TAK has landed. Rather lost for words !!!

[Telescope40]

Afternoon all.  Yes. I'm a Takahashi owner.  FS 128.  Still coming to terms with this.  A rather big shout out needs to go firstly to Dave @F15Rules as he started the saga last Friday by posting re an advert from the old Flea of the Bay. Had no intentions of going along this route at all as quite " scope happy" till I saw this but as the scope was a scant 25 miles from me, the cogs started to whirr.  If it had been a long trip I would not have even blinked. 

Got in touch with Dave via a DM, as he is a very happy owner of the same scope, and after a few messages and a nice chat on Saturday evening, with some excellent advice, I went to look on Sunday. 

The scope had a couple of points of note but in the flesh they were rather unfounded. Cosmetically was sound. Its a 23 yr old scope. I gave it a little lattitude.  On a field test from the sellers house the optics looked as sharp as sharp. Please note, I count my expertise as rather limited. There is a minor dew spot on the lens but ideas are in place to correct this in due course, if needed. Not convinced it will. Was being sold on behalf of a local astronomer's widow who's husband had passed recently. 

In with the purchase I managed to bag the original Tak 7x50 finderscope and bracket plus a brand new Baader 72 mm visual back.   Some negotiating.  Job done.  Drove home rather shellshocked. 

Once home I gave the OTA a nice buff over and it came up nicely.  Fitted the finderscope. Found an illuminator in my astro  "spares" box that fits the finder.   A Voila !!

First light, daytime, rather novel, was an hour ago with the solar eclipse. Fitted to my Rowan AZ100, very solid I might add and an Altair Herschel wedge in use, I found myself jugging EP's every couple of minutes. Happy to confirm my Maxbright BV's work with the wedge. A nice bonus. Found that a "little bit less was more" re magnification. Just EPIC !! 

Serial number of the scope is 99025 with Dave @F15Rules noting is only a few away from his example - 99008.  Curious to know how many other owners of this particular TAK are with SGL guys / gals. 

Thx for reading. Here are some photos and I make no excuse for posting. 

Happy astronomer - John  

Edited October 25, 2022 by Telescope40
Photo

[Mr Spock]

Very nice!

[bosun21]

Nice acquisition 👍

[Guest]

Sweet

[MalcolmM]

Fabulous and congratulations. That looks a fantastic buy!

Malcolm

[F15Rules]

SO chuffed for you John..

I predict you will not sell this scope..

Looking at your pics, no further words needed from me apart from CONGRATULATIONS 👏🎉!!

Dave

[josefk]

Fantastic and an extra memorable first light too!. 👍🏼

[RobertI]

Awesome scope, congratulations. 🙂

[Stu]

Looks a cracking scope, sure you will love it. On my list to own at some point if possible!

[Saganite]

Superb John, really lovely.   I did see it on Ebay and wondered how long it would last.   Very pleased for you.......

[josefk]

You'll especially enjoy this read now even if you've seen it before. i know i would! http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/TakFS128.htm

[F15Rules]

1 hour ago, josefk said:

You'll especially enjoy this read now even if you've seen it before. i know i would! http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/TakFS128.htm

Yep, that's a good review, written by Roger Vine, who owned his FS128 for 2 or 3 years then sold it, and bitterly regretted it later..he also rated the smaller FS102 4" sibling of the 128 very highly.

Dave

[Telescope40]

Hello all.  Many thanks for the comments. Itching for a 2nd light now but forecast only seems to show tomorrow night might well be a go ??!!   A few events happening around Jupiter but thinking I might have to focus up on Saturn first and expecting a wow moment.  Sure Jupe won't have a frown if it's next in the queue. 

Clear skies everyone.    John 🤩  

[JeremyS]

That’s amazing John. Congratulations. One of the best Taks ever made. 
Let us know how you get on.

As well as Jupiter, don’t forget Mars. I’ve had some of my best Martian views through my FS 102 so the FS 128 should be cracking.

PS sorry I snaffled your Illuminator away, but looks like you’ve got a good replacement 

[Carl Au]

Good for you...enjoy

[Telescope40]

19 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

That’s amazing John. Congratulations. One of the best Taks ever made. 
Let us know how you get on.

As well as Jupiter, don’t forget Mars. I’ve had some of my best Martian views through my FS 102 so the FS 128 should be cracking.

PS sorry I snaffled your Illuminator away, but looks like you’ve got a good replacement 

Jeremy. Thank you. I’ve timed it right for Mars come opposition. The observation list is now endless. Talk about a shot in the arm for my viewing sessions. Christmas - It’s come early for me. 
No worries bout the illuminator.  A little bird told me it had been whisked away.
Chuffed the one I located suits the finder well. 
Happy you left the scope alone but I know you have most bases covered with Taks and others et al - my ex C9.25 for one. 
 

John 

[HollyHound]

Wow, that’s an absolutely lovely scope you’ve got there 😃

I’ve read the review mentioned above and I recall it was one of the finest scopes he reviewed on that site 👍

Enjoy and welcome to the Tak club… with that one, you might even be able to resist the urge to acquire more 🤣

[GalaxyGael]

That is a beauty, a fine wine for your eyes. Great the scope carries on with another long term owner. 

[badhex]

Wowzers, looks incredible! Enjoy your new Tak, I am very jealous! 

[Telescope40]

1 hour ago, HollyHound said:

Wow, that’s an absolutely lovely scope you’ve got there 😃

I’ve read the review mentioned above and I recall it was one of the finest scopes he reviewed on that site 👍

Enjoy and welcome to the Tak club… with that one, you might even be able to resist the urge to acquire more 🤣

Yes. The review is rather definitive. @F15RulesDave quoted Roger Vine and this article. 

1 hour ago, GalaxyGael said:

That is a beauty, a fine wine for your eyes. Great the scope carries on with another long term owner. 

Hopefully long term. I’m feeling good but then I should 🤩🤩

20 minutes ago, badhex said:

Wowzers, looks incredible! Enjoy your new Tak, I am very jealous! 

Thank you. I find myself looking in the conservatory just to check I’m not seeing things ☺️☺️

Edited October 25, 2022 by Telescope40

[JeremyS]

47 minutes ago, Telescope40 said:

I find myself looking in the conservatory just to check I’m not seeing things ☺️☺️

Well, I find myself looking at the pics in your first post to make sure I’m not seeing things.

A true thing of beauty.

Edited October 25, 2022 by JeremyS

[Alan White]

Congratulation on a fine scope, nice aperture and focal length.
Looks super on the AZ100.
Enjoy.

I might have similar news tomorrow if all goes well.

[F15Rules]

10 minutes ago, Alan White said:

Congratulation on a fine scope, nice aperture and focal length.
Looks super on the AZ100.
Enjoy.

I might have similar news tomorrow if all goes well.

🤔🤔🍿🍿😎😎😁😁!!

[Telescope40]

15 minutes ago, Alan White said:

Congratulation on a fine scope, nice aperture and focal length.
Looks super on the AZ100.
Enjoy.

I might have similar news tomorrow if all goes well.

Roll on tomorrow’s news. Hope it goes as wished 👍😎😁

[jock1958]

Looks fabulous @Telescope40and well worth the 25 mile journey!  
I’m sure it will bring you many, many years of enjoyment 👍

Ohh and by the way welcome to the Tak Owners Club!!