Sunshine

4 hours ago, Cjg said:

Good morning, 

The eyepiece experience is a much, much tougher question.

I've had many more hours with the 125 since my first light report, since July 2018.

The planets are great, Jupiter and Saturn have been superb, but not Mars. (Most recently looked at approx 2 weeks ago) it's too bright at present. I used my Panoptic 24mm and 9mm Nagler. I'll have another attempt when the weather improves, but at that time, it felt very much as if I needed an ND filter to "dim down' the brightness.

All of the comments have been about the Stowaway; ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/479353680354/posts/10166985478450355/ ) it's probably seen a little more action as the weather has been less than settled. If I had to keep just 1 scope, then it would be the Stowaway...

Probably no help whatsoever, sorry!!

Chris

 

This Facebook post is somewhat of an eye opener, what strikes me is the fact that your stowaway seems to have stole the show, a sub4” refractor left people mesmerized at the view it produced. What you say about Mars in your post is also an eye opener, when I point my TSA-102 at mars even in mediocre seeing I see Mars, may be a bit shaky in mediocre seeing but I see surface detail and it’s color is always a bronzy orangy hard to describe Martian color, it’s wonderful. 

The 102 isn’t going anywhere, no matter what larger refractor I choose.

2 hours ago, Mart29 said:

That's me through the cctv, with my phone light on cus i knocked the bloody rubber cup off the eyepiece! 

This is the very definition of "show us your setup in action at night"

Look at those pneumatic piston thingies that close the mirror covers, like something right out of a sci-fi movie.

1 hour ago, Deadlake said:

What mount are you going to use?

Me? I have an alt az mount capable of quite a bit more weight than the 125,  UA Doublestar tandem mount, it can take 35lbs on main saddle no issues.

3 hours ago, ollypenrice said:

Talking about extremes, a friend about 20 miles away uses a 31mm Nagler for planetary observing. I have to stand on a box to reach that eyepiece...

lly

OMG who is your friend? Jeff Bezos or Thanos?

5 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Part of the issue is if you have more than one scope.

This is basically it in a nutshell, but aside from this fact, there are some of us (not me) who just buy them as they come along and add to a collection just like golfers. My neighbour has over 50 golf clubs, I don't get it.

8 minutes ago, Cjg said:

Good luck in choosing @Sunshine!

I went to a 125mm as an increase in aperture from a Tak 76; a huge difference in "light gathering". 

My 125 is a doublet from a UK company called Altair Astro; the same scope is available from other retailers under differing brand names. 

This is a slightly newer version with a handle included though the scope is OTA, I think, is the same https://www.altairastro.com/altair-wave-series-125-edf-f78-apo-w-large-m92-rp-focuser-454-p.asp

No noticeable 'cool down' time needed, but I tend to drive to Seething Observatory (the home of Norwich Astro - my local club) with the heating off, or on a minimal amount.

Am not sure if you plan on using your existing mount, but a frac of this size and weight needs careful balancing at the start and handling, especially at the end of a session when you are cold / tired packing away.  I use an Alt Az manual mount that needs counterweights, so more time to set up / take down.

I upgraded my Tak to a 92mm Stowaway, and it really depends upon the weather forecast as to which gets used...if the weather forecast is for clear skies for most of the night, then it's the 125mm that accompanies me, but, if the forecast is less than settled, then it's the Stowaway.

Good luck in choosing!

Chris

Thank you for the info! great to hear you are Happy with your Altair Astro 125, I decided not to rush headlong into a snap decision and prefer to gather input from those who have larger doublets and can speak from experience at the eyepiece.

Since you were nice enough to contribute (thanks) I will ask about your experience at the eyepiece, how are planetary views? I am not looking for triplet performance in a doublet but I would not enjoy glaring CA, a tad is fine. Many doublets good doublets seem to struggle with Mars, particularly.

UPDATE: Upon searching out your scope I found your SGL review from 2018 front and centre on google, funny part isI was the second person to leave a comment 😂 funny how we can forget.

26 minutes ago, dweller25 said:

@Sunshine These scopes are getting very good reviews….. and it’s a doublet 

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p10133_TS-Optics-Doublet-SD-APO-125-mm-f-7-8---FPL-53---Lanthanum-objective.html

That does seem like a gem! I especially like the 975mm FL for both visual and planetary imaging, the longer the better. Question is, are these available in North America? or I guess if I was to decide on this scope i would order straight from UK and the price seems irresistible.

3 hours ago, Saganite said:

There is also the APM ED 140, very highly regarded and worth consideration.  I was very impressed with what I read about it, but the 152 ED became available  first.

This APM 140 ED doublet is interesting, I have read all about it and it does seem impressive from a price vs aperture ratio, I have seen one in the flesh but haven’t looked through it.

Welcome to SGL and enjoy the forum!

51 minutes ago, dweller25 said:

Did someone say FS128 🤣🤣🤣🤣😈😈😈

It seems both yourself and F15Rules own the only two FS128's ever produced.🙄

11 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

The FS128 OTA weighs just 7.5kg. with finder, diagonal and large 2" eyepiece you're looking at c 9-9.5kg. Data below is from my FS128 manual:

Takahashi FS-128

Aperture 128mm

Focal Length 1040mm

Focal Ratio F8.1

Tube Length 1176mm

Weight 7.5Kg

The tube is, like all FS scopes, is oversized, but lightweight. It's tube diameter is 145mm (almost 6"), and c165mm at the dewshield.

If you haven't already seen it, this is a great review of the FS128 done some years ago in the UK by Roger Vine:

http://scopeviews.co.uk/TakFS128.htm

Hope that helps😊

Dave

Thank you! I trust Roger Vine like I trust my wif...uh mom! he really knows his stuff.

On 12/04/2022 at 06:26, nicoscy said:

Indeed they are - lightweight, allows for mounting two scopes and can handle easily large refractors!

Forget the scope, you have a Space Invaders arcade machine! 

WOW I love this image!  both the contrast and amazing detail in those dust lanes make this image seem Hubble like.

Wonderful!

3 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

You could always keep your eye out for a second hand FS128. Or of course a TSA120. You are a Tak fan after all.

I have to admit that 5" is a magical aperture where good refractors are concerned, but as the pic's below show, they can be hefty beasts that require a substantial mount to do them true justice. I feel there is a more obvious jump in performance between a 4" to 5" than between a 5" to 6".

My FS128 pier mounted on a Losmandy GM8 in my garden. The mount was covered with a canvas bag when not in use, and over the years the electronics never got wet. A permanent pier massively reduces the need for treking back and forth during set-up.

FS128 (2006)

 

Field Trip to Huddersfield Astro Society with my FS128 on a Celestron/Losmandy G11 and field tripod, along with my son Daniel with his ST102 and Floppy Bear. (Transit of Venus 2004).

Here's a scope that will impress, and very manageable, though it still needs a strong mount. My Equinox 120ED mounted on a Hercules Helix Altazimuth Fork at the Astronomy Centre Toddmorden. (2010 ish?)

 

Another impressive option is the Meade 127 triplet. This is a beast much like the 128 in its hunger for a strong, stable mount. This one belonged to my late friend Phil, and again a permanent pier mounting really benefited this scope. Interestingly, when attached to a pier, a Vixen GO would carry it solidly. (2011).

 

 

 

That FS128 looks fearfully large from that angle in the first photo, thank goodness I have an alt-az mount capable of 40lbs on just one side, what does the FS128 weigh? (I could easily look it up but then what are forums for?)

5 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

I think Mike nailed it with his opinion that "I feel there is a more obvious jump in performance between a 4" to 5" than between a 5" to 6".

In case it's of any interest to @Sunshine, I posted my thoughts below in answer to a thread asking the question "if money was no object (ie if you had unlimited budget), what 4" or 5" quality refractor would you buy?:

"IMHO it depends whether you mean by "money no object" a new or used scope..

If new, I'd probably go for Tak, but would definitely also consider TEC, Pentax (if they were still available) or maybe a TV127 (is it still available?

I couldn't consider Astro Physics as I won't live long enough to get up their waiting list!🤦. I couldn't in good conscience contemplate an Lzos scope now either.

If buying used, at 4" aperture I'd go for a Vixen, whether ED or SD103s, or the classic FL102 without hesitation: they are optically right up there with Tak or anything else, but they don't for some reason hold their used value like Taks do, so they make fabulous used buys. Another pair of great used  "dark horses" are the Celestron and Skywatcher  ED100 F9 doublets..superb optical performance with budget mechanics at an affordable price. I've owned both of these scopes and was very pleased with them.

At 5" aperture, I'm lucky enough to have one of the best, my lovely Tak FS128..they are however very rare in the UK (I know of 3 others, and not cheap). Other great used 5" choices could be:

- Tak TSA 120..ok, not quite 5" but an 8-10mm difference wouldn't probably be significant under most nights' skies. Now discontinued I believe, but come up used now and again.

- Astro Physics Starfire.. not common though and very expensive.

 - Vixen SS130 again very rare, but I've seen a couple under £1600 in the past.

- D&G 5" F12 or F15 achromats..truly amazing scopes, with almost Apo like correction especially at F15. But again not common and really need a pier or pillar type permanent mounting due to their size and length.

-Meade ED127 doublet. A bit left field, these, and not common, but by all accounts excellent performers and I've seen them for sale used well under £1000.

-APM are also offering some superb 150mm F8 ED doublets (a friend of mine has one and loves it)..not sure if they do a 5" version though.

- I should also include the various Skywatcher 120ED doublets..I've owned 2, an Equinox and a DS Pro: to be honest, I didn't get on with them myself, but I know that many on SGL have them or have had them, and loved them, so I was probably either unlucky or unfair with mine. The Equinox had a lovely build quality too. They certainly represent great value for money as a used proposition."

HTH..

Dave😊

 

 

Fantastic advice! thanks, since I am in no hurry, well who am I kidding yes I am! but I will exercise patience and see what I find out there. God knows with my luck if I rush, the day after I purchase something an FS128 will pop up and I’ll have to run my head through a wall lol.

I feel like I could see detail down to the size of a bottle cap 🤣  amazing images, as always!

Though I have not decided yet on any particular doublet, the Stellarvue does have very favorable reviews and it seems they grind their own lenses in house. Below is a sky and telescope video of their process for those who are interested, I would love to hear back and forth opinions on their process by optical guru’s here on SGL.

19 minutes ago, RobertI said:

(1) are you keeping the TSA-102 or is the new scope a replacement? (2) what type of object/observing are you hoping to improve?

Good questions, I have a feeling that answering number two will lead into my getting a schooling? 😂 I intend to keep the 102 BUT! I cannot say what would happen IF a larger premium doublet were to wow me enough that it is the only one I reach for. I'm just spit balling here but I would assume that an extra 20-30 mm of grasp is substantial, especially if were talking about a premium doublet. UHH, I just want because I want and at the moment I can have, don't corner me because I will cry 🤣 I am aware of how good my 102 is but when we get an itch, we must scratch. If I found an FS128 I would feel like a god, but there aren't many around.

Hello! and thanks for the replies in advance, I am ready to pull the trigger on a larger refractor but I find myself as most of us do, in an ocean of options and analysis paralysis. 😅 As many of you know I currently have just one refractor but it is a charmer, the TSA-102 leaves me wanting nothing more when it comes to 4" refractors but I am only human and I would love some more photons. This is where it gets tricky, I have made a hard decision about what type I would like (triplet vs doublet) and the winner is a doublet but it must be a good one, one which will impress as I have been spoiled. My reasons in favour of a doublet are weight, cool down time, not for imaging (main reason) and price,  There are many stellar doublets out there, some which can fool one into believing they are looking through an APO. There are several choices I have entertained within my budget  of around 4K CAD but one which really stands out to me is the Stellarvue SVX127D, it seems to be a great doublet for planetary, Lunar, and double stars which happen to be the targets I spend the vast majority of my time on. Can anyone suggest other options I may be missing in this price range or lower? considering my viewing habits, I am sure there are many more out there and I would love to hear from fellow forum friends who have similar equipment and observing routines.

Great! thanks for this list, I will make note of these fine examples!

1 hour ago, mikeDnight said:

Sketching is a powerful visual observing aid.

Your sketches are absolutely wonderful! I especially like the double star sketches, I would buy a coffee table book of your sketches, all the while wishing I could sketch as beautifully.

1 minute ago, imakebeer said:

I think you've encapsulated it right there.

I like imaging - it appeals to my analytical nature, understanding what I did right, what I need to improve next time etc, gradually honing technique...

But then to come indoors and just leave the gear to do its thing? Spending time indoors with the family is important - but it still niggles that you're inside watching some garbage on TV when you could be enjoying something much more spectacular outside.

FWIW I do encourage them to come out and see if it's not too late, with a little success here and there 👍

It's almost like I need a second purely visual scope while the imaging one is doing its thing... Oh dear, this is how it starts isn't! 😂

If I get into DSO imaging I will always have my second scope out so I can enjoy the sky while my other scope does its thing, this would be the perfect marriage.

This past summer I attended a large star party where countless imagers set up their rigs and went to sleep at 11pm, the actual amateur astronomers stayed up till morning

sharing views through each others scopes, discussing past experiences, having a drink or two, and best of all exchanging numbers so that we could keep in touch. Imagers had

the audacity to ask me why there wasn't a camera on my scope instead of an eyepiece, my response was because a camera was incapable of grasping the sheer grandeur of 

what it was seeing. This is not to say I have an issue with imagers or I will never one day have a go at imaging but, never will I run in the house on a beautiful night and let my camera steal

the universe from me.

21 minutes ago, Vroobel said:

Something like that? There is the original Vixen/SW style bar underneath.

I'm ready for a direct comparison, but still something else is to do. 😐

BTW, the focuser 10:1 reductor also works not so smooth like the one attached to the triplet, but it's better than nothing.

 

Wow, look that the lengths of those two! does Altair still make them? or are they older models.