HollyHound

Umm no, the Tak 76 is only being used on the ScopeTech/Report. I’ve removed the saddle and bolted it directly, deliberately to keep it as purely “grab and go” 👍 I did put the Mak 127 (with binoviewers) on as a test and that combo worked fine too... just a touch of white, but hopefully not enough to clash 🤣 I “may” use the little Tak 60 as a super finder/widefield scope but for now have the (adjustable) ST80 for that if needed.

First proper test of my AZ100 mounted with the “Stella twins” (StellaMira 80mm f/10 and StellaLyra 6” CC)... such an effortless and smooth mount that carried both of them with ease and was a joy to use. Both pushing around and slow motion controls were super easy 😃 Only (expected) issue was the scopes weren’t aligned with each other, but I’ve ordered the adjustable saddle plate now to solve that minor problem. I do have the counterweight and bar too, so can use a single scope too 👍 Next decision is whether to go Nexus DSC (I have the tray already for this) or Nexus II 🤔 It’s a superb mount, solid (and heavy of course)...this is most definitely not “grab and go” but is going to get a lot of use on those nights where the weather will allow long sessions 🤞

Modern user interface (UI) design is trending towards “hiding” things away unfortunately, which looks lovely but is confusing too. They call it a “discoverable” UI 🤔😬 My ex boss (one of the co-founders of TomTom) always used to ask us to bring the UI to the minimum required to still be functional, but no further 👍 As Antoine De Saint-Exupery said... “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away” 😃

I would agree that it’s nice to have tons of focuser travel... my own StellaMira 80mm f/10 has almost 100mm for example. However, with the right combination of spacers/extensions, I’ve got my FC-76DCU setup now to use pretty much any of the eyepieces I have without having to change anything in a session. Of course I’m only doing visual and not using binoviewers or anything else in the system. Ive also just received a 1.04x flattener and adaptors that should allow me to attach my EOS and do some basic photography, but that will require swapping the back end setup of course, but I’m fine with that 👍

Superb setup Nicola, you should really get some stunning views with this... Even after just a few hours with mine, I’m addicted to the simple, fast setup and easy viewing this scope provides 👍 Wishing you lots of fun with this 😃

Both my Taks (FS-60CB and FC-76DCU) have exactly 30mm (1.2”) of drawtube travel. I finally got round to trying the new 2” T2 BBHS mirror diagonal last night (very quick with a few visible stars), and confirmed that I can easily focus my XW30 (2”) along with a range of the same 1.25” eyepieces I was using with the 1.25” T2 prism arrangement. In both cases, I’ve set extension rings to give me approximately equal focus travel either side of the average eyepiece focus position 👍 Both setups shown in the photos... not sure which will live on which Tak yet 🤔

This is an accurate question 🤣

This is exactly my thinking too, my 6” CC on the AZ100 is perfect for lunar/planetary detail viewing, 10” dob for DSOs and the Taks for wide field, imaging, grab and go and holiday/travel or just trekking to fields around us that have different views of the sky👍

I was originally looking at the FS-60Q, as that would have also given the extender to use on both scopes, but that went in front of my eyes. Figured this way I get the best of both worlds, between this and the FC-76 and can add the extender later. I didn’t realise until a few weeks ago, just how scarce these things have become, I just assumed stock levels were small and being replenished, but apparently they are showing massive waiting lists for some models... apologies for jumping on this one whilst I could, I tried to resist but couldn’t in the end 😬 However, there is a strong likelihood that I might be selling some of my other scopes, as these will likely fulfil those roles now, so hopefully I can recycle well looked after gear back into the community 👍

I was originally going to get the FS60Q, but sold out. I already have my eye on the extender, as it works with this and the FC-76DCU too 👍 This FS-60CB is lovely though and so tiny 😃

A cute little baby sister for the FC-76DCU has just arrived... at first I thought they’d delivered something else, as the package is so small (compared to my 76) 🤣 For super wide field, some astrophotography and to pack for holidays (where I want more than binoculars)... a Takahashi FS-60CB 😃

Yes, I have Clicklock on everything, so made sense. I intend to try my binoviewer on this very setup, as the Baader 1.25” prism has very short optical path and I do have a fair amount of extension to play with. Still intend to keep this scope as simple and lightweight as possible though, but binoviewer option would be good 👍

Will do. Yes I went for the FC-76DCU as the tube splits and will pack small, however I’m thinking about something even smaller that I can just have with me on a trip, taking very little room indeed. Of course need to think about tiny mount/tripod now too 🤔 Primary reason is that I always love my widefield binocular views but find it bit awkward any higher than 30/40 degrees (even on a tripod), so the FC-60 could fill that niche. Like to try some simple imaging too, so have Flattener and camera adaptors arriving for it too. Good luck with your hunt... sounds like one of these little beauties will be in your future too 😃

Will do. I did also buy a replacement “large” micro focuser knob too, but not sure that will be staying. So far no issues at all using any of my 1.25” eyepieces (which are the primary use for this scope)... XWs, Panoptics, TV 3-6 Zoom, Ultima Plossls and Masuyama 16mm (not really for this scope due to FC, but does focus. Have yet to try any 2” XW or any of my Ethos, but have taken delivery of a Baader 2” BBHS mirror diagonal today, so will give them a go. It does require a certain amount of extension, but with T2 rings, I’ve got the focuser where it gives me good travel either side of the normal focusing spot for most eyepieces, and none require extension ring changes (yet), although Delos might do. Although I could have used the Tak supplied adaptors, I’ve got mine setup like this currently (photo).

I’m the same, I have micro focusers on all my scopes, but usually reach for the main knob most of the time, rather than the micro focuser knob. It does get used occasionally though and adds a different feel (as you say), so always nice to have it. I’ve ordered the FeatherTouch Micro Pinion for my FC-76DCU, as I want to retain the “Tak” look but benefit from micro focus when needed... should get round to fitting it this weekend and see how it works out 🤔😃

Having just become the owner of an FC-76DCU and had a couple of hours with it so far, I can safely say that in addition to absolutely superb lunar viewing, I was able to get beautiful views of M42 the other night and some doubles (including the Double Double, even through quite low over some trees) 😃 I have no doubt the FC-100 would pull more detail out, but for my use case... as a complement to my 10” dob and CC 6”, this is a superb scope. Being so light, I’ve taken it out, mounted on the ScopeTech/Report combo, easily with one hand and it was ready to go straight away. I’m so taken with it, that I’ve just bought an FC-60CB to accompany it, in the wild expectation that I might be able to take this on holiday with us later in the year, but also to provide binocular like wide views (using an XW 30 or 40). I still think that the advice to go for the FC-100 as a “one scope” makes total sense, but these others are wonderfully complementary instruments 👍

Without wishing to hijack your thread too much more Nicola, I will just say (show) that once you do get these fully setup, they’re absolutely lovely and a joy to use 😃 Although I’ve only had an hour on the moon with mine, I can say that this FC-76DCU is going to get a lot of use as my main grab and go scope now 👍 Just need some clear skies again 🤞

I was looking at the Tak prism, but as I already had this Baader 1.25” T2, it would be superfluous. I’m sure they’re very good though. I can certainly say that the Panoptic 24, Morpheus 17.5 and TV 3-6 Zoom will work well with this scope, as I tried all of them quickly. The TV Zoom will likely live in the scope for “grab and go”, giving approx 100x to 200x magnification. I’ve also got the Baader 8-24 Zoom and that’s excellent as an all-rounder eyepiece. I would also highly recommend the DeLite range, having had (and only recently) sold the 13 and 18.2... Very sharp, flat field and lightweight👍 I’m looking forward to some good night observing with this new setup, as you say, hopefully next week 🤞 Enjoy yours too and keep us updated as well 😃

Hi Nicola, Whilst it’s not a comprehensive viewing report by any means, as I have literally only had an hour so far with this lovely new scope... I can confirm that both the Morpheus 17.5mm and the Nagler 3-6mm Zoom work perfectly and both have superb views. The Morpheus of course having a massive field of view, and it’s also very lightweight. For reference, I don’t have a Tak prism, but I am using a Baader T2 1.25 prism, which is very similar in size and optical path. With this I was able to focus all my eyepieces (Pentax XW20,14,10,7,5,3.5 - Panoptic 24 & 15 - Nagler Zoom -Morpheus 17.5 and Masuyama 16) with about 10mm of “in focus” still remaining. The only two eyepieces I couldn’t focus were my Delos 14 and Baader Genuine Ortho 12.5. I’ve replaced the Tak adaptors, with the following setup (see photo)... Baader 2” Clicklock, 1.25” to 2” low profile adaptor, 1.25” T2 nosepiece, 40mm T2 extension ring, T2 prism, T2 1.25” Clicklock (for the eyepiece). I did also have a 7.5mm T2 extension ring under the eyepiece holder, but got rid of that now, and replaced the 40mm extension with 2x15mm instead, to hopefully give a bit more in-focus if needed. In terms of length, this is almost the same as the Tak adaptor setup (without the very long tube), so you should be fine.... I think @JeremyS uses this arrangement anyway. I’ve just ordered a Baader T2 2” prism, with 2” Clicklock eyepiece holder and nosepiece. I think this will probably still work when I want to use my 2” eyepieces, as the longer diagonal optical length should be offset by the removed extension tubes. However, it is not certain I will be using 2” eyepieces on this scope as it is very much for “grab and go”... or more “grab and go and linger” 😀 Hope this helps... I will write up a more about this superb scope, when I’ve had more time with it. I can say that have fallen in love with it’s looks, view, usability and quality already 👍 I really don’t know why it’s taken a year to think about getting one, they’re lovely 😀 Gary

FWIW, I ordered my Report (the 372 model) directly from Germany back last summer, because at the time FLO only stocked the Uni 28/18 and Planet... I like that colour and it still has that feel and smell I bet 😊

It’s lovely isn’t it... does this happen when you acquire a Tak, suddenly start admiring other similar scopes too 😬🤣🤣

Congratulations... Combine this with the ScopeTech and StellaMira and you have an adorable setup... it’s right on the payload limit but perfectly stable and wobble free, once focussed 👍 That dark grey is rather lovely 😊

Me too 👍

Thanks. At first I though it might be duplicating the StellaMira, but that is really quite heavy and this Tak is so light, so it can mounted on the ScopeTech/Report and really be true “grab and go”, without the cool down required for either the Mak or C5 👍

Just arrived and amazingly well packed... triple boxed, with spacers 😮 Nestled inside was a gorgeous Takahashi FC76-DCU 😃 I can’t believe how light it is compared to the StellaMira 80mm, and the finder is so clear to look through 👍