jetstream

Hmmm... no response to a scope testing at the top of the heap. It must be an internet thing or something that feeds momentum in certain preferred directions. From my thinking this 127D might be a big hit for people, maybe one of their best sellers.If it works out down the road I'll buy one and compare to my Tak 120. With regards to sample to sample optical test result variations a buddy in the business told me an optic is worked until it meets a minimum spec or worked to the highest spec possible and then stopping when the numbers start to go backwards a tiny bit. It is therefore normal for this variation. IMHO any refractor that tests over .90 Strehl in all colours and is nicely smooth will provide fantastic views. In reality any refractor that goes over .80 Strehl, is reasonably smooth and with good colour correction will give good views. I feel my SW120ED falls in between these 2 boundaries and the views are now very good. From the reports I believe the TSA120 tests typically in the mid 90's Strehl, is very smooth and has a balanced colour correction. It is amazing that the SVX127D has some tests in the same league and maybe better in some. I love comparing test results for refractors and have done so for years- amazing that some well known, preferred scope brands give great views can have a spec or two "off" a bit by todays sky high standards. Gerry

Its not something that you choose really.... offset away from the focuser is fixed from mounting and using a sight tube provides the offset down the tube. I highly recommend a sight tube cheshire combo or much better yet, the Catseye separate sight tube and cheshire. For me, I use the sight tube, then a Glatter laser to line up the sec on the primary and then the Catseye cheshire for primary collimation. Doing so allows extremely high mag lunar/planetary viewing.I dont autocollimate anymore- 700x+ on the moon is good enough for me with my 15" f4.8 dob. A collimation cap does not provide adequate collimation IMHO. I also have a cheap but excellent Celestron sight tube /cheshire combination tool that works great. I wish Mr Khadder was around here still to run through things for you. Gerry

Excellent observing Magnus!! The SVX140 has great transmission as well as a great figure as your observations indicate. It is under conditions like yours that the scopes ability really shines. Rainy season here now so just intermittent observing, so please post more reports ! Gerry

Glad you posted the link, they are both great helpful guys 👍 Ive seen some try to argue about collimation with them... one better be well versed in collimation so as not to look silly at the end of the conversation lol.

Over on the other forum another SVX127D tested very well, the first one excellent the second one unbelievably good! Not sure why I'm starting this thread really- I'm puzzled by the lack of attention and reaction to these tests actually- I know I'm pretty excited though! To see any doublet of any brand test this well is a testament to the makers ability, triplet level correction in a doublet lens- and at near 130mm aperture... not that easy. If anyone has one of these and gets it under great seeing, please post the results. I feel the SVX127D would at least equal my TSA120 and keep up to my sometimes extreme temp swings at certain times of the year. The fit and finish of the new SVX line is said to be fantastic. I know this- I want one of these telescopes.... Any banter on anything related to the DPAC testing, SV scopes or others welcome. Gerry

All you have to do is use a sight tube and a cheshire- everything is then set up automatically. If you really want to collimate for a closed light path buy the Catseye autocollimator.... I have one of those too lol

I believe the new Astronomik UHC does as well whereas the Astronomik made Televue UHC does not. I have the NPB and new TV filters- the TV filters are the best I own.

👍 I'm in the NZ camp too- wont ever be without one, even owning other zooms.

Years ago I did this with a Baader single variable polariser with excellent results and posted on solarchat. The views with a Quark are superb with one. I find the same thing Mark- strange how 20mm of aperture can cause seeing issues but for solar it sure can IMHO. My 90mm SV Raptor is my most used solar scope.

@Jason D Can explain all this better than anyone else here.

@BrendanC there are 2 offsets - away from the focuser and down the tube. No big deal visually- but the non offset away from the focuser can cause DSC to be less accurate. Full offset-in both directions- allow us to use a bit smaller secondary - my 24" is fully offset- and has very low central obstruction. For an imager, full offset will allow for the smallest central obstruction with the needed high fully illuminated field.

@StuCongrats!! The Tak lightning strikes again! This telescope is rumoured to be among the best 130mm class telescopes in existence.... super cooling and with great presentation on the planets. What a sharp telescope. Now I want one. Gerry

I called Astrophysics about a refractor a while back- unobtanium...but the lady had a very knowledgeable employee call me back about the oil spacing deal .He called me back right away- what a great maker Astrosphysics is. It turns out its not the cold temp itself that causes problems- it the rate of cooling that can cause issues. Taking an oil spaced scope outside from 20c in the house to -30c is a no no. However, taking the scope out in a case or "scopecoat" (wife made me one out of an old quilt) is fine, slowing the cooling rate. Once cooled properly there is no issue storing it "outside" (seacan in my case). Knowing this I would not hesitate to buy an oil spaced triplet for use in my temps. No issues going from -10c to -30c over the course of a day etc.

I have a few of my most desireable scopes, including the TSA120 and 24" dob. For some unknown reason my most desired scope now is a TEC 160 that has oil spacing.

I love seeing the light cloud on Mars , amazing we can see it. My 10" years ago gave me a similar view to your description. IIRC I was using a 3-6 Nagler zoom.

Years ago I bought a bunch of Circle T orthos and use them frequently. Its amazing what these inexpensive EP's can show. I barlow the 12.5mm a lot with very good luck.

This TV UHC does actually best a very good old Lumicon, but if I was in UK there is no question I would buy the Astronomik UHC based on price. I have a superb TV Nebustar 2 UHC which beats an excellent Lumicon UHC. My old Lumicons are really top tier filters but these new ones take it up a notch in side by side comparisons using my 15" with a filter slide. These new TV filters hold a special spot, sitting in the 24"...objects like the Veil look photographic using them.

I decided to wait for the exchange rate to come around before buying on of the new Baader CMOS- I'm getting sliced 35% or more right now...

The new Baader CMOS Hb filters are rumoured to be excellent visually. My next filter purchase will be one of these.

Just to add, the 10" dob will show at least as good as this mine does better here. I have an old, excellent Lumicon OIII that shows this but the new TV OIII is a bit better. This is a borrowed illustration. Exit pupil matters to maximize views and I find that for some unknown reason 100 deg EPs excel on objects like this. The "Majesty Factor" perhaps? (Nagles idea).

@Ratlet Do yourself a favour and buy a top OIII from either Astronomik or (New)Televue. The difference between a very good OIII and a mediocre one is staggering from dark skies like you have. Pickerings Wisp just wont be seen in your 10" dob/top OIII it will show very nice detail. Top OIII are just wide enough to catch both OIII lines completely and have very high transmission. Transmission matters contrary to some beliefs about our ability to detect it. IMHO Gerry

Excellent! Try Hickson 55 in the 15" - mine shows at least 3 of them sometime 4. I get the orthos out for it.

Thanks all! I can say this my old school Sky Commander never failed once- the only thing that impacts it is an unsteady base, like ice under my dob. This will throw it off but thats it. I'm seriously thinking of the Nexus- can you make your own list of "favourites" ? This is what I do with the SC and find it great to obs from.

Ok, I know nothing about this stuff and use an old Sky Commander- no longer available. Nexus II is DSC right? What does Sky Safari do? Thanks

I'm thinking of buying the Nexus DSC for push to with the DM6, anyone have any experiences with it? Good, bad or other? Thanks,Gerry