13165 replies to this topic

[25585]

As a FYI, I found this diagram showing the difference a Q1,6x extender can make on a FSQ-106

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Edited by 25585, 12 April 2025 - 06:53 PM.

[Bomber Bob]

The last bit in restoring my 1968 TAK S-1 EQ has been The Legs.  I've tried several sets now, and none of them were just right.  The right height, + the right heft, + the right look.  I thought the vintage Vixen wood set was It; but, they're too big for the hub, and too hefty for the payload -- my 1973 TS-65P / 500...  (I just put them on a massive 1968 Mizar KAISER EQ.)

 

I'm hoping this Kenko KDS set are It:

 

Kenko KDS-609 A06.jpg

 

They're the shorter version in this mount Series.  I like the surveyor-type spiked tips.  The wood slats look thick enough, but not ginormous.  And, I like the black hardware.  They look better than some of the genuine TAK short tripods that I've seen on ZEN -- and those run anywhere from $200 to $300, PLUS Shipping...

 

Total for these Kenko legs:  $40.

 

Just Right...

 

TS-65P Beauty 68 EQ S11 - Kenko Short Tripod (LS FL).jpg

 

Right height, right fit, right weight, right look.  Rigid & stable platform - I'll get to see tonight how it handles 150x on Jupiter.

Eureka!  Spikes in turf, this is a rigid yet light grab & go - no jitter fine-focusing at 150x on Jupiter.  Super-smooth manual tracking, too.

 

* Tough to Beat a TAK. *

Edited by Bomber Bob, 13 April 2025 - 11:24 AM.

[geekay]

 I like the surveyor-type spiked tips. 

I like them too, but ... OUCH!

Back in the early 1980s, when I was living in Northern California's wine country, I'd haul my Newtonian out to the vineyards for some dark-sky viewing. And nine times out of ten, whenever I'd reposition the tripod, I'd stab one of my feet with those darned spikes! 

Edited by geekay, 13 April 2025 - 07:44 PM.

[25585]

Here is an illustration of a FSQ-106 cross section.

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[Astroman007]

Would you rather have Takitis or gastritis?

[Owlglass]

Here is an illustration of a FSQ-106 cross section.

That is great! Do you happen to have one for the TOA 150 as well? 

[Lagrange]

That is great! Do you happen to have one for the TOA 150 as well? 

 

I don't think Tak have ever published anything similar for the TOA series, but they do show the lens design in their Japanese catalogue.

 

[edif300]

They did. I have at least the TOA-130F, and if I recall correctly, the 150 as well. Years ago, I designed a website about TOA (same way for FCT and FSQ did). But some questions made me refuse to publish it. I don't know how comfortable Tak is, and lately they seem to be focusing more on information control than on improving their offerings. In any case, that information is pretty irrelevant "under the stars."

Edited by edif300, 16 April 2025 - 11:03 AM.

[John Huntley]

I don't think Tak have ever published anything similar for the TOA series, but they do show the lens design in their Japanese catalogue.

 

Presumably those air spaces are not "to scale" ..... or are they using an approach like Tele Vue with extensive spacing between the elements ?

[Lagrange]

Presumably those air spaces are not "to scale" ..... or are they using an approach like Tele Vue with extensive spacing between the elements ?

 

As far as I know the diagram is to scale or at least very close to scale. The TOA series use very large air spaces to greatly reduce spherochromatism but it requires a large and very precisely made lens cell to keep the elements properly spaced and aligned.

[payner]

^ Yes and the TOA 130/150/180 (the later design on paper but not produced) are a modified Cooke (Dennis Taylor) triplet design, having the hallmark wide lens spacing.

[skyward_eyes]

Here is my new to me TOA-130F. This scope has been around the block and needed quite a bit of attention to get it back up and running. It works well on the Wave 150i for visual actually. 

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[brischy]

I caught a case of Takitis! Purchased a Takahashi 76 MC classic from from the classifieds here, just arrived today. Unfortunately the new equipment curse has come into effect and this weekend is cloudy.

[Pet905]

After a 30 year hiatus from astronomy, I have gone down the Tak rabbit hole with the arrival of my FD100-DC, 6x30 finder and 1.25" diagonal. Unfortunately, I need to source some 95mm rings and dovetail. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[dan_hm]

After a 30 year hiatus from astronomy, I have gone down the Tak rabbit hole with the arrival of my FD100-DC, 6x30 finder and 1.25" diagonal. Unfortunately, I need to source some 95mm rings and dovetail. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The new ones from Tak are quite nice: https://www.firstlig...5d-fc-76dp.html
https://www.firstlig...e-dovetail.html

They are 95mm so they fit the FC-100D series. I have them on my new FC-100DF.

Edited by dan_hm, 17 April 2025 - 04:55 PM.

[Rasfahan]

Am I the only one who thinks Tak should‘ve continued to sandcast their clamshells and machine the focusers instead of the other way around?

Edited by Rasfahan, 18 April 2025 - 05:45 AM.

[eyeoftexas]

The new ones from Tak are quite nice: https://www.firstlig...5d-fc-76dp.html
https://www.firstlig...e-dovetail.html
 

Those rings look just like the More Blue rings.  Are they being made for Tak, or the other way around?

[Eric P]

Yes these ChatGPT renderings are a waste of time, but I was trapped listening to a boring story from my MIL and snuck this in.

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Edited by Eric P, 17 April 2025 - 06:08 PM.

[desertlens]

It's interesting how Japanese manufacturers tend to support one another across the hobby spectrum. I'm familiar with Tamiya plastic model kits which are among the best available. Airfix ain't too shabby either. I get the sense of some national unity that is refreshing.

[waso29]

Takahashi and plastic models.  

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[Lentini]

I lived in Japan for three years as an Air Force brat in the early 80s. I enjoyed so many miniatures and models. No choking hazard law suits in Japan. 

[skyops]

After a 30 year hiatus from astronomy, I have gone down the Tak rabbit hole with the arrival of my FD100-DC, 6x30 finder and 1.25" diagonal. Unfortunately, I need to source some 95mm rings and dovetail. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

*

 

I've bought several sets over the years - I like 'em!

 

 

 

http://www.parallaxi....com/rings.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Cometeer]

After a 30 year hiatus from astronomy, I have gone down the Tak rabbit hole with the arrival of my FD100-DC, 6x30 finder and 1.25" diagonal. Unfortunately, I need to source some 95mm rings and dovetail. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Great suggestions so far. I’ll throw in the K-Astec rings to the mix as the lightest, simplest, and cleanest option. However, if having adjustable thumbscrews on the rings is important to you, I’d second the More Blue or Tak (look to be made by the same factory) rings.

[balcon3]

Is there a reason why you want rings instead of the Tak clamshell? I have a clamshell on my FC100DF and I really like it because it is easy to slide the telescope backwards and forwards to balance as necessary. This is particularly useful swapping a binoviewer in and out, or heavy 2 inch eyepieces. But if you don’t use any of these I can see the attraction of  rings since they are lighter.

[Highburymark]

Those rings look just like the More Blue rings. Are they being made for Tak, or the other way around?

They are the More Blue rings - Tak has obviously taken them on as an official supplier. Interesting they’re branding them as Takahashi now. I have More Blue on my TSA-120 and Epsilon 130d and like them.
There is also another line of FC-100-compatible rings at First Light Optics which look very nice. Branded StellaLyra £169.