If you HAD to keep only one scope?

[Flame Nebula]

Assuming your have > 1, which would you keep? And why? 

Thanks 

Mark 

[IB20]

It’d have to be my 3” Tak 76Q. It’s the highest quality scope I own, the lightest weight and the most portable. It’s also a cracking solar system scope which is my primary interest. Yes my larger aperture scopes will show more but there’s something special observing with this ocular marvel!

[Elp]

Difficult choice.

As a primarily imager likely my C6 as I can use it for visual at 1500mm FL or more via PMs (mag supported limited of course), and for imaging 1500 native/1000 F6.3/300mm F2. A truly one scope solution.

It's competitor would be my Z61, no where near as large or has the FL for that matter or resolution, but much much sharper and has proven it's worth via visual and imaging, planetary, DSO, WL solar, HA solar, everything I've put it through. And it's small enough to take abroad if I chose to, and I can also use it for terrestrial photography.

[cajen2]

Easy question for me as I only have two scopes and use one of those 99% of the time! It's my Starfield 102ED.

[Mr Spock]

My most used scope is the 100mm, so it would have to be that. 

[John]

It would probably be my 100mm refractor for me as well.  

[DirkSteele]

Wow, that is a tough question. Given my propensity to travel with a scope to far darker places, it would have to be one of the smaller scopes that would fit carry on luggage restrictions, which means my 3 Takahashi refractors or my APM LZOS 105mm. The latter is bit heavy and requires a more robust tripod and mount which has not always been possible (helicopter ride to an Indian Ocean island for example means 20kg of telescope equipment is not happening) so I would probably go with the Tak FC100 even though some disassembly is needed to make it carry on. At 2.8kg, it is still light enough that a smaller tripod and mount works.

 

But I would be very sad to see to the rest go!

[M40]

Without even blinking, stellamira125mm. Reducer and a barlow and I have a lot of bases covered. Strangely, I would miss the seestar.

[DirkSteele]

Reading the replies already, I think it is going to become very clear why a 4” refractor is such a popular scope!

[Flame Nebula]

2 minutes ago, DirkSteele said:

Reading the replies already, I think it is going to become very clear why a 4” refractor is such a popular scope!

Yes, I am seeing a slight refractor trend here. 

[Highburymark]

I’d have to go small too. Despite having a beautiful 120mm triplet with 3” Feathertouch focuser, I’d keep my TV85. It’s my main solar Ha, daytime spotting and travel scope, and is a nifty night vision instrument too. First thing I’d grab if the house were on fire.

[saac]

I wouldn't like to let go any (Esprit 120, Bresser 8 inch reflector, SW 80 ED Equinox). But at the moment I'm having so much fun with my William Optics Redcat (black and white version). This really is an amazingly versatile and capable telescope.  

Jim  

[Roy Challen]

Daystar Solarscout, it's my most used scope and likely to remain so.

[Martin Meredith]

Just to break the refractor trend 🙂 I'd keep my 10" Dob as it is manageable enough to come out on most clear nights yet large enough to keep me in celestial sights for many years.

[mikeDnight]

Without question it would be my FC100DZ.  Whatever happens in life this scope, like a faithful dog, will remain at my side. And like a faithful dog, it demands outings regularly and never fails to give me joy and great memories. As my old mentor used to say repeatedly "You can't beat a 4" refractor"!

 

[happy-kat]

It would be the ST80, it can do everything with the sweet spot being wide field.

[sloz1664]

My Tal 200K. Incredible optics. Also, can I include the amazing finder scope as this will suffice foe wide field. 

Steve

[Piero]

Ouch, that's a tricky question...! 😰

It would possibly be my redesigned 12" f6 dobson, but just because it can be loaded on my car rather easily, so it is more versatile in terms of transportation. If this were my only telescope, I would fit it with wheelbarrow handles so that it can be stored assembled in my garage and simply wheeled outside when in use. It is a tricky question though because I am very fond of my 16" f4 dobson (it was entirely built by me) and this telescope has an edge on my favourite targets (galaxies and PNs). Also, if I had a larger car or a minivan, I would likely choose the 16" f4.. My 16" f4 was conceived as a replacement of my 12" f6. The latter did not sell in the second market despite of being advertised for less than 40% its original price. After heavily redesigning it, I became fond of this 12" f6 too. 🥰

 

How can you choose between two children?! 😭

[JeremyS]

FC 100DZ. For the reasons many others give for 4-inch OG generally. Excellent all rounder, relatively light and easy to mount. And in this embodiment, getting pretty close to optical perfection.

[dweller25]

One scope to rule them all……

Ultimately, the Tak FC100-DZ, the perfect blend of weight, ease of use and performance.

Edited March 15 by dweller25

[IB20]

3 hours ago, John said:

It would probably be my 100mm refractor for me as well.  

You can’t keep both the vixen and Tak though… 😅

[Albir phil]

The one I use most🤗

[dweller25]

1 minute ago, IB20 said:

You can’t keep both the vixen and Tak though… 😅

Yes John kept his options open there 🤣

Edited March 15 by dweller25

[Flame Nebula]

2 hours ago, Piero said:

Ouch, that's a tricky question...! 😰

It would possibly be my redesigned 12" f6 dobson, but just because it can be loaded on my car rather easily, so it is more versatile in terms of transportation. If this were my only telescope, I would fit it with wheelbarrow handles so that it can be stored assembled in my garage and simply wheeled outside when in use. It is a tricky question though because I am very fond of my 16" f4 dobson (it was entirely built by me) and this telescope has an edge on my favourite targets (galaxies and PNs). Also, if I had a larger car or a minivan, I would likely choose the 16" f4.. My 16" f4 was conceived as a replacement of my 12" f6. The latter did not sell in the second market despite of being advertised for less than 40% its original price. After heavily redesigning it, I became fond of this 12" f6 too. 🥰

 

How can you choose between two children?! 😭

Hi Piero, 

You have piqued my interest on redesigning a Dob. What did you do, and what advantages did this give you? 

[Flame Nebula]

1 hour ago, dweller25 said:

One scope to rule them all……

Ultimately, the Tak FC100-DZ, the perfect blend of weight, ease of use and performance.

I think this scope is winning the keepers competition, so far.