tak tsa-102n v televue 102

[ian fry]

Hi all.
Im looking at getting a refractor for my 40th. Been looking at a tak tsa-102n and a televue 102. About the same price but im not sure which way to go.
Any help will be great. thanks

[IanL]

Hi Ian,

I have a televue 85 and a Tak Mewlon 180. Both companies provide very good scopes. I think their would be very little between them. It would probably come down to your own choice.

Regards
Ian

[ian fry]

HI ian.
Thanks, You seem to get a little bit more with the televue scope a diagonal and eyepiece,seen some good reports on the taks. Thanks ian

[citivolus]

Quick question for you: Are you specifically after an f/8 or longer scope, or are you considering the shorter tubes as well? If you go down towards f/6, you will find several more brands available, including Borg (101ED), and William Optics (FLT98). Also, another contender in this price range is the f/7.7 Vixen ED103SWT.

Regards,
Eric

[Miaplacidus]

Hell, man, you're turning 40. Get both.

[ian fry]

Hi eric
Yeh im after the f8 i do like the william optics as well thanks eric

[ian fry]

HI great idea, Only if i could get it passed the wife.:lol:

[gregbradley]

Televue 102 is a doublet, Tak TSA102 is a triplet. Per Roland Christen of AstroPhysics fame to make a true APO it needs to be a triplet. APO means 3 colours focus within a tight tolerance at the same spot.

What you typically find with these high quality doublets like Televue 102 or Tak FS series is one colour will be slightly out of focus. This is usually blue hence for imaging you will see an excess of blue hazy stars or star with bluish halos. Whereas the same object imaged with a true APO shows the stars as white. However labelling a doublet as APO is really misleading and should really be described as high quality semi APO.

When you use a real APO after using a doublet you will immediately see the considerable jump in performance. For me that was using a AP140 after using a Tak FS152 for some time. Also using a TEC180mm fluorite triplet. Whilst the FS152 was great for visual and sharp, for imaging stars often had the bluish halos that a doublet often gives and the AP whilst lower in magnification, left it for dead in a whole different league altogether. Still the absolute sharpest scope ever looked through. Brings new meaning to pinpoint stars.

The doublet will cool down faster most likely.

I have heard some really rave reports of the optics of the Tak TSA from a guy who'd owned them all including high end APs and I hope that Tak follows through and makes more triplets like that at larger sizes although I am sure they are in no hurry as they have their TOA 130 and 150.

Greg.

[hotspur]

I had a chap bring up a tak from twn once,it was a TOA 127

i had my little 103 ED Vixen,he looked through mine,and started swearing,

went back to town and sold the tak,and bought a heap of Vixen gear.

he said the best star images he had have seen came from Vixens,i have

had quite a few people say this in regards to the Vixen gear.

I am suprised to see so few people using Vixen gear,Might have to

start "club Vixen"

Chris;)

[anj026]

Hi Ian

I have the Takahashi TSA 102 and am delighted with it. I don't think you would be dissappointed with the TV 102 though if that was your preference. I have read great reviews for both and for visual use the differences are virtually negligible. I would be looking at other deciding factors such as the included accessories, best deal and so on. The TeleVue might be slightly tougher and resistant to mild abuse because it is a simpler design and has a powder coated finish as well as a great case included. The Takahashi has the virtue of being better for imaging. I only use mine for visual. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Happy Birthday!

[Omaroo]

LOL! Firstly Chris - Tak, to my knowledge, has never made a "TOA127". They made an FS128 which was essentially replaced by the TOA130, and they also make a TOA150. The 103ED is quite well colour corrected by all counts - but I think I'd take the Tak. ;)