jetstream

Nice choice 👍, I too like Naglers, used with the the VIP here.

Nice scopes you have!👍 Have you compared the TOA130 to the TSA120 for planetary/lunar visual? I've heard some say the TOA30 squeaks ahead...

Any updates?

The Tak clamshell for the TSA120 works for me and supports high mag on the driven AZEQ6. I leave the clamshell on the mount, closed, then flop it open to mount the scope very easily.No fooling around getting the scope into the mount saddle as an assembly 👍

You should see @vlaiv lunar images with a small Mac.... excellent.

I think something like the ASI 224 might be better, @vlaiv can explain.

Research what is needed to do this IMHO, you might end up with 2 scopes, one for visual, one for planetary. There are scopes that will do both. Personally I like low central obstruction dobs for most things. Thing is your "seeing"- if its typically poor then there are scopes that can deal with it better than others, if you get bursts of good seeing frequently more aperture will give the views you want. If you compound poor seeing with slight miscollimation in a hard to cool SCT (etc) the views will be horrible.IMHO.

My biggest question for the Nagler selection would be how they interact with the 1.5 extender. IME the Naglers are great eyepieces but do benefit from the VIP (in my case) in the sharpness dept. Without the barlow the Naglers might limit sharpness a bit...The 16T5 goes razor like with the VIP... a bit soft without ( compared to my best). While not owning one, the 7mm XW Pentax would be top on the list but not sure of the weight. For all but the highest mag I use a Zeiss 25.1-6.7 zoom/VIP- heavy and long but superb.The Leica Asph is vg as well.

👍👍👍 Congrats Mark!! Planetary was one of the reasons for buying the TSA120 and it looks like youve seen the performance of these scopes as well... By all means pick up higher mag eyepieces- among others I use the 2.4mm HR Vixen and also the mainstay Zeiss 25.1-6.7 zoom/VIP.This icy eyepiece dissects Saturn so well its not funny. You might be shocked at how much mag, how often, the TSA120 takes. Sure glad you got one and are getting these views!

I have yet to reach the magnification limit of this scope, on lunar. I quit trying after using the VIP/extensions with the Vixen 2.4mm HR.Under good conditions I like lower mag anyway, with 375x-400x on planetary being a sweet spot for me, binoviewing excepted.Anything over 300x really makes the available detail easier to see IMHO. Congrats for the breathtaking views Mark! ps I'm not sorry I got this scope over the TOA130, which was also in the running. After researching these Tak triplets the TSA120 ticked all the boxes.

I just like them and the extra stability, like Jeremy says not a must but in my books its worth every penny.

I sure like my ADM Losmandy bar.

Me too.

These scopes offer such a clean, contrasted view it amazes me every time I use it. Dso too- put your TSA120 on the North American neb under dark skies and hold on! Sure glad you found one Mark

Whew!

Ok , you got it from Jeremy? thats the real puzzle...😀 He got rid of a Tak? Very nice acquisition Mark!

Whats going on?! Theres been movement at Tak central, felt all the way here!

Agree that differences in "transmission" and "contrast" must have multiple factors involved. These days I default to the try it and see method, wading through many eyepieces but there are a few that stand out- Delos and Vixen HRs on the top of the list as well as the Docter 12.5mm UWA. Hyperwides have the Ethos, Nikon HW and the too good for its price 20mm APM at the front of the pack, to my eyes. And then I throw a Circle T in the focuser and a smile appears- 50 bucks and razor sharp, contrasty views. We are lucky to have such a good selection of eyepieces available thats for sure.

This transmission stuff is something I dont understand...the difference in measured transmission doesnt always reflect what the eye notices IMHO. The optical experts say the levels of difference cant be noticed and yet I personally do see it. The 10BCO is my king of "transmission" ie object detection. The Nagler 3-6 zoom is near the bottom of "transmission" to my eyes eventhough it is a great lunar/planetary eyepiece. All I know is that the top DSO observers all use orthos at high mag for faint threshold objects. It is an absolute bonus that these orthos, Circle T included offer top tier views of the moon and planets. I have a UO Tani 4mm ortho that is unbelievably good, so good that it takes the Vixen 3.5mm HR to knock it off the stump, and that is quite an accomplishment.

I might have an extra 6mm but we are 3700 miles apart. I'm sure you will find the missing members of the line up.

I use the 5mm, 6mm and 7mm depending on the conditions. I have an exceptional 7mm KK ortho and the Circle T 7mm holds in own. Orthos are my goto eyepieces for tough DSO regardless of aperture. Hickson 55 revealed 3 of its sections with the orthos/15" and was pretty pumped about it. From dark skies, with your scope, try Stephans Quintet with orthos once found and in UMa the NGC 3982 is also ortho grounds. Same goes for small Pns...the Cateseye comes to mind, NGC 6543. I have them all except the 25mm, but the 25mm TV plossl is superb and has needed tighter eye relief.

I use them in an undriven 15" f4.8 and 24" f4.1 with no problem, they chew up faint galaxies and Pns.

Congrats for the fine purchase. My 4mm UO version of these is one of my best eyepieces, silly sharp and competes with eyepiece classes it shouldn't... The 12.5mm resides in the TSA120 as the firstline eyepiece to try.

This makes a difference (to my eyes) when observing, a clean mirror enhances contrast and reduces scatter.

I have one and it is super bright and wicked sharp as well. It is a favourite eyepiece.