174 replies to this topic

[Adam S]

I love taking my Tinsley and Unitron out, but there's no question whatsoever that the Tak has better optics. If being fussy it isn't that close a comparison, the Tak is amazing. I don't know whether it's nostalgia or simple appreciation of the classics, but I get as much out of an evening with the Unitron, FC Tak or AP equally.

I don't own a Tak APO, but threads like these + all the CN testimonials give us non-owners something to think about.

The problem with Taks is that after owning one lesser scopes begin to gather dust in the corner. I almost lost all my interest in viewing through achromats cause of a Tak attack.

[Bomber Bob]

For the new CNers & Visitors:  My 6" F20 Tinsley Saturn Cassegrain does not have Tinsley mirrors in it.  The mirrors were missing when I bought the OTA.  I bought the mirror set from Sheldon, and no one knows what company made them, or when.  I had the mirrors re-coated by Majestic, because the views were very good despite old coatings.  I refer to the scope as Tinsley because it has that pretty art deco brass & black Tinsley Saturn nameplate on it; and, anyone walking up to it at a star party would call it a Tinsley.

 

On Topic:  Adam, if by Tinsley you mean one of their 3" or 4" refractors, then I wouldn't doubt that a Tak APO would give better views.  Wonder how a Tak 4" APO would compare with a Tak Epsilon reflector?  Or, a Mewlon?

 

Yes!  A Takahashi FS-102 that I can afford --> http://www.ebay.com/...d4AAOSwdDtZuYF2

Edited by Bomber Bob, 13 September 2017 - 03:15 PM.

[Ken Sturrock]

My favorite classic Takahashi is probably the p2z. My EM-200, however, fits some definitions of "classic".

[rolo]

I love taking my Tinsley and Unitron out, but there's no question whatsoever that the Tak has better optics. If being fussy it isn't that close a comparison, the Tak is amazing. I don't know whether it's nostalgia or simple appreciation of the classics, but I get as much out of an evening with the Unitron, FC Tak or AP equally.


 

 

I don't own a Tak APO, but threads like these + all the CN testimonials give us non-owners something to think about.

The problem with Taks is that after owning one lesser scopes begin to gather dust in the corner. I almost lost all my interest in viewing through achromats cause of a Tak attack.

 

 

I no longer care much for achromats. My Unitron 152 and Nippon Kogaku 65mm will be going on the chopping block. 

[rolo]

 

 

 

I don't own a Tak APO, but threads like these + all the CN testimonials give us non-owners something to think about.

The problem with Taks is that after owning one lesser scopes begin to gather dust in the corner. I almost lost all my interest in viewing through achromats cause of a Tak attack.

 

I'm not that way.  Variety is the spice of life, and even if I bought a Tak APO, I'd still want to use my other scopes.  My Goto beat a Zeiss, yet I still use my Mayflower 814, and my Lafayette 60x400.

 

I'd have to see a 4" Tak APO outperform my 6" reflectors -- including the F20 Tinsley (with re-coated mirrors + all the improvements I put into it) -- to believe it.  The Tinsley breaks M31 into dark lanes & star clouds that I can see in town.  (Once I get a Meade mount adapted to my vintage Filotecnica surveyor tripod, the Tinsley can go to the field, too.)

 

I'm sure that the Takahashi APOs are top quality.  What I found in the Goto vs. Zeiss side-by-side is that F20 has less CA than F13 (honestly, none that I can see).  My 6" reflectors have zero CA, and the RV-6 & Tinsley can match or beat my Edmund 4" F15 in lots of sessions.  I've read that Tak APOs will show false color.  They're a huge step-up from vintage achromatics, but at my age, I don't know that the benefits are worth the cost.

 

I don't believe  a Tak may be the scope for you. They're  not for everyone and many can't get over price vs performance and completely miss the point of owning a high end APO. They're not miracle scopes, they're just as good as it gets for their size. 

[starman876]

i would not recommend anyone commenting on a scope and its performance if you never have owned one.

[DaveTinning]

I have admired Tak scopes for some years, but only acquired my first one, a beautiful FS128 from 1999, in spring this year.

 

I've always loved long traditional achromats as well and owned a wonderful D&G 5" F15 ( as rare as hen's teeth in the UK) until last year.

 

Although I didn't have the chance to compare them directly, my feeling is that both scopes were very similar in light grasp (not surprising, being 127mm (D&G) and 128mm (Tak). 

 

The Tak undoubtedly showed less CA, but both scopes were equally sharp. The D&G presented a real mounting challenge at almost 2 metres long (the reason I sold it) and had a narrow field of view versus the Tak, but could show great views with cheaper eyepieces than the Tak, which thrives on Pentax, LVW and other high end eyepieces. The Tak rides beautifully on it's original Tak EM2 mount.

 

Observing through both is incredibly satisfying, but on a purely practical, ease of use basis, the Tak wins for me, and is my perfect all rounder. Aesthetically, both to me are beautiful scopes.

 

Attached are pictures of my two main scopes today, the FS128 and my Vixen ED103s 4" apo doublet, (which I use for grab and go and is also a superb optic).

 

Dave

Attached Thumbnails

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[Bomber Bob]

i would not recommend anyone commenting on a scope and its performance if you never have owned one.

 

Hogwash & utter drivel.  Most of us comment on products we've never owned, movies we've never seen, music we've never heard, and books we've never read.  One can form an opinion without owning everything ever created or made.

 

Lots of folks would never buy a Questar.  I bought one.  I had informed opinions about it before the purchase, too.

Edited by Bomber Bob, 13 September 2017 - 05:39 PM.

[starman876]

I repeat

 

i would not recommend anyone commenting on a scope and its performance if you never have owned one.  Who would write a review of anything that one has no experience with.  

[Terra Nova]

i would not recommend anyone commenting on a scope and its performance if you never have owned one.

 

Hogwash & utter drivel.  Most of us comment on products we've never owned, movies we've never seen, music we've never heard, and books we've never read.  One can form an opinion without owning everything ever created or made.

 

In therein lies the problem with much of our society and culture (or lack there of).

[Bomber Bob]

Yeah!  Consumer Reports, ePinion, and all those other product reviewers have wrecked civilization.

 

In case you missed it:  I said informed opinion.  Man!  I thought the Zeiss folks were sensitive.

 

And Johann, where have I "reviewed" a Takahashi APO??

Edited by Bomber Bob, 13 September 2017 - 05:37 PM.

[rolo]

I've easily owned over 150 scopes and do my best not comment on scopes I've never owned. Many years ago, I made  myself look pretty foolish commenting about AP scopes at star party without realizing there was one there!

 

BTW we're off topic now

Edited by rolo, 13 September 2017 - 05:39 PM.

[starman876]

I do not recal doing so JW.  I just made a statement and you reacted. why I do not know.   Maybe you feel guilty about something.

[Bomber Bob]

I just made a statement and you reacted. why I do not know.

 

Right... [in my Dr. Evil voice]

 

So, you're just having fun.  Good.

 

Back on Topic:  Classic Takahashi reflectors or refractors.  For the folks who've owned both, which do you prefer?

[Terra Nova]

Why would anyone "comment on products we've never owned, movies we've never seen, music we've never heard, and books we've never read".  I realize that we may have done book reports on books we never read while in grammer school and middle school, but at least I read the comic book or saw the movie first!

[Terra Nova]

I just made a statement and you reacted. why I do not know.

 

Right... [in my Dr. Evil voice]

 

So, you're just having fun.  Good.

 

Back on Topic:  Classic Takahashi reflectors or refractors.  For the folks who've owned both, which do you prefer?

Well I have never owned a 4" Takahashi, but after having a 60mm and a 76mm I have formed the opinion that I want one!

[Terra Nova]

Yeah!  Consumer Reports, ePinion, and all those other product reviewers have wrecked civilization.

 

In case you missed it:  I said informed opinion.  Man!  I thought the Zeiss folks were sensitive.

 

And Johann, where have I "reviewed" a Takahashi APO??

I was being sarcastic JW! Its just my acerbic wit!  

[Esso2112]

For the new CNers & Visitors:  My 6" F20 Tinsley Saturn Cassegrain does not have Tinsley mirrors in it.  The mirrors were missing when I bought the OTA.  I bought the mirror set from Sheldon, and no one knows what company made them, or when.  I had the mirrors re-coated by Majestic, because the views were very good despite old coatings.  I refer to the scope as Tinsley because it has that pretty art deco brass & black Tinsley Saturn nameplate on it; and, anyone walking up to it at a star party would call it a Tinsley.

 

On Topic:  Adam, if by Tinsley you mean one of their 3" or 4" refractors, then I wouldn't doubt that a Tak APO would give better views.  Wonder how a Tak 4" APO would compare with a Tak Epsilon reflector?  Or, a Mewlon?

 

Yes!  A Takahashi FS-102 that I can afford --> http://www.ebay.com/...d4AAOSwdDtZuYF2

I can answer this one. I currently own a FSQ-85 and a FCT-100 (4ish inch apo's covered). I have owned an Epsilon 180 and a Mewlon 210.  I sold the epsilon because I preferred the images from the FSQ. The epsilon requires flat fielding with an APS ccd whereas the FSQ hasn't needed it, so less processing.   The Mewlon I sold because of the FCT-100. The Mewlon is one of the best 8" reflectors around visually, and the Mewlons do give refractor-like views with pinpoint stars on a dark background. I just couldn't get past the diffraction spikes on bright objects.  I've looked through a Mewlon 250 and, again the views are spectacular. 

 

The FSQ-85 is also great visually. I got it for imaging, but do look through it in occasion.  There is no trace of color anywhere and the contrast is beautiful. If I had to choose between the FCT-100 and the FSQ-85, I honestly would pick the FSQ-85.  Luckily, I don't have to choose and can keep and use both. 

[Bomber Bob]

Well I have never owned a 4" Takahashi, but after having a 60mm and a 76mm I have formed the opinion that I want one!

 

And, I never owned any of the scopes in my collection, but I did my homework, read the posts & reviews on CN... uh-oh.

[starman876]

you got to love this place.  where else can we have so much fun without a clue of what is going on

[Chuck Hards]

Keep it civil and respectful and you can all disagree as much as you want.   Are you all on the board of your HOA's?

 

[Adam S]

I can only compare the Tak FS 102 and original FC 100 to my 4" Tinsley Saturn. The Tinsley is a beauty with great optics and draws a long line at star parties, but the 4" Taks have better optics and are easier to use. Both get equal use around here.

The 4" fluorite refractor had a lot to do with the downturn of achromat sales for the right reasons.

 

For the new CNers & Visitors:  My 6" F20 Tinsley Saturn Cassegrain does not have Tinsley mirrors in it.  The mirrors were missing when I bought the OTA.  I bought the mirror set from Sheldon, and no one knows what company made them, or when.  I had the mirrors re-coated by Majestic, because the views were very good despite old coatings.  I refer to the scope as Tinsley because it has that pretty art deco brass & black Tinsley Saturn nameplate on it; and, anyone walking up to it at a star party would call it a Tinsley.
 
On Topic:  Adam, if by Tinsley you mean one of their 3" or 4" refractors, then I wouldn't doubt that a Tak APO would give better views.  Wonder how a Tak 4" APO would compare with a Tak Epsilon reflector?  Or, a Mewlon?
 
Yes!  A Takahashi FS-102 that I can afford --> http://www.ebay.com/...d4AAOSwdDtZuYF2

Edited by Adam S, 13 September 2017 - 07:31 PM.

[Bomber Bob]

Are you all on the board of your HOA's?

 

 

Love it!!

 

[The president of my last HOA was a retired 2-star Army General.  You can imagine...  Our member's guide was in a 3" binder.]

Edited by Bomber Bob, 13 September 2017 - 07:35 PM.

[starman876]

Keep it civil and respectful and you can all disagree as much as you want.   Are you all on the board of your HOA's?

 

we do not have a HOA. We do have a civic association.  

[Adam S]

Get one without regret. They hold their value and will offer no risk if you find it to be a waste of $. It's only money (of which we have little extra).

I just made a statement and you reacted. why I do not know.
 
Right... [in my Dr. Evil voice]
 
So, you're just having fun.  Good.
 
Back on Topic:  Classic Takahashi reflectors or refractors.  For the folks who've owned both, which do you prefer?

Well I have never owned a 4" Takahashi, but after having a 60mm and a 76mm I have formed the opinion that I want one!