46 replies to this topic

[Astroman007]

November Papa One Zero One's arrival three years ago.

Clear Skies,

Phil

Love it. Nothing like a new Tele Vue. Always wanted one of those, but after losing money on the order when Focus Scientific went under I went for broke on the 127. Can't say I'm sorry, though the wallet hurt.

[25585]

My Brass Renesance came on a panaromic mount.   I sense this might be too small for the weight of the brass tube.   I have a gibraltar tripod but not the mount that will fit it.   Would the recommendation be to buy the larger mount for the brass tube?

Ideally the HD5 for any 102. Panoramic is fine for an 85, HD4 might be OK for a 101, which has a shorter OTA.

[Phillip Creed]

Love it. Nothing like a new Tele Vue. Always wanted one of those, but after losing money on the order when Focus Scientific went under I went for broke on the 127. Can't say I'm sorry, though the wallet hurt.

My NP101 was, "new to me", but it wasn't new.  It was one of the older non-IS NP101's, which is what I could afford.  Having a relatively small sensor in the 533MC-Pro, I didn't need the larger rear doublet of the -IS model, anyway.
 

If I ever traded up to an NP127, I'd probably go with a similar strategy as one saves a not-so-small fortune vs. paying retail for an -IS model.
 

Clear Skies,

Phil

[starman876]

Ideally the HD5 for any 102. Panoramic is fine for an 85, HD4 might be OK for a 101, which has a shorter OTA.

I talked to televue.  my gibraltar tripod can be adapted to except the panoramic mount.  That should hold everything steady

[GSwaim]

I have a TV85... it's green.

[Georg1981]

I love TV products because of the excellent quality they exude.

 

I have a green TV85 that I purchased new last year, along with the awesome Panoramic mount and Starbeam finder. I am interested in a higher-powered scope in the future, such as the NP127... but it's too expensive at the moment.

 

As for eyepieces, I have the Pan 24, Delite 18.2, Delite 11, Nagler 9, Delite 7, and Delite 4. My next purchase will be a TV 2x Barlow lens.

[Dave Mitsky]

Here's a shot of my 101mm f/5.4 Tele Vue refractor and 10" f/4.7 Sky-Watcher Collapsible Dob at Cherry Springs State Park.

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[Jon Isaacs]

I like the TeleVue refractors and eyepieces I've owned. The mechanical design and execution are exceptional. They are telescopes designed by amateur astronomers to be used by amateur astronomers.. I don't know of any once that machines a one piece sliding dew shield or for that matter, a diagonal with a body machined from a single piece of aluminum.

 

 

 

My first TeleVue refractor was my first quality refractor, a green Pronto. I sold it to Atilla Danko of Cleardarksky who sadly passed away recently.

 

My next scope was my NP-101, a non-IS model I bought used in 2010.  It's been an excellent scope and has been all over the South west as well as having been all over my backyard. This is the NP-101 mounted on a StellarVue MG-2 mount, very sturdy with slow motion controls.

 

 

Since the beginning of Covid, I've had two Rangers, one Evergreen, one white. A unique design. Both ended up being gifts to friends.

 

Jon

[desertlens]

Jon, Thanks for the photo of the dismantled TV diagonal. That's my first view if the 'unibody' innards.

 

The comments about the design being "by astronomers for astronomers' are on point. The TV scopes are well considered, utilitarian designs that are beautifully executed and a delight to use in the field.

[scotsman328i]

 

I like the TeleVue refractors and eyepieces I've owned. The mechanical design and execution are exceptional. They are telescopes designed by amateur astronomers to be used by amateur astronomers.. I don't know of any once that machines a one piece sliding dew shield or for that matter, a diagonal with a body machined from a single piece of aluminum.

 

 

 

 

 

My first TeleVue refractor was my first quality refractor, a green Pronto. I sold it to Atilla Danko of Cleardarksky who sadly passed away recently.

 

My next scope was my NP-101, a non-IS model I bought used in 2010.  It's been an excellent scope and has been all over the South west as well as having been all over my backyard. This is the NP-101 mounted on a StellarVue MG-2 mount, very sturdy with slow motion controls.

 

 

 

Since the beginning of Covid, I've had two Rangers, one Evergreen, one white. A unique design. Both ended up being gifts to friends.

 

Jon

 

Nice, Jon! That diagonal is a work of art! Back when they actually engraved the diagonal with cursive text! Who does that? Especially anymore? I see you had put a Feathertouch on the NP101. Thanks for sharing the images. Really nice!   

[Jon Isaacs]

For the record, I bought the scope used and the previous owner had installed to Feathertouch micro focuser.

 

I like the TeleVue soft case, they're designed to be used. I loved the Pronto case.. the scope fit with the diagonal and there was room for several eyepieces.

 

Jon

[scotsman328i]

For the record, I bought the scope used and the previous owner had installed to Feathertouch micro focuser.

 

I like the TeleVue soft case, they're designed to be used. I loved the Pronto case.. the scope fit with the diagonal and there was room for several eyepieces.

 

Jon

I gotcha. I bought my TV102 used a couple weeks ago from classifieds myself. Well, of course I did, as they don’t make them anymore. Finding one in pristine condition in the Evergreen without so much as a mar or scratch on it, for a 25 year old telescope, I consider ‘new’.

[kasprowy]

I bought a TV-76 in 2021 and love it. Had it out last night on a rare, clear night. Great travel scope with the Panoramic Mount.

[starman876]

got the Brass Renaissance all ready to view and the clouds rolled in.   Did make sure collimation is good.   Fixed the mount as it would not hold well.   Took it apart and found junk on the holding mechanism.   Cleaned it out and now is holds the brass tube steady and changing to heavier eyepieces it holds steady.  Just focusing before would allow the tube to change position.   Wish my DPAC was working. Would be nice to test it.  Televue said from the serial number it was made in 1986.    Had to put  chain on the tripod as no tray came with it.  Have no clue how this tripod could function without a tray.  Tripod is Walnut.  

[KerryR]

My TV-60 had first light last night. I was surprised at how bright the Jupiter image stayed, even with my shortest eyepiece at 2.5mm, though the best looking image was with a 4mm. It seems to compete a little too well against my Pronto at high magnifications, and I now have to wonder how often I'll get the Pronto out, which hurts my heart a little.

[Rich_W]

I owned a TV-85, a TV-76, an NP-101, and a TV-102, all purchased used, and enjoyed them all for a time before letting them go.   Eventually I decided on the TV-76 as my perfect go-anywhere scope....by then it seemed like it was my turn to buy something new, so I bought a new TV-76 for my 65th birthday in 2016. It went to the 2017 and 2024 solar eclipses, I still have it, and if my advanced old age ever limits me to just one scope, that will be the one. 

[Mike W]

Here's a shot of my 101mm f/5.4 Tele Vue refractor and 10" f/4.7 Sky-Watcher Collapsible Dob at Cherry Springs State Park.

Why is the scope backwards in the Gibraltar?

[scotsman328i]

I built this rig to serve 'the heavies' like the 21mm Ethos. Some front side ballast tames the weight distribution issues and the beefier Gibraltar HD4 mount easily manages the greater gross weight. The result is a pleasure to use, both mechanically and optically.

 

TV85.jpg

I love your counterweight system! Genius! 

[BKBrown]

I am enjoying my new-to-me NP101, it has excellent optics and provides amazing wide field views! I am trying it on a couple of different mounts to help me decide how to use it most effectively:

 

Here on a T-Rex Apex

 

 

And here on an Orion Sirius

 

 

Lots of potential on both of these mounts 

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

[Cheshire Cat]

Here’s my contribution, my lovely TV102 on a Gibraltar HD4 

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[Cheshire Cat]

Ideally the HD5 for any 102. Panoramic is fine for an 85, HD4 might be OK for a 101, which has a shorter OTA.

Absolutely not the case. The 102 is absolutely rock solid with a HD4, and I mean bomb proof. I have used the combo for years. A match made in heaven.

[GSwaim]

Absolutely not the case. The 102 is absolutely rock solid with a HD4, and I mean bomb proof. I have used the combo for years. A match made in heaven.

I agree with your assessment. I use the Gibraltar HD4 with my TV85- it's rock solid and should work just as well with the TV102