william123

Why do you say the telescope "[c]omes with a report"? Is that guarantee somewhere on the Agema website??? If so, I am unable to find it. The website does show Strehl graphs for each telescope's design, but that is different from a test report. Thank you.

Which size of More-Blue rings did you buy? The 156mm rings? Which Baader Click-Lock did you buy? Thank you.

Time will tell. My prediction is that very few of these new quads will sell. The worldwide market for high-end gear is small, and there is already a lot of competition.

No need for my comment. Thank you.

Steve: Let me make sure I understand: You believe the focusers on new FLT132's are alright? Are the retractable dew shields on new 132's still a bit floppy? I'm not finding much information about the 132's on the web. Thank you. William

I am interested in purchasing a William Optics FLT 132 triplet refractor, and I would appreciate hearing opinions from any current or past users of this telescope. Thank you!! https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-flt-132-2019-checked-tuned.html William

One telescope for everything? A TEC 140FL or 160FL. Brilliant for visual or imaging.

Thank you, Chris! William

Chris: What is your current evaluation of the Evostar 150ED? Do you really like it and recommend it for visual? Is it a keeper, or is it just a keeper until a "better" apo comes along? Thank you! William

Clearly, we are now in the first year of Naruhito's reign, which began only last May. However, what is the "D" for in your serial number? And what was the "C" for in my serial number? I strongly suspect that your scope was planned or authorized or started production in the first year of the fourth ("D") decade of Akihito's reign. That theory explains the most. Remember, if you received your scope recently, it must have left the "factory" in Japan in June or July (or even earlier), not long after Naruhito started his reign. It might actually have been manufactured -- or the serial number plate itself manufactured -- before Naruhito started his reign. The scope might even have been sitting in a warehouse for a while before shipment.

My TOA-130NFB was made circa January 2018. (I ordered it in January 2018 and received it in March 2018.) Its serial number is 9C030. The Takahashi salesman told me at the time that he had heard that the serial number had something to do with the year of the Emperor's reign. I concluded that my TOA was the 30th Takahashi telescope made (planned? authorized?) in the ninth year of the third ("C") decade of Emperor Akihito's reign. Akihito reigned from January 7, 1989, to April 30, 2019. The ninth year of the third decade of his reign ran from January 7, 2017, to January 6, 2018. (Is my math right?) Given all that, my guess is that your scope, with serial number 1D013, was the thirteenth Takahashi scope made (planned? authorized?) in the first year of the fourth ("D") decade of Akihito's reign. But I am probably completely wrong!! 🙂 Emperor Naruhito began his reign on May 1, 2019.

Just buy another one from your Takahashi dealer.

I have read three or four very positive reviews on Cloudy Nights, Ice in Space, and here, and that does not include the one by Daniel Mounsey, the one in "Astronomy" magazine (very positive), and the one in "Sky at Night" magazine (somewhat positive). These reviews can all be found on the web. One dealer in California (a reliable, confidential source) told me that sales of the 150ED were good but not great, that he had heard no complaints from buyers, and that the scope was a "niche product," i.e., that the market for such a scope was inherently small. The Esprit 150ED is an alternative, of course, but at a much higher price, and, what is even worse, the Esprit is MUCH heavier, probably too heavy for many.

Condition is extremely important when selling high-end refractors such as the Astro-Physics Traveler. Are there any scuffs or scratches or other blemishes anywhere on the telescope or lens? If I were you, I would clean the telescope very carefully with a water-damp cloth, but DO NOT TOUCH THE LENS. Any dust or other marks on the lens should be left alone for the buyer to deal with.

Has Evostar 150 number 3 arrived??? If not, why the delay?

I placed my order for an Esprit 150 and bench test with FLO last evening. The telescope will be a gift for my son. He and I are both very excited! William

Thank you, Steve! I know I've been a bit of a nuisance, and you have been more than helpful! I apologize for any inconvenience. William

Has Es Reid ever outright rejected an Esprit optic?

I certainly did not intend to imply that either FLO or Es Reid was incompetent. Far from it! From what I have read, FLO is among the very best telescope dealers anywhere, and I've never had any dealings with Mr. Reid. No doubt he is a fine person. My posts should be considered only as prudent inquiries, nothing more. I am considering purchase of an Esprit 150ED, and, for me, the cost is considerable. I want to be cautious.

That is really good to know. Thank you for your post! William

Leaving aside the optional Es Reid inspection, does FLO routinely inspect Esprit telescopes before shipment to the buyer, or does FLO ship out Esprit telescopes in unopened boxes? Either policy is fine, in my humble opinion, PROVIDED that any routine inspection does no harm to the telescopes. (I would not want to find, for example, a carelessly inflicted scratch on the optical tube or a fingerprint or spot on the lens.) Personally, I would not mind at all paying for an Es Reid inspection -- probably money well spent -- but I'm a little worried about carelessly inflicted damage. I've known and worked with too many incompetent people to have complete confidence in my fellow human beings. Thank you. William

I just found this old thread. Has anyone purchased an Esprit 120 or 150 and had a bench test done by Es Reid? If so, what did you think? Any optical, mechanical, or cosmetic problems? Thank you. William