Finally got me my dream scope

[Omaroo]

A big thanks to Gary Beal (NZ) who sold me his beloved Tak FS102 and Lars Hansen, who personally brought the scope back from Gary on a recent trip to NZ for me as hand luggage. Thanks heaps fellas.

I've just received it - and wow, it's a beast for a 4" scope. I've attached the rings to two Losmandy dovetails (universal on bottom and D-series up top) such that my existing FS60-C can sit in its Losmandy guide rings. A very solid setup indeed.

I'm thrilled that there are no special tricks involved with the 2" visual back, allowing me to mount both a DSLR and a 2" dielectric diagonal and get perfect focus on both. Normally you need to delve into Takahashi "accessory city" to achieve this by buying all sorts of extenders and tubes that are totally proprietary.

Please excuse the finder, I have a proper Tak 7x50 coming up from Takaya in Canberra over the next couple of days. I'll then try illuminating the reticle with an Orion illuminator off my 12mm ill. reticle EP...if it fits. If not, I'll have to get a genuine Tak unit. Anyone tried this before?

Hopefully I'll get time to put one of my heater strips together tomorrow, so that it can be tried on Saturday evening, weather permitting! :)

Next - a field flattener and/or field flattener/focal reducer, and a camera swivel ring as per the one on the FS60-C which is absolutely fantastic.

So - form the Tak guys, what accessories do you most use in typical imaging (SLR) situations? The Tak accessory sheet is a killer to follow unless you know EXACTLY what you need. King-size PITA.

Anyhoo - IISAC here I come! :)

[spearo]

wow
awesome setup!
enjoy!
frank

[Alchemy]

wow youve tacked on a Tac to the Tac :thumbsup: tack sharp i presume

[Bassnut]

Very Tak(y) awesome.

[beren]

:thumbsup: Awesome Chris you must be very excited congrats. I'm sure you'll like the Tak finder too, love mine best I've used reckon its better then the stellarvue sparrowhawk I have. I lost my illuminator for it but I have another off a meade eyepiece and it fits.

[cookie8]

That's awesome Chris:eyepop:Someone has to be lucky to have their dream come true and refractoritis treated,well,at least temporarily.:thumbsup:

[Ian Robinson]

Refractorolicism is treatable ....:D

[Matty P]

Wow! How cool is that!

I was wondering why it was cloudy today. :lol:

:thumbsup:

[Omaroo]

Thanks all - can't WAIT to get into it. :party: I was hoping to get the G11 out tonight and mate them up - but there is this fuzzy stuff up there that looks suspiciously like precipitation...



Stuart - thanks. Good to know that the Meade one fits. That means that the Orion one should fit too. I agree with your take on the quality - even the 6x30 on the FS60-C is brilliant, so the 7x50 with illumination should really be wonderful. :thumbsup: How's your Sky90/FS60 team doing?

[beren]

Bit quiet mate, finally have a Tak Jura plate arriving next week to uitlise the TGM-2 so hopefully I'll be able to use both very soon in tandem :D

[UniPol]

Congratulations on a great scope Chris, you are certainly on the road to Takitis which is not treatable. When people ask me which telescope to buy, my standard answer is " Buy a Tak, you'll never look Bak". Yes, the illuminated reticle from the Meade Astrometric or guiding eyepiece fits in the Tak finders and works just as well as the Tak one, far cheaper to.

I have Takitis and just to show what it leads to, I have attached a pic to prove to you what can and will happen. The big Taks spawn little Taks and sometimes the other way round. No place in a cold and dirty shed or garage for these little babies, they need the warmth and comfort of the loungeroom.

Cheers,

Steve B

[Omaroo]

:) :thumbsup:

[Omaroo]

Thanks Steve - what a stunning collection of instrumentation. :) Yeah, in my case a 60 gave birth to the 102. Before too long I can see that I'll catch the same damn sickness that you're battling. My G11 is going to get a bashing, because I hope that next on the list is a TOA130 or 150 with an STL11k hanging off it.

They really are lovely instruments. I've just spent the last hour matching each scope's R&P effort, so now both feel exactly the same to focus. Oh so nice.

[beren]

:thumbsup: Nice collection Stephen




More temptation Chris get a feather touch on the FS-102 ......ooohh baby:)

[JohnG]

Yep, have them on the FS-128 and the TSA-102, smoooooooooooth :thumbsup:

Cheers

[Omaroo]

Steve - is that the Teegul SP-II or III? I have the SP-II and absolutely love it. I don't have the Tak tripod though. They're superb with the FS60 and a camera on them, huh.

[UniPol]

It's the SP-III Chris which uses the new TG-HD hand controller. Tak are pretty clever as the TG-HD is also used to drive the P-2Z mount. I only bought the SP tripod and adjustable mount adaptor recently. Previous to this, I used a Celestron Alt/Az mount. The legs on the little Tak mount unscrew so the whole outfit is ultra portable. The adjustable tripod adaptor is the weak link in the set up as the central pivot bolt just can't be tightened up enough to hold the mount and scope and it moves downwards. I ended up drilling and tapping for an M4 thread just above the cap screw and putting in a stainless steel grubscrew and it works a treat. I have it set to 34 degrees elevation.

Cheers, Steve

[Omaroo]

John & Stuart - speaking of the FeatherTouch 10:1 for the 102, is there such a thing for the 60?

[Ric]

Congrats Chris on a excellent looking setup.

That is going to be one amazing performer in the cold skies of Cooma.

Cheers

[beren]

Not sure Chris, not listed on the Starizona site where I got mine but the folk at feathertouch might be able to do a custom piece if keen maybe.

[astronut]

Chris,
Couldn't you wait until next week!!:lol::lol::lol:

[astro_nutt]

Congrats on the new arrival Chris!!!..It feels great to hear someone finally obtain their dream instrument..enjoy!!..enjoy!!

[RB]

Congrats Chris on the new Tak, they're just a dream to use.

The Orion illuminator will go straight on the TAK 7x50 (as mentioned) and as for DSLR accessories, all I use it the usual t-mount and 2" adapter straight into the back of the TAK.
I'm glad I don't have to deal with those proprietary TAK adapters, a pain as you say.

[Omaroo]

Thanks fellas :)

John - NO! :P

Andrew - all I needed to reach focus with the DSLR was a Bintel 35mm 2" extension tube. Simple. Nice!

A new day - rain and cloud. Weekend coming.... I think that I'm going to try chanting to a spare pagan rain god and see if it can clear things up for Saturday night. :whistle: Any one know one I can use that's reliable and not too expensive?

[h0ughy]

how many scopes do you own now Chris!!!! green with envy....

[Omaroo]

Less than 10 David. :thumbsup: Jenny and I have a pact in place. If I get a scope - she gets another Pug. It's sort of a self-regulation thing, because guess who's duty it is to keep the lawn poo-free! :rofl:

[Jeffkop]

Nice setup Chris. I am particularly interested in the dual ring mount setup with the plates top and bottom. Are they a losmandy product or TAK?

I have a TSA102 and I have got the TAK adaptors etc for it. Did my lessons in reading a TAK system chart.

So if you could email me with the info on the plates, I may be able to return the email with info on the TAK adapters.

Your setup looks like the setup Im after :thumbsup:

[JohnG]

Chris

I don't believe that a FeatherTouch focuser is made for the FS-60, a quick email to the folks at FeatherTouch will confirm that, they friendly people to deal with.

As far as the 35 Flattener is concerned, I believe that they were designed for use in the TSA and TOA series of scopes, the triplets, not the FS, a doublet, an email to Takahashi America should confirm that.

Cheers

JohnG

[Omaroo]

Great news - the 7x50 finder arrived from Takaya in Canberra just now. Thanks Tak!!

The Orion illuminator fits just fine. WOW - with the focus control on the finder, and the cross hairs illuminated, it is incredibly clear and well focused. The gap in the center of the cross hairs is wonderful - enablng you to see the object without it being hidden. The etched hairs are so fine yet easy to see - especially subtly illuminated. Beautiful! :thumbsup: Glad I got it.

[Omaroo]

Thansk John - I'll contact them both. From what I can see, the same flatteners are used on the FS-128.

Time for a 5-pot turret?? :)

[JohnG]

Hi Chris

Are you sure about that, the FS-128 System Chart I have only shows the Focal Reducer/Flattener which is a different piece of glass, that works fine with the 102 or 128, gives you a nice wide field of view, you just have to make sure your Metal Back Distance is correct.

Cheers

John G

[Omaroo]

LOL! No, I'm not sure at all! Just a couple of sites I've found that mention that they are "compatible" or "the same", but these are personal blogs, so could be utterly wrong. I'll delve deeper!

[Jeffkop]

Chris

Just checked my TSA102 system chart against a FS102 and the camera angle adaptor that you are asking about is the same .. TKA23200 ..

Hope that helps

[Omaroo]

Thanks Jeff - it's on my list! :)

[JohnG]

Hi Chris

I will try and explain it to you, :lol:, remember this is Tak......

There are 3 different Extenders/Focal Reducers and Flatteners.

The CAA is the same for all the 2.7" focusers.

For the FS-102/128 you use the Focal Reducer/Flattener, it is 2.7" in Dia and screws onto the CAA, a CA-35 is then screwed to the rear of the Focal Reducer/Flattener, screwed to the rear of the CA-35 is a Wide T-Mount (A special Tak camera mount), attached to the Wide T-Mount is your camera adapter.

The 1.6x Extender just slips into the 2" focuser and brings the scope up to about f/12 or so BUT you need the CA-35 (50.8) to give you the right distance back for your camera's focal plane.

Please note: The CA-35 and the CA-35 (50.8) are two different bits of equipment.

The 35 Flattener is different again, as I said earlier, it was designed for use with the TOA and TSA series which are triplets, not the FS series which are doublets. On the TSA-102 it reduces the focal length from 816mm to 800mm, the FS-102 has a f/l of 820mm. When you use a 35 Flattener in an FS series, I believe that there is not enough Infocus. With the TSA-102 you have to remove the CAA to get enough infocus. The 35 Flattener slides into the 2" focuser and the CA-35 (50.8) slides into it to give the right distance back for your camera.

All very confusing so I hope I have explained it properly :P

Cheers

John G

[JohnG]

Some pictures to help explain:

1. Focal Reducer/Flattener

2. CA-35 (50.8) and CA-35

3. CAA, Reducer/Flattener, CA-35 and Wide T-Mount

4. Same setup in parts

5. Extender 1.6 and CA-35 (50.8)

6. Extender 1.6 and CA-35 (50.8) attached to an FS-102

7. CAA, Reducer/Flattener, CA-35 on an FS-102
Cheers

JohnG

[Omaroo]

Gee whiz John - thanks so much for all of this. It's a great help! I'll have to look at how much things are and then get what I need in order of priority. Flat field would be nice for photography, but I'll take an unflattened image for now.

Easiest thing would be: "Check 'D' - All of the above"!

[RB]

Or you could just image through the little 79mm bargain newt until you have all the Tak parts you need for the 102. :P

[JohnG]

To be honest, I always thought the FS-102 had a nice flat field at Prime Focus anyway, try it and see :thumbsup:

Cheers

John G

[monoxide]

thats a nice scope ya got there ;)

i've had mine for about 2 months now and only just set it up tonight for first light! (visual) weather here has been terrible.

i dont even want to look at all the bits i'll eventually 'need' just yet.

from what i've read the 102 should give pretty decent results without the flattener unless your using a big chip, but i guess the best way to find out is to get out there and give it a go.

[Omaroo]

Heya Tj :)

I didn't even see your post that mentioned you'd bought one. Hope first light goes well! Mine'll hopefully be tomorrow night - fingers crossed. I've still got to really figure out whether or not a heater is required. It's pretty wet out there at this time of year...

Lemme know how you go! :D

[monoxide]

just came in from a quick look around..
dropped in the 24mm pano and slewed to the moon, absolutely incredible view, just so sharp.. had to pick my jaw up off the ground before i moved on.

checked out a few open clusters a couple globs and the swan neb, a few of the standouts being 47 tuc, the jewel box and the butterfly cluster.
the contrast and sharpness certainly make it look like its going a lot deeper than youd expect. a quick star test revealed concentric rings on both sides of focus, collimation looked spot on also.

after using the Tak finder for a while you realise why they cost what they do, mine is just as sharp as the 102.

unless its really damp you should be ok without a dew heater, shields on these scopes are huge. i wouldnt go for a long imaging session without a heater running though just in case.

only real thing i can complain about on mine atleast is that the focuser seems a bit stiff, ill be looking into putting a feathertouch micro on it but i probably would have done that eventually anyway.

[Omaroo]

Excellent! :) Good on you! It's pouring down here... :(



I adjusted mine on both the 60 and 102 to take the same effort to focus. If you screw off the small double-dimpled knob holding the pinion cover on, there are two small philips screws under that - one on each side of the pinion shaft. If you loosen either one or both a SMIDGIN, you'll alter the effort until it's what you're after. I then use a small dab of my wife's nail polish on the side of each screw to lock them right there. I don't use Loctite, as the nail polish cracks straight off when you want it to. Both of my focusers are absolutely liquid-smooth and light to move - yet don't budge when the camera's weight is on them. You've always got the focus lock anyway.

[monoxide]

ahh nice thanks for the tip, ill have to give that a go.

i wish i could feel sympathetic about the rain but i got mine back in july and only just managed first light tonight!!
its horrible having a brand new scope you've been looking forward to getting for so long just sitting there for over a month before you get to use it.

now to order a side by side plate and some dew heaters.

[Dave47tuc]

Great set up Chris:thumbsup:

If you want the focuser to be that much better fit the Starlight Feather touch TRF focuser.
http://www.starlightinstruments.com/microsTak.htm

I have just got mine on my Tak Newt, yes Newtonian:whistle:

This is the TRF for the Tak 102 Refractor:)

[Omaroo]

Thanks Dave

Yes, quite a few people have recommended them. Mine actually had one fitted by Gary in NZ, but he kept it - so they must be good! LOL!

I definitely want 10:1 reduction for that perfect focus.

What's got me surprised somewhat, is the sheer number of Tak owners here. "Youse" are all coming outta the woodwork!

[RB]

We're like stealthy Ninjas. :whistle:

[Omaroo]

Here's one I took tonight. The skies were cloudy, yet again, so my camera turned to the scope itself. :doh:

Takahashi FS-102 (w/Tak 7x50 Illuminated finder) and FS-60C (w/Tak 6x30 finder) on Losmandy G11.

[Omaroo]

Clear afternoon so far..... maybe first light tonight?

Our astro society is doing a school event tonight, which I unfortunately can't attend - but the back yard is looking good. Hopefully I'll do some lunar exploring and photography... :)

[asterisk]

Looks good Chris - I must have missed your post and only came across it today.

What you are doing/spending really explains our current local weather!

Doubtless we will have clear skies when you take all that new stuff north with you.

Cheers

[gregbradley]

Lovely setup.

I've had 2 FS scopes - the FS102 and an FS152 (which of course is an amazing scope).

I remember a fabulous widefield view in the FS102 with Denk binos and a pair of TV 19mm Panoptics - wow.

The Tak 10:1 microfocuser is good not great. It can be a bit spongy if not adjusted just right.

They got it right on the new FSQ106ED. Its microfocuser is superb and in my opinion even better than the Feathertouch one I have on an AP140 scope. I think its 6:1 - not sure, but its a really nice item. I wonder if you can get those for an FS102 retrofit? Anyways, I'd go the feathertouch microfocuser for the FS102 over the Tak 10:1 model.

The F6 reducer is sometimes for sale on Astromart second hand. Probably about US$250 + Shipping. It is like other Tak reducers/flatteners - a work of art.

I bought a Tak 35mm TOA flattener but it would not work on an STL11/ FS152.

For an STL setup, if you go that way at some point - you will most likely or most certainly I should say - change the focuser to a 4 inch focuser if one will fit the tube. Otherwise you get terrible vignetting. You will also need a flattener, even at F8. I upgraded my FS152 to a 4 inch focuser.

The Camera Angle Rotator is a fabulous Tak accessory and is very handy.
There is both a 2.7 inch and 4 inch model.

A DSLR is probably the max size chip you can image with without getting into expensive mods and accessories so keep that in mind. The Yahoo Tak uncensored group is another good source of info for Tak scopes.

Cheers,

Greg.