Takahashi and William Optics

[LewisM]

Just a heads up for anyone that needs to use Vixen rails on their mounts with Takahashi clamshell offset plates- the W.O wide head dovetail bar (http://www.williamoptics.com/accessories/vixenDovetailLong_features.php and the short version probably) central holes line up PRECISELY with the threaded smaller holes of the Takahashi offset plate.

This should save a little frustration for anyone silly like me still using Vixen bars :) I will remove the offset plate shortly and see if the clamshell might attach directly as well, further eliminating weight by removing the offset plate.

[LewisM]

Furthermore, for anyone seeking rings for their FSQ85ED (or any Tak with the 95mm tube like the FC-100 etc), try these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221268173765&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:AU:1120

I have a pair on the way (should be here on Friday next week) so will report then. Hopefully, they are W.O quality and not soft alloy like some Chinese rings.

[Larryp]

Parallax 95mm rings from OPT are cheaper, Lewis

[LewisM]

Not by the time you add in postage from OPT Larry - the Chinese eBay ones have free shipping (total I paid was $129.99 US). Joe Nastasi wanted $125 also custom made, but the shipping was an extra $34.

Quality is the unknown. Time will tell.

[Larryp]

I paid $120 plus $62 shipping, but I also bought a Stellarvue 9x50 RACI finder at the same time. So I don't know how much shipping for the rings alone would be.
The mentioned dealer now has a rewards discount scheme, which reduced the rings by $5.00 and the finderscope by $15.00 :)
I think I would rather pay the extra few dollars for known quality, particularly when I am going to hang an expensive Tak on them!

[LewisM]

Rings arrived from China today, complete with the short Vixen rail supplied. I have to say, they are good! They almost look like WO rejects (not painted, MINOR mill chatter marks) They are anodised though. The flaws are merely cosmetic, easily hidden by some paint (will be Tak Green as of tomorrow).

Maybe NOT worth the $129 dollars, but easily worth $100 if you can live with the mill chatter marks.

[brian nordstrom]

That sounds good Lewis , 4 days , woaw , do you know if they do these in 70mm ? I would like a set for my new LP 60mm triplet .
I had a look at the e/bay site but they don't show any that size ??
Thanks .
Brian.

[LewisM]

Email them an ask - they seem to make just about anything for telescopes and microscopes (they are primarily a microscope supplier).

I tried them on my FSQ85 a while back, and the fit is VERY secure. JUST what I needed, and they also fit the wide top WO Vixen bars perfectly.

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Thanks mate , will do as this little LP triplet deserves something like these .
Brian.