The Last Telescope You'll Ever Buy

[sharpiel]

Hey everyone. Due to recent life events I have come into a tiny amount of money from which I want to allocate an absolute maximum of $10,000.00 to buy the last telescope I'll ever need. I'll probably never again have this amount disposable so I want to take the best advantage of it and get my best value for money.

So I'm putting the question to all you guys because I highly respect the wealth of online knowledge out there. What - within the following parameters - constitutes the best equipment I can afford? Looking for recommendations from personal experiences as well as general discussion..

Constraints: Equatorially mounted. I am highly leaning towards the EQ8 after closely following other users experiences in IIS threads. Potential cost new $4,500 though would happily buy second hand if available already to save cost and allocate the maximum possible to OTA.

Refractor: 6 inch or (dreams...7 inch), short as possible focal length, ED apochromatic. I'm expecting to only be able to afford second hand equipment but if something new and around the $5,500 residual after EQ8 budgeting is known out there then I'd love to know about it.

Your thoughts..?

[jamespierce]

It depends what you want to do with it of course !

For me my 16" F4 dob with arvo etc etc is my life time scope (until I get rich and have a massive block in the country for a perm install)

[Stardrifter_WA]

Hi Sharpiel,

A decent 6" refractor is my dream scope too, but that is only a dream and unlikely to ever become reality.

I recently got a price on the Williams Optics FLT 152mm fluorite refractor and you would get little change out of $10,000, landed, assuming you could actually get one. A Tak is around $15,000, just for the OTA, let alone all the Tak specific accessories you would need to also allow for, and they aren't cheap either. If you pay $4,500 for a mount, I doubt you will pick up a "decent" 150mm refractor for $5,500, although there are plenty of cheaper refractors, in this size, around, but I suspect that the quality may be a little lacking. You may want to consider a WO FLT 132mm, but even that, landed, will still be well over $5,000. I have a WO FLT110 and it is my favourite scope, but I wished I had gone for the 132mm, but I couldn't justify it, at the time.

Explore Scientific are bringing out a 6", but I haven't yet got a price. For that, you would need to call Extravision in Queensland, as they are the agents. I was speaking to their managing director today and he thinks one may have just come in, but he wasn't sure if it was a 5" or 6". He didn't have a price handy when I called.

As has been mentioned, it depends on what you want to do with it.

Hope you can get what you want.

Cheers Pete

PS: I forgot to mention that a Tec 180mm (7") will set you back US $19,000!

[sn1987a]

My experience I bought a 18" f4.2 Zambuto Plettstone off Astromart for $6900 with Servocat and ArgoNavis. With freight and GST it landed here in WA a shade under $10000. An Equatorial mount for dobs is available (see faintfuzzies website) around $1000 although I've never used one. Just an idea for you to consider.:D

[acropolite]

This wouldn't be a bad starting point. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=114754

[sharpiel]

I already have an 18" setup and an old 12" LX200. And a Lunt solar scope. So now I want the best refractor I can get. Always wanted one. Never been able to afford a real quality one. So that is what I'm looking for. Stardrifter understands as do many others. I know other configurations can perform magnificently but I don't want them. There's a certain romance and mystique about great refractors.

And I REALLY want 6" aperture. Again, a long held dream. Searching...searching. Guess it'll have to second hand to be be remotely possible.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Hi Les,

You will be lucky to find a 2nd hand 6", they come up rarely, and from what I have seen, when they do, they still go for big bucks anyway, well, the good ones do anyway.

Buying a big refractor has been a dilemma for me, as I could justify the cost of the OTA, but then I couldn't also justify the cost of the mount, or I get the mount, but then couldn't get the OTA to go with it. Damn! Just couldn't justify the both, due to competing priorities. Isn't that always the way? Life is full of compromises anyway.

The only astro item still on my list now is a Lunt 80mm PT Ha scope, but that may still be a couple of years away, unless I get lots of work next year :D

Cheers Pete

[Larryp]

Hi Les-I think I have the last telescope I will ever buy-a Takahashi TSA120.
Smaller than 6" of course, but still a fairly large premium refractor. Going 6" means a big, heavy tube and an equally big, heavy mount-do you really want to lug that around as you get older?
I have the Tak mounted on a Vixen GPD2 mount with Synscan go-to, and the whole caboodle is a quite manageable weight.
Years ago, I had a 6" Starfire on a G11 mount-beautiful scope, but I am 68 years old now and could not manage the weight any more.
If you want your last ever scope, it would be a pity to have to eventually sell it and downsize if you could no longer handle it.:)

[Profiler]

This new 6" refractor from APM has been attracting a lot of attention in various astro stores, mags and online chatter especially with its break-through price of roughly 4k. However, it is a doublet

http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/Telescopes-/Refracting-Telescopes-OTA/Apochromates/APM-Doublet-ED-Apo-152/1200-mm-OTA.html

[The Mekon]

I don't think $10K is sufficient for this job. Were I to dispose of all my scopes and just have one remaining for the rest of my life, it would be something like a AP140 on a T Rex mount. In fact, I may just do this in 10 years time.

[Larryp]

Better order the AP140 now, John-It'll take ten years to get one!:lol:

[dannat]

either get the new APM 6" f8 if you're into visual -of look for a used Tec140 in the US

[Stardrifter_WA]

Hi Laurie,

You raise a great point Laurie.

Due to the weight of 8" SCT, and its piggyback scope, I found it wasn't getting used enough, as my back problems continue to exacerbated, as I get older. So, I simply bought a Sirius observatory and set it up permanently. It sure is nice to walk out back and flick a switch :D When I bought my FLT110, I did consider the weight and physical size, as I bought it as my transportable rig, but, I have to add that the EQ6 mount isn't what I would consider light either, but certainly not as heavy as an EQ8 though. The WO FLT 151mm isn't a light OTA, coming in at 14kg, whilst my WO FLT 110mm comes in at just over 5kg, a much more manageable weight.

However, and I have yet to confirm the weight, the Explore Scientific 6" triplet is carbon fibre tube (CF) and that should be considerable lighter than the FLT151. ES chose CF to keep the weight down, for the reason you mention. The ES 6" will probably be a little cheaper than the FLT151, but I am yet to confirm. But, the ES 6" is still a big scope, so it isn't just the weight you have to consider, it can also be a little awkward to handle, when mounting it, particularly if you have back problems. Mind you, if I could justify a bigger mount and the 6", I would move my SCT on and replace it with the 6", permanently setup. Oh well, it is free to dream. :)

Cheers Pete :)

[FlashDrive]

May I suggest a Vixen NA140 ....... on a Mount of your choice.

My ' dream baby ' is on her way....beautiful she is.....silky smooth white....with 5.5" inches of Japanese optical goodness ......can't wait to caress her all over and admire her fine lines......:D....she's a real Vixen she is.

Flash.......

[el_draco]

Yeah, depends on what you want to do and portability may be an issue
However, mount is king IMHO. Great OTA on crap mount = disappointment. Great mount means lots of options and fewer frustrations, especially if you want imaging options.

If it was me, I'd buy an MX or equivalent and whack an 80mm refractor on it to start with rather than have a poor mount. I faced a similar dilemma in that I had an MX and a one time opportunity to move up, OTA or Mount. I now have an ME II, will never need another mount and I can wait a little while to set it up. MX's are coming up for sale, Logan has one up for sale now and I'd highly recommend it.

As for EQ8, dunno. Had an eq 6 and endless problems. Same company and by the looks of it, some lessons not learned. You can get a up-kitted G11 for less. Build is amazing.

My 2 cents worth. Good hunting... its fun ;)

[PlanetMan]

If it is going to be the last telescope you ever buy I think this would also have to 'factor' in the 'one scope that can do it all' dimension. In this contest I think there is only one true contender

Televue NP-127is

Sitting on top of a good mount

Tak's are great but they do seem to come up for sale a lot more than Tv scopes. I don't think I have ever seen a NP-127 ever come up for sale here on IIS and if it does (or anyone has one they want to sell) please let me know:D

[The Mekon]

Thanks for the prompt Laurie, I have just done as you advised, though I do not fancy my chances of ever getting the scope before I am 70!

[Allan]

I'm curious PlanetMan, why do you pick the NP127is? In the land of the super premium APO's can one really tell the difference between a TV, Tak or AP.

I'm thinking it must be something to do with the size or the "is" factor of the TV, because surely the optics can be no better than a Tak for example, and vice versa. Or is it brand loyalty, which I can understand when it comes to TeleVue gear.

Just keen to learn. I wouldn't want to accidentally buy the wrong refractor one day.:)

[g__day]

Left field - buying is only one option, if you are really into imaging- you would definetly be better to rent time on a large professional scope that costs millions and is situted under perfect dark skies.

The economics are pretty simple if its only the end result you are after. $10,000 would buy a lot of viewing, and you could chase targets others can't even dream of.

If its not about imaging and you want eyeball time - then a large dob is probably your best friend.

The simple truth is you need to give folk a few more parameters on what you want to do and where you want to do it - then good advice can pour in!

[Star Hunter]

James says: "...The last telescope I will ever buy hasn't even been thought of yet....:"

[Profiler]

Although I don't have a NP-127is myself I believe the big draw card of this range in terms of the 'one scope that does it all' factor is their capability to do both widefield whilst also nice and flat as well as also being able to do the long FL stuff and good for visual and good for AP too boot. My understanding most scopes are really good and designed towards one specialised end or the other.

There isn't too much material written on the 127is but if you scale down to its smaller brother (or sister) the NP-101is they tend to garner considerable praise from all the reviews etc for this one-stop-shop-does-it-all capability.

Naturally, all of this comes at a hefty price:shrug:

[gregbradley]

Ah yes a man after my own heart. I have had/own several fine refractors.

Are you wanting to image or for visual as that would influence things somewhat.

I have a TEC180 fluorite, an AP140 and a TEC110 fluorite for widefield imaging.

I have had a Tak FS152 at one point.

$10,000 is for sure plenty to get a nice APO.

If its for imaging then the order of quality in my opinion is:
TEC180 or TEC160FL
Tak TOA150
AP155
AP140
TEC140
Tak TOA130
AP130 gran tourismo
FSQ106ED/TEC110/ perhaps APtraveller.

Televue NP127i would be nice as well for wide field and its like a 127mm FSQ.

Tak scopes have an excellent range of accessories from flatteners, high quality reducers, extenders. I saw a TOA150 recently on Astromart for about US$7500 or so. They seem to have come down in price a bit. AP155 seems to have gone up a bit as they are sometimes now about US$10,500 or even more. They used to be about $9500. AP140's I saw one on Astromart again recently for around US$8500I think it was. TEC140's are often under US$5000 - more like US$4500 so they represent best bang for your buck. Yuri makes this scope as his bread and butter production and he recently finished his 600th one of these.

My choice for imaging would be TOA150. For visual I don't know. It may be good as well. I believe TOA scopes are front heavy. I am not sure about cooldown time with the widely spaced objective. They are also relatively heavy.

ED doublets I would be wary of as to call a doublet an APO is marketing BS. APO by definition almost certainly requires a triplet to achieve. APO means 3 colours come to focus within the same focal length within a tight margin of error. Astrophysics actually specify that error for their scopes.

For imaging my AP140 is somewhat widefield but tends to produce the best images from my scopes (judging by others' responses to my images using it).

The TEC180 is pretty hot for visual at 1260mm focal length and over 7 inch aperture. Its also getting pretty large. I had it on a Tak NJP mount for several years and it looked oversized for that mount. It should look good on a PMX mount or EQ8.

For 90% of imaging needs a TEC140 would do very nicely. I believe its also a very nice visual scope.

My Tak FS152 was a great visual scope with superb contrast and colour. It gave me some of the best visual views ever. But for imaging again you hit the doublet not quite a proper APO barrier (slight false colour or blue halos around bright stars chromatic aberration).

If you want to get a mount as well as a scope in that $10K then TEC140 seems the standout. Great for both visual and imaging and 5.5 inch refractor is close to the 6 inch refractor you specified and an EQ8 or something (I don't know anything about the EQ8).

Greg.

Greg.

[Astro_Bot]

I agree trying to do everything with one 'scope is too hard. My opinion, FWIW: one mount, two OTAs. Which mount and which OTAs will depend on how you emphasise visual vs. imaging.

[gregbradley]

Some examples of recent listings for the scopes mentioned:

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=838871
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=839314
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=838577
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=788296
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=785427


Also there is an AP130 Gran Tourismo on auction at astromart.com right now and bids are up to $7000 currently. They usually sell for around $7000 or less so that is right up near the top range now.

Greg.

[el_draco]

This thread seems to be getting a bit off topic.

[The Mekon]

Not so. The OP wanted thoughts on a "last telescope you will buy" - and thence keep, one would assume until your heirs sell it. He also specified a $10k budget. Most of the recent posts have been right on this line, and perhaps noting that for most of us we may need a few more $ for our "last scope"
I have found this thread very interesting!

[UniPol]

"The last telescope you'll ever buy" has rather morbid overtones :confused2:

[el_draco]

Perhaps, but the OTA's mentioned are all at the limit of budget I suspect. Its an interesting idea, last scope and I guess you have to decide is it an OTA or full rig. A $9k Tak 150 is gonna be damn hard to use as a spyglass :lol:

A number of people have asked the obvious, purpose, long term goals and portability constraints etc and this info is useful in narrowing the field of candidates.

A true last scope in my opinion, is the one that works the way you want it too and there isn't a magic formula because there are scopes that excel in one area and are not so good in another and boy, have I tried em all!!

Hence, my contention, "mount is king". A good OTA on a bad mount is disappointing but a bad OTA on a good mount, you can do something with. You can build a great newt, you can't build an MX or a ME II so I'll always put that first. $10k disappears fast in this hobby so trading up over time is way to soften the blow a bit.

2cW

[Stardrifter_WA]

I am inclined to agree. It is all a compromise really. Why not look at the Explore Scientific 5" for around $2,800, from Extravision in Queensland (currently in stock) which would leave you enough for a decent mount.

Alternatively, as Flash suggested, you could look at the Vixen NA 140, and look at a reasonable mount.

[Profiler]

While in theory the notion of mount is king I think a good part of it depends on what you intend to do.

[Kunama]

Quite right Richard,
I think it should really read: " For astrophotography mount is King "
For visual my $$$ vote would go for 2/3 OTA , 1/3 Mount.
Some of my most memorable views have been with nice OTAs mounted on bits of plywood screwed together, rotating on a "Lazy Susan".

[gregbradley]

I went through a process of continual upgrade early on in astrophotography. Its a very expensive process. You buy something that isn't quite what you wanted. You use it for a while then you end up wanting the one you wanted orginally but backed off from.
You upgrade to something not quite what you want but better than what you had. You repeat this a few times. Now you have lost several thousand dollars in the upgrade process. Generally the top scopes hold their value really well. Some, like AP scopes, often sell for more than what they cost originally.

So whilst I understand budget constraints and mounts and accessories its a bit like a house. If you get the best basic house that can be improved over time that is better than getting a lesser but fully decked out house now.

So an AP140/155 or a TEC140/160 (there was a TEC160ED that was discontinued that would be great bang for your buck as it was always cheap for a 6 inch APO) is one that you are unlikely to sell in the future because you want some other 6 inch scope.

I can't see Tak coming out with a new 6 inch APO that makes the TOA150 redundant. Unless there is a specific market rejection of that particular model. An argument could be made that scopes like these are so close to perfect there is no significant room for improvement.

So 10 years from now its likely to be a classic scope like the AP155 is even though they are now quite an old scope.

The big question is whether he needs a mount in that budget or whether he wants to do imaging. Visual only just requires a 2.7 inch focuser which makes some of these cheaper. Imaging iwth large chips requires 3.5 to 4 inch focusers and adds to the cost. A good mount is less important for visual. I mounted a Tak FS152 on a Vixen Sphinx for visual. Way overloaded but good enough for visual.Impossible for imaging.

Also whilst its true one scope usually is not perfect for all things, a 6 inch APO refractor with a range of quality accessories is probably the design that best comes close to being the best at all things. TOA150 is a good example. Have a look at the wide range of types of images Marcus Davies has gotten out of his TOA150. Widefield at F5.4, long focal length at around F13, native at around F7.5. Very versatile from widefield nebula images to the brighter galaxies. Plus I am sure its outstanding as a visual scope although getting a bit heavy for portability.

Greg.

[SkyWatch]

Given the $10,000 constraint, unless you can pick up the ES ED152 (which is going for $US6000 at present in the States), what about the TSA120? I know it is not a 6", but (nearly) 5" isn't bad(!), and you can get it with an EQ8 for well under $10,000.

In fact, because of its size you could get an EQ6 or a Losmandy G8G and have lots left over for eyepieces, field flattener if you want to do ap, etc.: or even a Losmandy G11G...

A few people have suggested the TEC 140. I spent a few nights with one some time back, and while it is a very nice scope I certainly wasn't tempted to make the jump up compared to my TSA 102...

Another option, coming completely out of left field, may be the Long Perng ED APO 126 triplet ($3300 at Andrews), or even their new ED APO 150mm f/6.7 triplet- although that is pushing the budget. (I suspect very strongly either of these would give the Williams equivalents a big run for their money. Someone may know too, whether they come out of the same factory? Andrews even say on their site that they are comparable to the Williams...)

$10,000 to spend: what a great problem to have! :thumbsup:

All the best,

Dean

[AG Hybrid]

There's a Skywatcher 18" F4.1 coming out 4Q next year - Ultra Light. That might be the scope I have for the next 10 years. Maybe a 18" F4 Hubble Optics with goto is also an option.

They both have fast cooldown sandwich mirrors. Difference is I might be able to get the Skywatcher from a local supplier. I'm not really into imaging. Might take up sketching. 18" should be enough aperture to provide a decently bright image to sketch.

[gregbradley]

What happened to the original poster? He's ignoring us. This thread is pointless without the intended use being clear. We are talking to ourselves.

Greg.

[Hans Tucker]

Oh I don't know that this thread is pointless because others like myself have come away from this thread with some useful information that yourself and others have posted.

[Stardrifter_WA]

I agree Hans, I have found it most enlightening, as I have had the same quandary, and the suggestion made have been very informative.

[Steffen]

Being the open, accommodating community we are, we surely don't object to being milked for information by columnists, marketeers, advertisers etc? ;)

Here's my input to this intelligence gathering exercise: the best jack-of-all-trades scope is an 8-10" Maksutov-Cassegrain on a tracking mount, sitting next to a 30" Dob. Ok, that's two scopes, but nobody seems to make 30" Maks...

Cheers
Steffen.

[MattT]

Get an Istar 6" f12 or f15 and put it on a G11. Beautiful.
Matt

[Kunama]

Isn't that always the case :confused2: :shrug: :question:

Now would happen if we up the budget a little, say $15K ...... no don't go there .......

[Kunama]

Istar 204mm F8.8 on a secondhand Titan :eyepop:

[PlanetMan]

More to the point - why should any of us bother expending our time making posts when the moderators come along and delete them in some strange notion of moral or legal piety and thus re-invent history of what has been communicated here originally.

Now counting the minutes before this post also gets wiped:lol:

[sn1987a]

40" f3. Well I'm thinking about it and I'm not dead yet :P

[casstony]

+1. Once in a blue moon I get annoyed by the authorities but we're all going to disagree with one another at some time and they do a very good and moderate job in general.

[el_draco]

Parallel conversations ;)

[el_draco]

Don't know about the Mak, but I've had close to a 30" Dob and there are portability issues..:rofl:

[CJ]

That thread title sounds like a threat! ;)

[MattT]

I'm wanting the 'Comet Hunter' 8" f6 after the 6" is done…..always wanting more…..

and it's still under 10K

[Steffen]

A 30" Dob doesn't move, things move around it. Things like a roll-off shed :)

Cheers
Steffen.

[skies2clear]

Yep, I was thinking the same. Best to put off buying that last scope as long as possible.

Some good ideas here though, even if the OP hasn't bothered qualifying his ideas further. Maybe he has already bought his last scope ..... Morbid overtones, sorry!

[sn1987a]

I want to be buried in mine! :P

[FlashDrive]

Ahhhh...now there's a thought....take'm with yah....!! :P

Flash....:D

[Stardrifter_WA]

Now that is just being plain selfish Flash. :lol: You should leave 'em to a worthy cause.....................me :D

[FlashDrive]

Oh I see ...The Peter Crake Foundation :lol: ... how could I forget....:P

[Stardrifter_WA]

Well, at least they'd be well cared for :lol: AND, I can assure you that the NA140 would definitely be well cared for and lovingly maintained. :D

[Kunama]

I have a shovel and can possibly get a flight as early as tomorrow .......
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. or do you want to leave it for a while ?

[sn1987a]

No go on, it'll be good entertainment watching you dig the hole.:D

[Hans Tucker]

There is a scope that I have wanted for a while but gave up looking because they never come up on the second hand market.....until now...one has come up for sale on Astromart and I am not in a position to buy it. :sadeyes:

It is a Carbon Tube Takahashi 250C Epsilon Astrograph

[Kunama]

That's what credit cards are for Hans. Just looked at the scope, beautiful and from the original owner. $$$$ ????

[Hans Tucker]

The asking price is $15K USD...so you have to be realistic as to whether a 13 year old scope is worth that price considering a new CCA-250P is about the same price with greater options.

Still, this comparison doesn't curb my curiosity about the Takahashi Epsilon series Astrographs. Maybe if or when I get over my current love of high end refractors.

I hate credit cards or being in debt so if I can't afford a new toy through paying cash then I pass.

[Stardrifter_WA]

True that Hans, only way to go. However, I do use a credit card for everything, but then I pay it off within the 55 days interest free period, leaving my cash in the bank, until it is time to pay (thus paying no interest). I have the convenience of having a card, I use the banks money, pay zero fees, I get purchase insurance (and travel insurance included), I have a full record of my purchases and, most importantly, at least to me, is that I get points on every purchase. Most of the appliances in my kitchen have been bought with points, so they have cost me nothing, particularly since I haven't paid interest. Now, I let the points build up throughout the year and use them for all my xmas food shopping, by redeeming Coles vouchers.

But, that all only happens if you have discipline, otherwise they aren't that great, particularly if you have to pay interest. In the last 18 years, I have only paid interest once on my card, because I forgot to pay that month off, as I was in hospital. I was so surprised by this that I rang my bank, and they waived it anyway, due to the circumstances. Sweet!

I love my bank!

[Neutronstar]

I for one have really enjoyed this thread.

What I have found interesting is when you all talked about spending $10K it was mainly Refractors that were mentioned.

Would anyone spend $10K on a Cat or other?

[Kunama]

Mewlon 250CRS or 300 comes to mind !

[gregbradley]

Wow, US$15,500. I know its a Tak and built like a tank but basically it would be similar to the ASA Hypergraph in terms of optics, wouldn't it?

Greg.

[sn1987a]

Buy the biggest Zambuto mirror you can for 10 grand. The rest is details :D

[Hans Tucker]

Yes, that would be a accurate comparison. I don't know what accuracy the Takahashi Epsilon optics were polished to but the Mewlon's had a reported accuracy of the optical surfaces of at least lambda/20.

[gregbradley]

I have heard many rave reports of how amazing Mewlons are as visual instruments but as imaging instruments they seem quite poor.

I guess they need a corrector as in the Planewave corrected Dall Kirkham design. Dall Kirkhams suffer from bad coma without that corrector so I imagine the Mewlon corrected imaging circle is very small as a result.

ASA (if you trust them) were promoting a hyperbolic 8 inch astrograph. It seemed good. I imagine you need a lightweight camera as flex would be the huge downside. The Tak is more likely to be robust enough to take a decent camera but I would think twice about using a Proline on the Epsilon. The ED 180 F2.8 had some focuser issues. Same with FSQ106ED and TOA150 prior to TOA150B (Taks response to some focuser flex issues reported).

Imaging trains have gotten a lot heavier than when that scope was designed.

Greg.

[Hans Tucker]

There is a good report on CN regarding Astrophotography with the older un-corrected Mewlon.

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=133

I would be interested to see if there is an improvement with the newer corrected Mewlons (CR & CRS).

Seriously though the older Mewlons were marketed as a visual instrument with the ability to produce good on axis planetary imaging results. As for wider DS stuff...well forget it.

The older Epsilons (E200, E210 and E250) were Takahashi's flagship Astrographs.

Didn't Mike Sidonio have an ASA Hypergraph which he had issues with or was that another brand?

[sharpiel]

Not sure anyone's really interested now since the thread has moved slightly off topic as they do, but I'm the OP for the thread and I thought I'd give a bit of closure to the questions I first posed.

In the end I bought a beautiful Tak TOA130. It refractor royalty, light enough to only require a mid size light mount which will come easily with us in the Jeep as we travel around Australia and is both visual and photographically (with flattener) stunning.

I couldn't be happier in terms of my requirements and the best fit.

Now one day when I have even more money and an observatory...Tak TOA 150 or TEC...

[stevous67]

Hi Les,

No advice here, except for congratulations and good luck with the purchase.

Hope you get what you hope for and just enjoy it. Lots of interesting advice above!

Hope you get some clear skies after all that!

Cheers
Steve

[RD400C]

Hello Les

My name is Garth and i had followed the thread, and am pleased for you on your purchase of a TOA-130, i also have one, and am equally pleased with the instrument. I have gone through the process of getting pelican cases for all of my kit, and have a 1740 Long for the OTA. I have put a CCA on the rear ready for the flattener. But the case only holds the OTA with the CCA and the standard 2" adaptor on the rear. Just thought this might be helpful if you plan to travel long distances with your scope. If you look at my 'wishes come true' post I hope you find many other things you need. I am now saving up for a 35mm CCD.

All the best Garth

[Shano592]

I spent that on my first setup, below.

For my last scope, I would be spending upwards of $60k, plus some land out nowhere to park it.

Plus a plane to fly to it.

A man can dream...

[skysurfer]

This one ?

http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/Telescopes-/Refracting-Telescopes-OTA/Apochromates/APM-LZOS-Telescope-Apo-Refractor-510/6500-CNC.html

$995000 ....

I hope the bank will provide you a mortgage for it :)

... no but what for me is really the dream scope is a...

Canon 500mm f/4L or 600mm f/4L

And using this trick (http://www.samirkharusi.net/lensdiagonal.html) make a fantastic visual APO of it ....

[Shano592]

I was thinking of something closer to the Orion 50". Plus a 3-storey barn to house it.

Plus the plane, of course.