Sunshine

6 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Sunshine, many Congratulations on your beautiful Tak!

You have a wonderful refractor mounted on a wonderful Vixen mount, a marriage made in heaven👍☺️.

I have had a couple of Moonlite focusers, and upgraded a big 5" F15 D&G USA scope with a polished aluminium one from Moonraker  about 5 years ago (see photo). They are great focusers but the bearings can wear and will be pricey to repair or replace if they do break down.

I do have to say I prefer the precision of a good rack and pinion, they don't tend to slip under load and just have "feel" that the Moonlites lack a bit, good though they are.

I've had my Tak FS128 for almost 4 years now and have never felt the need to change the original R&P focuser: I did buy a Tak MEF3 microfocuser to turn it into a dual speed unit, and  which gives me a 7x reduction for high power fine focusing, and it works very well. Not cheap new, but I found an excellent used one for £150. I'm not sure if this one would fit a TSA though, Jeremy would probably know, he has a good handle on these things..

I honestly think you're TSA looks just "complete" with its original focuser. Congratulations again, enjoy!

Dave 

Thank you! you have a beautiful focuser on that amazing scope, it looks to have a focal length of 1km, it must be a planet killer!

A beautiful image, gotta love mono.

11 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Now that definitely looks the part. Especially with the green TSA serial number plate 👍
A timeless classic if ever there was one 

Yes! I was wondering if there is a way to snug up the dew shield cap, it seems to fit on fairly loose and, I feel that if the scope was tilted down a bit it will fall off. Maybe adding some thicker felt around the perimeter would help? or maybe

someone has a different idea.

That is a wonderful image!

9 hours ago, dweller25 said:

Excellent choice, very robust and superb optics, it will last a lifetime.

Welcome to the club.......

Thanks! I notice you also have yours on a Vixen GP, I love that mount as it is built like a tank and, it is smooth as silk.

I have decided to put the Tak focuser on, I rather like the look of it, it seems as god intended it to be.

6 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Well, you've seen the Tak factory videos about the company's engineering, attention to detail and hand tuning.

I've got the original focuser on all 6 of my Taks 🙂

This says a lot.

Now for some opinions on the focuser, i am torn between leaving the moonlight on or, putting the original focuser on (I will keep both). Are Tak focusers as under engineered as many say? looking at the focuser it sure looks like

something you'd see on any department store scope (visually only) I'm not sure to what spec it is made. Having said  that, what would you do? the original has no dual speed but otherwise it seems smooth and works fine.

I always like to set up while there is still a bit of sun poking over the horizon. Many times i have made mistakes, tripped over something etc, trying to set up in the dark is risky.

Impressive image, detail is stunning!

Thanks for all the congrats everyone! now if the clouds would break maybe i can do some star splitting!

Exciting report! always great to hear when others are having a blast, nothing but clouds for weeks on end here.

Nice report, I enjoy reading reports from those new to the hobby, it takes me back to when my late father would pack the car with us all and head to dark skies with my first scope.

You will have countless other nights like this with your family, is there anything more precious? I think not.

After dreaming about owning a Tak I finally have one, I find myself with butterflies in my stomach thinking this is too good for me lol. It all happened when I responded to a classified ad for an unrelated item then struck a conversation with a gentleman who happens to have several Tak’s including a TOA150.  Once he heard me mention how much I wanted to have a Tak one day, his next sentence was “well I have a couple which I don’t use much anymore” considering he has about 15 scopes. He was willing to part with this mint TSA-102 which I jumped on. It is fitted with a beautiful moonlight focusser, the original focuser he gave me also, in case I wanted the authentic look or for resale one day I can offer the original focuser. 

 This will be my first and last Tak (my wife said emphatically) “ok sweetie” I replied, I hope so because they are pricey and, I’m not rich. Anyway, I’d love to hear about any experiences with this scope some of you may have, the nice fellow who sold it said “on a night of good seeing you’ll run out of power, it takes magnification like a champion” I can’t wait for a clear night. This is more scope than I’ve ever had, I’m ecstatic, I almost got dizzy when I stood back and looked at it after I put it on my Vixen GP. It sure is a beautiful scope and, being a fan of splitting doubles, this scope should make short work of difficult doubles, seeing permitting.

That is one smashing 200P up there! ⬆️☝️

Great image!

Beautiful scope! 

Nice shot! welcome to SGL, have fun searching the forum and don't be shy about asking questions.

Fascinating, at those magnitudes they're well beyond by scope, even if it were in orbit.

Congrats on what sounds like a great first night!

Very nice contrasty moon shots!

Welcome!

Hello Bill, Welcome to SGL! nice kit you have, I look forward to seeing some of your images.

Hello Pete, welcome to SGL, its great you're enjoying the 150P, its a great scope!

No need to fear, my friend, once you handle the 200P you'll quickly get the idea. Push to dobsonian telescope require the user to rest their fingers on the scope and ever so slightly move it to keep the target in the FOV. Depending on the amount of magnification you are using at any moment, it will require more or less moving, more for high power and less when using lower magnifications. This is a learning curve but, one which you will get the hang of quickly, no need to question your decision on the 200P. There is a reason why it is one of the most recommended scopes for beginners, it wouldn't be if it were difficult for a beginner to grasp quickly. Once you use it you will see what i am talking about.

I would stop reading too many posts, if you would like a great visual scope for a beginner then you need look no further.

Well, read these posts here yes lol