103 replies to this topic

[Lagrange]

it sounds very cool - didn't I read that the EMS diagonals are being discontinued?  This may be the last chance to do this. 

 

Wasn't there a small astronomy company making binoscopes on request out of any telescopes?  in New Jersey I think?  And then they went out of business some years ago.  It looks like TEC will make you a binoscope as well, but only large and expensive ones given their smallest model is a 140FL...here's TEC"s page -

 

https://www.telescop...lar-telescopes/

There are at least two makes of EMS diagonals (BinoTechno and Matsumoto) so if one of them is exiting the market, hopefully it won't mean the end of these products.

[Deadlake]

That's part of what I'm trying to achieve. I'm using an aluminum Losmandy plate with 3D printed rings. Should be pretty light. FEA tells me it should be plenty stiff - similar to aluminum rings in fact and hopefully more temperature stable. Not sure about final geometry yet. I'll post somewhere here once I figure it out.

I have 3D printed rings from TS used on a LZOS, they fit very well close to the tube, packs in the bag easily. 

A Canadian firm produces carbon rings to order that I suspect will be lighter, going to add them to my 130 mm to save 1.5 kg and get the the scope under 10 kg's. 
You know why!

Edited by Deadlake, 19 September 2024 - 01:39 PM.

[25585]

Over 5000 quid for a TSA?

 

I would be tempted to sell everything and get a TEC 140 instead.

Too long to wait. I wish Agema did 140s though.

[25585]

Binotechno do cradles http://binotechno.com/gallery_en.html

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Edited by 25585, 19 September 2024 - 01:39 PM.

[Scott99]

Binotechno do cradles http://binotechno.com/gallery_en.html

Wow - Japan.....so you could just call them and order a custom cradle with handle for the FC-100DC.

 

OK, at this point I need to stop reading, it's starting to get dangerous for me...I'm supposed to be in the middle of down-sizing right now  

[jrazz]

Yes, Mr. Matsumoto is retiring and won’t produce them for long. Who knows, he says he got a rush of orders more that he made the announcement so he might start declining orders.
His announcement was what pushed me to sell the TOA and pursue this.

[TEK]

So, for a binoscope what kind of adjustability has to be built into the cradle to ensure that the two telescopes are appropriately aligned?  Are there jacking screws similar to what would be used to align a finder scope?

[Mark9473]

There are at least two makes of EMS diagonals (BinoTechno and Matsumoto)

I'd be surprised if BinoTechno would be allowed to sell their product under the same name.

[Souldrop]

I'd be surprised if BinoTechno would be allowed to sell their product under the same name.

Binotechno has “EZM” diagonals. Similar design to Matsumoto’s EMS.

[jrazz]

So, for a binoscope what kind of adjustability has to be built into the cradle to ensure that the two telescopes are appropriately aligned?  Are there jacking screws similar to what would be used to align a finder scope?

I believe that none is needed on the cradle as long as they are close to parallel. The erecting system has adjustments to aid in collimation. This should be sufficient for any minor OTA misalignment. At least I hope so.

 

The only adjustment I've ever seen on cradles is an adjustment to set the distance between the two OTAs to allow for different IPDs.

[jrazz]

Welp, it finally happened. 

 

Kyoei cancelled my order because they don't ship to the US. We screwed it up everyone. We talked about it and Takahashi closed the loophole.

 

Sigh.

 

 

Now what to do. Swallow my pride and buy at the exorbitant rate from TOA or scour the classifides? Anyone have a DC they want to sell?

[Jbond]

In for a penny... Bite the bullet... This is a project (I believe) that you have been contemplating for some time and are existentially invested in it. It is a very worthy project, particularly given your skills, So I think you must do it and... get a new one (less risk). 

[Souldrop]

Welp, it finally happened.

Kyoei cancelled my order because they don't ship to the US. We screwed it up everyone. We talked about it and Takahashi closed the loophole.

Sigh.


Now what to do. Swallow my pride and buy at the exorbitant rate from TOA or scour the classifides? Anyone have a DC they want to sell?

Yeah, I was worried about people like Dave repeatedly making a big deal about it a couple months ago ruining it for individuals buying or looking to buy from kyoei.

Edited by Souldrop, 20 September 2024 - 09:25 AM.

[Deadlake]

Welp, it finally happened. 

 

Kyoei cancelled my order because they don't ship to the US. We screwed it up everyone. We talked about it and Takahashi closed the loophole.

 

Sigh.

 

 

Now what to do. Swallow my pride and buy at the exorbitant rate from TOA or scour the classifides? Anyone have a DC they want to sell?

Find somewhere where Kyoei will ship too and re-route?

Or go to Osaka, Japan?

Edited by Deadlake, 20 September 2024 - 09:58 AM.

[balcon3]

Welp, it finally happened. 

 

Kyoei cancelled my order because they don't ship to the US. We screwed it up everyone. We talked about it and Takahashi closed the loophole.

 

Sigh.

 

 

Now what to do. Swallow my pride and buy at the exorbitant rate from TOA or scour the classifides? Anyone have a DC they want to sell?

I'm sorry for you. I hope you will be able to build your dream BT in any case.

 

Regarding Kyoei and Takahashi, this is what we who live outside of the US go through if we want to buy anything from Televue.

[jrazz]

Oh I will build it. That won't stop me.

Just not ready to pay up just yet.

 

I will find a used DC first.

[Bill Barlow]

You could buy from FLO, their prices are lower than TNR but not as low as Kyoei.  The big difference with FLO is the 32% more you have to pay because of the US$ to BP exchange rate.  Too bad GB is not still in the Euro nation, then  only about a 10% increase over the US$.  Maybe a used 100 DC in excellent condition is the best way to go.

 

Bill

Edited by Bill Barlow, 20 September 2024 - 11:29 AM.

[Scott99]

Oh I will build it. That won't stop me.

Just not ready to pay up just yet.

 

I will find a used DC first.

So you already have DC....I might be thinking of ramping up and get the Vixen 115 refractor.  Same MO as the DC's...very light weight and nice lens.  Great prices on the Vixen scopes right now.

[JeremySh]

You could buy from FLO, their prices are lower than TNR but not as low as Kyoei.  The big difference with FLO is the 32% more you have to pay because of the US$ to BP exchange rate.  Too bad GB is not still in the Euro nation, then  only about a 10% increase over the US$.  Maybe a used 100 DC in excellent condition is the best way to go.

 

Bill

UK was never part of the Euro zone. Always been £ GBP.

[Lookitup]

So you already have DC....I might be thinking of ramping up and get the Vixen 115 refractor.  Same MO as the DC's...very light weight and nice lens.  Great prices on the Vixen scopes right now.

I had a ED115 and compared it many times to my Tak100D(F). The Vixen had an identical star-test to the Tak and while it was better at planetary, the difference was not enough to keep both for very long. The OP already had a Toa 130 which I'm quite sure showed much more of a difference if the sky cooperated. Two Tak 100's gather more light per eye and must be the ultimate binocular with low- and high power easily achieved. For me it's the SM 125ED with binoviewer which does show an improvement even vs. my excellent Vixen Ed115 with SV focuser. CS Pete

[Bill Barlow]

UK was never part of the Euro zone. Always been £ GBP.

I thought there was a vote a few years ago for GB to leave the European Union?  I wasn't aware GB didn't convert to the Euro when they were a member nation of the European Union.

[jrazz]

Now there real question is whether I sell off the DC and buy 2 Vixen SD115s instead!

I need to stop reading this thread too!

[Lookitup]

Now there real question is whether I sell off the DC and buy 2 Vixen SD115s instead!

I need to stop reading this thread too!

Those would be huge with not to much weight increase. Sharpness wise they might lack a bit vs. the Tak 100D's IMO. 

[PatientObserver]

Yes, Mr. Matsumoto is retiring and won’t produce them for long. Who knows, he says he got a rush of orders more that he made the announcement so he might start declining orders.
His announcement was what pushed me to sell the TOA and pursue this.

Well, he did not decline mine. Now to decide what scope I want to bino ...

[Mark9473]

Now there real question is whether I sell off the DC and buy 2 Vixen SD115s instead!

Feels like you'd end up with something more or less as heavy again as your ex-TOA130.

I keep reading about how light these Vixen scopes are supposed to be, but the specs just don't confirm that.