harrythewho

Hello Richard, I finally got the 160ED, the Tak rings and the ADM plate to go with it. All's well so far, but I find the focus knob of the 160ED to very stiff compared to my refractor. I have loosened the focuser locking screw, of course. Is this your experience too? Thanks,

Harry

6 hours ago, Allinthehead said:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/stellamira-universal-losmandy-style-dovetail-bar.html

I had an aluminium plate made to fit the Tak rings then bolted that to the losmandy bar linked above.

Thanks for the info. The custom aluminum plate you had made was actually the bit I was wondering about, because the Tak ring appear to have a unfamiliar hole pattern. So the Astro-Physics 8" rings and D-type plates may work better as they are known to work together.

@allinthehead What is the plate that you use (in one of the pictures in your original post) with the Takahashi ring? Thanks!

Superb first images! Very comforting just to know it is possible that the scope arrives with good collimation. I have the QHY version of your camera, the QHY268.

I ordered the 160ED a couple of days ago from Takahashi America. Was told ETA is September. Given the report above that ordering in December results in March delivery, I guess that's about right.

David, thank you very much, this is such a valuable thread. Would you be able to share the M81 image used in your original post? I'm still putting things together and don't have a picture yet. (The mount is here but the guide camera is malfunctioning, and the ADM vixen-to-Arca-Swiss adapter is yet to arrive.)