I am torn…128 vs 126

[plyscope]

The lenscoat soft covers are a great idea.

I believe the lens cover diameter is the same for the FS128, FS152 and the TOA130 at 179mm OD.  Therefore the TOA130 lens cap should fit. They are a lighter, thin aluminium cover that slips over the outside of the lens hood. I have recently ordered one from Kyoei Osaka and will let you know how it goes once I have it in hand.

https://www.kyoei-osaka.jp/SHOP/takahashi-TS-A218.html

[Sunshine]

13 minutes ago, plyscope said:

The lenscoat soft covers are a great idea.

I believe the lens cover diameter is the same for the FS128, FS152 and the TOA130 at 179mm OD.  Therefore the TOA130 lens cap should fit. They are a lighter, thin aluminium cover that slips over the outside of the lens hood. I have recently ordered one from Kyoei Osaka and will let you know how it goes once I have it in hand.

https://www.kyoei-osaka.jp/SHOP/takahashi-TS-A218.html

Goodto know, thanks, I’m curious to know what you think of it, I would love that for my 128. You say the dew cap diameter for the 128 would be the same as the 152? sounds impossible as the 152 would have a larger lens cell diameter, interesting.

[plyscope]

Yes the 152 has the collimation screws at the rear of the cell outside the lens hood. The 128 has them at the front of the cell inside the lens hood.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/473016-fs-128-vs-fs-152sv/

[Telescope40]

On 09/12/2023 at 06:16, Sunshine said:

Dust cap insanity, I am compelled to find an alternative to the monstrosity of a dust cap on the FS128. A dust cap that weighs in at an ounce short of a pound is hilarious! this hulking metalic man hole cover throws my alt az mount off balance when removing it, so much so that I must be sure to tighten the friction knob as tight as possible and have a hand on the OTA when removing the cap. This is crazy, must a dust cap be bulletproof? I will see what alternatives I can find/make that will protect and yet be mich lighter. This cap can serve as a spare rim for my Toyota.

Hello. I can confirm that a dust cap from the current TOA 130 will fit a FS 128. My 128 was missing its manhole cover when I got it. I was able, via @FLO to obtain one from Tak Europe. Just the ticket 

Regards.  John 

Edited December 12, 2023 by Telescope40

[Sunshine]

29 minutes ago, Telescope40 said:

Hello. I can confirm that a dust cap from the current TOA 130 will fit a FS 128. My 128 was missing its manhole cover when I got it. I was able, via @FLO to obtain one from Tak Europe. Just the ticket 

Regards.  John 

Perfect! i will make some calls 

[Sunshine]

19 hours ago, F15Rules said:

I well recall feeling the very same when I acquired my "Trinity" almost 7 years ago.. see thread below:  

I looked through that thread once again and ran into a comment I left in 2022, what an beautiful setup with the wood tripod and the EM-2.

 

[plyscope]

I received the new 179mm lens cap from Kyoei Osaka and it fits the FS152 as expected. It is painted in the new silver colour, not the green as Johns is in the photos above. It has a full circle of felt not the three pieces. This makes it very tight fitting but I guess that will ease in use as the felt compresses over time.

[Sunshine]

On 07/12/2023 at 09:06, Saganite said:

Congratulations !

I have held one, but never looked through one , so is on my bucket list...

When you held it, you should have run with it! 🤣

[Saganite]

Wouldn't have got very far....😁

Edited December 18, 2023 by Saganite

[F15Rules]

 Just one other worthwhile benefit of the much maligned manhole cover dustcap..😜😂

The 2"/50mm diameter circular section in the centre of the cover presses out to reveal a perfect 50mm aperture..

This then gives you a 1040mm/50mm = F20.8, 2 inch Fluorite refractor!!

The stellar images this setup delivers are incredible..on brighter doubles such as the Double Double in Lyra or the Mizar system, for example, the single Airy disk around a totally pure, colour free point source are exquisite. The moon at almost F21 with a Pentax 8-24mm XL zoom at 8mm (×130) is utterly compelling..

Try it!! 😁

Dave

Edited December 18, 2023 by F15Rules
Photo added

[F15Rules]

54 minutes ago, Saganite said:

Wouldn't have got very far....😁

You're absolutely right there, Steve!!!😁😆😂

[Sunshine]

1 hour ago, F15Rules said:

 Just one other worthwhile benefit of the much maligned manhole cover dustcap..😜😂

The 2"/50mm diameter circular section in the centre of the cover presses out to reveal a perfect 50mm aperture..

This then gives you a 1040mm/50mm = F20.8, 2 inch Fluorite refractor!!

The stellar images this setup delivers are incredible..on brighter doubles such as the Double Double in Lyra or the Mizar system, for example, the single Airy disk around a totally pure, colour free point source are exquisite. The moon at almost F21 with a Pentax 8-24mm XL zoom at 8mm (×130) is utterly compelling..

Try it!! 😁

Dave

Interesting! I never would have thought, you mean that comes off? I thought it was a handle.

[Sunshine]

Did I mention it has a huge, tunnel like dew shield? 🤣 fun with wide angle lenses.

[F15Rules]

7 hours ago, Sunshine said:

Interesting! I never would have thought, you mean that comes off? I thought it was a handle..

...well, I wouldnt try lifting your scope with it!!😱😭😝🤣

Yes, see your pic below..

Just hold the cover firmly, IIRC, it just presses out (I havent done it for a while, it may be threaded on in which case you'd unscrew it from the outside).

HTH,

Dave

 

Edited December 19, 2023 by F15Rules

[JeremyS]

Anyone seen @Sunshine lately? 🤔

[F15Rules]

1 hour ago, JeremyS said:

Anyone seen @Sunshine lately?

Not me, Jeremy..

Does anyone remember when "Sunshine" was a word used to describe a weather phenomenon whereby telescopes could view the sky at night and see various  celestial objects??🤔🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[Sunshine]

Itching to get home, the sky looks wonderful with a half moon, need to train the 128 on the moon but my wife has me out running errands.

[JeremyS]

What a pity Dave @F15Rules thread on manhole covers has been closed

 

[Sunshine]

Having a closer look at this case which came with my scope, it is built like a tank and is heavy. It seems as though they make them custom as the 128 fits in it like it was laser cut for it, im confident in its ability to protect the OTA. Im thinking this case must have been a pricey investment for someone, glad they had it made.

Edited December 21, 2023 by Sunshine

[josefk]

i like a nice case myself and find excuses to buy them for all sorts. That is a nice case!

[F15Rules]

14 hours ago, JeremyS said:

What a pity Dave @F15Rules thread on manhole covers has been closed

 

I'd forgotten about that thread from 5 years ago..there were some very creative caps and covers in evidence then! 

A shame it was archived, such a loss to UK culture!🤪😂