25 replies to this topic

[25585]

I succumbed to refractoritis, and have bought the 80mm F15 Japanese achro. I want to compare it to my Vixen A80M Japanese, and also see how my classic eyepieces perform with this classic design refractor. 
 

I will weight it so it balances with most of the OTA forward, but my car roof rack can hold such a light scope for high-mounting using an alt az mount.

[Jethro7]

Hello 25585,

Once contracted, you never recover. Buying refractor telescopes seems to be the only therapy known to science. Hope you will post a mini review.

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

[Chris K]

Do you see bright spots before your eyes?

[Dave Novoselsky]

I succumbed to refractoritis, and have bought the 80mm F15 Japanese achro. I want to compare it to my Vixen A80M Japanese, and also see how my classic eyepieces perform with this classic design refractor. 
 

I will weight it so it balances with most of the OTA forward, but my car roof rack can hold such a light scope for high-mounting using an alt az mount.

“The?” The Kasai 80 f15?  If so you will find it is easier to balance by substituting a longer dovetail than the one that comes with in stock form.  

[Kitfox]

I succumbed to refractoritis, and have bought the 80mm F15 Japanese achro. I want to compare it to my Vixen A80M Japanese, and also see how my classic eyepieces perform with this classic design refractor. 
 

I will weight it so it balances with most of the OTA forward, but my car roof rack can hold such a light scope for high-mounting using an alt az mount.

 

What did you get?  I have a Nikon that impresses me every time I take it out...

[Lentini]

I thought you’d say you got a Borg.

[25585]

What did you get?  I have a Nikon that impresses me every time I take it out...

It is the Starbase made by Kubota Optics, sold by/throughTakahashi.

[betacygni]

Wait, you’re going to mount it on your car roof rack?! I am REALLY looking forward to those pictures!!  

Edited by betacygni, 29 May 2024 - 01:18 AM.

[Dave Novoselsky]

It is the Starbase made by Kubota Optics, sold by/throughTakahashi.

Which is an f10 if I’m reading their ads correctly, not an f15 and visually (and constructed) quite differently than the Kasai or Scopetech 80 f15. Here is a description from our sponsor’s website:

 

”TECH DETAILS

Aperture 80mm
Focal Length 800mm
Focal Ratio f/10
Motorized Controls NA
Supplied Eyepiece 6mm and 14mm 1.25" Orthoscopics
Telescope Type Refractor
View Finder Peep-Hole”

 

Apples and a grape.  There are several lengthy threads on this scope at this site.

Edited by Dave Novoselsky, 29 May 2024 - 07:13 AM.

[25585]

It is this 80mm F15   https://www.firstlig...-refractor.html

[Kitfox]

I think it's cool they evoke the Nikon and Mizar brands in the very first line!  It is a very pretty scope, do you have it yet?

Edited by Kitfox, 29 May 2024 - 06:57 PM.

[John Huntley]

I've been very impressed with the image quality that my Elliot / BC&F brass 75mm F/16 delivers on both the sun in white light and on double stars at night. The objective in that is made by Carton, Japan. Congratulations on the Japanese 80mm F/15.

Edited by John Huntley, 29 May 2024 - 07:00 PM.

[Dave Novoselsky]

It is this 80mm F15   https://www.firstlig...-refractor.html

Which is the Kasai 80 f15 I have and posted about before. The “Jscope 80 L” is what Kasai calls it and, based on my conversations with Mr.Kasai and FLO they source it from Kasai.

[therealdmt]

It is this 80mm F15   https://www.firstlig...-refractor.html

Has the old skool look for sure. Here’s hoping it gives you lots of enjoyment

[Alan S]

Which is the Kasai 80 f15 I have and posted about before. The “Jscope 80 L” is what Kasai calls it and, based on my conversations with Mr.Kasai and FLO they source it from Kasai.

If you read the description, it indeed states “manufactured in Japan by Kubota Optical and distributed by Kasai Trading”

[25585]

I think it's cool they evoke the Nikon and Mizar brands in the very first line!  It is a very pretty scope, do you have it yet?

Not yet, hoping mid-June. 

[Orion68]

Good for you, looks like a really fun scope!

 

I've been resisting getting one of those for weeks, not sure how long I can hold out

[JeremySh]

I succumbed to refractoritis, and have bought the 80mm F15 Japanese achro. I want to compare it to my Vixen A80M Japanese, and also see how my classic eyepieces perform with this classic design refractor. 
 

I will weight it so it balances with most of the OTA forward, but my car roof rack can hold such a light scope for high-mounting using an alt az mount.

Congratulations.

 

Radians might actually work well with it. If you can scrape together the pieces 

[Kitfox]

I succumbed to refractoritis, and have bought the 80mm F15 Japanese achro. I want to compare it to my Vixen A80M Japanese, and also see how my classic eyepieces perform with this classic design refractor. 
 

I will weight it so it balances with most of the OTA forward, but my car roof rack can hold such a light scope for high-mounting using an alt az mount.

 

Tell us about your classic eyepieces...

[JeremySh]

Tell us about your classic eyepieces...

Those would be Radians.

[John Huntley]

Those would be Radians.

[25585]

Tell us about your classic eyepieces...

40mm Vernonscope Erfle, 40mm Vixen ortho, 32mm Takahashi & Vixen Erfles, 25mm Kellner, 20mm Taiso Erfle, some Meade SWA 4000s, Celestron Ultima, a Galloc, a Bertele, a Konig. I just need the Leitz 33/90 

[25585]

Those would be Radians.

Nope. 

[25585]

Wait, you’re going to mount it on your car roof rack?! I am REALLY looking forward to those pictures!!  

Its a tall 4x4 vehicle on big tyres (255/85). The roof rack makes it 7 feet high. I can attach a mini-pillar with my Skytee2 mount to the rack's side bars. Standing, the long OTA, will be no problem, though low altitude is out unless I stand on a stool.

[scout]

Wait, you’re going to mount it on your car roof rack?! I am REALLY looking forward to those pictures!!  

Here's a couple of photos of car roof mounted refractors.

 

Shelly Stoody's 9.5-inch Zeiss atop a car in 1933 and a more modern photo of Jeff Schroeder's 11-incher on top of his Volvo: