50 replies to this topic

[base16]

More pics and information over time. I ordered the tec-180fl initially but changed my mind few months later due to concerns around oil spaced refractors. I just wanted to keep it simple even if it meant longer cool down time and went with the TOA-150b instead. The TOA-150b is going to be my grab-n-go visual scope for a few years and I might eventually consider using it for imaging.

 

The scope actually arrived a few weeks ago but I'm still working out a few things before I can consider this setup complete. Tonight I placed the TOA-150b on RST-300 on the Eagle pier extension attached to  my Losmandy Folding HD tripod. The tripod legs are slotted into ScopeRoller wheels already as well. So it's more or less already setup for grab and go. This is all put together as a prototype with make shift bolts so I'll need to wait for some more items, including a counterweight for safety reasons. The RST-300 is able to effortlessly slew the TOA-150b around without counterweights but since I intend to use it as a semi permanent grab and go I plan on adding some counterweights for added safety.

 

Visually I had the jaw dropping WOW experience when I pointed first at Jupiter and then Saturn using a Tele Vue DeLite 7mm. I have used some of the most well known scopes on this forum: starting from Takahashi FSQ-85, TSA-120, Astro-Physics 92mm & 130mm, Tele Vue NP127is, Mewlon 180c, and the EdgeHD 8, but this TOA-150b kicks everything else out of the park in terms of the planetary views. To be honest I was _not_ expecting this much fun given that this is not my first scope but it easily far exceeded my expectations. It's the same wow experience I had the first time I ever used a telescope.

 

In terms of mechanical l quality I can tell you that this is built like a tank. Baffles inside, focuser lock, nice dew shield and ofcourse the typical bag of tak adapters and connectors. The weight of the scope with the  dew shield, rings and dovetail attached is exactly 49.9 pounds, without eyepieces & diagonal. So far the way I use the scope (few times inside the home other than tonight) on the mount is to place the dovetail on the mount and keep the rings open. Then I carry the scope and drop it into the rings and then close / tighten the rings. This way has been more manageable for me. It's not unbearably heavy but it is substantially heavy. 

 

More soon!

 

Clear skies.

 

Edited by base16, 14 August 2021 - 07:25 PM.

[bobhen]

Congratulations. One of the best for sure. Hard to imagine better correction/figure than my TSA 120 so that TOA 150 has to be spectacular.

 

Good luck. Wait, you’ve already had good luck. Then happy observing.

 

Bob

[cytan299]

Hi Arvind

  Cograts for getting the TOA. 
 

  I’m just wondering, after looking at your signature, that you have the best of the best refractors at each aperture scale. But you use them for visual and not for AP?! Instead you use, not the top of the line, reflectors for AP. Why?

 

cytan

[Yasuhiko]

​Hi,

Congratulations!

I use TOA-150B on RST-300, too, and the powerful torque of this harmonic drive mount makes it possible to remove the 5kg tube weight of TOA-150B.   And I don't usually use the counterweight of the mount, but when it's windy, I attach it to bring the center of gravity of the entire system closer to the center of the tripod's grounding triangle to prevent it from tipping over.

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[base16]

Hi Arvind

  Cograts for getting the TOA. 
 

  I’m just wondering, after looking at your signature, that you have the best of the best refractors at each aperture scale. But you use them for visual and not for AP?! Instead you use, not the top of the line, reflectors for AP. Why?

 

cytan

Cytan, thanks.

 

Mainly due to my skill level in AP  post-processing.

 

I still enjoy the observing side of our hobby -- (a) regular eyepiece / barlow for planetary, and (b) Tele Vue TNV/PVS-14 night vision system when it's not planet season for other kinds of targets. The 150b is going to be my grab and go and live in my home on ScopeRoller and I might take it to remote site for those special occasions, and the other 2 are very compact for regular travel.

 

I so far have been doing EAA/AP for other kinds of targets that I can't see well with my own eyes even with NV device. I'm now slowly starting to pickup AP processing using Astro Pixel Processor. Over time I will start converting some of my refractors for wide-field imaging as well but will likely continue with a reflector for long FL targets to keep the aperture ratio reasonable. The RASA is great for wide-field but I need to be around to change filters manually. The EdgeHD is great for long FL targets (I'm mainly interested in galaxies with this scope). My AP processing skill level is beginner, so I am not at a point where the scope quality improvement from a "good-enough" to "best" is going to materially affect the quality of my images.

Edited by base16, 14 August 2021 - 01:55 PM.

[macdonjh]

I didn't know Takahashi refractors were available without cameras factory installed.

[base16]

​Hi,

Congratulations!

I use TOA-150B on RST-300, too, and the powerful torque of this harmonic drive mount makes it possible to remove the 5kg tube weight of TOA-150B.   And I don't usually use the counterweight of the mount, but when it's windy, I attach it to bring the center of gravity of the entire system closer to the center of the tripod's grounding triangle to prevent it from tipping over.

Thanks Yasuhiko. Your setup is really nice.

 

Good to know you're comfortable with this setup without counterweights. I didn't notice any struggle on the RST-300 with the TOA-150b on it so I agree the counterweights are not strictly required. My goal is to use it to help the RA brakes just in case of power interruptions and also since I plan to leave the scope on the mount semi-permanently attached in the garage.

[base16]

I didn't know Takahashi refractors were available without cameras factory installed.

Taks, especially the TOA, make one of the best camera lenses for astrophotography for sure in terms of color correction! Though I feel that the F ratio of TOA-150b is better suited for visual use; I'm sure there are reducer/flattener options to make it faster than the F/7.3 -- something I will look into in the future.

[Howard Gao]

Congrats! Same setup here in Shanghai 

 

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[fate187]

That Rainbow RST300 supports AZ-mode? It looks so flimsy I would be scared. However, I am always scared when my large apos are mounted even on the AP1100

[CHASLX200]

I would love one for 500x views of the planets. But would have to sell the house to buy one.

[macdonjh]

Taks, especially the TOA, make one of the best camera lenses for astrophotography for sure in terms of color correction! Though I feel that the F ratio of TOA-150b is better suited for visual use; I'm sure there are reducer/flattener options to make it faster than the F/7.3 -- something I will look into in the future.

Absolutely.  I know why most Takahashi refractors are used for photography.  However, being a visual observer, and having looked through an FS-102 once, I often lament the objectionable "rear cell obstructions" Tak refractors are so frequently crippled with. 

 

I would love to have an FS-152...

[John Turley]

I would love one for 500x views of the planets. But would have to sell the house to buy one.

Although I don't dispute that Takahashi Refractors are are of very good quality, I think that it is a bit of a myth to suggest that they will vastly outperform other good quality makes of the same aperture, and permit much higher magnifications to be used.

 

John 

[CHASLX200]

Although I don't dispute that Takahashi Refractors are are of very good quality, I think that it is a bit of a myth to suggest that they will vastly outperform other good quality makes of the same aperture, and permit much higher magnifications to be used.

 

John 

All of my Taks have done 100x per inch easy on some objects.  Only my TMB 105/650 was a hair better and many other brands were close.

[payner]

Congrats! Same setup here in Shanghai 

Hi Howard: I'm curious what the red bands are on your OTA?  I'm guessing some type of carry strap. 

 

Beautiful telescopes and mounts, everyone.

 

Regards,
Randy

[payner]

Pictured is my TOA-150B atop a EM-400 Temma 2M.  I absolutely am thrilled when I sit down at the eyepiece of this telescope to observe.  The optical quality correction on this telescope is truly amazing, I can't imagine any better.  It provides purity of image -- cold renderings.

 

I enjoyed your first light report, base16.  Enjoy.

 

Randy

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[base16]

Congrats! Same setup here in Shanghai 

Hi Howard, thank you. That's a nice setup you have, including the turret! In fact, your earlier posts & the ones from Yasuhiko were helpful to me while making the decision earlier this year around RST-300 & TOA-150 -- so thank you both. 

 

 

What is that Losmandy saddle that you have on RST-300?

[mtminnesota]

Congrats! Same setup here in Shanghai

Howard you own my favorite telescope in the world, a TOA-150 signed by Yuyama-san. What kind of turret do you use?

[Howard Gao]

That Rainbow RST300 supports AZ-mode? It looks so flimsy I would be scared. However, I am always scared when my large apos are mounted even on the AP1100

It’s actually a piece of cake for the RST-300 even under az mode. But you need to have a heavy duty tripod.

Edited by Howard Gao, 16 August 2021 - 12:39 PM.

[Howard Gao]

Hi Howard, thank you. That's a nice setup you have, including the turret! In fact, your earlier posts & the ones from Yasuhiko were helpful to me while making the decision earlier this year around RST-300 & TOA-150 -- so thank you both. 

 

 

What is that Losmandy saddle that you have on RST-300?

Thank you and that’s a rayox saddle which is the most convenient saddle I have ever used. 

[Howard Gao]

Howard you own my favorite telescope in the world, a TOA-150 signed by Yuyama-san. What kind of turret do you use?

Thanks. It’s a Van Slyke turret. Unfortunately it was discontinued.

[Howard Gao]

Hi Howard: I'm curious what the red bands are on your OTA?  I'm guessing some type of carry strap. 

 

Beautiful telescopes and mounts, everyone.

 

Regards,
Randy

HI Randy

 

You are right! It’s important for me to use it to carry the scope out of the case so I can get rid of the heavy handle.

[bobhen]

Although I don't dispute that Takahashi Refractors are are of very good quality, I think that it is a bit of a myth to suggest that they will vastly outperform other good quality makes of the same aperture, and permit much higher magnifications to be used.

 

John 

No high-end refractor will “vastly” outperform another. But the Tak TOA series has a combination of extremely high optical figure AND with their "2, ED lens elements", makes them one of, if not the best, color corrected refractors around.

 

The "combination" of extremely high optical quality AND extremely high color correction makes the TOA refractors pretty special scopes.

 

Bob

[teashea]

wonderful info and photos  

[macdonjh]

Although I don't dispute that Takahashi Refractors are are of very good quality, I think that it is a bit of a myth to suggest that they will vastly outperform other good quality makes of the same aperture, and permit much higher magnifications to be used.

 

John 

 

 

No high-end refractor will “vastly” outperform another. But the Tak TOA series has a combination of extremely high optical figure AND with their "2, ED lens elements", makes them one of, if not the best, color corrected refractors around.

 

The "combination" of extremely high optical quality AND extremely high color correction makes the TOA refractors pretty special scopes.

 

Bob

Both of you simply must be mistaken.  While there are a few competent opticians around, only Takahashi uses the magical green paint.  The obvious source of their superior performance.  

 

I'm sure I'd be thrilled with an AP, a TMB, a TEC, a CFF (I love my CFF classical Cassegrains), but that look through an FS-102 all those years ago makes me want its bigger brother.  Just 'cause.