New Takahashi Refractor - Introductory Price!!!

[Profiler (Profiler)]

For those who may not already be aware Takahashi has released a new refractor - or perhaps this could be viewed as a return to their glorious past.

The FC-100DC is a 100mm doublet genuine fluorite refractor.

http://www.astronomy-electronics-centre.com.au/

It is now available for order and best of all AEC has them available for an introductory price while the AUD holds at $2250!

Thoughts, opinions??

[dannat (Daniel)]

just under 3kg for a 4" Fl. - it appears to be at a bargain price

[Profiler (Profiler)]

It is pretty much on par with what a 2nd hand FS-102 generally sells for these days. So, you can either have a 2nd hand FS-102 (assuming you can find someone willing to sell theirs) with a minimum 6+ or more years of ware or a brand spanking new one for the same money and Takahashi 5 year warranty to boot!

The only catch is they are only available at this price for a very limited time while the AUD is above 90yen. So if the dollar continues to fade this price will be revised (ie increased) probably by next week

[h0ughy (David)]

so how much would all the gear be to do phtography with it? any pricing on the extras? does it come with mounting rings?

[Profiler (Profiler)]

I have no connection with AEC but these are the sorts of questions which need to be sent their way - the price for a genuine fluorite Tak is, IMO, incredible.

[Kunama]

Clamshell is an extra item around $135 (used instead of rings)

They usually come with only the OTA and necessary bits to attach a 1.25" eyepiece. This looks like the ultimate grab and go scope.

This scope on a DSV-3 mount would be beautiful.

[Profiler (Profiler)]

Matt

The clamshell is the one thing I did check as the OTA diameter is slightly smaller than what you typically encounter on a 4" refractor - 95cm

I was quoted FC-100DC clamshell $125!

[DavidTrap (David)]

Looks interesting, nonetheless, I won't be parting with my FS-102 any time soon. Yes, it's a doublet, but I don't have too much trouble with chromatic aberration and tricolour imaging. There is a difference in focus point between R, G & B filters, but I don't seem to have much difficulty combining the images in PI. I paid around that price including a reducer - will be interesting to see what price all the reducers/extenders and Tak accessories bring the price up to??

The new scope looks like it's a 2 inch focuser, rather than the 2.7inch focuser on the FS-102. I think the imaging circle is smaller as well, so I guess they've aimed this scope at the 8300 chip or DSLRs. I haven't used my scope with a full frame sensor, but I believe they are capable of illuminating such chips???

DT

[Profiler (Profiler)]

I think David you highlight the most insightful aspect to this new 100mm Takahshi Fluorite refractor when you state:

"I won't be parting with my FS-102 any time soon"

I think that is the key point - I think Takahashi have identified that there are many, many, many people who would want a genuine Takahashi doublet Fluorite but simply can't get their hands on one.

[Tandum (Robin)]

Originally Posted by DavidTrap

I haven't used my scope with a full frame sensor, but I believe they are capable of illuminating such chips???

DT

Yes they can.
http://starshed.net/gallery/displayi..._display_media

[DavidTrap (David)]

Originally Posted by Tandum

Yes they can.
http://starshed.net/gallery/displayi..._display_media

Thought you'd had some success with that combo!

DT

[gregbradley]

If you want one just make sure you are not a time waster! That distributor is in a class of his own. A whole article on his site about how he doesn't want time wasters - who would deal with him when its easy as pie to order from overseas - US or Hong Kong usually for less.

Its not the first time I have seen him post rants on his site. I wonder if Takahashi knows their dealer does this.

Greg.

[LewisM]

I'll stay with my Vixrn FL102S.

Nice scope though.

[gregbradley]

I must say though to this day some of the best views ever were through my Tak FS152 and a 24mm Nagler - wow.

Greg.

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

If you want one just make sure you are not a time waster! That distributor is in a class of his own. A whole article on his site about how he doesn't want time wasters - who would deal with him when its easy as pie to order from overseas - US or Hong Kong usually for less.

Its not the first time I have seen him post rants on his site. I wonder if Takahashi knows their dealer does this.

Greg.

I noticed that bit as well. I am use to seeing this in personal ads but not a vendors website and it has turned me off the Takahashi brand.

[issdaol (Phil)]

On the positive side. I have ordered all my equipment from the Australian supplier and found the prices (delivered to my door) to be better than anything I could get internationally.

However the Time Wasters Note on the website is over the top considering that many people do not rush into spending many thousands of dollars on gear like Tak without a lot of investigation and discussion with potential suppliers.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

I noticed that bit as well. I am use to seeing this in personal ads but not a vendors website and it has turned me off the Takahashi brand.

Don't let the suppliers rants turn you off a good product

[Kunama]

He might be referring to me , last time Claudio rang me we spoke for over an hour .............. mind you I had just sent him $$$$$ for the T-Rex.

I found him a very friendly and helpful person, obviously very proud of the Takahashi brand but also happy to discuss the pros & cons of various.

What I liked was the fact that once I ordered the T-Rex I did not have to chase him up for progress reports, he either rang or emailed me to keep me informed. His price was better than what I could have got from USA or Japan direct.

I will certainly deal with him again as soon I have some money to spend.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by Kunama

He might be referring to me , last time Claudio rang me we spoke for over an hour .............. mind you I had just sent him $$$$$ for the T-Rex.

I found him a very friendly and helpful person, obviously very proud of the Takahashi brand but also happy to discuss the pros & cons of various.

What I liked was the fact that once I ordered the T-Rex I did not have to chase him up for progress reports, he either rang or emailed me to keep me informed. His price was better than what I could have got from USA or Japan direct.

I will certainly deal with him again as soon I have some money to spend.

Claudio is renowned for his short and succinct conversations

Maybe he is cranky that you purchased all those LVW Eyepieces instead of Tak LE's or Lewis for buying that secondhand FL102S scope instead of a TSA120

Seriously though his prices and service has been very good to me and he has occasionally given me extra specials or something thrown in. So I will continue to do business with him. I just ignore the occasional rants when they pop up

[MattT]

Originally Posted by Kunama

I even thought of getting married again so I could do a wedding gift registry at A.E.C.

Now there's an idea!!!!!
Have just gone past 21 years only 3.5 years to 25...Silver.....now then, where is that list.....