Rainmaker

Hello Stu, we have been testing a bit, here is a post that I made on another site, copied here: After 4 hours of swapping between the Bino-TSA120 and TOA150 (with and without Baader MkV binoviewers) the results were very interesting and very close to the mathematical calculations.... We looked mainly at M42, M44, M45, NGC104, NGC3372, NGC4755. This is not meant to start any wars between the binoscope/binoviewer/monoscope aficionados and is by no means a technical/theoretical or mathematical comparison, just Phil and I enjoying some scopes under the nice skies at his bush property... In short: We compared separately with similar magnifications, similar exit pupils, and similar True Fields ( as best we could given our selection of eyepieces- Panoptic 24s, Tak Abbe18s, Tak LE24s, Nagler16, Nagler 26). High magnification comparisons were not on the table due to our eyepiece focal lengths..... we will try to remedy that next time.... ..............The Bino-TSA has the light gathering of a "TOA160"+2"BBHS with single eyepiece. (160 is intentional) ..............TOA150 retains (as expected) its advantage in limiting magnitude (in mono mode) of faint stars (the Bino-TSA optically is subject to the same Limiting Magnitude as a single TSA) . ..............The Bino-TSA shows a slightly higher contrast view than a mono TOA150, (a definite plus of viewing with both eyes) ..............The Bino-TSA had a definite 3D quality to the view compared to a very flat view in TOA in mono mode. ..............Adding the Baader MkV binoviewers and Panoptic 24s to the TOA150 enhanced the 'depth' in the view but dimmed the view way below the Bino-TSA , the image brightness in the TOA+MkV was now similar to a TSA120 in mono mode. When did a star count of very faint stars around Eta Carinae, the TOA was able to resolve 11 stars to the Bino-TSA with 9 stars , so those two stars were below the LM of the 120mm objective but at the same time the Homunculus Nebula around Eta Carinae was more visible in the Bino-TSA. Viewing the Trapezium stars and 'wings' nebulosity of M42 showed a marked 3D effect in that the 'wings' seemed to reach toward us. This effect was not shown by the binoviewers. Lastly, looking at the core of NGC104 (47Tucanae), the Bino-TSA with Tak Abbe 18s which gave an Exit Pupil of 2.4mm easily resolved stars in the core of the GC whereas the TOA in mono mode with Nagler 22 and an Exit Pupil of 2.38 could not resolve the core. Changing to the Tak LE24 in the TOA brought the result much closer. (this is more of an indication of the benefit of less glass is better if the glass is of high quality) Knowing what I know now about binoscopes, I would love to look through a binoscope made out of a pair of TOA150s.... The real Positive for me is that the floaters in my eyes do not show up at all when using the binoscope.

My new binoculars in preparation for this year's planet viewing, especially for Mars

Thanks guys, I am hoping to get some 'First Light' later this week, it has been raining since I bought the second TSA and the tripod !!!! For anyone interested, the project worked out well and quickly thanks to Mr Tatsuro Matsumoto of EMS-Matsumoto who built the EMS-ULS system for me in a few days, and Range from Shanghai, China, who designed and made the cradle and adapters to hold everything together. The cradle is a work of art and includes a 'D' series dovetail built into the bottom of it. It weighs even less than expected (2180grams). The total weight of the Bi-Tak is 15.5Kg + eyepiece weight. So actually lighter than my TOA130NFB. The beautiful EMS-ULS units have helicoid adjusters that allow for fast and easy IPD adjustment. The EMS unit on the right side TSA has collimation adjusters built into it which allow image merging on the go.

Thanks John, This is the current setup though it will change a little once I build a top-mount for the AZ-EQ6. The binoculars weigh in at a svelte 15.5Kg so for field use another 5kg c/w is used to partner the 10.5Kg one in the photo.. The tripod is the Takahashi Em400 tripod rated at 450Kg !!!!

My Takahashi TSA120 F7.5 Triplet Super APO & Friend, now permanently joined at the hip ! .... The " Bi-Tak 120 "

A friend recently advertised his "Planet Killer" for sale and I couldn't resist ........ TEC MC200mm F15.5 , although #213 built in 2003, she is as new condition both optically and cosmetically. With a mere 26% central obstruction, the views are more refractor like than some refractors I have used. Using it with Zeiss binoviewers and Takahashi Abbe & LE eyepieces this scope has shown me my best ever views of Saturn which at the moment passes at an altitude of 76º in the evenings.....

Merry Christmas from my little Elves

Thanks, it has taken quite some time to arrive at this set, I have tried many others before settling for these. There have been times that other brands have given better views but overall the TVs are a very good brand. I use binoviewers on the TOA and mono view through my big Dobsonian.

Just two eyepieces to get to complete my set. I need another Nagler 7mmT6 and an 11mmT6 to complete my bino-pairs then I have to give my Visa card to my wife for safe keeping. After buying, trying, trading and selling for some time, here are my keepers: Nagler 31mmT5, 22mmT4, 13mmT6 pair, 11mmT6, 7mmT6 Delos 14mm, 10mm, 8mm, 6mm, 4.5mm Panoptic 24mm pair

Thank you all, I am thrilled to have been able to own some nice scopes over the years. This TOA is a lovely scope and paired with my 18" F5.6 Dobsonian, gives me access to all the targets I want to see. The TSA102S may eventually become half of a binoscope project with EMS Matsumoto diagonals, until then it is a lovely grab and go lunar viewing scope. I recently spent some time comparing the TSA102S, TSA120, TOA130NFB and a TOA150 side by side at a friend's dark site and in the end feel that the TOA130 is for me the perfect refractor. The views in my friend's TOA150 were certainly a bit more detailed but given I have access to the 18", the TOA130 is my preferred size to carry, especially as it mounts easily on the AZ-EQ6GT. The only weakness in the pictured system was the tripod but I have since made a brace/spreader that has improved the setup enormously. For anyone interested, here is a pic of the spreader installed:

My "Final" setup, after years of testing various Taks, is pictured here: TOA130NFB with Baader BBHS 2" Sitall Mirror Diagonal and Baader SkySurferV Finder and TSA102S with Baader Zeiss T2 Prism, Televue Binovue and a few eyepieces on AZ-EQ6 GT

New arrival this week: Takahashi FC100 DL #50/100, 100mm F9.0 Fluorite Steinheil Apochromat, still waiting for the Tubeholder It will be fitted with the Baader ClickLock and Zeiss T2 Diagonal with TV Binovue or for mono viewing, the Baader BBHS 2" Silver diagonal Can't wait to get first light

My two little refractors: Foreground is the c1880 Berry & Mackay (Aberdeen) 3.25" F15 Brass refractor on Library Stand At the back a bit more modern Takahashi FC76DC Hybrid on Porta II and Manfrotto 055CX3