New Baby Finally arrived

[Hagar]

Well after what seems like the wait for a new baby, me new Tak FSQ106ED has finally arrived. The arrival was somewhat of an exercise on it's own but now all I need is some clear skies to try it out.

The saga began with the scope being picked up from AEC by Startrack express and obviously sitting in a warehouse in Adelaide for a week before finally hitting the road towards Melbourne. 7 days to the day the tracking system tells me the scope is in Melbourne, 2 days to wait at best, 3 at worst. My thoughts at least. 4 days later a courier van arrived and with excitement I went out to greet him. To my surprise I was presented with a small box only. My initial thought was "The scope is a lot smaller than I had thought.
This was only the clamshell and the FR and extender I had also ordered.
A phone call to the courier company made me feel sick, apparently the scope had gone on a road trip back to Adelaide. Home sick I guess.

I contacted AEC and Claude contacted Startrack Express and fired a rocket up them. It must have worked because the return from Adelaide and delivery to the door took 2 days. Just shows what should be able to happen with courier delivery.

The scope itself came well packed in triple layer cardboard boxes spaced with polystyrene foam then filled up with foam packing. See attached photos.

Now for my request. Please all pray for clear skies.

[RB]

Doug, firstly congrats on the new scope, what a little beauty !!!

I know how you feel about waiting for the courier to deliver, it's a nail bighting experience when it's an expensive item that's for sure.

Claude does his best though and I'm glad all was well in the end.

I can just imagine what he said to the courier company LOL !!!

:thumbsup:

[gbeal]

Congrats Doug, looking forward to some stunning images with it.
Gary

[mick pinner]

congrats Doug, l hope it's all you hoped it would be. looks great.

[toryglen-boy]

Nice one Doug

That looks proper nice

;)

[Tilt]

Doug, a fine instrument, I'm sure it will produce plenty of excellent images. Congrats.

Michael

[mozzie]

great setup doug things happen when they get a rocket up there butts
mozzie

[leon]

Nice one Doug you should get some enjoyment out of that beauty, congrats mate.

Leon

[telecasterguru]

Hey Doug,
That's one cute kid.

Frank

[Marclau]

Doug,
Congrats.......one word: AWESOME..........simply awesome.......be interested to see what pictures you can post.......

[Tamtarn]

Congrats on the new scope Doug, I am sure it will be well worth the wait.

Looking forward to some great images.

[Omaroo]

Onya Doug :thumbsup: Nice new toy :)

I doubt I'll have mine before BSG, but will have my new MT-160 to use there, so that's my consolation prize. I'll be very keen to see your machine at BSG.

[Hagar]

Thanks everyone, Managed to sneak in 4 X 2 min exposures of eta carina between clouds in some pretty bad seeing and I do mean bad.
The scope seem to capture very well. Star test at least a very quick one was spectacular. and the image came up OK considering.

[DavidU]

'm jealous ! Enjoy that TAK:)

[leon]

Ah, yes Doug, I can see Tak all over that image, ;) looking forward to some masterpieces in the near future, enjoy.:thumbsup:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Tandum]

Looking good Doug, I bet the glass in the reducer is as big as the lens on the front of the scope :)

[anj026]

Clear skies to you Doug!

[lacad01]

Well done on the acquisition, looks like a beaty:)

[Paddy]

Congratulations Doug - I suspect that you are going to have rather a lot of fun with that superb piece of equipment!

[Alchemy]

its been a wait ..... but its here . great stuff, this will refresh your whole outlook on imaging. i look forward to seeing some wonderful images.


clive

[mental4astro]

OOOHHHH, a baby with TEETH!

Good one mate.

[jase]

Great purchase you wont regret Doug....but why the FSQED, why not the FSQEDX or the FSQEDXII? I was contemplating selling mine for the upgrade, but I'll do a retrofit instead. The "captain's wheel" instrument rotator is crap IMO. It works, but if your "hardcore" in getting the framing correct, its a dud to use. Anyway, I'm sure you'll love it...and perhaps don't listen to anything I've said until you get a few hours alone with it under dark skies.

[Gama]

Lovely scope Doug, should bring some excellent images.
They do great wide field imaging.

Theo

[AlexN]

Awesome!

Cant wait to see what you and this baby can produce together!

[seeker372011]

hope you have updated your status in teh how many scopes does one person need thread :)

congratulations and clear skies

[Hagar]

I have the 4" camera rotator retrofit coming for this scope. I didn't think about it when I made the original order. And I agree the captains wheel is junky at best. I end up moving the mount trying to move the wheel.

[Hagar]

I must change my signature list but I have only got VC200L, WO 70mm APO, FSQ and old ED80 which I will offer very cheap to our Astro club members first. I have sold the rest.

[spacezebra]

Congrats Doug

Looking forward to your images. Cheers Petra d.