849 replies to this topic

[jrazz]

I know, right?

Even my "one scope" is actually two

 

 

Edited by jrazz, 30 September 2024 - 03:35 PM.

[glittledale]

yes, 1 scope policy!!! 

 

i'm a recovering scopeaholic.  if i allow myself a second telescope the whole thing comes tumbling down. 

 

but that dc really is perfect.  nearly weightless, sharp as all get out.  i suppose if i had a pair of em hitched together... 

[jrazz]

See! This forum is a dangerous place!!

[glittledale]

dreadful.  insidious.  

 

awful things can happen when ideas are exchanged

[glittledale]

now i'm on the hutech site looking at really expensive parts.  nothing good will come from this.  

 

 

check that.  just found your documentation of the TBT over in refractors (where i never go for fear of what might happen there). this looks super interesting!  beautiful work!!!  

Edited by glittledale, 30 September 2024 - 10:03 PM.

[jrazz]

I think I've already cost Sean an extra FC-100DF and an EMS system tonight....

 

I just posted a "First Light" report there... I mean you don't really want to hear how it is, right?

[glittledale]

it's not really a dream instrument because i didn't have the imagination to conjure it, but no, i want to hear nothing of it.  leaving cn now.  forever.  

 

heading over to your first light report now...

 

 

ugh!!!  the beautiful massless DC is running aground reaching focus and the DF is looking like a better choice?  this dream might be coming to an end.  a little sad, but a bit of a relief.  

Edited by glittledale, 01 October 2024 - 07:36 AM.

[jrazz]

I shouldn't.... but I will because I'm mean.

 

 

Focus issues were resolved with a simple spacer. 

IPD issues solved with a second print.

 

Thinking about the cost of this thing... Since I did not pay TNR prices for the telescopes I think the whole thing (with EMS) is right around $4,000... 

FWIW, I think that unless you are a magnification junkie and want to resolve sub 1" doubles the BT-100 is all you need.

 

But OMG, the ability to effortlessly bump up the mag to 300x... This thing is a racecar!

 

 

I should be banned from this forum

[glittledale]

you should be banned.  you are a horrible person.  

 

i'm not a doubles freak but i do love planets at reasonably high magnification and your point about the mechanical aspects of eyepiece holders and collimation of those incredible prisms fully has my attention.  

 

the instrument definitely violates my $2000 rule, but is so compelling and substitutes for so many other instruments that i could almost convince my self that it's worth it.  

[dmorrow]

you should be banned.  you are a horrible person.  

 

i'm not a doubles freak but i do love planets at reasonably high magnification and your point about the mechanical aspects of eyepiece holders and collimation of those incredible prisms fully has my attention.  

 

the instrument definitely violates my $2000 rule, but is so compelling and substitutes for so many other instruments that i could almost convince my self that it's worth it.  

She is bad girl indeed. 

 

I'm also watching this project carefully.  The ep holder comment definitely has me intrigued as I'm dealing with that with my binoviewer.  I'm starting to think I should buy the EMS and grab a used AT72EDii to pair with mine to try this out.    

 

These are on sale and would also be an attractive price point for project like this:  https://astronomics....t-refractor-ota

Edited by dmorrow, 01 October 2024 - 04:30 PM.

[dmorrow]

I shouldn't.... but I will because I'm mean.

 

 

Focus issues were resolved with a simple spacer. 

IPD issues solved with a second print.

 

Thinking about the cost of this thing... Since I did not pay TNR prices for the telescopes I think the whole thing (with EMS) is right around $4,000... 

FWIW, I think that unless you are a magnification junkie and want to resolve sub 1" doubles the BT-100 is all you need.

 

But OMG, the ability to effortlessly bump up the mag to 300x... This thing is a racecar!

 

 

I should be banned from this forum

I'm sure I missed it in this thread or your other thread in the refractor forum, where did you buy the EMS? 

[jrazz]

ems-bino.com

 

Keep in mind that Tatsuro Matsumoto is planning on closing up shop. He said he will not make many more and he's not going to pass the business to anyone. I don't know if he's still accepting orders and I'm sure my project did not help the situation.

 

That being said, you can buy the Binotechno EZM erectors (which are comparable to EMS) via the AstroHutech site. 

[dmorrow]

ems-bino.com

 

Keep in mind that Tatsuro Matsumoto is planning on closing up shop. He said he will not make many more and he's not going to pass the business to anyone. I don't know if he's still accepting orders and I'm sure my project did not help the situation.

 

That being said, you can buy the Binotechno EZM erectors (which are comparable to EMS) via the AstroHutech site. 

Thank you.  On more question - which model did you buy?  It looks like EMS-UL (times 2) from the photo in the refractor forum, correct? 

 

Sorry Fiske for going off topic!  

[jrazz]

Yes, the EMS-UL. Tatsuro is a great resource! You tell him what you want to do and he'll tell you exactly what you need. 

 

Also, look at this:

https://premier-engi...cation_2022.pdf

[glittledale]

looks like kyoei is no longer shipping tak overseas  

 

but building these with a pair of vixen 81mm SD f/7.7 ota's might be pretty great.  

Edited by glittledale, 01 October 2024 - 09:20 PM.

[Fiske]

Thank you.  On more question - which model did you buy?  It looks like EMS-UL (times 2) from the photo in the refractor forum, correct? 

 

Sorry Fiske for going off topic!  

Uh, it might be time for a DIY Bino-scope topic...

 

  

[Fiske]

But, regrading the choice between a bino-scope and a support telescope, after considering a bino-scope project for some time (a year or so), I ultimately concluded that for me, a support telescope is a better fit. Most of my observing is done at lower magnification with wider fields -- I rarely exceed 56x with BTs. My main use case for higher magnification is closer double stars (under 3 arc-seconds). The Tak 100DC is so easy to deploy, and the views are so pleasing, it's a treat for that application.  One-eyed high-magnification views are satisfactory to me.

 

This is not to criticize Jordan's bino-scope project, which is fantastic.

 

  

[jrazz]

I also have been enjoying 18x and 12x views lately (a lot!)

However, I also noticed that I can't stand single eyed viewing. For me the advantage of using both eyes is so significant that I decided no more single telescopes for me.

 

BTW, as to not hijack this thread, there is an ongoing discussion of my binoscope over on the refractors forum: https://www.cloudyni...binoscope-build

 

Much of the questions and answers are there.

[Erik Bakker]

Although I fully understand Jordan’s position on this, for me a Support Telescope is a …… telescope, because it is much lighter and mostly used to confirm observations from a different perspective at much higher magnifications. The superb Takahashi FC-100 BT Jordan has built would perhaps be described as a Support Binocular Telescope by me if used in the role of a support instrument. Because it then is a binocular telescope that supports a binocular. Merely semantics 

[Scott99]

dreadful.  insidious.  

 

awful things can happen when ideas are exchanged

Don't forget the TEC140 custom binoscope is looming out there at all times on the TEC website - all you have to do is loosen up your checking account/retirement savings a bit and it can be yours

[glittledale]

Don't forget the TEC140 custom binoscope is looming out there at all times on the TEC website - all you have to do is loosen up your checking account/retirement savings a bit and it can be yours

one of those times when i wish for a "not like" button

[gwlee]

For me, a telescope intended to complement my handheld binoculars must offer a correct image and be able to operate at similar magnifications with similar fields of view, and offer similar eye relief. For several years I have been using an AT72ED2 in this role, but have recently replaced it with an AT80EDT shown in the photo, which has some advantages. 
 

It’s 8mm larger in aperture, 3 inches longer in length, has a triplet objective and weighs about 1 pound more. The larger aperture slightly increases its optical performance. Its longer length and heavier objective allow it to be more easily balanced with larger 2” eyepieces without it becoming too large and bulky to be stored fully assembled on a shelf in my safe, requiring a larger mount/tripod, or used as a grab&go scope at this forested site that requires a lot of tree dodging. 
 

As shown in the photo with a 35mm Panoptic (14x80 mode), it offers a 4.6° TFOV at 14x, a 5.8mm exit pupil, and 24mm of eye relief making very comfortable to look through for long observing sessions. Substituting 3mm eyepiece at 160x,  it’s much less comfortable, but capable of providing acceptable planetary views. It’s shown mounted on the same SV M2C mount and Manfrotto 475B tripod that I used with the AT72ED2. 
 

 

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[dmorrow]

For me, a telescope intended to complement my handheld binoculars must offer a correct image and be able to operate at similar magnifications with similar fields of view, and offer similar eye relief. For several years I have been using an AT72ED2 in this role, but have recently replaced it with an AT80EDT shown in the photo, which has some advantages. 
 

It’s 8mm larger in aperture, 3 inches longer in length, has a triplet objective and weighs about 1 pound more. The larger aperture slightly increases its optical performance. Its longer length and heavier objective allow it to be more easily balanced with larger 2” eyepieces without it becoming too large and bulky to be stored fully assembled on a shelf in my safe, requiring a larger mount/tripod, or used as a grab&go scope at this forested site that requires a lot of tree dodging. 
 

As shown in the photo with a 35mm Panoptic (14x80 mode), it offers a 4.6° TFOV at 14x, a 5.8mm exit pupil, and 24mm of eye relief making very comfortable to look through for long observing sessions. Substituting 3mm eyepiece at 160x,  it’s much less comfortable, but capable of providing acceptable planetary views. It’s shown mounted on the same SV M2C mount and Manfrotto 475B tripod that I used with the AT72ED2. 
 

Excellent feedback on the AT80EDT.  I've been thinking of upgrading the AT72EDii, this may be just the ticket! 

[Fiske]

My one gripe with the otherwise superb Takahashi FC-100DC is the focuser, which is adequate for low to moderate magnifications but frustrating at high magnification because the motion is too stiff and not nearly fine enough.

 

SO, Starlight Instruments to the rescue! 

 

I tried an MPA-TAK2.5, but it was too big for the 100DC, so it has now been replaced with an MPA-TAK-FS60/76, which fits perfectly. The focus action is superb and the MPA coordinates beautifully with the Takahashi aesthetic. 

 

More details in this Refractor Forum topic.

 

Here is a picture of the TAK-FS60/76 on the 100DC.

 

 

 

[Rich V.]

Excellent feedback on the AT80EDT.  I've been thinking of upgrading the AT72EDii, this may be just the ticket! 

I'm a big fan of my 80mm f/6 triplet as well; I get a 4.35° TFOV @ 23x with my 21E eyepiece and a 2.7° TFOV @ 37x with the 13E.  Easy to use nebula filters too.  Takes up to 160x easily as well.