william123

On 15/09/2021 at 01:48, Deadlake said:

Modern day equivalent is $5900
https://www.agemaoptics.com/telescopes/agema-sd-130/

Comes with a report, the scopes are actually delivered but have caused so much bad weather no one has had a clear night to form an opinion. 😃

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.

On 09/05/2021 at 05:38, Soligor Rob said:

John, they certainly look the part, I've fitted a set of the More-Blue Rings,  I notice you have fitted the Moonlite focuser how does that compare with the standard one, have to say mine has a nice overall positive feel.

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

Thank you.

45 minutes ago, John said:

Quite a number I suspect. They don't tend to post on forums though, they just get on and buy whatever they feel is the best. £20K is small change to some folks.

 

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.

21 hours ago, Ibbo! said:

I have an early WO 132.

I like my 132 now I have upgraded the focuser as the original stock focuser was very poor but I believe it is now sorted.

The retractable dew shield is a bit floppy.

Its a WO so its heavy and benefits from a lifting handle.

If you want to use it with bino viewers its ideal.

If you want to image with it you will need extensions ( in my case about 120mm)

It will be back on the mount come galaxy season.

 

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

On 15/09/2019 at 18:20, jinchuriki said:

Hello, I've had 2 setups so far, which are the Explore Scientific ED102 and Skywatcher 150p, both on EQ5 mount.

I really feel like I'm ready to take my gear up to the next level, and I really like both observing and imaging, the thing is I'm not really sure how far I'd like to go with this.

Since the EQ5 is not a very sturdy mount for imaging, I'd really like to upgrade it, and I'd also like to upgrade my aperture for both observing and imaging, the most suitable scope for that to me seems to be the celestron SCT so far, I believe with an SCT scope I'll be able to use it for both observing and imaging, the question is really how far I'd like to go with that.

Ideally, I'd say the C11 edge would do the best job for both worlds, it's a really nice scope, fairly big aperture, very sharp for imaging, and that will surely satisfy me.

The issue I'm having with that is I might want to upgrade again in the future, and anything bigger than the C11 is a lot of money....BUT, possibly instead of investing around 4000-6000$ for the C11, it might just be worth spending some more(the C14 edge with CGX-L is sold for 8700$)  and eventually getting the C14 edge, which will probably won't require me to upgrade my gear ever again. It is a thought that needs to be taken very seriously, both money-wise and size/weight-wise, it surely isn't an easy task, but spending 6000$ now, and in 2, 4, maybe even 6 years later spend another 8700$ feels like a waste to me.

A few very important things, first of all, I'm extremely aware of the C11 and obviously the C14 weight and size, it's HUGE AND HEAVY, but I've seen friends with both the C11 and C14, I've also set it up myself, and I don't think it's something I won't be able to handle, and at times, I could still always use my refractor for a small trip if I wanted to.

My imaging goal is mainly DSO, which is why I'm intrested in getting a hyperstar for whatever scope I'll purchase, obviously RASA is what comes to mind first, but since I'd also want to do planetary observing/imaging, I don't think the RASA setup will be very suitable for me, even though it's amazing for DSO.

So after all of this, do you guys have any suggestions for me? One of the reasons I'm coming with this now, is that I'm currently in a place which I can pretty much allow myself to do it, I got a great job, I don't have much responsibilities or bills to pay at the moment, so I can save up very nicely without having to worry all that much about spending such amount of money, which I really can't tell if that will be the case in the future. Thanks for the help.

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

54 minutes ago, Owmuchonomy said:

My view of it has only got rosier. It’s definitely a keeper. The views are exceptional. Just be aware of its bulk and that others have had collimation issues. Mine appears perfectly set up. I don’t see any difference in CA generally compared to my previous APO. (AA 102mm)

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

12 hours ago, JCAZ said:

Based on what Texas Nautical told me it the first year of Emperor Naruhito's dynasty . I suppose further research may be required.  Even if you're wrong, it was a fine effort.

What's interesting is that they have started to base their serial numbers on the reign of an emperor.

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.

10 hours ago, JCAZ said:

O.K, here's one for the water cooler - impress your friends.

My scope serial number is 1D013.  Well, my scope is the 13th one ever made - so I get lucky thirteen.  So how about 1D ,well, this indicates the scope was made during the first year of Emperor Naruhito's reign, which happens to be 2019.  Gotta luv the Japanese.

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.

On 28/08/2019 at 15:43, A McEwan said:

Tragedy has struck.

My Takahashi FC100Df. My probably ultimate dream-scope, only in my possession a couple of years. Molly-coddled and cared for when not in use, but used as often as possible.

It's almost too sad to recount.

Sigh....

 

 

I've lost my official Takahashi 1.25" drawtube/eyepiece-holder plug.

Whatever can I do? I've looked in all my cases, all my bags, in the dog's bed, in my cupboards and hidey-holes. No sign. 

Replacable?

Ant    

PS I presume they only come in one colour so no complications a-la finder brackets?  

Just buy another one from your Takahashi dealer.

20 hours ago, paulastro said:

Am I the only person wondering why it's all gone so quiet regarding this telescope?  Since the original problems with this scope with packaging and other difficulties (I'm assuming anyone reading this has read comments John made when he had one to review from FLO) it seems as if there is a conspiracy of silence.  For a telescope widely agreed to be  '  this year's most anticipated new telescope! '  this is rather surprising.  Of course, I'm not really suggesting there is a conspiracy, but I am curious.

OK, there has been a S@N magazine review of sorts, but I can't remember any observation made with this telescope mentioned on SGL or any images taken through it posted on SGL - if there are they must be very few and far between. 

Assuming some have actually been bought, I would have expected someone by now would have posted on SGL how pleased they were with their new purchase, or at least seen pictures of it when it arrived in the post!    Likewise no new purchaser has yet added a review or passed any comment on the relevant page on FLO's web page.

 

I have a few theories:

1  No member of SGL has bought one.

2   Some have been sold to SGL members, but everyone found they performed so badly that they feel too embarrassed to mention they have even bought one.

3  Some have been sold to SGL members, and they perfromed so well that the lucky owners want to keep it secret and don't want anyone else to know. (you big meanies !!)

4  Hundreds have been sold to non-SGL members and none sold to SGL members.

5  I'm just not been looking in the right places on SGL so have never come across the numerous comments and observations made with this scope on SGL

6  The performance of the scope is, well, what you'd expect.  That is, it is a slightly better performer than the 120ED Pro version than many of us on SGL own and use and are very happy with.

 

I guess, the answer is either a mixture of the above, or something very different!  At any rate, I'm still curious how it seems to have gone from hero to zero in the 'talked about' stakes.

I would add I am aware there are posts on SGL's distant cousin site over the pond, but I'm interested in why it seems so anonymous this side of the pond.

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.

On 15/08/2018 at 04:54, John said:

Meanwhile, back on the topic, ED150 #2 has departed now. The next one is eagerly awaited !

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

On 12/5/2017 at 06:15, FLO said:

Normally 1-2 weeks, though possibly a little longer at this time of year. 

HTH, 

Steve 

Has Es Reid ever outright rejected an Esprit optic?

6 minutes ago, Stu said:

I guess you will have to make a call on whether you think FLO and Es are incompetent or not?

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.

1 minute ago, RayD said:

having had a couple of my OTA's inspected by Es, and spoken with him on the phone a couple of times, the one thing I can categorically guarantee is that there would be no carelessly inflicted damage caused by him.  He really does know his stuff, and is meticulous in how he goes about things.

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