I am torn…128 vs 126

[John]

39 minutes ago, Stu said:

No, if you look it is fpl-53, WO just market it as synthetic fluorite which I don’t agree with.

It could even be the same scope as a number of 125mm F/7.8 doublets around.

WO sometimes plays around with the stated spec a tiny bit to seemingly have something unique. Their XWA "101" degree eyepiece was an example - exactly the same eyepiece as the Myriad 100 degree. 

Given this choice I'd go for the pedigree of the FS128 every time.

 

Edited December 4, 2023 by John

[dweller25]

21 minutes ago, John said:

It could be the same scope as a number of 125mm F/7.8 doublets around.

WO sometimes plays around with the stated spec a tiny bit to seemingly have something unique. Their XWA "101" degree eyepiece was an example - exactly the same eyepiece as the Myriad 100 degree. 

Give this choice I'd go for the pedigree of the FS128 every time.

 

Good point John and the 125mm doublets have been compared by a couple of reviewers to the FS128, with the FS just having the edge in both reviews.

Edited December 4, 2023 by dweller25

[Zermelo]

44 minutes ago, Sunshine said:

there’s synthetic flourite, real floutite, and Fpl-53 which is synthetic flourite? meaning the WO is not actually flourite?

From a purely linguistic point of view, fluorite of any sort is crystalline calcium fluoride. "Synthetic" means it has been grown in a lab/factory, "natural" means it was dug up, but I would say both of those qualify as "real". Any commercial telescope objective is too large to be made from natural fluorite (which often has impurities anyway). FPL-53 should presumably be described something like "variety of glass having optical properties as close to fluorite as makes no difference", but that might be too long to fit around the outside of the objective.

[John]

FPL-53 is a low dispersion glass. Fluorite is practically a no dispersion glass. That's why the fluorite element does not show when a laser is shone through it 🙂 

[Stu]

15 minutes ago, Zermelo said:

From a purely linguistic point of view, fluorite of any sort is crystalline calcium fluoride. "Synthetic" means it has been grown in a lab/factory, "natural" means it was dug up, but I would say both of those qualify as "real". Any commercial telescope objective is too large to be made from natural fluorite (which often has impurities anyway). FPL-53 should presumably be described something like "variety of glass having optical properties as close to fluorite as makes no difference", but that might be too long to fit around the outside of the objective.

My understanding is that Fluorite is a crystal, fpl-53 is a glass containing fluoride. The glass has not been grown in the way a fluorite crystal has. Having read more into it, it seems a complex area with different views but the above is the key difference. Differences in performance are supposedly lower scatter and better contrast.

[Zermelo]

1 minute ago, Stu said:

My understanding is that Fluorite is a crystal, fpl-53 is a glass containing fluoride. The glass has not been grown in the way a fluorite crystal has. Having read more into it, it seems a complex area with different views but the above is the key difference. Differences in performance are supposedly lower scatter and better contrast.

Yes, a glass, by definition, has a disordered composition, unlike a crystal.

[plyscope]

I owned a TSA 102 for many years. I had the opportunity to replace it with a TSA 120 and have no regrets. The FS128  will be awesome. Go for it!

[Mr Spock]

The FS128 is such a rare beast there's only one choice 

[Alan White]

This was a Validation post of course @Sunshine😉
so when do you collect the 128?

[ollypenrice]

I'm always wary of WO. Too much 'pretty' and not enough substance for my taste. (I have one and have used many.)

Olly

Edit: As an example, I wouldn't hit a burglar with a WO scope... 

Edited December 5, 2023 by ollypenrice

[Mr Spock]

The WO scopes do look nice, but I never read much about them or hear any comparisons with other similar scopes. If there was a market for similar 'mid-range' scopes I guess the new scopes from Askar have grabbed it with both hands.

[Sunshine]

12 minutes ago, Alan White said:

This was a Validation post of course @Sunshine😉
so when do you collect the 128?

Conflict between my and my friends work schedule is what stands in my way. Having a look at it and shaking hands os about all that is left.

[Alan White]

10 hours ago, Sunshine said:

Conflict between my and my friends work schedule is what stands in my way. Having a look at it and shaking hands os about all that is left.

Thats great.
I and I am sure we look towards the reveal and first light.

[Sunshine]

2 hours ago, Alan White said:

Thats great.
I and I am sure we look towards the reveal and first light.

That may happen this week! if so, I’ll be so excited I’ll post a reveal in every category, completely shutting down SGL 😂 

kidding

I do sincerely thank all my SGL family for chiming in so enthusiastically and promptly, you are all salt of the earth. To wet my appetite, my friend sent me a shot of a very pretty objective to tie me over, for now.

Anyone know what this symbol means? 
 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Sunshine

[Sunshine]

On 04/12/2023 at 15:39, dweller25 said:

I have no knowledge of the WO Z126 but I had a TSA102 and FS128 at the same time for over 10 years.

I used the TSA on a Vixen GP, the FS128 NEEDED a Vixen GPDX and a Berlebach tripod, so it’s a heavier setup.

The views through the FS128 beat those through the TSA on all objects and the colour vibrancy in the FS128 was excellent.

I would totally, unreservedly and enthusiastically  recommend the FS if you are OK with the higher weight setup.

 

The FS is pretty much waiting for me, but I feel it just wont be complete without a set of bright yellow balls around the tripod, is that a Tak accessory? 😄

[Sunshine]

Just wondering if this matters, from what I think I am reading there are some FS128 models with the flourite element placed in the back and some with frourite in front? does it matter if this is the case? or am I reading it wrong? not sure I understand.

 

Edited December 6, 2023 by Sunshine

[dweller25]

The Fluorite lens is placed at the front to give that prescription better performance.

I think all the 5” FS128’s had this arrangements, but other sizes had different setups.

There are rumours that as the Fluorite element is at the front it will absorb moisture over time and degrade.

Natural Fluorite is very slightly hydroscopic.

However the lens in the FS is a synthetically grown crystal that is very hard and not hydroscopic.

My FS128 was manufactured in 1998 and still performed superbly, the rumours about the lenses degrading/softening/dissolving is nonsense.

There is also a rumour that a cold Fluorite lens will crack if taken into a warm room !

You can buy in confidence, there are even older Fluorite scopes still around that have not melted 🤣

PS - The tennis balls were to protect my wifes ankle after she had surgery 👍

Edited December 6, 2023 by dweller25

[JeremyS]

14 hours ago, Sunshine said:

That may happen this week! if so, I’ll be so excited I’ll post a reveal in every category, completely shutting down SGL 😂 

kidding

I do sincerely thank all my SGL family for chiming in so enthusiastically and promptly, you are all salt of the earth. To wet my appetite, my friend sent me a shot of a very pretty objective to tie me over, for now.

Anyone know what this symbol means? 
 

Has anyone licked that OG yet? 🤔

[dweller25]

The symbol indicates that the dollars in your bank balance will reduce

Edited December 6, 2023 by dweller25

[globular]

17 hours ago, Sunshine said:

Anyone know what this symbol means?

Symbols like this usually mean it was manufactured for foreign export (to America) and not for the local Japan market.

[John]

18 hours ago, Sunshine said:

Anyone know what this symbol means? 
 

Takahashi Seisakusho Ltd I think. The full name of the company. 

[JeremyS]

21 hours ago, Sunshine said:

Anyone know what this symbol means? 

Quality

[Sunshine]

I have the beauty! It is late and I must be at work early, will report tomorrow!

[dweller25]

Congratulations 🥳

[JeremyS]

Brilliant news! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻