174 replies to this topic

[Eric P]

When does a scope become a "classic" telescope?  Is it when it is 25 years old?  If so, my FS-102 from 1998 will become a classic in January 2023.  

I use the Pennsylvania DMV’s definition: 15 years for classic, 25 years for antique.  Though here in PA the pothole is considered an apex predator that actively culls the automative herd leaving few to reach even a classic status.

[Bomber Bob]

Thread resurrected!

 

I grabbed chances to coincidentally get a TS-65D and a TS-80, both f/15 or better. I didn’t feel I could justify keeping both. The TS-65D is such an easy size to use… Well suited to a small mount and camera tripod. The TS-80 is quite long… Still figuring out the best mounting option. And it has an issue with the tube being too long for all 1.25” eyepieces to come to focus depending on the diagonal. A GPC fixes that, but a shorter tube would be better. 
 

I kept the TS-80 because it was more minty and came with original case and some accessories. Slightly better Jupiter views, as well. 
 

Someday I’d like to get a more modern Tak… splurge a bit. But not yet.

Wondering... about a TS Fan Club.  Or, to widen the group, maybe a Vintage Triplet Fan Club...  IIRC, one of our CSNs has an antique Zeiss version...

[Defenderslideguitar]

Well    the FC -76 is wonderful   punches way above its weight class ..... used the most

  I was lucky enough to buy back my old FC 100   awesome

   It is an honor and a privilege to own Rolo's FS 128 which is a showstopper with large aperture in a large but surprisingly manageable package   so I am going to go with FS 128

Edited by Defenderslideguitar, 02 December 2022 - 11:31 PM.

[Terra Nova]

Well    the FC -76 is wonderful   punches way above its weight class ..... used the most

  I was lucky enough to buy back my old FC 100   awesome

   It is an honor and a privilege to own Rolo's FS 128 which is a showstopper with large aperture in a large but surprisingly manageable package   so I am going to go with FS 128

I feel that way about owning Dave Trott’s FC-76. It’s such a wonderful instrument.

[CHASLX200]

I like all the gray stuff made by Tak back in the day.

[Bomber Bob]

I like all the gray stuff made by Tak back in the day.

Me, too!!  So glad I nabbed my battleship gray 1984 FC-76, since at the time I was shopping, the few gray FC-100s showing up had serious issues...

 

About the TS Series... It's confusing to me that the TS-50 & TS-65/900 are achromatic doublets, while the TS-65P & TS-65D are the 500mm & 1000mm S-APO Triplets...  completely different designs!

 

The TAK Corp / History site doesn't help:  https://www.takahash...rp-history.html

 

I see for 1971, a TS-65S model with 1000mm FL... doublet or triplet??  And, the TS-65V -- an 800mm FL doublet...

 

I know hindsight is 20/20, but maybe Tak could've used a different naming scheme for the Triplets?  Maybe TT-65, 80, etc.??

Edited by Bomber Bob, 04 December 2022 - 02:42 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Me, too!!  So glad I nabbed my battleship gray 1984 FC-76, since at the time I was shopping, the few gray FC-100s showing up had serious issues...

 

About the TS Series... It's confusing to me that the TS-50 & TS-65/900 are achromatic doublets, while the TS-65P & TS-65D are the 500mm & 1000mm S-APO Triplets...  completely different designs!

 

The TAK Corp / History site doesn't help:  https://www.takahash...rp-history.html

 

I see for 1971, a TS-65S model with 1000mm FL... doublet or triplet??  And, the TS-65V -- an 800mm FL doublet...

 

I know hindsight is 20/20, but maybe Tak could've used a different naming scheme for the Triplets?  Maybe TT-65, 80, etc.??

I would die for a gray NJP-160 mount.

[LB Myers]

Hi All

This is my favorite Tak. It's an FC-125 J. On it, is the Tak FC-60, Tak 11 X 70 finder, all on a Tak NJP.

My other favorite is my Tak FC-100 DF, which I use more than the larger one due to weight and set up time.

Clear skies !

 

Edited by LB Myers, 02 September 2024 - 04:37 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Hi All

This is my favorite Tak. It's an FC-125 J. On it, is the Tak FC-60, Tak 11 X 70 finder, all on a Tak NJP.

My other favorite is my Tak FC-100 DF, which I use more than the larger one due to weight and set up time.

Clear skies !

 

TLR.jpg TLR.jpg

I want one of them mounts as a last blast before i give it all up for good but in gray.

[deSitter]

I feel that way about owning Dave Trott’s FC-76. It’s such a wonderful instrument.

I sure hope DT is OK. He's like a national treasure

 

-drl

[starman876]

I sure hope DT is OK. He's like a national treasure

 

-drl

what do you know that I do not know?

[scout]

I sure hope DT is OK. He's like a national treasure

Dave posted here two days ago so I'm sure he's well.

I miss his Youtube videos though. It's been 5 months since his last video.

[jragsdale]

Dave posted here two days ago so I'm sure he's well.

I miss his Youtube videos though. It's been 5 months since his last video.

It looks like he was on CN 2 days ago but it's been 5 months as well since his last post/topic here and before that he was always very vocal. I too hope things are well with Dave, his videos are an amazing resource.

[Bomber Bob]

I want one of them mounts as a last blast before i give it all up for good but in gray.

I'd love to have that pedestal + gray TAK EQ on display.  The only question:  Which Classic Tak to put on it??

Edited by Bomber Bob, 03 September 2024 - 01:01 PM.

[M Shelton]

Hi,  I have a friend that was leaving town. He gave me his Takahashi FC 125. Just testing it out and getting the scope to connect with my mount. Anyone know what this telescope is worth?

 

mark Shelton 

 

 

[Bomber Bob]

Hi,  I have a friend that was leaving town. He gave me his Takahashi FC 125. Just testing it out and getting the scope to connect with my mount. Anyone know what this telescope is worth?

 

mark Shelton 

Tough to say without some photos -- especially of the Lens...

 

Out of my 5 TAKs, I don't think I could name a favorite.  My 1988 FC-100 is the most expensive.  Before I got my 1984 FC-76, my TS-65P / 500 was my most-used.

 

And... I haven't owned any of the TS or MT Series Newtonians.  IF a Classic MT-130 bested my Mizar 130SL, I'd have an even harder time saying, Favorite.

Edited by Bomber Bob, 03 September 2024 - 02:46 PM.

[CHASLX200]

I'd love to have that pedestal + gray TAK EQ on display.  The only question:  Which Classic Tak to put on it??

I got one dream mount now and want to add the 160 but only in gray with no GO-TO and have the SLO- MO's.  I just love the looks of that mount. Gotta be a gray 160 somewhere in the U.S.. There was one for sale a ways back but it was ruined with a home made GO-TO system and they wanted a arm and a leg meg.

[CHASLX200]

Hi,  I have a friend that was leaving town. He gave me his Takahashi FC 125. Just testing it out and getting the scope to connect with my mount. Anyone know what this telescope is worth?

 

mark Shelton 

If the optics are not fogged and the thing is mint gent around 5k OTA alone.

[Kitfox]

Hi,  I have a friend that was leaving town. He gave me his Takahashi FC 125. Just testing it out and getting the scope to connect with my mount. Anyone know what this telescope is worth?

 

mark Shelton 

It’s worth KEEPING!  I have two. I’m keeping both of them!

[PJ Anway]

I always favored the Takahashi FC76. I've owned three different samples over the years and loved them all.

 

But this early model is my favorite: Takahashi FC76 on EM100 mount.

 

[Terra Nova]

I always favored the Takahashi FC76. I've owned three different samples over the years and loved them all.

 

But this early model is my favorite: Takahashi FC76 on EM100 mount.

 

FC-76_1jpg.jpg

Me too! I’ve loved my 1997 model for years. Sadly, since I moved and also, since I got my second Questar it’s just not getting the use it deserves so I’ve decided to let it go. We get older and things change. The classic FC-76 is a great scope tho, no doubt about that!

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[Bomber Bob]

At least twice, I listened to Terra, and made excellent choices:  the 1964 Sears (ASTRO) Model 6336 & 1984 Tak FC-76.  Just noticed - they're 20 years apart in age... Coincidence?  Never!

 

After I got my FC-76, I figured it would make my GT-80S F7 redundant.  But, it didn't.  The GT is faster, has similar optical & build quality, and is a FUN wide-field semi-RFT with 2" accessories.  If the incoming BORG K10-76AB F6.6 is as good as the GT...  I'd be more likely at this point to gift my 1973 TS-65P / 500 + S-1 EQ to one of our grandkids, and hold on to the BORG as a beach / woods scope, as it's much lighter than the GT.  But, we'll see.

[CHASLX200]

I always favored the Takahashi FC76. I've owned three different samples over the years and loved them all.

 

But this early model is my favorite: Takahashi FC76 on EM100 mount.

 

FC-76_1jpg.jpg

So nice to see a real mount vs what what we got today with all these silly odd looking mounts with no weights or SLO-MO's.

[Terra Nova]

At least twice, I listened to Terra, and made excellent choices:  the 1964 Sears (ASTRO) Model 6336 & 1984 Tak FC-76.  Just noticed - they're 20 years apart in age... Coincidence?  Never!

 

After I got my FC-76, I figured it would make my GT-80S F7 redundant.  But, it didn't.  The GT is faster, has similar optical & build quality, and is a FUN wide-field semi-RFT with 2" accessories.  If the incoming BORG K10-76AB F6.6 is as good as the GT...  I'd be more likely at this point to gift my 1973 TS-65P / 500 + S-1 EQ to one of our grandkids, and hold on to the BORG as a beach / woods scope, as it's much lighter than the GT.  But, we'll see.

JW, make that thrice! Your forgetting the Edmund 4” F15. I got big red and then you got Edna! Wonderful scopes. Don’t forget Edna. Here’s Big Red:

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[Bomber Bob]

HATED parting with her...

 

 

But my FC-100 made that easier...

 

 

She's not forgotten -- she made at least half of the planetary pix I have on file!