Stardust1

The Takahashi Cradle weighs 800 grams. You could use tube rings. There are a few vendors who sell tube rings with 95mm diameters. I’m not sure how much weight savings would that be.

I second the advice here. Astromart.com and Cloudynights.com are the places to sell the Traveler in US. If there might be any issue with collimation, I wouldn't worry about it. As https://astro-physics.com/ can fix it from my understanding at a reasonable cost. If you have any doubt you can send it to Astro-physics for a check up. Good luck!

One of the most stunning pictures that I have seen lately, just beautiful 👍

If Tak stretches the design philosophy of the FC-100D to a FC125, then yes it will be lighter then the TSA-120. To me the 120mm apo is a no mans land refractor. It doesn't excel in weight, it's heavier then a 4". It's just a little brighter then a 4". It doesn't give me the wow factor over an FC-100D or an FS-102. The TSA-120 is brighter then a FC-100D on deepsky, but on the planets (Jupiter) these scope are very close. I have compared these scopes many nights side by side in excellent seeing on Jupiter. In the end I sold the TSA-120 and kept the FC-100D. A 140mm, like my TEC-140 is a wow on Jupiter compared to my FS-102. Though I do love the portability of a FC-100D. I think these small scopes are one of the best 4" around for visual use. The jump from FC-100D to a FC-140 or FC-150 will be huge 😉 I'm looking forward to the first reviews of the FC-100DZ.

Takahashi might produce more doublets as they have stopped production of the FSQ-130ED. Now they may have more time for other scopes. Hopefully it will be an FC-140 or better FC-150 with sliding dew shield. Only time will tell 😉 There is already an excellent TSA-120, when cooled it will produce stunning views. It's not that heavy for an 120mm scope. If you can cope with a little longer cool down compared to a doublet, then the TSA-120 is the way to go in the 120-125mm range.

Rodd, thanks for sharing. Would love to see if possible both full size images of the FSQ and TOA. I'm curious of the FOV of both scopes.

How about Canon 6D or 6D MKII? The 6d MKII has a flip out screen as a bonus. There are lots of nice pictures taken with the 6D. I loved my 6D with a small apo.

Thanks Pat ? That sounds promising! I will go to the local shop and see if I can buy nylon Lycra cloth. But I do wonder if a shroud is necessary or not under dark skies.

Hi Pat, I know this is an old post. But I was wondering how the shroud worked out for you? Did you make one? My dobson has also three truss poles, just like yours. I would like to make or buy a Light shrouds. But I'm hesitant as the shroud might cut some light.

Finally I had the opportunity to try out the Nikon NAV HW 17mm with the lunar eclipse. Surprisingly it was clear the whole night. There was no wind, though very cold, -6c. I had cold toes, the two socks didn't help. The FS-102NSV was setup on the AZ-EQ6 mount. I observed from 04:00-07:00 CET till minutes after totality when the moon disappeared behind the neighbors tree and then their house. I tried a few eyepieces, Tak LE 30mm, Pentax XW 20mm, Nikon NAV HW 17mm and Ethos 13mm. The best eyepiece for this circumstance was the Nikon NAV HW 17mm. The Moon looked 3d with nice shade of colors. I couldn't see any false color in focus with the FS-102 at this magnification. I had no issues with eye placement. The view was comfortable, close to the Pentax XW 20mm. What surprised me with the Nikon is the 2.1 degrees of TFOV. The moon was small but with lots of small craters, the view looks more like a high resolution photograph with the wide range of gray color pallet. I have never seen or experienced the moon like this, it might be more emotional experience. First impression, this eyepiece is sharp with vibrant colors. To my eye the stars to the edge looked sharp. I saw the occult of the star at totality, very nice, the star disappeared quickly. The moon's color was redder with the naked eye. I didn't compare eyepieces, I just enjoyed the view.

I haven't yet tried the NAV-HW with eyeglasses, I will try it next time weather permitting. I would love to try the ES-92s someday. Sadly nobody in our club has the ES-92s.

Just came back inside from a quick session. According to the Clearoutside monitor, the sky is obscured around 11% with high clouds. It's -2c outside but it feels like -7c. My toes are freezing ? I can't imagine what's Gerry is going through with -36c. I observed the Moon and M42. M42 is washed out due to 98% of Waxing Gibbous. The Moon is too bright through the FS-102. With high power magnification is doable, at lower magnification it can be painful, but still beautiful. Both the 17mm NAV HW (with and without the EiC extender) and 13mm Ethos give nice show of the Moon. The Nikon with the EiC extender shortens the focal length to 14mm, close to 13mm Ethos. Too early to call, need more nights with these eyepieces. The eye placement is a little less critical on the Nikon. But I don't have any issue with the Ethos. The Ethos with the Baader VIP is a nice combination, though the VIP adds to the length of the Ethos, one needs a sturdy focuser. The FS-102 focuser handles both eyepieces with ease. The views through the Nikon at 14mm where a little more engaging, or emotional then the Ethos. It's hard to describe, I need more sessions and better seeing. But the first light is promising.

Thank you Gerry! I will try the eyeguard of the 13mm Ethos ?

Wow -36c, no I can't either imagine. That's promising to hear that Nikon is that good. Thanks for the tip, as I'm looking for the eye guard and bottom 2" cap for the Nikon. I read that the 31mm Nagler eye guard works as well. I will try if I can find a 17mm Ethos eye guard. Not sure where to get one.

Thank you Gerry! I have used the Nikon a few times during the day and I was amazed by the contrast. I can take the whole 102 degrees. With the 13mm Ethos is a little more challenge to take the 100 degrees. The Nikon is more comfortable to use then the 13mm Ethos. As of comfort concerned the Nikon is close to the Pentax XW. How do the 17mm Nikon compare to the 17mm Ehtos? Thanks!

Hi Louis, the Nikon NAV HW eyepiece comes with 2" stopping ring and EiC extender. Without the 2" stopping ring, as you can see in the picture, the 2" barrel will likely damage your 2" diagonal mirror. As the 2" chrome barrel of the Nikon is too long.

I just received the Nikon NAV HW 17mm eyepiece. Still waiting on the first light under the stars. What's unique about this eyepiece as it comes standard with an EiC extender, which turns the eyepiece in 14mm. I hope to add first light comments here weather permitting. The weather has been poor for months now.

Alan, what a beautiful set of eyepieces you got there ? Looking forward to your review.