grjsk

My new TS Optics 102 mm f7 ed scope had just arrived, and even though the moon was big and threatening, I just had to give it a go. This was an evening of firsts; I also chose to check out a local dark spot about 25 min away from me. It's bortle 5, which is a lot better than Bortle 8 sky I live under. It was also completely free from any man made light!

When I arrived there where no need for any red light, the moon gave me all the light I needed to set up. Oh well. 

Up until now I have only used a red dot as a finder. This evening I tried out a 6x30, and star hopping was so much easier! Point with the red dot, star hop with the finder, and boom, the target right in sight. I very nice combo indeed. 

Even the M42 was dangerously close to the moon I had to start there. I have previously been a bit dissapointed with the view of it in my 70 mm frac back home, but this time it was a marvel to look at, even with the moon creating a lot of light. No need for averted vision, I could clearly see alot even without it. I took a snap shot with my iPhone, and I was surprised I actually saw colors! To moon glow is very visible though. 

I went on to M31. I was expecting much, but at least I could clearly see it. Snapped a picture here as well. 

I roamed around a bit, enjoying the freedom I felt the 6x30 gave me. M45, the Hyeades, all around Orion, before I turned to the moon. My scope was frosting up, and I started to get cold, so I wrapped it up.

I'll certainly invest 25 min driving to this spot again another time!

1 minute ago, parallaxerr said:

Hi grjsk,

No, the alignment of the screws is not a problem, functionally. It just bugged me given the other issues I was having. If your focuser is OK then I'm sure the scope will perform fine!

Thanks alot, that was the answer I was hoping for!

On 27/02/2019 at 16:27, parallaxerr said:

I couldn't agree more John.

To add further confusion, I've just had another look over the scope and it appears the focuser is misaligned with the adapter ring too. I'm not sure how the two parts are mated together but all of the images show the focuser aligned with the adapter ring with respect to the bottom of the 3 adapter ring screws sitting central to the bottom of the focuser. However, mine is a good way out. It didn't dawn on me at the time, but this will be why the logo on the fixed dew shield was skewiff when I fitted the scope to my mount.

Finally, I also just realised the instructions TS sent me to adjust the focuser are for a completely different focuser.

Radio silence for another 7hrs......I have literally had it with this ordeal. ???

I apologies for resurrecting this old thread, but since it is a related issue I figured it was better to continue this one, than starting another.

I just received the TS 102, and the focuser had made a dent in the packaging just as you experienced. However, because I ordered a few other things as well in the same order, the scope was in a box that was in a another box, and there where lots of foam in between. The focuser cap was intact, and the focuser actually feels quite good. I havent tested it alot though. 

My question is about the misalignment of the screws: mine are just like that as well. Does that have to be a problem? Or is it just something that happens when the scope is put together? I hoping to test it properly tonight, but I am still a rookie in this hobby, and I fear I might miss a defect simply by beeing to unexperienced.. 

Finally upgraded my Mercury-705 to a TS-Optics 102mm f7. Got the SW 100ED case for it. It's a nice fit, just needed a little trimming to fit the focuser. Got room for all the important accessories as well: 6x30 finder, diagonal, 32mm plossl, Baader zoom and a barlow. Since the case fits a f9 scope, I got room for a red dot and the few filters as well. Can't wait for the clouds to clear!

On 13/12/2019 at 23:26, Rob Sellent said:

Grouping of Cases:

 

All very similar. The only 'nag' and which can be seen in this pic is that the SW case's handle doesn't seem quite as firm or as solidly built as the others.

Thanks alot for the pictures; really helpful. It seems like the case they sell today is quite a bit different. The interior has a different layout, and for instance the handle looks much more robust now. Because of the price, and the fact that I simply need something to store the scope safely, and carry it for 200-300 meters, I guess the SW version should do. Thanks again. 

38 minutes ago, Rob Sellent said:

I don't think you can go wrong with either.

I use the SW case for my Vixen 102s f9 and use the slightly smaller version of the TS-optic case you've referenced for my TeleVue 76. Both are sturdy and solid but I feel the TS-Optic case has a slightly more robust, heavy-duty feel to it.

Both cases offer ample room, decent foam cushion all the way around, on the bottom and on the top. Both have their corners reinforced and decent clasps set in the middle of the lid. Both feel secure when lifting with the scope inside but at this junction the TS-Optic case feels slightly more secure than the SW one.

On the other hand, there is no built in room given for accessories in the TS case whereas the SW one has space made for a finder, large 2" diagonal and a few eyepieces. However, in my own SW case unless I wish to do a little push and squeezing or a little cutting of foam, these eyepiece holes do not fit Baader's Mark IV zoom.

If it helps, I can take some pics and post them up a little later?

That would very helpful! Thank's alot for offering.

I'm considering getting the TS-Optics ED 102 mm f/7 (FPL-51):

102 mm f7

and I would like to get a solid case for it as well. Have any of you ever used the case for the SW 100ED on a smaller scope?

100ED case

I like this case because of it's price (£66 ex vat) and the fact that there is room for accessories in it as well. I only ever use a Baader Zoom, 32 Plossl and a Barlow, so I'll probably fit everything I need in the case. The alternative is something like this:

TS-Optics case

It's probably a better fit, and I'm guessing there is no need for any modifications, but it is more expensive (€121 ex vat) and I would need a separate case for accessories, which probably would cost me another €/£ 40-60.

On 08/12/2019 at 10:40, markse68 said:

From my recent experience under Bortle 8/9 skies a uhc does make a lot of difference with Orion- really helps bring out the nebulosity. Also I was surprised how much magnification brings out of it- with my highest 320x the trapezium area was really 3D and I spotted a fifth star in there which was very pleasing! This was with my 8”dob though so a fair bit more aperture (I’ve read you should be able to see 6 with a 6” scope though- maybe under better darker skies)

This is very true! 

I tried again last night. A very big moon, but the sky was clear so out I went. I started at 20x on M42; pretty much the same view as last time. Then I cranked it up to 62x, and then 122x. A big difference! The core was much more visable.  Then I tried the UHC-filter: even better! Truly a marvelous view. 

Snapped a new shot of the moon as well. 

After many weeks with heavy clouds, a clear sky was finally showing up. My 70mm refractor and AZ3 mount has served me well, but my new Twilight 1 on a 1,75 inch steel tripod with an extension pier was about to get its debut.

First observation: it is heavy! The az3 was not even 4 kg; the new setup is almost 13! Truly a big difference. I do not really need such a mount with the 70mm, but since I am planning to upgrade to something bigger in the future, I thought it would be a waste to buy something better for the 70mm alone. Although the Twilight 1 has gotten a bit of critic I hope it will serve all my needs with a few modifications.

Anyway, I put the mount head and the extension pier in a backpack, grabbed the case with the scope and accessories in one hand, and the tripod in the other, and lugged of through the snow to my “local” dark site (a small field in the woods behind a parking lot; a lot more dark than my balcony!)

I started out the M42, my very first view of this one! 70mm + Bortle 8 skies is not really a good match for DSOs, but nebulosity was visible with averted vision. I could not see much while looking straight at it. A bit disappointed really, since most of my viewing will be from this spot, and I was hoping for a bit more on M42. I had forgotten my UHC filter, and I did not bother to go back for it at this time, but it might have improved things. Snapped a picture with my iPhone 6, and you can actually see some nebulosity there. A handy way of documenting my viewings.

I moved over to the Hyades followed by the Pleiades. Always a nice view, nice and crisp.  I went back to Orion, and just paned around for a bit. It is always interesting to view the color differences in stars, and in Orion you have a nice mix: from the orange Betelgeuse to the intense white Rigel.

I ended the evening with the moon. Snapped a picture of that one as well. All in all a pleasant night!

Very nice pictures. What phone, app and settings did you use?

On 27/08/2018 at 09:29, Susaron said:

I have an ED72 since June, and with 1.25'' like the Baader Zoom when the set up is 20 or 24mm is not possible to achive focus. I have no other 1.25'' pieces as I keep my eyepieces to 3 ES 100º ones (20mm, 9mm and 5,5mm), with all off them being 2'' I achieve focus without problem, but as said when you increase the distance adding the 2'' to 1.25'' adapter from the diagonal in order to use 1.25'' pieces is not possible to get in focus at lower magnification.

Cheers.

Hi,

did you ever find a solution to this problem? I was hoping to get this scope and use it as a travel scope with a 1.25’’ diag and the Baader Zoom (IV). You were using it with a 2’’ diag right, and an adaptor? Did you ever try it with a 1.25’’ diag and the Baader?

cheers,

Stian

Excellent report! A very nice read. What did you use to create those images/sketches? They look really nice.

6 minutes ago, alan potts said:

I use the same YR no, we get fog but it only develops around 4 in the morning, skies here are superb, with a touch of wind and after rain they are as good as I have seen anywhere and I have traveled a lot. I too like you wonder where the fog comes from as we had 43 clear nights and days then a bit of rain for two days and now this 16 night run.

Alan 

Wow, I'm jealous, I haven't had a clear night since october 7th..

15 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

That is just because I use yr.no as my weather provider - they give forecast for much of Europe and are precise enough

Haha, that explains alot! I actually use another norwegian service; storm.no. If you select the Storm/YR tab on the website, you get both services side by side. Quite convenient. When they both agree it's usually correct!

15 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

Over here it's been quite interesting 25-26C + during the day. We had warmest October day in past 60+ years couple a days ago with temperatures over 28C.

Heating season starts around 15th of October (for those on remote / central heating) and most people that do their own heating start even earlier than that - second week of October. Average daily temperature for October here is about 12.4C. Last two weeks we did not get down to that temperature even in the early mornings. It's also much drier than usual.

Warm weather will apparently continue until beginning of the next weak.

Btw, I'm also currently in my shorts

 

Hmm, looks like Serbia and Norway uses the same weather service layout. This is for Oslo:

Haven't seen the sun in a while, hoping the next week will bring some clear skies..

After what feels like ages without clear skies, I'm contemplating to use my 70mm scope for terrestrial views as well. I would also like to get a tripod that I can put in a backpack to bring on hiking trips. I have been looking at something like this:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p8275_TS-Optics-Optics-A284FMO-Aluminium-Tripod---Height-145-mm-to-1670-mm.html

It says it can handle 15 kg, but what is the maximum weight you would put one something like this with both stargazing and bird viewing in mind?

I'm also unsure about the mount head. Something like this is an option:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p9334_TS-Optics-Tilting-Head-and-Altazimuth-Mount-for-photo-tripods.html

Small, lightweight. Sturdy enough for a sub 2 kg scope I would assume, but without slow motion. Another option is something like this:

https://www.365astronomy.com/365Astronomy-AZ5-Versatile-Vari-angle-Micro-Motion-Alt-Azimuth-Telescope-Mount-HEAD-ONLY.html

It's bigger, heavier (1,9 kg), but it allows both paning around and slow motion. 

Do any of you have any experince with any of these?

40 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Just so happens my TS-AZ5 will be going up for sale next month when I get my AZ100. 😁

PM sent

I'll admit the Skytee 2 is tempting. And with something like this perhaps:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-replacement-saddles/adm-vixen-style-saddle.html

If I end up with the Skytee; would I need a new clamp, as I see alot of other people recommend, for a scope like the TS102 or 100ED, or are they light enough so that is not needed?

I’ve done some more digging, and it seems that the ED100 is 3,5 kg with rings, and that the TS-102 is 5 kg with rings. Sounds strange that the shorter 714mm is 1,5 kg heavier than the 900mm..

The ED80 is about 3 kg.

26 minutes ago, Ben the Ignorant said:

Look at that, slashed prices on minimal-power, maximal-field eyepieces that give the right exit pupil for scopes around f/7 or f/9!

https://www.bresser.de/Sale/EXPLORE-SCIENTIFIC-Maxvision-68-Okular-40mm.html

https://www.bresser.de/Sale/EXPLORE-SCIENTIFIC-68-Ar-Okular-34mm-2.html

 

Hanging around on this forum gets more costly by the minute!

Yeah, seems like the cost is steadily rising  Suddenly I'm up to 1100 euro for scope, mount + tripod and travel case. And I would have to get some dovetail clamps as well it seems. I was considering a 80mm doublet in the beginning (something like a 80ED, 435 euro from FLO) but I figured the jump up from 70mm to 80mm wouldn't be worth it. Might have to reconsider that now, since at least it would be more viable on the AZ-3.

17 hours ago, John said:

It's not the weight so much but the length of the scopes that stresses the mount. The AZ-5 might be OK with the F/7. I have doubts as to how suitable it would be with the F/9 but it might be OK. The stock tripod of the AZ-5 is not too stable so a tripod upgrade should be strongly considered.

 

Hmm, that's a shame.  You don't happen to have any experience with any of these:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p8069_TS-Optics-Altazimuth-Mount-with-Fine-Adjustment-and-Quick-Release.html

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p1753_TS-Optics-Altazimuth-Mount-GSAZ-with-fine-adjustment-and-tripod.html

The first seems to be the same as the VersaGo III/Twilight 1, and the last one the GSO Skyview. Both seems like a step up from Az-3/Az-5 in regards to stability, without a giant leap in price.

I really enjoy the slow motion controls, so I don't think the AZ-4 is an option. The AZ-5 has the same weight limit as the AZ-3, but is it regarded as a more sturdy mount overall? That could be an option..

4 minutes ago, John said:

If the objectives are figured to a similar quality (which is likely) then there won't be a lot of difference, just a touch more false colour around bright objects and possibly the F/9 might be able to handle higher powers wiht a touch more aplomb. I have a 102mm ED doublet that works at F/6.5 which I think uses an FPL-51 element but the false colour is not intrusive at all.

A well figured F/7 ED doublet is a very versatile scope being able to handle both high powers and deliver wide fields of view at low powers 

Thanks for your swift reply. Do you think both of them will be okay on a simple AZ-3? I will most likely use a simple red dot and 1,25'' diagonal and eypieces, and not of the heavy premium kind.