The new FC-100D series seems pretty popular.
I have the DL version and it’s a great scope.
What do other owners think of theirs? How do you rate yours since you got it?
Posted 18 January 2025 - 02:44 AM
I am happy with my fc-100DZ. Quite compact and very impressive performance. Tak know how to make a quality telescope.
The only 100 mm that might have been a tiny bit better? would be the APQ100/1000 I owned for 10 years.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 04:26 AM
I love my FC100DF. I am visual only, and every night it begs me to take it out. It is just so satisfying to use. It doesn't just give a glimpse of many types of objects, it allows one to probe them in a meaningful way. I have never owned another 4 inch refractor, so part of what I love about it is likely because it is a 4 inch refractor: capable yet easy to handle. But I am sure that the fact that it is a finely manufactured 4 inch refractor plays an important role as well. It can go from a 3.6 degree widefield view to viewing planets at greater than 60x per inch. Stars are pinpoint sharp (with the right eyepiece) down to the dimmest star dust. Star colors are vibrant (again, with the right eyepiece). I can use a binoviewer without GPC for widest views. It is light (about the same weight as my TS80EDL) and as a result rides well on lighter mounts such as my Vixen APZ. The combination of light scope and mount makes for a very easy setup and break down. For me it is the perfect high quality all rounder. Since I got it, I have hardly used my other main scopes: a 3 inch refractor and a Mewlon 180c. The 3 inch because the FC100 does much more and yet is not any harder to set up and use, and the Mewlon because it requires more preparation (cool down) and I often don't have the time or energy, although certainly the Mewlon can do things that the FC100 can't and I love to use it when I am able.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 06:58 AM
Last night it was "below freezing" but the sky was clear. The clear sky clock showed average seeing, I haven't even seen average seeing in weeks as seeing has been poor. But Mars was bright red at about mid altitude. I setup in 2-minutes and 15-minutes later the FC-100DF was ready and delivered wonderful views of the Red Planet at 300x, even in average seeing.
The FC-100DF is my favorite grab-and-go telescope of any that I have ever tried and rides easily on both of my alt/az mounts. Studying a lunar crater at 300 or more power while keeping the object near center using slow-motion control cables is easy-peasy with this lightweight refractor. Setup and takedown is also quick and easy, making morning sessions as easy as possible.
And all this versatility, from white light solar to lunar to planetary to deep sky night vision observing with my image intensifier to comets (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) comes in an extremely lightweight 100mm refractor OTA that shows no intrusive or basically no CA while acclimating "very quickly". And all that with those "killer sharp" Canon/Optron Fluorite optics.
My FC-100DF (and my TSA 120) have both delivered performance that "exceeds expectations" and delivers the kind of performance that refractor lovers covet. Both of my Taks are keepers for as long as I can. Yes, Taks are a little pricy. But if you can, it's astro-money that is very well spent.
Below is my Tak FC-100DF, always ready to go - Yes, pretty yummy!
Bob
Posted 18 January 2025 - 07:36 AM
My Tak DF gets deployed 90% of the time in the winter. Occasionally the SM 125ED gets out first with the Tak replacing it shortly after in challenging sky conditions. X170 on Jupiter is sharp and bright enough.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 11:39 AM
The DL and DZ are awesome, my only qualm with them...I want the extra 2mm from my old FS102 - didn't want to give it up
Posted 18 January 2025 - 11:42 AM
I have an FC-100DZ and had an FC-100DL a few years ago. Both are pleasantly lightweight refractors with world-class lenses that I would prefer to any other 4-inch apochromat.
What he says
Edited by Dave Novoselsky, 18 January 2025 - 11:42 AM.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 11:45 AM
My Tak DF gets deployed 90% of the time in the winter. Occasionally the SM 125ED gets out first with the Tak replacing it shortly after in challenging sky conditions. X170 on Jupiter is sharp and bright enough.
I do pretty much the same rotation with my 100 DC and my SM 125.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 11:49 AM
I own a DL, purchased new back in 2016. The last of the 1st run ones sold in the UK I believe.
It rapidly became my most used scope and certainly is the best 4 inch that I've ever looked through.
I did wonder about the DZ when that was launched but I seriously doubt that I would see any difference in performance and the F/9 focal ratio of the DL is a useful contrast to the F/6.5 of my other 4 inch - the Vixen ED102SS.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 11:59 AM
I own a DC with a Feathertouch focuser. It's everything I hoped it would be and more. The optics are so good, the stars come alive like the proverbial diamonds on black velvet and planetary detail on nights of good seeing (rare though they are) is breathtaking. What's not to love?
Posted 18 January 2025 - 01:05 PM
This may have been asked before but can the FC100DC with it's smaller focuser handle binoviewers?
I have a WO binoviewer I use on my AT125EDL and was thinking of that.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 01:12 PM
The new FC-100D series seems pretty popular.
I have the DL version and it’s a great scope.What do other owners think of theirs? How do you rate yours since you got it?
Absolutely rate mine, a DL!
I would buy another, if they were still made.
Edited by 25585, 18 January 2025 - 01:15 PM.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 01:34 PM
This may have been asked before but can the FC100DC with it's smaller focuser handle binoviewers?
I have a WO binoviewer I use on my AT125EDL and was thinking of that.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 01:37 PM
This may have been asked before but can the FC100DC with it's smaller focuser handle binoviewers?
I have a WO binoviewer I use on my AT125EDL and was thinking of that.
Yes, many people use binoviewers with the DC. If you want to reach focus without a Glass Path Corrector or Barlow, you need to remove the section between the optical tube and the focuser. If you leave the section in, you can still use a binoviewer, but you will need a GPC or Barlow to reach focus.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 01:44 PM
Great Thanks for the info.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 02:02 PM
Great Thanks for the info.
When I wrote that you can reach focus on a DC with binoviewers without a GPC or Barlow if you remove the tube section between the optical tube and the focuser, I was quoting other CN members who have done this. I myself have a DF where it works fine, but I can't report on Binoviewers with the DC from personal experience. But it does seem to work for the DC. The only caveat might be the exact brand of binoviewer. Some require more back focus than others. So if you want to know for sure with your particular brand of binoviewer, best to post on the Binoviewer forum and you are likely to get an answer.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 02:47 PM
To elaborate a little more on reaching focus, for me to fully reach focus on my DC with binoviewers I do need to remove the tube section between the tube and the focuser. I also need to use a 35mm extension between the focuser and the diagonal too. I’m using Baader Maxbright II binoviewers with a Baader T2 Zeiss Spec Prism. I’m also using the 1.7x Glasspath between the binoviewers and the diagonal and Baader Mark IV zoom eyepieces.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 02:57 PM
If you are planning on doing a lot of binoviewing, the DF might be a better choice than the DC. They have the same objective lens, just a different focuser. The DC focuser has longer travel and so may be easier to manage multiple binoviewer configurations or switching back and forth between binoviewing and mono-viewing.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 03:56 PM
If you are planning on doing a lot of binoviewing, the DF might be a better choice than the DC. They have the same objective lens, just a different focuser. The DC focuser has longer travel and so may be easier to manage multiple binoviewer configurations or switching back and forth between binoviewing and mono-viewing.
I fully agree with this. If binoviewing is (I’m guessing here) 30 percent or more of your observing then go with the DF. The stronger and longer focuser and not needing extension tubes will be a plus. I occasionally binoview maybe 10 percent of the time and the DC works great for that.
Posted 18 January 2025 - 04:36 PM
Hi Balcon,
Just to clarify. Regarding your post #21, doesn’t the DF have the longer focuser travel ?
Doug…..
Posted 18 January 2025 - 04:39 PM
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