t0nedude

Nice extra pics, as others have mentioned name change needed? How about F8.1Rules? 

Tony.

8 hours ago, F15Rules said:

Hi all,

I'd just like to thank everyone so much for their kind words and for joining me in celebrating what for me is definitely the scope of a lifetime. 

At the moment the scope is in boxes as we have visitors over for the Bank Holiday and I don't want to be rude by disappearing off into my mancave with a long metal tube...but as soon as decently possible I will be getting up close and personal with it!

A few early observations (sorry) on the scope itself.

The overall condition can only be described as "mint". It is virtually unmarked, even though it is 18 years old. Serial number 99008, so built in 1999, the 8th of it's type of that year to be built. The mount was built in 1998, and is, I believe, the model before the EM10 which morphed into the EM11. I think the main difference between them is that my earlier EM2 only has RA electric drive, with slow motion controls to both axes (I think the EM10/11 came with GOTO). That is absolutely fine by me as I am visual only, although I do like to track with the mount at high powers. The manual states clearly that on good nights magnifications of x100 per inch of aperture are readiliy possible. The  Tak finder is 7x50mm and beautifully built, with helical focuser and I believe it has an illuminated reticule with it...certainly, one can be retro fitted to it if not.

The scope also came with Tak LE 7.5mm and 18mm eyepieces, (I have used 18mm LE's before and was very impressed with them), a Tak 1.25" diagonal prism, and a very interesting Tak Vari-Extender, which apparently can give a range of barlow type increased magnifications from 1.6x to up to at least 3x, perhaps more.

The mount itself is of lovely build, with polar illuminated scope and flawless finish. It's definitely "beefier" than my recently sold Vixen GP mount, I would say closer to the GPDX in size. It seems overengineered for the official 7kg capacity, and I believe the true capacity to be nearer to 10kg. We will see. The scope tube weighs 7.5kg, remarkably light for such a large tube. For those of you that are familiar with the Skywatcher/Helios Evostar/Celestron CR 150mm achro F8, the Tak is of similar diameter tube, but shorter and much lighter. It's an impressive looking tube, with flawless finish. The large 2.7" focuser (R&P) is buttery smooth. This is the first Tak I have ever seen in the flesh, and, nice though they look in photos, I honestly think they look so much better in real life.

The optics on the lens are like new, clearly never touched or cleaned, in a beautifully engineered oversized cell which is fully collimatable , (I will NOT be touching that though!). The single cradle for mounting the tube on the eq mount is very heavy duty and feels rock solid.

The tripod is fully extendable, made of hardwood and looks ideally suited to supporting the mount and scope, again in as new condition.

I think I am going to have some fun with this setup!

I'll post more in the equipment review section when I've had a proper chance to set it up and have first light. And pictures of course...

Thanks again for all your kind posts everyone

Dave

Indeed, no need to touch collimation, it'll still be rock solid. As perfectly collimated as the day I picked it up..Nick Hudson from Trutek had collimated it on his workbench just before I arrived...

Glad you're enjoying it, and you haven't even looked through it yet!

Tony.

2 hours ago, F15Rules said:

Mint Takahashi FS128 on Tak EM2 mount.

My heartfelt thanks to Tony for waiting for so long until I could proceed with the purchase, and to my wonderful wife Heather for her loving support.

Can't quite believe it..

Dave

...and speaking personally, an era comes to an end. I am truly sad that after 18 years I actually let the scope go, but happy in the knowledge that it has gone to Dave; someone who will use and cherish it like I never seemed to have time to.  Congratulations Dave, and nice meeting you, I'm sure you'll have lots of fun with it.

Tony. 

2 hours ago, YKSE said:

Congratulations to the fabulous scope, Dave, I think you can give the magic word "I'm done" a proper meaning after this beauty.

That's two words or three technically. XD

Yes, you've seen my FL102s (OTA) before and a GP mount, but how about them together at last, finally ready to do the business - the Clearoutside site reports the next couple of nights are clear, so fingers crossed she might finally get the first night time photons in over 10 years:

My wife thought I was spying on the neighbours...  

Minus dew shield to admire the..

OG:

As usual Mike gets there, minutes before me  

FC Fluorite element at rear

FS Fluorite element at front..

Oh and guys it's not Flourite, we're not baking cakes here! 

And saying it again, lovely scopes guys, and John we're still waiting for first light...

Tony.

4 hours ago, John said:

Usually I introduce scopes that have come into my possession as "new to me". In this case though, this one is literally brand new and fresh from Japan. Takahashi FC-100-DL

 

Absolutely gorgeous scope John, can't wait to read about First Light. 

On another Tak related note, my FC-60 has finally been assembled and recently had Second First Light - see Observing Reports for the report. More pics below:

Tony.

55 minutes ago, Stu said:

Well the member in question had around 16000 posts with 17 likes..... ???. Perhaps he posted in a rather obscure area of the forum?

I think it is easier to get more likes now as there are significantly more members than when some of the original members (a few of whom are into the 20k or even 30k Mark) started, so their ratios will likely be lower.

I think I'm around 0.66 too, FWIW, not really considered it before.

There was a time, when I had a silly name on here that I had more profile views than posts which was weird! Something like 4000 views with 3000 posts if I remember correctly.

It's cos you look like Bruce Lee...

Tony.

57 minutes ago, moriniboy said:

I kept the green tupperware tub and sold the scope, liked it that much!

Indeed, the tub has generous aperture too...

6 minutes ago, John said:

Lovely scope Tony - brings back nice memories of 1980's and early 90's scope catalogues and what I then could only dream of

I hope you still have the green tupperware accessories container !

You scope must be from the same era as my Vixen ED102SS - the logo is exactly the same style and positioning.

Unfortunately I had to let that scope go to help fund a FL102s, and the green tupperware container left with it, I did ask them if I could keep it but they refused  Seriously though I still have a slightly newer (by a few years) one that came with the fluorite.. We should create a new thread titled 'Show us your green tupperware container' 

Tony.

My Vixen SP-102m from early '92 newly assembled just after unpacking:

And yes, that is a 14" Binatone B&W CRT TV in the background, itself about 10 years old, at that time!

Tony.

1 hour ago, John said:

It's interesting - in the past on the forum (I've been a member for around a decade now) I can't recall Takahashi gear getting mentioned all that much. Now there seems to be loads on show. Have our pockets got deeper or perhaps or have these things become more accessible ?

 

 

 

 

That is interesting, however don't forget that while I may post about my Taks now, I actually bought them 17 years ago. But even without mine in that equation it's still an interesting point, also don't forget that we tend to remember things that we have interest in. So maybe your ideas of which scope interests you during the last ten years is the thing that's actually changed.  Memory can be selective like that, what I'm getting at is maybe Takahashi gear has always been consistently mentioned however you haven't been consistently interested in it to remember? Or maybe you have and you are correct, who knows?

1 hour ago, DRT said:

That's interesting, John. I've only been active here a couple of years and Taks seem to have been on the top end list throughout that time.

Something else that I have noticed, mainly from eyepiece threads, is the premium that is now attributed to Japanese optics since the Tsunami wiped out some of their production capability.

Is the Japan-is-best fetish weaving its way into the desire to own Taks?

Random thoughts, please don't shoot me!

It's possible, but when I bought my Tak's 17 years ago, they were just as desirable then as now.  Ever since they've been on the scene they've been on the top end. I started in astronomy in '91 and BC&F (the longest running Telescope dealer in the UK) always sung their praises.  Of course that is from a Telescope perspective, not necessary an EP perspective.  Although I can confirm their EP's are of great quality as well having acquired a handful around the same time as the scopes.

3 hours ago, DirkSteele said:

Loving the Tak FC-60.  Never seen one in the wild.  Not very common as I understand.

Just for you 

Serial number: 99009 - 9th one in '99:

4 hours ago, Stu said:

Lovely scopes Tony, really gorgeous.....shame about the socks ????

They were a present!  Well that's my excuse...

After an astronomy hiatus of 10-15 years - the great unpacking recently - on the mounts/tripods later - just checking OTA's:

Takahashi FC-60: (This will be mounted on a Bogen Manfrotto Tripod - grab and go) Bought new April '99 (True Technology). Mint.

Optics never cleaned (not necessary).

Vixen FL102s: (This will be mounted on a Vixen GP mount/tripod) - bought new Sept '95. (Broadhurst Clarkson & Fuller). Great condition.

Optics never cleaned (not necessary).

Takahashi FS-128: (This will be mounted on a Takahashi EM-2 mount/tripod) - bought new March '99 (True Technology). Mint.

Optics never cleaned (not necessary).