The sky is clear and...

[LewisM]

"Once you go Tak, you can never go back" ;)

Yup, my Takahashi just arrived. I made the MISTAKE of trying out the finderscope on the neighbours tin roof - my eye still hurts!

HOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, these are some fine optics!!! I thought Vixen were good... man, these are supreme.

Big Thanks to our Nordic Kiwi for this one - especially for throwing in the extras AND the pelican style case etc. Ta Brian :)

Finger's crossed there's going to be some viewing tonight, even if just the near full moon. I now know how BADLY I need an alt-az mount to make this one more versatile. Using an NEQ6 as an alt-az is a pain in the azz... :)

Yeah, doing the new scope jig... time for it, after all the wait, wind and rain.

[jjjnettie]

:) Congratulations!!
I've seen some wonderful images come out of the little FS60.

[LewisM]

Well, I was distracted and side tracked all day, but FINALLY got around to setting the Tak FS60C up.

A few little niggling things:
1. the clamshell sure does not like lining up with any proprietry dovetail bars! In the end I used a solid Skywatcher type (like the types that come standard on the SW refractors), as they have an adjustable slot. Worked a treat, and got all 3 screw holes lined up. Yes, I know Tak makes a dovetail system, but that's too much $$$ and this one WORKS!

2. balance. Fun. Had to take everything off, and slide the counterweight ALL the way to the top. I will need a Custom weight made really - READING THIS HUGH? :) It balances now, JUST (seems a TOUCH heavy weight wise, not telescope wise)

3. Focus. The focuser travel on these is shorter than any Newtonian I have ever used. You really begin to appreciate why Takahashi make all those extra doo-dads that cost a small ransom. Thankfully, Borg/Oasis bits fit, so since they were included, got it all up and running (and ordered some more from Hotech in the US). A standard diagonal WON'T fit - nosepiece is too long and headbutts the drawtube and won't come to focus. Thankfully, I have a Vixen flip mirror - which have a VERY short nosepiece - and this fit PERFECTLY, allowing focus.

My impressions of the view.

I would get banned for swearing.

Holy smokes Batman! :eyepop::eyepop::eyepop::eyepop::ey epop:

Just speechless. The image is, in a word, PERFECT. Sharper than ANYTHING I have ever seen. I was happily reading the WARNING panel on the back of my neighbour's roof top antenna with a 40mm plossl... then I switched to a 20mm...and then a 5mm...:eyepop::eyepop::eyepop::eyep op:

I had heard all the rave, and now I see why. It would take a LOT of beating...and this is just a 60mm!

Tonight should be clear... going visual (may switch to photo later with the Vixen, though doubt it :lol:). I am going to devour the Moon and Jupiter with relish.

Brian, SWEET AS BRO! :P

[FlashDrive]

Lewis....Congrat's on the new Scope ...!! :( ...envious !!
Are these only good for Astro' Photos ....what about ' visual use ' .. being small aperture etc.

Flash ..!!

[LewisM]

Actually Col, it's 3rd hand I think... but it's just like new!

Now, that Vixen variable should make this one a KILLER!

[LewisM]

Great... I got 2 subs in before this scud cloud rolled in.

Anyway, fiddled with the FS60 in alt-az, and it's a wonderful scope. Couldn't get it to focus at infinity (not enough INWARD focus...>GRRRRRRRRRRRRR), but got around that and had to go Japanese style - aka straight through.

Considering I saw 3 moons of Jupiter EASILY in the finder, I knew the main scope was going to blow me away, and it did. Easily apparent banding on Jupiter, and CRISPLY defined too. And that was using the 20mm Pentax... the 5mm plossl - while not as clear of course showed SUPERB rendition and sharpness, all on an incredible velvet black sky!

When I get this visual focus issue solved permanently, I think this one will become my visual scope. I may yet have to fork out the mucho-deniro for the Takahashi visual back for it :(