SAW

I THINK I've ruled out the FC100 only because I'd need to do a mosaic when lunar imaging where as if I use a 174MM with the FC76 I can get the full disc in, it will fit with the FC100 and 174MM but it's really tight. 

Now with the solar I can't get quite as close if I use the Quark with the FC76 as I can with the FC102 but it's still pretty good.

I think I would prefer the FC76DCU compared to the FC76DS as I can use the extender for lunar observing and even a bit of planetary plus it can be broken down smaller for travelling if needed. It's also lighter which will help with mounting on my Lightrack.

Is the focuser going to be good enough when using a CMOS, weight, travel etc ? I've read it's limited and spacers may be need as well for observing ?

Does this sound like a sensible choice ?

2 hours ago, John said:

It's a law of diminishing returns with equipment and quality generally so the Tak 76 will be a bit better than the WO73 but the differences will be small. Likewise with something like the Skywatcher ED72 which is half the price of the WO73.

These scopes won't be rubbish at anything really - they will perform as per their apertures dictate both for planetary and DSO's. Popular size for imaging because they can be easily over-mounted which is what you need for imaging.

 

I've owned the WO61 and SW72ED and the SW is probably one scope I regret selling but I'm not sure it's very suited to lunar/solar which is what I really want the scope for. If it works for DSO imaging as well then it's a bonus but I rather get something more suited to lunar/solar than a bit of everything scope of that makes sense 😁

Been looking at the WO73 Zenithstar it's half the price of the Takahashi 76 but is this twice as bad ?

Using the WO73 gives me a full disc of the moon with the 178MM and full disc of the sun in white light us with the Quark nice and close up. 

It's going to be rubbish with Planetary because of the aperture but how will it be with lunar/solar for observing and imaging ?

Anyone got or used the FOA-60 or FOA-60Q how do they compare to the others I've mentioned ? Are they different from each other or like the FS-60Q where you can add the extender.

Just been looking on astronomy tools and am I correct in saying I'll get a closer view when using the FC76 with the extension piece as it will be f/12.5 compared to he FC100 at f/7.5 even though it's less aperture ? BUT will the FC100 give me a better view being it's larger aperture ?

ARGHHH why is it so hard to decide !

8 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

I have the Tak FS102 and the Tak FC76DCU. The latter is my airline travel scope and fits into a relatively compact backpack. It performs very well on Moon and planets, as well as deep sky. But the FS102, with an extra inch of aperture gives better planetary views. If I had to chose one, it would depend on how often I needed the travel capability: if only a few times I'd go with the larger scope. I realise the FS102 is bigger and heavier than the FC100 and that people do take the latter on flights.

What's the size difference of these two when both assembled ?

Have you got or used the extender on the 76 ?

48 minutes ago, Piero said:

If you are looking for an airline friendly telescope, the new Skywatcher 72mm refractor seems very attractive to me. 

Some people have taken their Tak 100 abroad, so yes it is possible. Personally, I see this like a one off. In addition, I wouldn't take very expensive things with me on a plane. The only exception has been my TV60, but that is ultra light. The tripod fits in the suitcase too.

Doesn't have to be airline friendly. I've taken a WO61, tracking mount etc on a flight before and that was bad enough. Think I'll stick to dslr and lenses for that LOL.

The 100 is easier to take abroad ?

I've emailed Fornax and asked about the 100 on the Lightrack or would the 76 be more suited. 

Anyone have an image of the 76 and 100 side by side ?

How did you find the 76 ?

What did you view/image with it ?

Did you ever use the extender ?

19 minutes ago, Stu said:

I've had both, and whilst the 76 is a lovely scope with very sharp optics, the 100 is just that much more capable. The f7.4 is a great compromise for widefield and high power use, and it's still a very lightweight package although I agree that you will need a more heavy duty mount for it than the Fornax.

If you want super portable though, I guess the 76mm is a good option.

The Fornax is supposed to be able to carry up to 12kg with the optional counterweight bar which I have, but is it going to look a bit weird for a 4" refractor on it ? 

I can't help but think if I had the 76 will I wish I went for the 100 ? BUT it's more money, the 76 is going over budget as it is LOL.

I'll also be suing it on a HEQ5 but I do like to just grab the Fornax most nights especially for lunar/solar when I don't need the GoTo.

I think the FC100DC is going to be too big on the Fornax Lightrack even with the counterweight kit I have, it may just look out of place on it ?

I'd love a 4" Tak though, if I get the 76 am I going to think I wish I went for the 100 ?

I'm very tempted to go with the FC-76DCU plus the 1.7 extender. I can then use the scope at f/7.5 for solar with a Quark and at f/12.5 for some lunar observing/imaging maybe even a little planetary ?

I then have the option to use the reducer/flattener for some dso imaging with my 183MM ?

6 minutes ago, John said:

Thats the FC-100DL.

The one you can't get anymore 🙂

I'm not sure if I'd be disappointed with the FOV using the FOA-60Q ? how far you can push the magnification with eyepieces.

The FC-76DCU is going to be slightly better especially with the 1.7 extender ?

Which Tak is that ?

12 minutes ago, wookie1965 said:

Do you want to buy new. There is a Tal 100rs on Astro buy and sell I've got one.

One of them with a lunt solar wedge is excellent and great for the moon, planets, double and multiple star's and clusters.

New is always nice but I don't mind a used one if it's what I'm looking for and in good condition.

I'm after a nice refractor for lunar imaging and viewing but just can't decide what to buy. It will be used on a HEQ5 Pro and also Fornax Lightrack II, I do have the counter weight kit for this mount so weight shouldn't be a problem as it will take up to 12kg. TBH I prefer to just grab the Lightrack most nights and use this rather than set all the HEQ5 up unless I'm doing DSO imaging. If it can be used for solar as well with a Quark it's a bonus but not a must. I will be using the ZWO178MM and 600D for imaging lunar and jut the 178MM for solar and probably a Baader zoom eyepiece when observing. So far I have looked at,

SW100ED f/9

Starwave Ascent 80mm f/7

Starwave Ascent 102 f/7 and the f/11 version

Tak FS-60Q

Tak FOA-60Q

Tak FC-76DCU

Have owned 3 maks and don't really want another, I like refractors.

Any suggestions ?

Hi,

Anyone do wide field imaging ? I don't mean the usual Milky Way I'm interested in constillations etc ? I think it's going to be ideal with my Fornax Lightrack, while I've used it with 300mm lenses it's very hard to get targets nicely centred and it's pushing it regarding balancing with the longer lenses so I'm trying to find some info about wide field targets and what lenses to use, Canon if possible. There doesn't seem to be much info online apart from the usual 12-14mm lenses for Milky Way/landscape. 

So not this one https://www.firstlightoptics.com/daystar-quark-solar-eyepieces/daystar-quark-h-alpha-eyepiece-chromosphere-prominence.html

Hi,

I'm after a new solar scope for solar imaging and observing but I can't decide if I should go for the Quark SS-60, Solar Scout 80mm or the Quark eyepiece and use either a 72, 100 or 120mm refractor ? I'll be using a ZWO178MM with them. Does anybody have any experience with any of the above ? If I use a 100mm refractor I can then also use my Lunt white light wedge and also use the scope for lunar observing/imaging ? Would I be disappointed using a 72ED ? Quark recommend f4 to f/8 and the 100ed is f9 so is the 72 or 120 going to be better suited ?

I could always use a different make 100mm that's f4-f8 I was just using the SW ED's as an example as I've had the 72 before and it's a good scope but not sure if it's suitable for solar because of the small aperture.

What lenses are people using with a 600D or any crop sensor camera ?

I love this set up, I haven't used my HEQ5 pro for months now seem to be getting more into a grab a go set up.

Berlebach 212 which I already had from when I was using the Star Adventurer.

1 minute ago, adyj1 said:

@SAW,What wedge are you using with that?

The Fornax one, a bit pricey for what it is but zero play in it.

I've ended buying a Fornax Lightrack II. Yes it's twice the price but it's 100 times better, I'm getting 10min exposures with my WO61 and 600D and no guiding. 

I've already stripped, cleaned and regressed mine but could only see the adjustment on the motor gear, couldn't see any other adjustment points on the other gears apart from the grub screw that set the worm gear backlash.

Even after this and using a Polemaster I still can't get even 2mins without trailing. I might do better with just a dslr and lens as I'm using my WO61 and 600D but it's hardly straining it, completed scope with camera and flattener is only 2.3kg.