174 replies to this topic

[Adam S]

I'm into the nostalgia, mine are keepers. My wife wishes I were practical in regard to my telescopes but it'll never happen.

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.

[starman876]

Let's see how this thread started.  Oh yes, " which classic Takahashi do you like the best"  I knew sooner or later someone would start to say about how Takahashi compares to other scopes.  every time a thread is started about a certain brand of classic telescope someone comes along and starts comparing the brand the oroginal post references  and how it stacks up agaisnt other brands.  Would be nice to start a post and not have it turned into a contest.   I am waiting for the posts stating how their newts  will blow the Taks out of the water.   I am not trying to be nasty here, but I can see how the moderators have a hard time keeping posts on topic.  I have been guilty of going off topic a lot of times, but I am really starting to see how this does not benift anyone and takes the fun out of posting here and takes the interest away from people posting or reading these threads. So my apologies to the moderators for the pain I have been.  

[Terra Nova]

"I am waiting for the posts stating how their newts  will blow the Taks out of the water.   I am not trying to be nasty here, but I can see how the moderators have a hard time keeping posts on topic."

 

Over here! https://www.cloudyni...oday/?p=8100623

[Bomber Bob]

Comparisons started informally early, at Post #3 --> https://www.cloudyni...t/#entry8095669

 

Built a bit at Post #7 --> https://www.cloudyni...t/#entry8096674

 

Asking, Which Classic Takahashi do you like the best? naturally leads to (at least) comparisons between Tak types & models; and, some Tak owners feel inclined to discuss why they chose Takahashi over other brands -- especially between all the APOs available.

[Esso2112]

"I am waiting for the posts stating how their newts  will blow the Taks out of the water.   I am not trying to be nasty here, but I can see how the moderators have a hard time keeping posts on topic."

 

Over here! https://www.cloudyni...oday/?p=8100623

But then they'll have to compare them to the Takahashi MT series of newts. I haven't owned one, but have read good things. 

Edited by Esso2112, 13 September 2017 - 08:39 PM.

[rolo]

I can certainly understand that, I've done the same. Now, I value worth more than nostalgia except maybe for my 12.5" Cave.

I'm into the nostalgia, mine are keepers. My wife wishes I were practical in regard to my telescopes but it'll never happen.
 

 

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.

 

 

 

Edited by rolo, 13 September 2017 - 08:44 PM.

[Jim Curry]

...in the Goto vs. Zeiss side-by-side is that F20 has less CA than F13 , duh.

My 6" reflectors have zero CA, duh

Tak APOs will show false color.  So do TEC 140's

I don't know that the benefits are worth the cost.. 

 

Stop fussing over CA. At the levels you've read discussed on these forums it's miniscule.  The Takaholics and TECaholics usually are talking stupid magnifications for their aperture when they comment on color.  You should be concerned about smooth optics.  When you're looking for fine details smooth optics hold a sharper image as magnification goes up and will leave any scope with inferior optics behind.  You probably won't notice a difference for milky way cruising but lunar and planetary details are distinctly better resolved when using superior, smooth optics.

 

 

Jim

[Stew44]

Thought I replied, but MIA so again.  My favorite Tak is the FC100.  Have owned three of them.  Also an FS152 and a TOA 130.  I no longer own any of them because I feel there are better telescope performance-cost tradeoffs.  I do still own an EM-200USD.  Probably '02 manufacture so not a classic I can comment on.

[Terra Nova]

...in the Goto vs. Zeiss side-by-side is that F20 has less CA than F13 , duh.

My 6" reflectors have zero CA, duh

Tak APOs will show false color.  So do TEC 140's

I don't know that the benefits are worth the cost.. 

 

Stop fussing over CA. At the levels you've read discussed on these forums it's miniscule.  The Takaholics and TECaholics usually are talking stupid magnifications for their aperture when they comment on color.  You should be concerned about smooth optics.  When you're looking for fine details smooth optics hold a sharper image as magnification goes up and will leave any scope with inferior optics behind.  You probably won't notice a difference for milky way cruising but lunar and planetary details are distinctly better resolved when using superior, smooth optics.

 

 

Jim

Amen!  

[Bomber Bob]

I no longer own any of them because I feel there are better telescope performance-cost tradeoffs.

 

Thanks!

 

When you're looking for fine details smooth optics hold a sharper image as magnification goes up and will leave any scope with inferior optics behind.

 

Yes, and that's why I kept a Goto, and sold the Zeiss; and, I kept a 1964 Royal 76mm F15, and sold an 80mm F6 triplet APO.  Despite all the hub-bub, I think it'd be worthwhile for me to get a vintage Tak APO, test it against my known good scopes, and see how it goes.  I could probably resell it without a big loss.  (All part of developing an informed opinion.)

[Terra Nova]

I get the distinct impression that the OP was not so mucn seriously interested in answers to the original question as he was an opportunity to bait Tak owners/lovers and draw them into a **** match, in which case, I am done participating in this topic.

[starman876]

I get the distinct impression that the OP was not so mucn seriously interested in answers to the original question as he was an opportunity to bait Tak owners/lovers and draw them into a **** match, in which case, I am done participating in this topic.

you are way off base Terra.  Just as my post stated I want to hear from Takahashi owners and get their opinions on their Takahashi scopes.  I am not looking to compare Takahashi with other scopes.  I intended this post only for Takahashi  scopes and how much people really liked them.  However, I knew this thread like every other thread would get sidetracked sooner or later.  

[Terra Nova]

Well I am happy to hear that, but it has certainly devolved beyond your original intention.

[starman876]

yes it has. which is normal

[rolo]

Precisely why I'm posting way less than before and will no longer start any topics on any new classic equipment I purchase. I'll try to be helpful when I can otherwise I'll read the post, shake my head and move on...

[starman876]

You have a good point Rolo.   This has become a combative environment.

[Chuck Hards]

I wasn't going to say anything about the topic, but-

 

I like the white Takahashi's best.  Followed by the yellow ones.

[starman876]

i have four of them and i like them all.  not many scope manufacturers i can say that of.  so that tells me no matter whick Tak i buy i am going to be happy.  talk about a win win.

[Stew44]

So besides the 76 and the 212, what are the other two you own, and of the four which is your favorite?  Inquiring minds and all that.

[starman876]

got a 60 mm and a sky 90.   I would say the Sky90 is a joy because you can almost put it in your back pocket while traveling.  not bad for almost a 4" scope with a focuser that will take 2" eyepieces. 

 

The CN 212 is a great planetary scope and also a great imaging scope when used in the Newt mode.  

so far I have not found a Tak scope I have not liked.   

[Stew44]

got a 60 mm and a sky 90.   I would say the Sky90 is a joy because you can almost put it in your back pocket while traveling.  not bad for almost a 4" scope with a focuser that will take 2" eyepieces. 

 

The CN 212 is a great planetary scope and also a great imaging scope when used in the Newt mode.  

so far I have not found a Tak scope I have not liked.   

I felt the same way about the Stowaway f/5 AP.  Still, a TMB 80 f/6 fills that roll now.

 

Try the larger Taks and you will find the same consistent quality.  That by the way is quite a different thing (more like corporate mindset to produce consistently highest quality optics across a broad range of designs and apertures) compared to a Roland or a Yuri as examples of individuals who are their own worst critics and won't let things out that don't meet their standards (IMHO of course).

[starman876]

I would love to have two of the sky90 taks and make a binocular scope out of them.  They sky 90 with a 40mm eyepiece is one of the best small sky sweepers I have ever seen.   Pin point stars from edge to edge.

[tmaestro]

Do any of you Takaholics have an old FSQ and have an interest in Russ' optical element described here:

 

https://youtu.be/QkETkoS6Ys0

 

I have a Denk II with a diagonal and Power Switch and that optical element (that I've removed from the diagonal) and I have no use for it and no ambition to ever own an FSQ.

[diglit]

I have and HAD a lot of different takahashi scopes.

Probably my favorite is the CN-212 (an incredible performer both in cassegrain and newton configuration).

My FCT-150 is a superb 6" refractor but i am selling it (i need to rise founds and is heavy for me!).

Others lovely two are the FC100N (better than the new 100DL) and the first Taka ever: the TS65/900 achromat.

Incredible performances also from my MT160 with f 8.3 corrector (really an FS-160!!!).

 

Paolo

[starman876]

this is sure a nice link on Takahashi

https://translate.go...902&prev=search

 

enjoy