Nakedgun

I went for the DC specifically to have the lightest version of their 4" as I wanted to downsize not only my scope herd, but my mounting requirements, as well (sold my TSA102 when I got the DC). I'm as susceptible to marketing as anybody else, but in this case I think it would have to be a side-by-side comparison to get me to bite. I do no imaging. And, I'm with Stu on the 5-inch doublet request!

Of the strictly astronomical refractors, it would be currently #12 of 14. There, I've said it.

First let me say I've always been a strictly visual observer, so, cannot comment as to any scope's photo capabilities. Previous Borg purchases include: 76ED f/6.6 (first Borg), 76ED f/10, 101ED f/6.4, 60ED f/5.8, 50ED f/10, Pocket Borg 25mm f/7. One thing that attracted me to them is their featherweight, go anywhere, easy mounting requirements, permitting you to keep one around just about anywhere, anytime. The 76 f/10 and 101 were sold some years ago as they did not form an image as sharp as I was hoping from them, maybe it was sample variation, can't say for sure. At f/5.8, the 60 is no planetary scope either, but I keep it behind the truck seat for a daytime spotter or handy-scope if stopped somewhere at night for a brief look up. The 76 f/6.6 has been my favorite Borg performer (until now) and provides pleasing views of all objects. The 50 is always fun, too, limited only by aperture? The Pocket is a novelty, but will show Saturn's rings clearly at 58x. Except for the Pocket (sliding objective tube), all came with Borg helical focusers which I find adequate. The 90 is offered with more than one focusing option and I took the r&p they have made available. This focuser is not equal to the OTA it is mounted on, but will do the job, workmanlike, if not impressive. I may get the Feathertouch, in due course. I've had the 90 out twice, once doing some daytime spotting and again Saturday night with the planets. I used a prism diagonal, haven't compared with a mirror, yet. I was leery before buying, f/5.6 is fast for visual, even with fluorite, but I must say I have no regrets on this purchase, love the views. With diagonal, ep, finder, rings and dovetail it weighs all of 7 lbs. so mounting remains easy, though it is the heaviest Borg I own. I envision it being a scope I will use mostly for sweeping up deep-sky objects, appropriate for the aperture, mounted alt-az.

Last fall I bought a SW120ED, and said, fully believing, that it would be my last refractor. I should have stayed off these boards! I have bought several Borg scopes from Ted Ishikawa, the U.S. importer, over the years, and have been pleased with them. I didn't need one this aperture, but somehow the Fluorite bug got under my skin, and 18 years to-the-month after Ted sold me my first one, I landed this gem. I tell myself it fills an aperture-gap in my arsenal, and that helps. I admit, to myself, and to you my viewers, I am not to be believed regarding telescope acquisition limits henceforth and forevermore, Amen.

To the OP: retirement is another adventure, I do hope you enjoy it. Glad to hear you're keeping your FS128, only scope I regret selling.

While the increase to 10 or 12-inch aperture allows greater light-grasp over your 8", learning Newtonian collimation, if you are not yet familiar with it, will be more difficult than with the SCT, no question. Moreover, transporting a solid-tube dob of that size will require an appropriately dimensioned vehicle for that purpose. I think "easier" is not the word I'd use. Good luck. BTW, to the OP: I have the 10" Apertura, and find it "money well spent"

The counterweights have been added to make it usable for a wider variety of scopes that I have around here, my FC-100DC does not require them.

If I'm not mistaken, that is their Sky Patrol mount, suitable for lightweight models such as the FS-60.

Mike, I've had this mount for a number of years, now, and seem to remember buying it from the U.S. Takahashi importer "Land, Sea & Sky". The counterweight and eyepiece tray were additions of mine. Another view:

This mount atop a Manfrotto 3051 seems a perfect match for the FC-100DC, and smaller scopes can be used without issue. My 120ED doublet was too much for vibration-free views.

Is there any (non-Asian) outfit currently producing them? Been quite a spell since the days before the refractor boom when they figured prominently in the discussions. I have a very nice (TEC) 150mm but would like to now have the same quality 200 or 225mm. Nothing like a missed opportunity!

The short-throw focuser on the DC can make finding the right combination a trying experience. Diagonals from different manufacturers will not all have the same focal length, nor will all barlows. I found this shorty barlow to be helpful. To use a "regular" length barlow I have to change extension combos. An observing associate with a variety of ep/barlow/diagonal choices can save some time and aggravation.

Shot through moving hazy clouds:

Delivered day after New Year's and I haven't had the opportunity to properly star test it, though Friday night I had a look through increasing cloudiness and saw nothing amiss. At f/7.5 it is at the length-limit for the pictured mount. Damping time, with pads, was just acceptable. I sold off near half of my scopes a few years ago leaving me with a 4-inch as my largest refractor. Sold the G-11 also so when I recently had a hankerin' for more aperture* it had to be compatible with the GM-8, CG-5 and Vixen Porta. Suited up, the SW120 tips the scale at about 14 lbs and with their end-of-year price cut my decision was made. I am hoping this will prove a satisfying acquisition negating any more monetary outlays. *The five and six-inch refractors I previously had were cumbersome and just didn't get used enough to keep around anymore.