.

See Bill Paolini's Review!
Looking forward to your comparo