HollyHound

I was tempted, having just bought the CQ Extender from the very same gentleman, but what on earth would I do with another FC-76... make a bino-scope 🤔 🤣

No idea what he means 🤣

I think this is an excellent plan, although I would suggest stretching that little bit (if you can) and get the FS-60Q... you get the FS-60CB then anyway and gives you flexibility. I agree, the objective unit is very pricey and almost as cheap to get the whole scope. I'm also not a big fan of swapping the parts, hence buying multiple scopes, but then they are designed to be swapped, so perhaps it's just Takitis strikes again 🤣 They do come up for sale very occasionally, in fact one just sold on ABS.

Hi Chris, Yes, I bought the FC-100DC in April, but as work got quite busy and I then acquired the Mewlon, it didn't get used as much as I would have liked, hence moving it on. The FC-76DCU did however, and as a result it remains my most used scope and one I would find very hard to sell now. Given the relatively small weight difference between the FC-100DC (which you have) and the FC-76DCU, perhaps actually you're best bet might be to go for the FS-60Q, which would give you two scopes in one effectively (just by removing the CQ Extender). You then have an option to buy the FC-76 Objective unit (as Stu says) or indeed buy an FC-76DCU (or another) when you're ready. Also worth noting that the clamshells/rings are compatible between these scopes too. I wish I could comment on the difference between FC-76DCU and FS-60Q, but I'm still waiting on my CQ 1.7 Extender (arriving this week), so I can only compare against the FS-60CB. The other advantage with the FS-60Q, is that FLO do actually have it in stock as well 👍 Hope that helps... cheers, Gary

I've got all the Taks you mention and recently sold my FC-100DC because, in reality I was using my others far far more. Admittedly, I have now bought another 100mm (the FC-100DZ), but I never claimed to be rational 🤣 Seriously, I would without hesitation recommended the FC-76DCU... mine sits on a ScopeTech Zero on a Berlebach Report 372 tripod, which lives just inside my office door. I can (and do regularly) grab this, plus a small case of eyepieces and head outside onto my back patio, and am observing in a minute. The scope cools very quickly, but is usable immediately. It can also be brought back in again, in under a minute, should the clouds (or rain) come back. It is the literal embodiment of "grab and go" 👍 The FS-60CB, I tend to use as a widefield "finder" scope on my AZ100, alongside the Mewlon 180 or (now) the FC-100DZ. I have used it for quick viewing, but it's short focal length means it's really better suited to "cruising" around the sky. However, I have just bought the CQ 1.7x Extender, which will convert it to an FS-60Q and so I may find this scope very useful as an alternative to the FC-76DCU. In reality, I think that's less likely, as the difference in size/weight would be minimal and the (small) loss of light gathering likely noticeable. I am therefore expecting the FS-60Q to remain as a second "finder" scope, but also something to use whilst the bigger scopes are cooling (the Mewlon takes a good while). My recommendation remains the FC-76DCU... just look at it... what's not to like 😁

Agree with that... I have a couple of the Takahashi straight through 6x30 finders, which are super clear and lovely to look through... but a pain to use when elevated beyond a certain angle... So, like you, I've fitted RACI finders to the Takahashi brackets and they work perfectly. Can't bring myself to part with the Tak finders though and do use one on the FOA-60Q for low elevation viewing sometimes. Same, missed a good few clear nights due to a cold 😬

What can I say... they say you never know what you'll miss until it's gone... realised that actually I do need a 100mm refractor in the arsenal 😁 I hope you're getting some lovely views with the FC-100DC... these are all beautiful scopes 👍

Ever since I started back in this hobby two years ago, I’ve absorbed tons of information, articles and reviews, lots from this very forum of course, but I’ve also read and re-read many times the reviews from this great website… http://www.scopeviews.co.uk In fact bizarrely it was the binocular reviews that got me back into looking at telescopes. The Takahashi reviews I found particularly absorbing and I have now gathered a little collection of them. I kept being drawn back to the review for the FC-100DZ though, and so I was lucky to find a lightly used example recently and it arrived today (perfectly packed thank you) 👍 Turns out it’s the same actual scope from that very website and I’m now it’s very happy third owner... how bizarre is that 😁

Ha ha, I'm already finding out how expensive these weddings are... this is however my own... got engaged a couple of months ago on holiday and we've now booked venues, dress, cars, photographer etc etc, so it's been an expensive few months and more to come, before the big day itself next November 🤣 However, whilst I've been tidying up a bit (been letting a few less used items go), I've still managed to add two new Taks to the herd (although one is an upgrade rather than new scope)... both incoming this week hopefully 🤞 Sticking to the theme of this thread... I just find that Takahashi usability, build and optical quality, work for me and I as I fully intend to have these scopes around as long as I can physically use them, am more than happy to spend a little more for what will hopefully be "lifetime" scopes 😀

Looks like it’s based on the Berlebach Castor, which I’ve used as a dual scope mount setup. Worked very well, very smooth in operation and remarkably lightweight for its payload capacity. Looks intriguing 🤔

Lovely scopes and great mount setup too 👍 You’ll love the AZ100 for visual/planetary, especially on the Uni18… super solid and smooth to operate with both scopes onboard. This was my setup a few months back… Mewlon 180C and Takahashi FC-100DC. I’ve since sold the FC-100, but have a “replacement” arriving soon. The MEF-3 is a good upgrade too. Great to see photos of yours upgraded when done 😃

Well you've inspired me to try and do more with my Mewlon 180C, so thank you and keep posting these amazing photographs 👍

Hi Dean, Although I don’t have either the CEMxx or GEMxx, I do have the iOptron AZ Mount Pro, and have successfully used it connected to SkySafari Pro (iPad app) since getting it. I’ve just checked my settings in the app (see screenshot) and noticed that the mount type I use also says “CEM”, so might be worth trying the same mount option 🤔 It’s great when it’s connects, such a great user experience when you just want to whizz around the sky, or indeed just want to sync the app with where the scope is pointing and ask “what is that?” 👍 Good luck, Gary

Wow, that is truly superb 👍 I really need to think about learning planetary photography.... I didn't realise my scope was capable of anything like this 😮

I have the exact same… works very well 👍

Seems I haven't tried hard enough to fit mine in place.... thanks Jeremy, I'll give it another go with the FOA-60(Q) 👍

Unfortunately the space around the scope is a bit too tight for leaving the finder on... all my Taks now have quick release finder shoes fitted and I store the finders separately. It "might" be possible to get a low profile finder ring set (I had one on my StellaMira) which might work, but not tested this.

An eyepiece around the size of the Pantoptic 15 no problem.... an Ethos or XW would struggle, although I didn't try with the diagonal rotated sideways 🤔

If it helps, this is the bag I stored my (now your) FC-100DC in... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescope-bags-cases-storage/oklop-padded-bag-for-100mm-900mm-apo-refractors.html I've also got the slightly smaller one for the FOA-60Q and the bigger one for the Mewlon 180C... they keep them from getting dusty and should protect them from slight knocks and scrapes. They're really well made too, and enough space to leave the diagonal (and even an eyepiece) attached, ready to go. My StellaMira 80 (see sales section), does have an aluminium carry case, which is also great, but that came with the scope and not sure they're available to buy for other scopes. I do keep the FC-76DCU mounted permanently on the ScopeTech/Report combo, as that is a genuine "grab and go" scope and get's carried outside (carefully) in one go 👍

I can confirm that the FS-60CB makes a great widefield or “finder” scope when used on the AZ100 👍

It is possible you may have a touch of astigmatism… I had the same “seagulls” initially when using my 10” f5 dob with low power eyepieces (XW30 in particular). I bought a 0.75 diopter Dioptrx which solved most of that, but then I saw coma. Adding a Paracorr II removed all aberrations. Bizarrely I don’t think I ever tried this Panoptic 24 in the dob, but I think astigmatism kicks in for me around 4mm exit pupil so would likely have had the same issue. I do remember seeing some astigmatism using my XW20 too 🤔 I believe the Dioptrx is compatible with Panoptic 24 too 👍

I've got the iOptron AZ Mount Pro, with a similar controller (the 8407, which also includes a handy little red LED light) and actually it's really rather good, once you get used to it... dead handy for quick "grab and go" GoTo sessions. However, as yours also has WiFi too, then grab a copy of SkySafari Pro on a tablet/phone and you'll be able to use that to control the mount, which is really cool 👍

That's it's big advantage, you get that reasonably sharp focus across the field 👍 It's little brother (the Panoptic 15mm) also has the same advantage, but much harder to come by.

That's a lovely looking mount and quite an upgrade... enjoy 😀

At least you know now that it can be done... should you ever need too 😀