MalcolmM

It sounds like you are sorted but for future reference, have you tried here? https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/index.php/cat/c136_Counterweights-Balance-Weights.html/page/2 I've got a number of items from them in the last year or so (including a Vixen counterweight) and found them very good. Malcolm

Congrats on the Tak. I'm sure you'll love it! I occasionally use a 100DC on a Vixen AP and 1kg on the end of the shaft nearly does the job. 2.8kg easily copes less than half way down the shaft so I would guess 6.4kg would be much more than you need. Malcolm

Here's what I have. You've a shorter light path to the prism. I can see the part number from your photo. That's another thing to buy! I'd like the option to use them natively. Thanks again! Had Mars at x280 this evening with the Mewlon. Very steady seeing and some nice detail on Mars. Very sharp, even at that magnification, which I've never been able to use before. Malcolm

Just to keep true to the thread ...

Thanks @HollyHound, that looks like you've attached a Baader part direct to the Mewlon which would explain the difference I think. I'll examine closer later, currently looking at Mars with the 100 and XW5 with music blasting , doesn't get much better Malcolm

How do you connect the Maxbrights to the Mewlon @HollyHound? I use Baader 2" clicklock + 2" to 1.25 " clicklock adapter to Baader prism. I have to use the 1.25 GPC to come to focus! I have not been able to use natively, though I have read somewhere that the GPC corrects for CA (though maybe not necessary at f12? Malcolm

Gotta say I had another jaw dropping moment with the Mewlon when I looked at M42. So much detail and so bright! Was not able to see E and F but I was looking through a lot of atmosphere, Orion being quite low. And congratulations @HollyHound, great photo of a great looking couple. Wishing you many happy years together! Malcolm

Fantastic! That's very impressive! Malcolm

Very nice indeed! Malcolm

I was out at a similar time this morning and took this with my phone through the eyepiece. I didn't notice the 'fox' at the time but I think I see what you mean, though I think I'm seeing a mole Malcolm

I have a couple and think they are excellent. I must admit to using them partly to keep everything Tak I think they are excellent optically, very light, short light path and I like the locking mechanism, though I try to avoid eyepieces with undercuts. Cons are they don't accept standard filters, don't accept WO GPC for binoviewing and they will not grip deep undercuts as has been mentioned. Malcolm

mmmm ... bit of a squeeze! Note I have the full 60CB in. Removing it's lens cell/dew shield would give a bit of extra room.

PS Sorry, just realised I did not put the Q extender in it. It would probably fit at the expense of the cradle, mount and eyepieces. I'll check and post a photo!

I use this. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01MCRTITT?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title You need to separate the tube, but this takes 76DCU plus AZT6 plus cradle, diagonal and eyepieces ... just! It also fits Easy Jets free carry on. I attach a Gitzo Traveller to the exterior tripod attachments. If I use the 60CB rather than the 76 then the tripod also fits inside. That being said, the Airport Messenger @Stu has posted about looks like it can hold more but may not meet easyJet free carry on dimensions. Malcolm

Twotaks this morning on the moon. Mewlon, Maxbrights and 28mm Erfles is a wonderful combination. Very relaxing viewing. Took my best yet phone moon pics, hovering the phone over one of the eyepieces. No post processing. No idea why the colour differences but very pleased regardless! Malcolm

It all depends on the type of travel and how portable/small the kit needs to be. An FS60CB can get away with a very small mount and a photo tripod. The whole lot (plus diagonal and eyepieces) can fit into a small carry on bag if flying. This will do wide field and up to x150 with suitable eyepieces. The FOA is just a little shakier on the same mount/tripod combo. Of course the compromise is only 60mm instead of 100mm. But for me, I value the portability over aperture for travel. Now if you're putting it all in a backpack to hike to a dark site then extreme portability is maybe less important. Maybe what you need is 60CB, 76DCU and the Q module and ... you see how the spiral starts but you'd have all bases covered Malcolm

A word of warning @Hans Joakim. I had not heard of Taks a year ago. I then joined this forum and read posts from @JeremyS @HollyHound and @Stu and now I have a whole family of Taks! Malcolm

I did this exact comparison (FOA60Q and 100DC) on the moon the other morning. The 60 gave fantastic sharp contrasty views. I could have soaked them up for hours. But then I looked through the 100 and it was like 'being there'! Much more detail. Hadley was obviously there in the 60, but with the 100 it shouted out at you. That being said, they are a great pairing. If you've half an hour to spare I'll give you 100 reasons to get another Tak! But I'm very biased; I just love 'em Malcolm

Perfect! Thanks very much @HollyHound Seeing as we share a taste in scopes, have you any experience with the Masuyama 85° eyepieces? I'm intrigued by them and love the fact they are relatively light. I'm wondering if a pair of 16's would work well in the Maxbrights. Apologies for going off topic! Malcolm

Big favour please? Could you link to the bags you use for 60Q, 100 and Mewlon please? Thanks, Malcolm

Took the FOA60Q out for a quick look at the moon this morning. The seeing was so good and steady I ran in to get 'Mummy' Tak. Here's one on the moon and the other on Castor. Malcolm

A quick 15 minutes this morning after breakfast with the FS60CB and TOE2.5 on the moon. Hadley easy, small craterlet inside Plato appearing occasionally (pretty central). But the star of the show for me was an incredibly dark shadow just above Barrow A (I think!). Some other beautifully defined craters in the area too. The FS60CB provided lovely sharp contrasty views though I did notice some blue fringing on the lunar limb which I have never noticed before. Finished with a quick view of Pollux. Thought it was a double! Got mixed up with Castor! But a lovely sight. Beautiful yellow and absolutely pin prick sharp. Malcolm

That's exactly what I was thinking! Lovely looking scope Malcolm

Glad you got a solution! Now getting Binoviewers to focus ... that's a black art, but once you get them working the view's magic They'll give the TOEs and XWs a run for their money Malcolm

Was about to say I have not been able to use more than x150 on the moon recently, but actually I have not even seen the moon recently! Nice report. I enjoy observing at that lunar phase. No idea why, but I find the area around Grimaldi fascinating. I think it's because when libration allows, you can glimpse bits of the moon that are often unobservable! Great link too, I have not seen that one before. The 2.5 TOE is a great eyepiece. I use it mostly with the FS60CB. It is surprisingly easy to use for such a short focal length. Malcolm