32 replies to this topic

[Deadlake]

 Sure I could flip the Traveler and make some money on the deal, but then the likelihood of my ever finding an original TMB 100/800 in this nice condition ever again would probably be slim to none.  So I don't think I'd do that.

If you follow the link the price including sales tax in the UK is £4200 for a Strehl 0.98 version. 
Now the equivalent to mine would need a phenolic tube and FT3545 added, let's call it £5400 new.

To put it into context the 130 mm F6 LZOS I also have was £6500 two years ago new.
 

Quite a large amount of inflation there and other reasons.

Thanks for conforming my thoughts that at that level of performance is not much different between the LZOS and the AP.

The only advantage of the AP scopes is they are lighter and more transportable from what I can tell.
 

[Scott in NC]

I don't think that there would be any practical and affordable way to make a 4" refractor optically any better (at least for visual use) than the TMB 100/800 sample that I have.  Could you make one more portable? Sure--the Traveler is an example of that.  Could you make one that's more suited for the needs of imagers?  Sure--there are plenty of less expensive f/6 scopes out there, or longer FL ones that can be paired with a dedicated focal reducer / field flattener.  I won't go out on a limb and say that this particular TMB is absolutely, without qualifications, better than any of the different AP scopes out there, but will say that for my purposes, it is.  

[Deadlake]

I store the scopes the garage (dry and not too cold, built into my house).

The upshot is that in winter when I take the 105 mm out it's acclimated in around 20 minutes, lucky me.

Edited by Deadlake, 06 May 2023 - 03:38 PM.

[RichA]

White inside focus:

 

IMG_8615.jpeg

 

At focus:

 

IMG_8617.jpeg

 

Outside focus:

 

IMG_8619.jpeg

All I can say is, "wow!"  Arrow straight bands and great control of colour which can be seen in the polychromatic image.

[CHASLX200]

Dpac one of these.

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[Scott in NC]

All you have to do is mail it to me and cover shipping both ways, and I'll do it for you for free.  But Chas, that's really not going to be cost effective for you, when you've got such great seeing in your location.  You can just crank up the magnification on a planet and tell what's what, so I don't know what you'd gain from that. DPAC testing is for the rest of us who live in the more typical locations on planet Earth.

[CHASLX200]

All you have to do is mail it to me and cover shipping both ways, and I'll do it for you for free.  But Chas, that's really not going to be cost effective for you, when you've got such great seeing in your location.  You can just crank up the magnification on a planet and tell what's what, so I don't know what you'd gain from that. DPAC testing is for the rest of us who live in the more typical locations on planet Earth.

I sold the 105 years back. Best lens ever, best pure colors. But it was as heavy as a 6" ED and in no way was it a grab and go and needed a bigger mount. Built like a tank and as heavy as one.  Did 100x per inch on some objects like it was nothing.

 

I am hoping someone can DPAC one. Them TMB scopes like the one you got and CNC versions can't be beat.

[Tyson M]

Nice review Scott! Always wanted to try a TMB 100mm f8! Looks like a nice scope.

 

Yes I'm resurrecting an old thread but I've been away as of late.

Edited by Tyson M, 06 October 2024 - 07:30 AM.