506 replies to this topic

[DeanS]

I hope this interesting thread hasn't died. My TEC 140 is from the last run of the ED version. It's a work of art and only wish I had steadier skies to see what it can really do.

 Gerry

Last night was my first night of great seeing with the 160.  Saw festoons and swirls in the band of Jupiter.  Was most excellent!  Too bad it was so hot and humid that my eyepieces fogged up quickly.  Can't wait for fall even though it seems like summer just got here.

 

Dean

[Scott in NC]

Last night was my first night of great seeing with the 160.  Saw festoons and swirls in the band of Jupiter.  Was most excellent!  Too bad it was so hot and humid that my eyepieces fogged up quickly.  Can't wait for fall even though it seems like summer just got here.

 

Dean

I hear you.  I've owned my newest TEC 140 for a week now and have only had it out once, on the same day that I purchased it.  Here in NC we've been experiencing the typical-for-summer nightly thunderstorms ever since then.

[cytan299]

Hi to all you TEC guys,

 

So, is the new TEC140FL designed more for ap or visual?

 

cytan

[NikhilJoshi]

When I turned 48 my wife asked if I was going to get a Tesla when I turned 50. I said "nope. Gonna get a spectacular telescope and a minivan to haul it around in." I put in my order and TEC-140ED #719 arrived a few months short of my 50th. (I got the Toyota Sienna AWD minivan a year early when the Subaru blew a gasket.)

 

 

Must admit I've only looked through it a few times since the Mach1 is the only mount I have big enough for it and setting it up for a quick look urban Seattle doesn't do it justice. Still the few times I've used it for visual, it's always taken my breath away. It's my primary imaging scope, paired with the Astro-Physics Quad-TCC, giving me stunning optics at f/5. 

 

Here's my latest with it.

 

 

-nik

 

It is truly a magnificent work of science, art, and craftsmanship.

[saptharishi]

NO.....This is unfair...you can not have a 'sound alike' topic similar to Takitis. 

 

On a different note, should we have a new forum called '*-itis' to discuss all the scope related illness 

[rockethead26]

When I turned 48 my wife asked if I was going to get a Tesla when I turned 50. I said "nope. Gonna get a spectacular telescope and a minivan to haul it around in." I put in my order and TEC-140ED #719 arrived a few months short of my 50th. (I got the Toyota Sienna AWD minivan a year early when the Subaru blew a gasket.)

 

 

 

Must admit I've only looked through it a few times since the Mach1 is the only mount I have big enough for it and setting it up for a quick look urban Seattle doesn't do it justice. Still the few times I've used it for visual, it's always taken my breath away. It's my primary imaging scope, paired with the Astro-Physics Quad-TCC, giving me stunning optics at f/5. 

 

Here's my latest with it.

 

 

-nik

 

It is truly a magnificent work of science, art, and craftsmanship.

That's a great photo, Nik. The red giants and blue stragglers are evident. Nicely done.

[Catapoman]

Current configuration for my TEC-140 and contribution to this thread.  Not much use lately, but it has delighted me many nights for the last 7 years.

 

[Allan Wade]

I don't have anything to offer a TEC thread except a long list of observing memories.

 

My recent session with a TEC 200 was a great experience. Most telling was how enormous that telescope is, plus the mount and tripod required to carry it. It certainly moves into a different class all together from the TEC 180. There was a 180 set up about 50 feet away and I had a great few hours there as well.

 

As far as potentially owning a dream TEC, the 180 would be fine by me. It is still manageable and mountable by one person, and in the whole scheme of things, not too far behind the 200.  

[BKBrown]

I am glad to see this thread open because my TEC 140 is one of the two "keeper" scopes in my line up (the other is an outstanding SW 100ED Pro), and gets the bulk of my observatory time...I will not part with this scope  I acquired mine from a fellow CNer back in 2011 and it has proven to be an exquisitely made instrument with optical performance to match, a true joy to use. The fact that it does not require a massive mount to use effectively is a big selling point, mine rides side-by-side with an 11" SCT in the observatory, and when deployed it is on either an Atlas AZ/EQ Pro or a T-REX (both on Losmandy HD tripods).

 

 

 

 

The scope performs extremely well on all these mounts with little to no settle down time. In the field the TEC is used exclusively for visual work, and the field configurations enable trouble free handling that allows the mounts to just blend into the background and do their jobs. There is nothing else that compares to a peaceful, no hassle night of observing at a dark site with a smoothly working kit for recharging the mental and spiritual batteries...

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

 

 

 

 

[Kent10]

Here is my Tec 180FL.  I like it so much, I am waiting for one of the new 200FL.  My 180 is #001 and I believe I am getting Tec 200FL #001 as well.  If this thread is still active, I'll post a picture when it arrives.

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[BKBrown]

I don't have anything to offer a TEC thread except a long list of observing memories.

 

My recent session with a TEC 200 was a great experience. Most telling was how enormous that telescope is, plus the mount and tripod required to carry it. It certainly moves into a different class all together from the TEC 180. There was a 180 set up about 50 feet away and I had a great few hours there as well.

 

As far as potentially owning a dream TEC, the 180 would be fine by me. It is still manageable and mountable by one person, and in the whole scheme of things, not too far behind the 200.  

You are one of the few posters I have read who can discuss the TEC 200. You say it is enormous and I believe you, but it is hard to get a feel for the size of the OTA (which drives the mount requirements), and the few images I have seen don't really show anything for scale. So how does it compare to say, a C14 size-wise? Similar? Larger? Would an AP 1200 handle the load? I have a serious interest in the TEC 200, but still lack a real feel for what it takes to handle one. If I ever go mad and buy one it will live in an observatory, no toting it around for me!

 

I see that the "Homage to 8" Glass" has just resurfaced again, a couple of useful pix in there 

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

Edited by BKBrown, 09 July 2019 - 05:33 PM.

[Kent10]

You are one of the few posters I have read who can discuss the TEC 200. You say it is enormous and I believe you, but it is hard to get a feel for the size of the OTA (which drives the mount requirements), and the few images I have seen don't really show anything for scale. So how does it compare to say, a C14 size-wise? Similar? Larger? Would an AP 1200 handle the load? I have a serious interest in the TEC 200, but still lack a real feel for what it takes to handle one. If I ever go mad and buy one it will live in an observatory, no toting it around for me!

 

I see that the "Homage to 8" Glass" has just resurfaced again, a couple of useful pix in there 

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

I have an AP 1100 mount and ATS pier all ready to go for my Tec 200 when it arrives.  When it does, I can let you know how much of a hernia I get.  I don't have an observatory.  I passed on the 180 many times before I went for it because I thought it would be too difficult to manage, yet I take it out almost every night and even for 5 minutes sometimes.  I decided the 200 is only a few more pounds (though longer too) so I had to give it a chance.  We'll see.  I am doing more pushups.  Seriously!

[Mike Spooner]

You are one of the few posters I have read who can discuss the TEC 200. You say it is enormous and I believe you, but it is hard to get a feel for the size of the OTA (which drives the mount requirements), and the few images I have seen don't really show anything for scale. So how does it compare to say, a C14 size-wise? Similar? Larger? Would an AP 1200 handle the load? I have a serious interest in the TEC 200, but still lack a real feel for what it takes to handle one. If I ever go mad and buy one it will live in an observatory, no toting it around for me!

 

I see that the "Homage to 8" Glass" has just resurfaced again, a couple of useful pix in there 

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

Hi Brian,

 

A friend of mine has a TEC 200 on an AP 1200 in a dome. I've only viewed through it once but it seemed quite stable. Excellent scope.

 

Mike Spooner

[Scott in NC]

I am glad to see this thread open because my TEC 140 is one of the two "keeper" scopes in my line up...

Brian, thanks for sharing your thoughts and the great pics of your scope.  Silly question...what's the blue painter's tape for?  I'm guessing you leave the rings connected to the mount and use the tape to mark where to position the scope in the rings?

[BKBrown]

I have an AP 1100 mount and ATS pier all ready to go for my Tec 200 when it arrives.  When it does, I can let you know how much of a hernia I get.  I don't have an observatory.  I passed on the 180 many times before I went for it because I thought it would be too difficult to manage, yet I take it out almost every night and even for 5 minutes sometimes.  I decided the 200 is only a few more pounds (though longer too) so I had to give it a chance.  We'll see.  I am doing more pushups.  Seriously!

Thanks Kent, I look forward to your observations. Good luck with the telescope PT!

 

Clear Skies,

Brian   

[Scott in NC]

Here is my Tec 180FL.  I like it so much, I am waiting for one of the new 200FL.  My 180 is #001 and I believe I am getting Tec 200FL #001 as well.  If this thread is still active, I'll post a picture when it arrives.

Well, that's reason enough to keep this thread active, just so we can see your TEC 200 pics!   How long is the estimated wait time on that one (from the time you placed the order to estimated time of arrival)?

[BKBrown]

Brian, thanks for sharing your thoughts and the great pics of your scope.  Silly question...what's the blue painter's tape for?  I'm guessing you leave the rings connected to the mount and use the tape to mark where to position the scope in the rings?

Correct in one, has the benefit of being easy to find even in the dark. I just leave it on until it needs replacing.  

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

[BKBrown]

Hi Brian,

 

A friend of mine has a TEC 200 on an AP 1200 in a dome. I've only viewed through it once but it seemed quite stable. Excellent scope.

 

Mike Spooner

Thanks Mike, that's good to know.

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

[Scott in NC]

Correct in one, has the benefit of being easy to find even in the dark. I just leave it on until it needs replacing.  

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

That's what I figured.  I do the opposite, in that I always leave the rings and dovetail plate connected to the scope, and then attach everything to the mount.  I'm afraid that I'd be more likely to scratch the scope doing it the other way around.

[Kent10]

Well, that's reason enough to keep this thread active, just so we can see your TEC 200 pics!   How long is the estimated wait time on that one (from the time you placed the order to estimated time of arrival)?

When I heard Yuri was thinking of making the 200 again about two years ago, I got on a list of interest.  Yuri told me I was the first on the list.  I made a down payment in June of last year.  The estimate was December but I think Yuri is getting close to finishing the first one now.  Just a few days ago he had the first lens set together with a Strehl of .953.  He is going to work on it some more to get the Strehl higher.  I don't know if everything else is ready to go and how long it will take to finish off the lens but I feel my wait will be over soon.

[Scott in NC]

I'm sure it will be well worth the wait.  It's still way shorter than the wait for an AP would be (not that AP has ever made a refractor that large), and at least you know you're actually getting a scope one day.  I don't know where you live, but around here in NC the best observing weather doesn't start until the fall.  I wouldn't be surprised if you had your new scope by then.

[Kent10]

AP made a 206mm refractor and a rare larger one I believe.  Very expensive when they do come up for sale.  I live in Flagstaff, AZ where it is clear most of the time but we are entering monsoon season and so there will be some nights I can't get out at all.  I will probably do more solar viewing in the morning before the clouds roll in.  Yes the 200 will be worth it.  Can't wait but I told Yuri I can wait if he gets that Strehl up there.  I'll wait for perfection.

[BKBrown]

Many years ago after some work with my 4" and just as I was ramping up with the 140 I started spreading the notion that folks did not have to have whacking big Newts or SCTs to play the lunar and planetary imaging game. You can get some pretty cool and satisfying results with smaller aperture, so I spun up a thread in the Solar System Imaging and Processing forum called the Jupiter small-bore challenge (like small bore vs. large bore shooting). The idea was that we would allow images only from 6" or smaller scopes and would trade ideas on how to optimize our optics and processing to get the best images possible from our smaller instruments. That started in December 2012 and the thread is still going strong seven years later, participation has been terrific and we have some really gifted folks participating. I later started an Lunar small-bore challenge while other folks opened up Mars, Saturn, and outermost planets threads. It has been enormously fun to watch everyone share their images and ideas, and see what 4-6 inch scopes can do...you might be very surprised! The TEC 140 provided the backbone for my efforts, and using it taught me some tricks to pass along to others. Here are a few images from the small-bore crusades:

 

This is from the 2011-2012 Jupiter apparition before I built my permanent observatory:

 

 

And here are a couple of Jupiter images acquired through the TEC 140, Yuri really liked the transit/shadow transit image:

 

 

 

Although a TEC 200 wouldn't be "small bore" it would be brilliant, and would pretty much be seeing constrained here in Virginia most of the time...working right to the limit. Sure would like to give it a try some day 

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

Edited by BKBrown, 10 July 2019 - 08:28 AM.

[Allan Wade]

You are one of the few posters I have read who can discuss the TEC 200. You say it is enormous and I believe you, but it is hard to get a feel for the size of the OTA (which drives the mount requirements), and the few images I have seen don't really show anything for scale. So how does it compare to say, a C14 size-wise? Similar? Larger? Would an AP 1200 handle the load? I have a serious interest in the TEC 200, but still lack a real feel for what it takes to handle one. If I ever go mad and buy one it will live in an observatory, no toting it around for me!

 

I see that the "Homage to 8" Glass" has just resurfaced again, a couple of useful pix in there 

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

I arrived at the Winter Star Party this February, and you get this feeling of energy. Then, way off in the distance you see this telescope, sitting high above everything else, imposing itself on the entire star party as if to keep all the other little scopes in their place. Then it draws you in, and you finally come face to face with the TEC 200.

 

Even now as I look at the photo I've posted, it fools me to. It doesn't look that big. I should have stood in the photo so you could get a sense of scale. When looking over the TEC 180, it feels like a scope you could grab one handed and throw under your arm. The TEC 200 feels like a scope you and your best friend look at for a while and discuss how you are going to move it safely before you dare try mount it. A lot of my thoughts and feelings relate to the value of each scope, as a mishap with the 200 could be likely something you would never recover from, emotionally or financially. 

 

My 32" dob weighs 420 lbs, and before I had it in the obs it got wheeled out every night. Setting it up was child's play that took a few minutes. As I looked at the TEC 200 on the AP 1600 I couldn't think of anything more difficult to setup. But the beauty of this situation is it was at a star party and was going to get a weeks worth of use, so that was a good deal.

 

If you look at the photo, there's a weak point in that system. The AP 1600 was the perfect mount, yet the scope would wobble around for a couple of seconds when you touched the focuser. The problem mounting the 200 is not the weight, but the really long moment arm of the tube. I think a really solid pier would be beneficial over a tripod, as I think that was a weakness in this setup. If you had it in an obs on a pier I'm sure the AP 1200 would work.

 

[Allan Wade]

My friend Bill has a beautiful TEC 160, and we had many TEC & Tak sessions. If I ever get a big TEC one day I will blame it on Bill and all his wonderful views.