Neutrinosoup

Thanks for this idea, I quite like the longer adjustment handles I got with my Vixen Porta which make it easy to adjust while viewing , can you get similar on this sort of sturdier Alt-AZ?

Just the Vixen Porta (2) which does not handle the WO FLT 98 (5.2kg OTA) very well in my testing - the claims of 20lb payload capacity are questionable. It’s great with my Megrez 72mm scope though. I wanted something that’s grab and go & portable for opportunistic relatively short sessions. The Takahashi is HALF that weight. Also, I’ve no experience of how long the Tak doublet would take to Cooldown. But my 98mm triplet does take noticeable longer than my Megrez doublet…this might be another factor??

I’m at a busy stage in my life (A&E job, teenage kids and their exams) where most of stargazing is opportunistic with a WO Megrez 72. I have some wonderful Delos eyepieces & I can’t fault them or my scope. I also have a fairly heavy WO flt 98 + HEQ5 that’s just rarely used due to time pressure. Ideally I want an apo that’s Grab and Go with more aperture for strictly visual use (best of both scopes) that could also later be used for imaging (when time permits). I emailed FLO who suggested the Takahashi FC-100DC might be exactly what I’m looking for. It’s obviously almost identical aperture to my WO flt 98 scope, but it’s half the weight & presumably at that light weight is fine on a decent quality Alt Az for G&Go observing? I’m nervous because it’s obviously a side-grade & I’d be switching from a Triplet to a Doublet….I also note at least 3 variants of the Tak FC-100 & don’t really get what’s the difference between all 3? Do any of you have experience with this scope? Does it sound like it will fit what I want? (Megrez 72 level portability & weight with much better aperture). What mount do you recommend and lastly are the Takahashi finder scopes worth it? Apologies for 20 questions!! Niall