Tak itch scratched

[JeremyS]

Here’s my Tak FOA 60Q in an Oklop bag. Great for sticking in the car boot when I travel

[JeremyS]

For my Tak FC 76DDU and FC 100 DZ I use a Neewer bag and I place inside a cut off section of a 10mm thick yoga mat, long enough to go round the OTA, to provide cushioning. Yoga mats and a range of sizes of bag available from Amazon.

Note, that I choose bags large enough to accommodate the finder in situ.

[Sargares]

Very nice. One of these is next on my list (although probably a DC) after I realised about 3/4 of my observing is being done with an Orion starblast due to convenience I may as well spend some money on a nice small scope. 

[Trentend]

Anything I could/should do to protect the tube from gnarl marks where the sliding dew shield is held in place by the small tightening screw? Or is that being overly protective! 

[JeremyS]

12 minutes ago, Trentend said:

Anything I could/should do to protect the tube from gnarl marks where the sliding dew shield is held in place by the small tightening screw? Or is that being overly protective! 

Just be gentle when tightening. But don’t get over anxious- these scopes are meant to be used! 😊

[mikeDnight]

Adding a little extra padding won't harm and helps prevent any sliding around inside the bag during transit. I did that with mine, although I can't remember the name of the bag manufacturer and there's nothing written on mine. May be paulastro will be able to shed light on the name as I believe he uses, or has used the same bag.

[paulastro]

5 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

Adding a little extra padding won't harm and helps prevent any sliding around inside the bag during transit. I did that with mine, although I can't remember the name of the bag manufacturer and there's nothing written on mine. May be paulastro will be able to shed light on the name as I believe he uses, or has used the same bag.

Yes Mike, I still have the bag and use it for my 102mm F7 Tecnosky.  I have to be honest though, it is inferior to the OKLOP bag I still have in every way.  One of the zip pulls came off ages ago and it is of much poorer quality than the OKLOP.  I only use this cheaper bag as its shorter than the OKLOP bag, and I only use it to take the scope outside.  If I was going on a trip with my 102 I'd use the OKLOP as it gives better protection.  If you recall I originally bought the OKLOP for my SW120ED.  The cheaper bag is OK for storage but not transporting.  The DZ deserves an OKLOP in my view.

[Concordia000]

Man the FC-100DZ is a beautiful scope. Saw one at the local star party and immediately made me want to buy one.

Sadly it's a bit too long and big for me and I ended up getting a used Borg 90FL... which made me wonder whether the FC-100DZ will still be a good buy in the future.

[Trentend]

Am looking to get a reducer some point down the line (should help brightness I believe with the NV goggles). Any recommendations other than tak’s own which seems pricey (not sure if an Antares would work)? 

Edited October 5, 2021 by Trentend

[BGazing]

On 30/09/2021 at 10:39, F15Rules said:

The thickness of the padding in the Oklop bags is about 10mm. My big FS128 feels very secure inside. 

But it's not just the padding that's important, it's the "fit" and the fittings..the Oklop has great zippers, a pair of handy outside pockets for bits and bobs and an excellent carry strap (handle, Jeremy??) which is well balanced.

I believe these come in 4" refractor sizes..not specifically in 5", but as my scope  has an oversized tube, like other FS doublets, and is F8.1, it fits beautifully into the bag designed for 6"F8 achromats👍.

I'm sure the Geoptic bags are great as well, I just don't have experience of them (my Nadira observing chair is great!), and I actually prefer the black colour of the Oklop bags. Oh, and they do others for reflectors and SCT)Maks too I believe.

Here's a link to my bag..it would suit most 130mm refractors of F8 or less..

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescope-bags-cases-storage/oklop-padded-bag-for-150mm-1200mm-refractors.html

HTH,

Dave

Oklop bags are great.

Disclaimer: they are made in Serbia and I got mine for FC 100 DF from them as a freebie for helping them with fit and finish of their C8 design.

I believe it is one labeled as a EQ5 tripod bag. DF travelled with me a LOT in that one and all is good.

[F15Rules]

On 30/09/2021 at 13:36, JeremyS said:

Here’s my Tak FOA 60Q in an Oklop bag. Great for sticking in the car boot when I travel

..and a very robust handle, Jeremy!👍🤭

Dave

[mikeDnight]

On 04/10/2021 at 21:56, Concordia000 said:

Man the FC-100DZ is a beautiful scope. Saw one at the local star party and immediately made me want to buy one.

Sadly it's a bit too long and big for me and I ended up getting a used Borg 90FL... which made me wonder whether the FC-100DZ will still be a good buy in the future.

I believe it would, but if you can put up with the fixed dew shield, the FC100DF would be a cheaper option and optically (visually) just as stunning IMHO.

[Concordia000]

2 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

I believe it would, but if you can put up with the fixed dew shield, the FC100DF would be a cheaper option and optically (visually) just as stunning IMHO.

I can dream...

The fixed dew shield is a problem, actually. Unless I move to the suburbs permanently, I will need a scope with a short-ish tube to handle it up and down the stairs or up and down the lift.

Unfortunately a Tak is currently not on my priority list, because I got fed up with my janky mount and decided to splurge for a good mount. After that my 90FL still needs many expensive components to be imaging-ready... Then I want a C8 or something for visual... Then cameras...

It will be a while until I can think about a refractor upgrade, and when I do it, I might go for the other 4 inch Tak... 

Edited October 7, 2021 by Concordia000

[Sunshine]

On 28/09/2021 at 12:26, Trentend said:

FC100 DZ due to arrive tomorrow having coveted one of these for a long time. Thanks to those who have helped nudge me over the line. This comes with the Tak clamshell which I believe attaches directly to a scopetech zero mount so apart from a couple of M8 screws I should be good to go with that. If down the line I want to attach this to an AZ100 can I just use a simple dovetail bar like that below (I have a saddle with a D and V profile).

 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/astro-essentials-dovetail-bars.html

Whenever I get an Astro itch I find the best way to scratch it is to use a credit card, provides a satisfying scratch.

Congrats on a fine telescope! to say the least.

Edited February 4, 2022 by Sunshine