Russian TAL-2

[keme]

Evening folks

 

I have come across a cheap TAL-2 or what i think is cheap £275 does this sound about right for it?  Comes with the full pine box, mount, motor etc all in excellent cond.  Also what are the telescopes like to use, i am not finding much reviews on them except the odd "Built like a tank".  With the motor would it be good for photography?

[nightfisher]

If in good condition price is decent, and a lovely scope, very heavy to set up, dont think i would do much deep sky imaging but would be good for Lunar and solar system...........so do we have another convert to the Tal club?

[keme]

possibly, i hear its 70kg weight, its something that i will have to lug around but im still a young un' so should manage, I have nothing to compare it to except my old skywatcher 150pl on an eq3-2, although 20 years old the TAL-2 I hope its at least comparable to it

[darknight]

I believe its the tal without motor drive that I had as kid, and loved it.

yep built like a tank never whent wrong and had some lovely views, also done my first 35mm film pics on it

[Alfian]

The Tals are great bits of Russian over engineering with great optics. Heavy, yes but if you  have the room and the required energy for them, very nice to own. I have the Tal1 and am quite attached to it but for reasons too long to go into here it needs to go, which will be a sad day for me . Check it out, if it all works and the optics are good (which they probably will) and if it makes the  heart  beat faster to look at - go for it!

[keme]

Cheers for the replies guys, i think the think that bothers me is for 280 i can get a 200p dob, yeah sure isnt as sturdy as a TAL but i believe more light gathering.  Although owning a tank does sound really really good (idea)

I also believe the TAL-2 were spherical mirrors, is this correct?  I know that usualy i should be looking at parabolic but having never used a TAL or spherical mirror I wouldnt know the difference or pros & cons

[John]

I've owned a TAL-2 (long time ago) and a Skywatcher 200P dob and I'd go for the 200P faced with a choice of the two. My TAL-2 cost a lot less than £280 but I still thought the abilities and portability of the 200P made it a better instrument.

The TAL-2 is a good instrument of it's type but very heavy and quirky.

If you have a strong desire to own some solid Russian engineering then the TAL might suit but I think the 200P is a more practical and better performing telescope.

[keme]

Thanks for the reply John, i think you might be right TBH, at least if i buy the 200 DOB I can replace the mount in the future for photography.  I like the idea of the TAL "Sturdy, Rock Solid, Possible sale to the syrians in the future as an FIM-92 Stinger" but at almost 20 years old and i believe the company dont make telescopes anymore it might be the unrealistic option for myself if anything breaks.  Although im fairly youngish maybe I can save my back for a little more years.