jetstream

@IB20There should be no difference in sharpness for a given optic of different apertures IMHO. What I like about fast optics is that you get large image scale at bright eye illumination. I can say this- my 90mm SV gives sharper images than any of those posted. We might be in similar pursuits- a 100mm frac that cool fast that allows maximum views for the seeing. A good doublet APO fits the bill IMHO.A 120mm on WL solar is much more sensitive to seeing IME.

Wallet? you still have one of those?! I think my wife hid mine Thanks for the links, great info!

Thermal slides do work and can have many forms. My 15" goes from about 450x on Jupiter to over 600x on the hill. Detail at lower mags is so impressive under good seeing and local seeing controlled. I was curious if members were aware of its benefits and hoped to bring it to "light" to help others get better views.

@mikeDnight Ok your not allowed to observe under great seeing! The detail at the mags your using is exceptional. In the first M42 sketch you got the "Hook" in the wing and also some of the lower loop. M78 is extensive and excellent. You are also in the strike zone on M82 mag wise for the detail, I do the same. That is unless I use the 24" and get it at 200x with a 2.6mm exit pupil lol. The view of it at 120X in that scope is staggering bright. Ok back on topic. The Flame is also on the money. Thanks Mike there is no question about the light throughput of the Tak 100 thats for sure. The planets are also excellent. Like I say I'd marvel at the sights you would see under top seeing. Here can be vg at times, but down south they say its superb. Crystal clear again and I'm pondering strategy to get the TSA equalized and stable. Warm now but the temps will drop quickly, I have it in an insulated scope coat- hopefully keeping it near last nights temps to match tonights. I just know the Tak doublet would be my friend in these conditions. Splash on the DZ or get the DF...., its too bad my exchange is poor right now. So off I ponder lol!

I think (know) we are on the same page- is there any difference between the Tak extender and the VIP view wise? I would think not actually. I might go off the rails here and get a light 82 deg something and try barlowing to see if it sharpens up. My 16T5 sharpens up with the VIP a good bit. We have a ridiculously sharp ES 82 6.7mm, still boggles me- not in the XO/HR league but vg and the wide field is a nice option for easy viewing.

I like hearing this Stu! Well, maybe I'll pursue a DZ but if the wait is too long the the bigger focuser f7.4. I'm trying to assemble some lightish weight but top notch eyepieces at the moment and need something at 4mm I think . So far the 2.4HR, 2.5 XO, 3.4 HR and I do have the much values VIP barlow to throw in the mix. I should have bought all the HR's - what was I thinking??!! I have to find some field stop location to figure some stuff out. I'll set the TSA and DZ/DC /DF up side by side so I dont miss any good views under variable conditions. I just cant wait for the planets to be high up there in the sky. Planetary is another favourite of favourites here. These 100mm Taks, after years of hearing about them have suddenly grabbed my attention.

Well I think I'll be happy with any of the models but probably the bigger focuser model. These are high transmission scopes? I like looking at very large diffuse nebs like Barnards Loop, Meissa etc I use a 42mm LVW for these objects. So no difference in noticeable transmission between the f7.4 and f8?

Awesome reply Mike! I can get over 30C temp swings here and April usually brings a few along with great crystal clear seeing. It'll go from +15c in the day to -25c over the evening. This can affect the TSA during an obs under these conditions. Hmm I'm thinking f8... "Chasing DZ" -what do you mean?

I just looked and the description just said fluorite "in the back" for them all. I wonder if the f8 provides the same visual obs as the f7.4? Splitting hairs or is there a difference? Anyone try them both? The acclimation issue is the main one in reality I guess.

Great info! Have you tried to barlow these eyepieces and if so did you note any changes, positive or negative?

Thank you, I'm looking for a scope that will keep up quicker in my sometimes rapidly dropping temps, eventhough my scopes are kept "outside". The triplets can lag and I want to maximize the views during these conditions. Also being considered is the SVX102D but at f7 I'm not so sure... the 127mm looks good at f8" but I have the Tak triplet.

I dont note any negatives using the VIP , only positives- do you note the same thing with regard to the Tak extender? Have you tried the Tak extender with the Delite or Delos?

I might buy a 100mm Tak doublet and see some different models available- what are the differences and are the optics the same across the model line?

Thank you for the excellent reply and now I'm really excited to try the XO... and really want the 5mm too!

Yes

I believe anyone can become a good observer, it is not a special talent but a learned skill, IMHO. Btw I got it figured out why you see what you do I think...

Thanks Nicholas- how would you describe the scatter and sharpness level of the Xw's?

Last night the seeing supported 375x with the 2.4mm HR. However Ive been playing with the VIP and nosepiece extensions and the 8mm Delos. I find for some reason this barlow can sharpen up eyepieces and it does in this case. Not to say the Delos isnt sharp its that the Zeiss barlow element really does work in this regard. The 8mm Delos has the fieldstop .25" below the shoulder, which gives 1.67x effect. The 8D/900mm and 4.8mm effective fl EP gives 187X mag. A great mag but still to low. I wont bore everyone with all the configs I tried. I did go all the way up to (61-15 +64)/64=1.7 (+1)=2.7x barlow. This gave an excellent very sharp mag of 900/(8/2.7)= 304x with a great widefield view. I slid the EP with nose piece extensions up and down to fine tune the mag. This gave a "zoom" of about 260X-300X . I cant wait to compare the XO/HR to the barlowed Delos or Delite or whatever I come across. ZAO maybe?

Hmmm, this statement caught my attention and yes the HR's show more when conditions allow also. Going to check TOE focal length. The mouse is in hover mode for a reason, thanks Mark!

Thanks Jeremy, I'm excited! Could have used it tonight- another great session with the 120mm and the HR 2.4mm is quivering in its boots lol Heres the sky when we went for a sled ride late this aft a few km from the house.

For sure Mike, in my case I get thermals off the lake and ice believe it or not. Up on the ridge things are much better and when I quote very high mag its up there. You sound like you have a great spot to observe from and yes I think the slide deal applies to you. Your seeing reflects your excellent observing & skills.

All joking aside you might be experiencing the effect when observing up there, congrats for getting some fine views!

Have you compared the 4mm DeLite to it Louis?

Thank you Mark ! Im eagerly waiting your impression of the XO vs TOE. Of course if you dont have time to do it I could always buy the XO from you Nice equipment Mark, very nice.

No.