Nakedgun

How rural are you? Dark skies, there?

In another thread I posted images of the oldest scope I own, a Tasco 60 f/11, made, perhaps, as far back as the 60s. I found it April 2015. My smallest astronomical scope, the Pocket Borg (posted previously), a 25mm f/7, came to me February '07. I have a 40mm PST but will not include it here since everyone knows what they are, so that brings us to my next largest scope, a Borg 50ED f/10, owned since September '09. It use it on a Manfrotto tripod with 410 geared head. Very sharp views from this little guy!

My smallest refractor, the smallest one made by Borg, called by them the Pocket Borg, is a 25mm f/7 doublet. A novelty, I mount it on a slo-mo alt-az for views of the Moon or planets out as far as #6 for entertainment. A 25mm Plossl acts as a finder while the TV zoom gets me up to 58x, enough to see Saturn's rings. Focus is achieved by sliding the objective section.

Always fun to get something new. Look forward to your impressions.

Here is the oldest scope I own, made perhaps during the 60s. As shown in another thread, it came into my possession as a road find almost five years ago, and after some cleanup provides enjoyable views of the heavens.

I have many sizes/types for a variety of purposes, from a lowly 2.3x up to 32x. For handheld astro use, from dark skies, for the last 20 years I have been continually satisfied with these 10x50s:

I had completely forgotten about this thread. This was a toss-away, found with some other road-side trash. It did clean up and provides views expected from its genre. I even have a .965" observing set to use with it.

The TV32 will show the same true field as the TV40, but, at higher magnification, which makes it preferable, in my view. I sold the 40.

Been only a few months since the DZ has been offered so it may still be a bit early but has anyone conducted a side-by-side shootout yet? Search came up empty.

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 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.

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.

That's what we call them at Caltrans (California Department of Transportation). Salvageable? We'll see.

Saturninus, You did not mention which diagonal was in use, and they do not all have the same focal length. Some experimentation at, say, the next star party may find you one that will accommodate your ep collection. Good luck. BTW, if you think that ES refractor has a short-travel drawtube, try the Tak FC76 or FC100. All of one inch!