New starter - after help deciding between Takahashi FC-76DCU & FC-100DC

[Surfer Chris]

Hi Gary. 

Your threaded M10 stud looks a sensible length on your tripod mount head above. Coupled with the new Scopetech adaptor you have ordered (with the 2x screw holes) I think you will have a really safe and solid solution that gets away from relying on just the short thread engagement offered by the single 3/8" threaded stud. The adaptor you have ordered appears to be the same configuration as the plate I have designed for my set-up.

The replacement tripod mount head would give me the same solution as you - but that tripod head is quite pricey. So I will see how I get on with my 'free' custom adaptor first. Unfortunately (for me), my previous company are busy right now so I may have to wait a few weeks. Alternatively, I will see what price Berlebach come back with to make a longer 3/8" stud module for me.

Will post back when I have a working solution.

[Surfer Chris]

Ordered a 4mm Delite yesterday (and a 6mm BCO just out of curiosity). So have decided to not go with the 7mm + Barlow route for higher power. Think I would prefer to build up a collection of fixed length eyepieces if I can.

[HollyHound]

2 hours ago, Surfer Chris said:

Ordered a 4mm Delite yesterday (and a 6mm BCO just out of curiosity).

I’ve had a DeLite 13mm and 18.2mm, both were exceptionally good. I only sold them as I have the range of Pentax XWs now. 

The BCO 6mm is a superb eyepiece, seems cheap and cheerful, but it’s brilliant. It’s only downside is quite minimal eye relief, but I keep it in my main set to use on the moon or planets 👍

[Maxim Usatov]

My congratulations! FC-100 is a fantastic scope - telescope for life, as someone said. May I recommend to look at Baader Morpheus 76 series of eyepieces. 15 years into this hobby, and 17.5 mm Morpheus is definitely among the most exciting EPs I've ever had. By the way, I have 24 mm Panoptic available for sale in London in very good condition, if you're looking into that direction. I decided I'll keep the Morpheus as it fits my f/5.6 Takahashi Sky 90 better, and sell the Panoptic. 24 mm Pan is definitely a legendary EP as well and should be a great fit to FC-100.

[Dean Hale]

Just stumbled across this and the steps to strengthen the connections between the Scopetech and the Report. Thank you. Well another £80 spent. Safety first and all that. 🙂

[Mr Spock]

I look longingly at the Tak TOA-150 and wonder if it's worth three times the Skywatcher 150mm.  I could buy a car for that 

I can't afford either of course but when I look at the Tak there's a part of me which says go on, you know you want to...

[Cleetus]

On 25/04/2021 at 19:38, Mr Spock said:

I look longingly at the Tak TOA-150 and wonder if it's worth three times the Skywatcher 150mm.  I could buy a car for that 

I can't afford either of course but when I look at the Tak there's a part of me which says go on, you know you want to...

The problem with that telescope is that, as well as being expensive to buy, it's also expensive to keep. How much is a mount going to cost you for that beast? Also, it has to be an observatory instrument due to its weight. The 130 is less than £6000 (add on another £800 for bracket, finder and handle) - a huge saving for 20mm sacrifice. That would be my target if I was ever to buy another telescope. The big question though is would the difference in performance, over a 4 inch Tak, justify the outlay.

A telescope will last longer than a car and take you on further journeys!

 

 

[HollyHound]

On 24/04/2021 at 08:22, Surfer Chris said:

Your threaded M10 stud looks a sensible length on your tripod mount head above. Coupled with the new Scopetech adaptor you have ordered (with the 2x screw holes) I think you will have a really safe and solid solution that gets away from relying on just the short thread engagement offered by the single 3/8" threaded stud. The adaptor you have ordered appears to be the same configuration as the plate I have designed for my set-up.

The adapter has arrived from @FLOand fits perfectly to both ScopeTech Zero (as expected) and the Report tripod. It came with two M8 bolts and these make a super solid connection to the base of the mount, and the M10 bolt of the tripod is screwed solidly into it 👍

This should be really secure now and as a bonus, the adapter is significantly smaller and lighter too 😀

[Dean Hale]

Following on from @HollyHound helpful advice. The same Scopetech Zero adapter mentioned above with a Berlebach 3/8 - M10 adapter for the Report 312 with a 3/8 screw.

Edited May 5, 2021 by Dean Hale

[Surfer Chris]

That's a way of tackling the issue Dean.

I have just sent Berlebach a drawing so that they can hopefully supply me a custom module insert with a longer threaded stud. I have measured the depth of female thread on my Scopetech mount, looks like I can increase the 3/8" stud to a height of around 13.5mm (as opposed to the current 6.8mm). This should give me a decent level of thread engagement. I will post back once I get my working solution.

 

[Surfer Chris]

Back onto eyepieces for my FC-100DC, as I mentioned above, I have recently purchased a 4mm Delite (for higher power). So now I have the following;

4mm Delite, 5mm BST Starguider, 6mm BCO, 10mm Plossl, 8-24 Baader Zoom, & 24mm Panoptic.

I am not too keen on the Plossl or BCO - turns out I don't like the short eye relief. I have not tried the Delite at night yet, but using it in the scope to look at trees in the distance this morning, it seemed quite comfortable. Sadly, I think I find the BST Starguider eyecup slightly more comfortable - but I am guessing (hoping) the Delite will provide slightly better views. Annoyingly, I also noticed lots of small circular floaters with the 4mm Delite using my left (observing) eye. So looks like that might be an issue for me below 5mm.

Before I start focusing on building up a long term set, I thought I would try a variety of eyepieces (to see what I find comfortable) hence the random collection so far. And I have just ordered a 12.5mm Morpheus this morning to add to the mix! The plan is that I will sell on the ones that don't quite work so well for me once I have decided.

Another one I am thinking of trying is the Pentax XW's. I know they are very well regarded, but I guess the only thing that is putting me off them is the size and weight. On paper, they seem to be quite bulky pieces. I am wondering if they would be a bit too big and heavy hanging out of my small Tak prism diagonal? Just wondering if anybody has any opinions about this? Perhaps there is a better way of configuring the back end of the scope to cope with the weight though (e.g. different adaptors)? Below is a photo showing my current configuration which I am guessing is fairly standard for 1.25" EP's.

[johninderby]

If you don’t mind the narrower fov a Vixen HR3.4mm is a great high mag eyepiece. Sharper and better light transmission than the Delite but now discontinued but come up for sale second hand occasionaly. 

[Surfer Chris]

In the photo above, you will see I have slipped something under the screws securing the finder. I didn't like the idea of tightening the screws against the paintwork. So I used a strip of Nomex paper (0.13mm thick). It's an electrical insulation paper that is very tough and extremely hard to puncture through. Two turns of that strip and I have something that stops the screws damaging the paint on the finder. And what's great is it is 'exactly' the same colour as the paint on the finder. And it doesn't require any adhesive - so no adhesive residues left on the finder if I ever need to sell on later (hopefully that will never happen though).

[HollyHound]

44 minutes ago, Surfer Chris said:

Another one I am thinking of trying is the Pentax XW's. I know they are very well regarded, but I guess the only thing that is putting me off them is the size and weight. On paper, they seem to be quite bulky pieces. I am wondering if they would be a bit too big and heavy hanging out of my small Tak prism diagonal? Just wondering if anybody has any opinions about this? Perhaps there is a better way of configuring the back end of the scope to cope with the weight though (e.g. different adaptors)? Below is a photo showing my current configuration which I am guessing is fairly standard for 1.25" EP's.

I have all the Pentax XWs, and have used them on my FC100DC and FC76DCU. They are a little heavier than those eyepieces you mention, so you may need to re-balance the scope a bit when changing eyepiece. This would depend on the mount and how sensitive it is to the imbalance.

Just be aware that there is some noticeable field curvature with the XW 14 and 20 in both these scopes (less with the FC100DC). However, they are superb, contrasty eyepieces, and the XW 10 and shorter are superb and flat field.

Morpehus 14 also has some FC too. Delos are good but heavy too. The DeLites should be great, light and minimal FC. I’ve sold my two, so didn’t get a chance to test on the Taks.

 

[JeremyS]

I use the older Pentax XLs with my Tak FC 100 DZ and standard Tak diagonal. No problem with the diagonal handling them. 

Issue with Pentax and TV eyepieces in the Tak prism is the dreaded undercuts. The Baader Morpheus might have an advantage here (no undercuts, just Smurfs) AND I believe they are pretty light. I’ve not tried them tho. 

[Surfer Chris]

Yes I guess I should think about balance issues if I end up mixing a couple of different eyepiece brands. It would be nice not having to re-balance when swapping eyepieces over...especially since I tend to flip from one target to the next quite quickly.

Regarding the TV undercuts, I am not finding that the undercuts 'catch' in my diagonal (i.e. the EP's don't get stuck), but it is quite frustrating having to twist the ring so many times to get the internal compression ring to grip or release from the barrel of the EP. If I do end up building a collection of TV Delites - I may have to think once again about getting the Baader prism and clicklock.

Looking forward to seeing what the Morpheus is like.

Purchased myself a Tenba TTP34 case a couple of weeks ago. And may buy a FQR-1 quick release next (for the finder) to allow the OTA to fit nicely in the case. Currently the finder protrudes such that it is a little tight doing up the zip on the case. 

Good job I have my own e-mail address - so the wife doesn't see all the orders going through recently!!! Trouble is she answer's the door to the delivery guys!

[Stu]

5 hours ago, Surfer Chris said:

Regarding the TV undercuts, I am not finding that the undercuts 'catch' in my diagonal (i.e. the EP's don't get stuck), but it is quite frustrating having to twist the ring so many times to get the internal compression ring to grip or release from the barrel of the EP.

I filled the undercut on my Televue Panoptic with a couple of wraps of insulating tape to bring it up to the level of the barrel and that worked very well, totally stopped any catching on the compression ring of the Tak prism.

 

[John]

I find the Baader twist lock 1.25 inch system deals with undercuts of all types / brands somewhat more effectively than the Takahashi compression system.

The Baader system uses lateral rods pressing against the length of the barrel whereas the Takahashi system uses quite a narrow compression collar.

 

 

 

[Stu]

40 minutes ago, John said:

I find the Baader twist lock 1.25 inch system deals with undercuts of all types / brands somewhat more effectively than the Takahashi compression system.

The Baader system uses lateral rods pressing against the length of the barrel whereas the Takahashi system uses quite a narrow compression collar.

 

 

 

Yep, I agree with that John.  The Tak is a nice, lightweight and cost effective product, very good optically but it does have this limitation on the clamping system. Generally it works fine, but needs more turns than the very quick and effective Clicklock and can get caught up in undercuts, which don’t trouble the Clicklock.

[johninderby]

The latest crop of twist lock clamps from Celestron, Orion etc in their diagonals and adaptors work as well as the Baader system with a very wide band that clamps the full length of most eyepiece barrels and only take a partial turn to lock. 

Edited May 14, 2021 by johninderby

[Surfer Chris]

Custom module insert arrived from Berlebach earlier in the week. Now I have a decent and safe level of thread engagement with the Scopetech Mount. That is a 13.5mm long stud in the photo (as opposed to the ~6.5mm I had with the original tripod insert). So an extra 7mm of thread length.

I measured the full thread depth to be around 14.5mm in my Scopetech mount sample - so I requested a 3/8" stud length of 13.5mm (so to give a little margin for manufacturing tolerances on the new stud).

Very impressed with the customer service from Berlebach.

[Surfer Chris]

Just purchased purchased a 4.5, 6.5, & 9mm Morpheus & a case. These will sit alongside my 4mmDelite, 12.5 Morpheus, 24mm Pan and Baader 8-24 zoom. 

Anybody think I should have added the 17.5mm Morph to the set to use with my FC100-DC? Is it a worthwhile addition bridging the gap between 12.5mm and 24mm - or will it not get that much use in reality? 

Had some great views of Saturn and Jupiter last week. Cassini division visible (one of my targets achieved), plus added bonus of being able to see the shadow of the ring, and some clear cloud belts on Saturn. But have been starting to look at some DSO too....Ring nebula, and M13 have impressed me.

Just wondering if it is worth grabbing the 17.5mm now - whilst available.

[dantro]

On 14/05/2021 at 05:59, Surfer Chris said:

Back onto eyepieces for my FC-100DC, as I mentioned above, I have recently purchased a 4mm Delite (for higher power). So now I have the following;

4mm Delite, 5mm BST Starguider, 6mm BCO, 10mm Plossl, 8-24 Baader Zoom, & 24mm Panoptic.

I am not too keen on the Plossl or BCO - turns out I don't like the short eye relief. I have not tried the Delite at night yet, but using it in the scope to look at trees in the distance this morning, it seemed quite comfortable. Sadly, I think I find the BST Starguider eyecup slightly more comfortable - but I am guessing (hoping) the Delite will provide slightly better views. Annoyingly, I also noticed lots of small circular floaters with the 4mm Delite using my left (observing) eye. So looks like that might be an issue for me below 5mm.

Before I start focusing on building up a long term set, I thought I would try a variety of eyepieces (to see what I find comfortable) hence the random collection so far. And I have just ordered a 12.5mm Morpheus this morning to add to the mix! The plan is that I will sell on the ones that don't quite work so well for me once I have decided.

Another one I am thinking of trying is the Pentax XW's. I know they are very well regarded, but I guess the only thing that is putting me off them is the size and weight. On paper, they seem to be quite bulky pieces. I am wondering if they would be a bit too big and heavy hanging out of my small Tak prism diagonal? Just wondering if anybody has any opinions about this? Perhaps there is a better way of configuring the back end of the scope to cope with the weight though (e.g. different adaptors)? Below is a photo showing my current configuration which I am guessing is fairly standard for 1.25" EP's.

 

Chris, I decided early on to go with 1.25" eyepieces with my FC-100DC and have been pleased so far.  I started with the Pan24.  It works much better as a finder than the straight finder scope decoration which will kill your neck.  Then came the 8-24 Baader zoom which is my favorite.  A friend offered a 3-6 TV zoom for a bargain so I added another zoom and a Baader Clicklock eyepiece holder.  It was all working very well except star-hopping was a chore for me with upside down reversed view.  So I bought a 1.25" Baader astro-grade amici T2 diagonal.  This purchase was an epiphany.  I cannot recommend this diagonal enough.  At first, though, it presented a problem.  The Baader zoom would no longer focus.  Removing  #81 from the light path solved that but made the Tak diagonal not work (which has not mattered since I use the amici exclusively).  I had always wanted to try a TV Ethos, so a used 10mm came up and I bit.  But the 10 Ethos would not fit over the Clicklock(Who would have guessed?) so a few weeks later I acquired a standard Baader eyepiece holder, stored the Clicklock away, and finally looked through the Ethos.  The 10 Ethos works very, very well for a wide field after the Baader zoom has characterized the object well.  Then I load the TV 3-6 zoom for higher magnification if seeing allows.  I have  enjoyed the 10 Ethos so much that I now am looking for a 3.7 Ethos to complement the TV 3-6 zoom.  I considered the Pentax XW's at first but the 10 Ethos is such a pleasure to use.   But if you ever get adventurous,  I heartily endorse the T2 astro-grade amici diagonal.  Thanks.Ethos 10beforeafter         

Dave

Edited July 9, 2021 by dantro