GavStar

Very nice looking setup. I find that for planetary the Leica zoom plus 1.8x Leica extender works really well.

Since 2002 so quite a long time but it's also a very popular scope in the States, hence the high number.

Here you go Chris. Number 709.

Cheers Stu. That's two scopes I need to bring down to Walton now. Annoying I can't use it yet since my losmandy mount clamp hasn't arrived yet. However the 3.5 inch feather touch focuser is a thing of beauty -first time I've used a feather touch and I'm very impressed. In general the build quality of the tec is excellent as I hoped it would be!

My TEC 140 has just arrived. Im pleased to see that it's relatively compact but it still makes my 4 inch Tak look a bit puny. Looking forward to first light soon.

Doug From my experience and also reading books/internet etc I would put the 'best' eyepieces as (some not available now). Obviously personal preference does come into it widefield: televue ethos, docter 12.5mm, Nikon hw (I would add Es 92 le to this) normal: televue Delos, televue delite, Pentax xw, leica asph zoom planetary: zeiss zao I, zeiss zao II, Pentax xo

Yes I think that in 1.25 inch size that would be the best combination. The 24mm pans have continued to impress me in the binoviewers such that I have also started to use them for monoviewing.

John, I don't have the 14mm xw (photo quality not great so difficult to see). I have been put off by reports its the worst xw due to the fc. I do have the 20mm xw which is good but there is also some fc with it and I think I prefer my Panoptic 24mm and also the 22 vixen lvw. I think 14mm Delos would be better bet. Just found a thread from a few years back where I comment that I prefer 22mm lvw to 20mm Pentax.

Ok so I've now got my binoviewer case sorted so here is a complete set of mono and bino eyepieces with binoviewers, barlows, glass path correctors and filters. I think these should give me enough options...

As for binoviewing with the Leicas ? I think I may struggle to get my nose between them but I might just give it a go!!

I rate the extender very highly. Optically excellent - it just seemed to change the Leica into a short mm length without having any affect on any characteristics of the zoom. The ease of use, compact form and lightweight are also key benefits.

I've decided that it's best if I split my eyepieces into a case for mono viewing and a case for binoviewing. I'm still sorting out the bino case, but I think I am there with the mono case for now as shown below. Although I don't wear glasses when viewing I do like having plenty of eye relief for comfort, say around 20mm. I also have enjoyed the Leica zoom over the past few year - being able to adjust magnification easily whilst still having excellent quality optics is great. I really like the compact form factor of the Leica 1.8x extender but wasn't too keen on unhooking it and the 2inch adapter each time I wanted the higher focal length. So by having two Leicas with one permanently having the 1.8x extender on, I have a good range between 18mm and 5mm on tap immediately - perfect for my f9 scope. But I also enjoy wide field views and the Pentax and Es 92 provide these but again with plenty of eye relief. For amusement sometimes I may use the 2x Powermate to give higher magnification wide field views.

Taking into account the scopes that Nick at TruTek sold, I think there may be 9 in the UK which I think is pretty good out of a total worldwide allocation of 100. The DL sold out very quickly in the US.

Lovely scope John - I might be a little bit biased though...?

Some lovely tak fc100s here - my favourite scope

John, they are Televue. In the left case there is a Delos 4.5mm and 2 x 11mm T6 naglers. In the right case Delos 6mm, 8mm and 14mm.

Update of my eyepiece cases to include the new binoviewer pieces

Thanks John. I can't resist - here's my other set. These are the ones I don't use as much at the moment. Although just been enjoying viewing the lunar terminator with the 3.5xw. Gavin

Thank you. It's a televue ethos eyepiece case. Unfortunately quite expensive but I like it since as you say it's lightweight.

Here is my main collection. I think I've finished for the moment. The televues at the side are Delos 4.5, 6 and 8.