New Tak FSQ-85ED - "Baby Q" Astrograph

[RB]

Just saw the new FSQ OTA release from Tak.
The FSQ-85ED astrograph (http://www.optcorp.com/images2/11546-L.jpg).

Be interesting to see how this one performs as an imaging travel scope, obviously it's not cheap on the wallet though.

All the specs here. (http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=11546)

[Ian Robinson]

I saw it too : there's a 4" version that I would rather have. http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1-600-605-873-9181

Think it woulld be cheaper to buy a big fast zoom telephoto.

I was looking at going for a nice fast Fluorite APO or ED APO in 100-110mm range last year but decided against it and to sit on the money.
The field flattener / telecompressor lenses are murder pricewize.
This was to replace my stolen Vixen Fluorite 4" APO and GP-DX mount , which was lifted when some toe-rag broke into my garage. Roller door locks are not very secure. Good thing I had contents insurance on my home.



And some have optical elements very close to focusor end of the telescope too. I think the Taks do this.

[leon]

Looks like a nice little scope, and a nice price tag as well, nearly three grand :eyepop:

Leon :thumbsup:

[jase]

This was announced to the Tak yahoo forums a while ago.

New Q is 530mm @ F/5
Baby Q is 450mm @ F/5.3

Hmm difference isn't great enough to warrant trading in the Q. Keep in mind you can get a reducer for the new Q which will drop it down to 382mm @ F/3.6

What I do like is that Tak have once again placed their old style CAA back on the scopes. The new Q used their "new age" CAA which couldn't be used in remote operations with a Robofocus to adjust the camera angle. Subsequently, they came out with a FSQ-EDX to address this. In addition, Astrodon sells the Takometer kit to convert the new Q back so the CAA can once again be automated.

[Omaroo]

I have a CAA on my FS60-C Jase, and it looks like the one pictured. How do you automate them? What's the difference between the old and new?

[jase]

Hi Chris,
Unfortunately you can only automate the 4" tube extensions i.e. FSQ, TOA-130F or TOA-150F. See Don Goldman's site for info - http://www.astrodon.com/products/hardware/takometer_camera_rotator/

If you're not running a robotic operation, it easier (and cheaper!) to rotate the CAA to frame an object manually.

[Omaroo]

Thanks Jase

I can't see, looking at the 4" version why it could not be done for the smaller one. The corrector/flattener sits directly behind the CAA and has a great knurled surface. The quality of the CAA bearing itself would easily support several ounces of side-thrust imposed by a belt without binding. The RoboFocus looks easy to integrate with the unit.

I'd like to remotely control the scope, mounted on my G-11 down in Cooma - where outside temperatures get down to -12C easily. I'd rather be warm inside the building than sitting out there in the freezing cold. Also - the FS60-C is a great wide-field telescope, and I believe that wide-field in this particular scope's FOV requires lots of angle adjustments to get the best presentation - especially with large objects sucj as Eta Carinae, Lagoon and Triffid, etc.

I might look into this and let you know. I know Monte will be interested.

[Ian Robinson]

Don't have a FSQ .

If you are cleavour with electronics and know how to do some coding , you might be able to robotise your CAA rotation .

Can get everything you need , and use MS Robotics Studio (free download) get any sensed data from any sensors included. Check out http://www.robotmarketplace.com/products/mechanical_main.html

[jase]

You could potentially modify it Chris. I'd need to see the business end of the baby Q to make further comment. Monte wont have a problem fitting the takometer on his FSQ as its an the FSQ-106N, not the new FSQ-ED (but as I mentioned Don Goldman (Astrodon) has the solution for the new Q (FSQ-ED). Quote from an email I got from him.

"Yes, I've developed a way to make the back end of the new Q look like the old FSQ. For that, you need the TAK CAA rotator. You also need a 92-to-98mm adaptor that screws into the back of the new Q. The CAA screws onto that. Also, the adaptor needs to have a 4" flat area that is about 10 mm wide for the TAKometer motor plate to attach. These parts have been made and Texas Nautical is supplying me with the CAAs. "

If you are really keen to motorise your CAA for the FS-60C you may want to ping Don an email. I use the CAA a lot, but once its is set for the target I don't touch it throughout the night. If you shoot multiple objects a night, then it might be plausible for you to use a motorised CAA for object framing. I'm a one object over many nights type of guy to collect as much data as possible so I don't have issues. Of course the real benefit of an instrument rotator is to find a guidestar, but at the wide field focal lengths we are talking about that is not a problem.

In your situation, I suspect you'd get much greater benefit motorising your focuser with a Robofocus unit (if you haven't already done so). That way as the night air cools, you don't have to continuously head outside and refocus every 30-40mins to make sure you're in the CFZ. The FS-60C operating at F/5.9 has a CFZ of 76 microns so it wouldn't take too much expansion/contraction to drop out of the CFZ. Not as bad as the FSQ at 55 microns. I script the autofocus routine for every 40 mins to ensure I'm in the zone all night (occurs between subs) with the FSQ-ED. Its a minor pain (necessary evil), but I'd prefer to ensure imaging is productive.

Finally, there are alternatives - http://www.optecinc.com/optec_023.htm

[montewilson]

Oh that my scope were an "N", mine is so venerable (no. 18 serial number) it is a just a plain old 106....

None the less, I am optically rich as is anyone with one of these works of art.

Cool idea with an FSQ-85 but these days I'm married with a baby so I'm astro broke. Good thing I got my toys before I got married.

[jase]

Chris,
The system chart for the FSQ-85ED reveals that it uses the same CAA as the FS-102 - http://www.astrovid.com/documents/FSQ85EDImagingVisual%20SysTX.pdf

Based on this information, the business end (focuser end) is 2.7", not 4". We suspected that anyway, but this confirms it. So you'll need to do some trickery to get the Takometer to work with a 2.7" CAA. Its just bracket that you'd need to make.

Again, if your not heading the robotic operation path, I don't think its worth your worry. Its like when you motorise your focuser with a Robofocus unit...using it manually i.e. for visual use becomes a pain as its slow to step/move the draw tube. Such devices are really meant for imaging purposes. If your instrument is only used for imaging then its worth it. I've never had an eyepeice attached to the business end of the FSQ. I hear they are a nice visual instrument as well, but I wouldn't know. For as long as I can recall, there has always been a camera there - even when polar aligning or syncing the telescope pointing model, I do it through the camera.

[Omaroo]

Thanks again Jase.

Yep - the FS60-C is only used for imaging and /or guiding. This all sounds good.

Cheers
Chris