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New Old Tasco

Started by LDW47 , May 29 2021 05:40 PM

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21 replies to this topic

#1 LDW47

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Posted 29 May 2021 - 05:40 PM

I am in the process of having a Tasco 99vr shipped to me, it will go up against my Tasco 9vr and Celestron CO-62. It will be fun in comparing the 3 scopes. IMO and IME and POV ! Has any one got comparisons to pass along from some time in the past ?

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#2 GreyDay

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Posted 29 May 2021 - 06:24 PM

The 99VR isn't as good as the Vixen appointed 9VR take a look here https://www.cloudyni...st-impressions/

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#3 LDW47

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Posted 29 May 2021 - 08:00 PM

The 99VR isn't as good as the Vixen appointed 9VR take a look here https://www.cloudyni...st-impressions/

I read all of that when I bought my 9vr, now I want to see for myself against various objects incl daytime. For me its a bit of a challenge, its my enjoyment, its more than just looking through the same scope(s) every nite ! IMO.

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#4 Bomber Bob

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Posted 29 May 2021 - 08:06 PM

If you make no improvements, you will see performance differences between the Tanzutsu <Z> & Vixen (V) versions -- day & night. I won't prejudice your comparisons with details -- look forward to your posts.

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#5 Piaget

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Posted 29 May 2021 - 09:37 PM

If you don't have 1 , pick up a Tasco 10 VR ...

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#6 LDW47

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Posted 29 May 2021 - 09:41 PM

If you don't have 1 , pick up a Tasco 10 VR ...

I would love to have one but they are hard to find especially up here in Canada.

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#7 LDW47

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Posted 29 May 2021 - 09:43 PM

If you make no improvements, you will see performance differences between the Tanzutsu <Z> & Vixen (V) versions -- day & night. I won't prejudice your comparisons with details -- look forward to your posts.

Thats what I have read but its nice to give them a run, it makes life a bit interesting, lol. IME !

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#8 GreyDay

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Posted 30 May 2021 - 04:46 AM

I want to see for myself against various objects incl daytime. For me its a bit of a challenge, its my enjoyment, its more than just looking through the same scope(s) every nite ! IMO.

Agreed, i grab anything i haven't tried before, luckily i have a couple of likeminded friends and we borrow each others gear. The last two weeks I've been using a Vixen VMC110 which i would never have bought due to poor reviews. Variety as they say, is the spice of life

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#9 LDW47

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Posted 30 May 2021 - 08:31 AM

Agreed, i grab anything i haven't tried before, luckily i have a couple of likeminded friends and we borrow each others gear. The last two weeks I've been using a Vixen VMC110 which i would never have bought due to poor reviews. Variety as they say, is the spice of life

And of astronomy IMO AND IME, lol !

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#10 LDW47

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Posted 16 June 2021 - 09:48 AM

An almost matching set, my 9vr on the left and 99vr on the right. They are itching for a try out, a comparison. There is a slight difference in the build, the quality but both are solid, mostly all metal and a nice finish considering. The glass looks excellent. PS: I might even throw my Celestron CO-62 into the mix for good measure.

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#11 LDW47

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Posted 16 June 2021 - 10:16 AM

At this point I can't get my 1.25" diagonal adaptor to screw into the tube so that I can use my 1.25" diagonal / eps to fit like with the 9vr. I have to use the 0.9" to 1.25" diagonal to use them, the threads or diameter appear to be different, I will check around.

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#12 Kasmos

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Posted 16 June 2021 - 01:54 PM

Isn't the 9VR basically the same as the Celestron CO-62? They are both Vixens. I don't understand why one would bother buying the 99VR when it's known to be inferior, especially when you own two of the better models.

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#13 LDW47

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Posted 16 June 2021 - 05:37 PM

Isn't the 9VR basically the same as the Celestron CO-62? They are both Vixens. I don't understand why one would bother buying the 99VR when it's known to be inferior, especially when you own two of the better models.

Because I wanted one, its my style to try new things not just stagnate with the same old tried and true ( I have those too ) but some / most don't like to. And now you know the rest of the story, lol.

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#14 LDW47

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Posted 16 June 2021 - 05:39 PM

Isn't the 9VR basically the same as the Celestron CO-62? They are both Vixens. I don't understand why one would bother buying the 99VR when it's known to be inferior, especially when you own two of the better models.

I might even look for a 999vr ?

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#15 bulletdodger

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Posted 17 June 2021 - 05:48 PM

Kudos on your tabletop 60's, Sir!

I enjoy the little optical marvels as well. I have found both the 99vr and the 999vr are quite capable as you suspected on bright targets and widefield views.

There are some stinkers out there most likely made in the Halley era. They are stopped down and though not near as good as the Vixen, quite capable on the moon and daytime spotters. They will put out some nice star fields sharp to the edge. It pays to add the Vixen 1.25 adapter and quality diagonal.

My Pentax J60 is better on the planets but the Vixens are superior on pinpoint stars and are my favorite tabletop scanners.

Enjoy!

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#16 LDW47

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Posted 19 June 2021 - 05:53 AM

Kudos on your tabletop 60's, Sir!

I enjoy the little optical marvels as well. I have found both the 99vr and the 999vr are quite capable as you suspected on bright targets and widefield views.

There are some stinkers out there most likely made in the Halley era. They are stopped down and though not near as good as the Vixen, quite capable on the moon and daytime spotters. They will put out some nice star fields sharp to the edge. It pays to add the Vixen 1.25 adapter and quality diagonal.

My Pentax J60 is better on the planets but the Vixens are superior on pinpoint stars and are my favorite tabletop scanners.

Enjoy!

What a great collection, you are fortunate. I have a Celestron CO-62 as well.

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#17 LDW47

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Posted 20 June 2021 - 12:39 AM

I took the 99vr out for the first time, in my backyard, between 12-1 under terrible seeing conditions what with the bright moon. I used one of my 1.25" zooms. Everything was badly washed out but the stars were pinpoint from edge to edge and I managed to catch M13 at zenith, it didn't take all that long but it was just a smudge in the brightness of the moon which wasn't all that far away. And the moon looked great, clear, sharp with virtually no extra color that many complain about constantly in an achro. I can hardly wait to try it on a dark nite along side the 9vr, I think this is going to be a better performing scope than others think / have said ?

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#18 DouglasPaul

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Posted 16 October 2021 - 01:11 PM

If you don't have 1 , pick up a Tasco 10 VR ...

Do you have one? If so how do you like it?

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#19 Piaget

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Posted 16 October 2021 - 02:52 PM

Hi PD , Yes I do have one. It is an amazing scope. I am a retired robotics engineer & a whiz with electronics , but know nothing about Star tests & do not know what a DPAC is. I have taken this little gem up to 150x with crystal clear views & little or no aberration. I have a great collection of high end EPs that probably have a lot to do with the clarity of the views. My eps go from 2mm to 40mm. If you have a 10VR , enjoy , if not snag one if you get a chance. I converted mine to 1.25 with vixen screw in adapter. JW

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#20 DouglasPaul

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Posted 16 October 2021 - 03:39 PM

Hi PD , Yes I do have one. It is an amazing scope. I am a retired robotics engineer & a whiz with electronics , but know nothing about Star tests & do not know what a DPAC is. I have taken this little gem up to 150x with crystal clear views & little or no aberration. I have a great collection of high end EPs that probably have a lot to do with the clarity of the views. My eps go from 2mm to 40mm. If you have a 10VR , enjoy , if not snag one if you get a chance. I converted mine to 1.25 with vixen screw in adapter. JW

I'm leaving in twenty minutes to get one. Looking forward to any clear skies I can get to use it. I think it will be very useful when we take our road trip.