A McEwan

Revisiting this, and still considering options... How does the FS60-Q fit in? I presume it gives me the option of FS-60CB (f5.9), plus optional CQ-1.7x extender, which makes it f10 (and would also fit if I ever got the FC76 optic unit. That looks to me to be the most versatile package, but it "loses out" on the extreme focal ratio and "perfect" optical performance of the FOA scopes. To what extent, visually, would I be losing out by using this instead of a FOA scope? 🤔 Ant

When I got the FC100 I also had an Evostar ED120, which I really liked and performed well. But after a few views with the Tak I sold the ED120, as the extra weight and bulk didn't warrant the extra 20mm aperture - for me, anyway. I may be wrong but I felt the Tak was particularly light weight for the aperture. If so, that's a brand feature that I really like now.

Great recommendation for the M180 guys! Except.... I don't want to go bigger! Ant

Felicitations of the Epoch! 🎅 Ant

No matter what happens, the FC100Df will be staying with me. It's quite possibly my dream scope, and certainly my do-it-all scope.

Brilliant; thanks!

Don't suppose you have a link? I'd like to take a look....

Quite often I got from 24mm ES 68 degree to Nagler 13mm T6 to 4.7mm ES 82-degree. That's for "general" observing, as they all have wide fields and I'll most likely be using an alt-az mount, and all have pretty good performance. For planetary or lunar, it'll be any three of my Baader Genuine Ortho's, or perhaps throw in my 3.9mm Siebert Starsplitter for high (power) kicks!

That's an interesting page. I do find it interesting observing - and seeing what other people have observed - in 60mm scopes. Thanks!

Hi all. Notwithstanding my current lineup of telescopes, and talking purely about the Takahashi line, I'm really enjoying the FC100. I mean, like REALLY enjoying it. It's the quality of the view. I think I've become a fluorite addict. Anyway. I'm beginning to ponder a second one. A smaller one. I really like the look of the FC76-DCU model for its lighter, thinner tube assembly, and the ability to add the extender to make it a "Q" scope at f12.5. I also like the look of the FOA-60Q. (and I do regularly use my 60mm achro) What I'm wondering is... would I think the 76mm is too similar to the 100mm, and just take the 100 out instead, whereas the 60mm would be an entirely different beast and offer a completely different experience when I used it? Of course I've read reviews, and ultimately I know I would love either, but the question I think is which would be more useful for me, if I went ahead... I also know that possibly only I can answer that, but I'd still like to hear opinions if anyone would like to share. 🤔 Ant

I've had a few long refractors, and still do. Swift 839 60mm, Swift 831 77mm and Celestron Omni XLT 100mm (f10) are all here and all get used, though the 60mm probably gets the least use, and the Celestron is my dedicated solar scope. I used the 831 last night to view the Moon (with Zeiss Huygens and Tak Ortho eyepieces) and it was very enjoyable and rewarding, as expected. Attached pic of the 831 on AZ04 mount. Ant

Congratulations! I have read reports of this scope, and it is touted as being the most perfect optic that Takahashi produce. Given the small aperture and number of elements, I can believe that! I'm not at all envious. Nope. Not one Tiny. Little. Bit. I like the look of that Zero mount too! <Scurries off to Google-Land....>

Excellent! Glad that there is real potential then. I will continue to work on it then. I should have known, if anyone had.... 😉 Ant

Hi, Has anyone had any success pairing an EQ wedge and Skytee II mount? Not looking for computerised control, or even driven, just for manual slow-mo. Any recommendations welcome! Ant

Good grief! I'd forgotten I'd even done that! I knew I had some somewhere but didn't realise I'd used it as recently as 2019! 🥴 Now where did I put my memory pills again.... (Edit - I must use it on my Omni XLT 102 soon.... )

Congratulations on your new refractor! It looks very interesting, and would be great for solar system observing. Hope we get a First Light report soon! Ant

I'd like to see a tutorial on using Rennaissance Wax. I have some but have never really tried using it properly. It looks kinda...hardcore.... !

Very nice! You can do a lot with a nice 60mm achro! Just wondering, that finder-scope mount.... a home modification, or is that the original bracket with a modern RA 6x30 on it? Ant

Yes that's the one. Replaces my 90mm f10 for my solar viewing once it's "fettled"!

You got one? Aren't the 4mm quite hard to find?

Just another refractor! 😉 A nice one though. Celestron Omni XLT 102mm f10 achro. Very nice condition with clean optics, but needs some little jobs done: focuser needs to be stripped and adjusted, dew-shield needs to be flocked, need to source some replacement visual back compression ring screws as they've obviously got lost and been replaced with some really odd big-ass ones, and after all that collimation adjusted. Oh and a good polish and wax will really bring out the gorgeous paint!

Is that worse than "thinking about buying a DIFFERENT one dear ?" lol

Yes, agree completely! Thing is, that would be ideal for me as I was interested in a SP mount for my Swift 831, but I have enough kit (I know, heresy, heresy!!!) at the moment. Or to put it another way, my kit/space ratio is in balance!

Is that the one that's on AB&S at the mo for £375? I looked at it. Ant

Perfect, thanks John!