(UPDATE WITH IMAGES) Strange star shape through refractor??

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

A TOA150 or 130 is NOT a telescope I would recommend collimating at home, considering the layout of the elements (NOTHING like a regular doublet or triplet). Send it to Tak. NO ONE ELSE. Peter gives VERY sound advice.

Yes, that's my understanding also. I doubt think there is anything I can do myself. Certainly not if the objective elements may need to be taken out or if it needs opening up. I'd rather leave it to the experts.

Erik

[LewisM]

The spacing on the TOA elements is the difference. TOA is an Orthoscopic Triplet... and the elements are not conventional in their layout.

There was an internal schematic of the TOA's online, but now I cannot find it. Perhaps someone else can?

I certainly would not mess with a TOA. I HAVE recollimnated an FC doublet after someone BADLY recollimated it (I had even placed collimation marks on the periphery before I sold it, and when I got it back, they were out by around 40° in the cell!), and I have collimated a quadruplet (Vixen DED108SS). Easy enough (though time consuming). No expert, far from it, but a TOA... no thanks.

[Exfso (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Ok, I will bite. What makes the TOA150 & 130 different to a "regular" triplet. The TOA's are no different to the Astro-Physics & TEC refractors. The only thing different it the set-up of the collimation screws, they are in pairs in a push-pull design...the same design as in my Mewlon 250 and in its big brother the 300. Looking at my FS-78, which the objective is in a cell that can be collimated, I note the collimation screws are in a paired layout. No Lewis, there is nothing special about the TOA's above any other high end triplet.

Hans, I have actually been on the phone to Fred at TNR a couple of years ago and he gave me a rather comprehensive run down of the Tak TOA's and basically said that they were much different to collimate than the conventional APO triplets and he most definitely would not feel comfortable trying to talk anyone through collimating one. They use specialised equipment for their collimating which I believe is not available to the general public. It may even be something that Takahashi developed, but that is only supposition on my part.

[Kunama]

My understanding is:
The TOA cell has 18 collimation screws on the front of it, 9 are for collimating the 'whole cell' in relation to the tube, another nine are for the alignment of the first element in relation to the second element.

If the whole cell collimation is out then the deeper recessed screw set can be used to collimate the whole triplet assembly. This can be done with the Tak collimation scope. However, if the issue is miscollimation between the front element and the second one, i.e. the less recessed 9 screws (3 cap screws for the 'pull' action and 6 grub screws for the 'push' action) one will need the specialised equipment not available here in Australia.

I guess the issue is to establish if the miscollimation relates to the whole cell and its relationship to the tube or an element within the cell being out of line.

That's my understanding from looking at my TOA and reading stuff ...... It is a lot different from the FS78/FS128 etc
Haven't seen this on any other cells.

Personally I would firstly check if all the screws actually have equal tension on them but firstly I would mark the screws and note if and how much any are loose by.

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Well all sets of screws are tight, and visually I can't see anything out of place when looking down through the tube.

Waiting to hear back from Takahashi, presumably during the week sometime.
Erik

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Just incase anyone is interested, the TOA 150 has been sent back to Japan, thanks to Claude at AEC. Been about 1 month now. Eagerly waiting to get it back.....

[sharpiel]

Originally Posted by E_ri_k

Just incase anyone is interested, the TOA 150 has been sent back to Japan, thanks to Claude at AEC. Been about 1 month now. Eagerly waiting to get it back.....

Any idea of total cost involved in the transporting and fixing Erik?

[DavidTrap (David)]

Fingers crossed for a safe and speedy return.

Very glad my TOA-130 arrived from Perth in good nick - Bob packaged it up beautifully. Was relieved when a quick star test tonight revealed a beautiful concentric airy disc pattern.

DT

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Originally Posted by sharpiel

Any idea of total cost involved in the transporting and fixing Erik?

Not exactly sure Les, but from Claud's estimate, roughly $500 for the collimation, $700 to clean the optics, and just under $1000 in shipping back and forth. Not cheap, but It will come back basically new I guess.

Originally Posted by DavidTrap

Fingers crossed for a safe and speedy return.

Very glad my TOA-130 arrived from Perth in good nick - Bob packaged it up beautifully. Was relieved when a quick star test tonight revealed a beautiful concentric airy disc pattern.

DT

Glad to hear! What was the story with your TOA?

[DavidTrap (David)]

I bought the recently advertised TOA - only had a brief chance to get it outside last night. Waiting on a few more bits to arrive from various corners of the globe. Then I'll have to see if it lives up to expectations on the imaging front!

DT

[sharpiel]

Originally Posted by E_ri_k

Not exactly sure Les, but from Claud's estimate, roughly $500 for the collimation, $700 to clean the optics, and just under $1000 in shipping back and forth. Not cheap, but It will come back basically new I guess.

Well...here's hoping I never need to do the same with mine