IB20

Uranus looking splendid! Those rings…

I’d also say the Starfield and iterations are only going one way in price, the current £899 is a very good price for what you’re getting. If you find a well loved one on the used market, you are getting a real bargain!

First clear night I’ve had opportunity to try out the new 4” APO and whilst at it I thought I’d compare it to the Takahashi 3” in 76Q configuration. Firstly, in a grab n go sense, the Tak took 30 seconds to take out on the Starbase AZ mount, a real one handed job at around 7kg. The Starwave on the other hand was taken out in two pieces; a hefty 9kg AZ4 mount on steel tripod and 4.5kg OTA. Still, all set up after 5 mins though so not too bad. I have seen such set-ups described on SGL as grab and groan, which I’d probably agree with, it’s certainly up there with the 8” dob. After 15-20 mins cool down it was time to test them optically (aesthetically they both look the business might I add). So trying to be fair and keeping to similar eyepieces, I opted for the 7XW in the 102 @ 102x and the 10XW in the Tak @ 96x. With the moon dominating it was really the only target to aim for first, so turned both OTAs towards our closest stellar neighbour. After focussing around the SW placed terminator and much to-ing and fro-ing between both scopes, it was fairly noticeable that there was more to see in the Starwave. What I mean by that was the ray patterns and lines were a bit more etched, the mare looked a bit richer and had a touch more depth and craterlets seemed to pop out a bit more. There wasn’t a huge difference between the main craters on show between their walls, shadows, nooks and crannies. Neither scope showed any false colour and the perfect contrast between whites and blacks were seemingly on a par with each other. I’m not certain there wasn’t anything I saw in the 4” that I didn’t see in the 3”; whereas switching that comparison around, I’m certain of it. After increasing the magnifications, it was only at the maximum I could get the 714mm Starwave, 286x with a 2.5mm TOE, where the little Tak started to get the upper hand. More atmospheric turbulence started showing and the image was a little softer in the Starwave, the 76Q on the other hand, happily ploughed on to 381x with the same eyepiece despite the appearance of some floaters at a now 0.2mm exit pupil. For some reason floaters don’t seem to bug me as much on the moon as they do on planets and white light solar. Realising I’d only checked out one target, I turned my attention to a double star that has impressed me in the shorter 76DCU configuration. Turning both scopes to Izar showed a beautiful golden and steel blue double, truly stunning and one of the best targets in the night’s sky. The Starwave showed a thicker and brighter first diffraction ring and larger gap but I’d say overall I preferred the views through the Tak as it was all just slightly better controlled, the colouration of the secondary is just mesmeric. So, about 2.5 hours of comparison and I looked at two target, 😅 but it was lots of fun. To summarise, I don’t know what I came away being more impressed with, that the Starwave is as good if not better for some things as a 3” Tak or the 3” Tak is as good if not better than a 4” APO. One thing is certain, more comparisons will happen soon! Some gratuitous iPhone snaps and a sketch attached.

First light for the 102ed-r and the new ScopeStuff phone holder to try out some rough push to.

I desperately want to compare the Tak 76Q and the 102 Starwave FPL53 for a bit of fun. Not blummin’ likely with the current weather though, March has been honking! Not even a glimmer of solar either.

Excellent comparison. Feeling pretty chuffed that I’ve managed to bag the Altair version of the Starfield for a ridiculously cheap price. I have the Tak 76DCU which I think has the same focuser as the 100DC, I don’t actually mind the focuser but I hated the Tak collet and the plastic wheels were a bit cheap. I’ve upgraded it with the Baader clicklock and More Blue microfocuser and it’s very nice now. The Starwave focuser is really nice but yes sometimes the twist lock mechanism can occasionally stick and cause the focuser to rotate. I’ve found a bit of repetition in locking and unlocking is freeing the mechanism up though. Not had chance at first light yet but am very pleased to read your comparisons, particularly solar and Venus!

A combination of courier from @FLO and a lovely chap on ABS. Have wanted one of these for some time!

A new addition to my frac collection. 😁 Expect some Tak 76Q v 102ed-r shootout reports very soon!

There was a flare recorded at AR3257 at 13:50 today so yes I think that’s the event you were witnessing. 👍🏻

Thanks for this, I’ve been down a rabbit hole and think I may have found some bits to cobble together to try a makeshift version.

As far as I’m aware the Celestron Starsense seems to be the only thing that fits this bill. Strikes me as odd that versions of this aren’t everywhere? If it’s a patent issue, I’m surprised certain markets haven’t ignored these or why Celestron feel the need to flog this as a whole package rather than stand alone kit.

Great list of targets and report. Yep, the collet on my 76DCU has been swapped over to the clicklock. Used to drive me nuts swapping the Herschel wedge over. Info here if you’re interested.

Interesting catch from a Japanese observer of a “ghost” pup through a 120L Kenko achromat; D=120, L=1000. Very large blue flare in appearance but coincidentally in the correct position but not actually Sirius B.

There’s a Lunt 60 on ENS for a decent price. https://ensoptical.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=14591

Fantastic pics, nice to see the Starbase 80 on display. Really pleasing to see that the FC-100DC only costs £1385 inc. Japanese consumption tax! 😩

Cool. I get what you’re saying. Well I am drawing on an iPhone with my finger. It’s just a recalled representation of minute glimpses not an at eyepiece sketch. I’m going to try some lucky imaging next time, perhaps with the hexagonal mask trick.

I was observing in twilight so around 6:30-7pmish, if that helps?

It’s a digital sketch. Sirius is in favourable position for me for the next couple of weeks earlier on so I’ll be sure to keep trying for “a split”. I’m certain of detection, however.

Had another go at Sirius in lighter skies this evening. As before, there’s definitely something there, just off the shoulder of Sirius. Detected a separate dim dot multiple times very close to Sirius’ disc. Seemed to show “easier” in the lighter sky as wasn’t fighting so much glare. Maybe my brain is now tricking me in to seeing it because I know it should be there, it’s pretty convincing though.

Had a play around with this tonight, it’s pretty cool! This was the 3” Tak and pretty bad seeing with all the melting snow about. Won’t win any awards but managed to get the phase.

Memory refreshed!

Thanks for this, just dropped the scope outside for a quick view. Quite windy and seeing is sub-optimal but the sunspot formation is very nice. I could make out some granulation centrally and faculae were quite prominent towards the solar limbs. 👍🏻 Might keep the scope out for a crack at Venus and twilight Sirius.

Fantastic anecdote Mike, I have read all of Roger’s reviews as he has looked through some seriously nice scopes. It’s probably not what I wanted to hear though! The 100DL sounds like my dream scope, it’s the one that grabs my attention the most, especially with my love of planetary viewing. Sadly they must be rarer than rocking horse poo on the 2nd hand market. It’s always periods of inclement weather that get me dreaming of “bigger and better” kit. I mustn’t forget what a wonderful scope I currently have, there’s a chance it might clear tonight so hopefully I get a chance to remind myself. Don’t suppose it would hurt to start saving either though…

100DC v 76Q please! 🤣

I think the focuser on the 100DC and the 76DCU are the same. It has a very short amount of travel but it is really nice. I use big XWs and have tried BVs on and it handles fine. It would probably take a DSLR but it might also be best off getting the DF if that’s what you want to do. If you wanted to upgrade to a larger focuser from the DC you’re probably looking at £700 for a FT with adaptor and also probably months of lead time to source one too. If the DF is a goer for another £550 you could get the DZ if it was mainly for visual. 😈