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TMB 105 or NP101 - which one to buy


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I'm trying to choose between these two. I need something portable as I can't take the EM200+IM M703 with me when I have the wife and kids in the car... The scope will be alt-az mounted for visual and will also be used for imaging when it's possible to take the EM200 with me.

I like the TV very much and until recently it is what I thought I needed. Then the TMB 105 caught my eye with its portability. Apart from it do you think there are significant optical performance differences between these two or I should take the best price offer?

Can somebody also comment on the differences between the tubes on the 105 - the CNC, LW and LW2. I found some complaints about the 3.5" focuser on the CNC version. I tend to like this tube in particular - it looks so extraordinary industrial bow.gif. But it think it's heavier than the other tubes. Maybe the LW2 is the best option as it has a 3.5" Starlight focuser which is more than enough for what I need. But yet again the LW tube is the lightest and most compact tube and I'm looking for a small scope...

Boy am I confused...

And to add a bit more to the confusion I'm also considering the TSA102...

Any suggestions especially from owners will be greatly appreciated

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I would prefer the A&M TMB Advanced Telescopes 105 version with the carbon fibre tube, the OTA has a better build quality and finish but with the same optics. You can also choose several different focusers including the 3.5" Feathertouch. For some reason the price in the UK is a lot more than from this dealer in the Netherlands.

http://www.robtics.nl/product_info.php?products_id=947&pID=947&language=en

John

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The focuser is a 3.5" featherlite and is excellent. The only thing I would criticise it for would be the retractable dew shield which is a poor design. It is very solidly made in every other respect. The views of the Moon through it are superb. Although you will need a field flattener for astrophotography.

Regards

 

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I would prefer the A&M TMB Advanced Telescopes 105 version with the carbon fibre tube, the OTA has a better build quality and finish but with the same optics. You can also choose several different focusers including the 3.5" Feathertouch. For some reason the price in the UK is a lot more than from this dealer in the Netherlands.

http://www.robtics.nl/product_info.php?products_id=947&pID=947&language=en

John

Wow John looks awesome. A&M make some fantstic scope, and they so pretty as well.

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Starman

Both are great scopes from highly regarded designers. If you are intending to use whichever for imaging, I'd also budget for a field flattener depending on the size of the CCD you're using.

An alternative to consider if weight is an issue is a Tak TSA102 - it's not as beefy as the FSQ106 weighing just under 5kg

Steve

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