Well after a bit more use of the TSA and my 10" f6, it seems the colour is atmospheric/eyepiece in origin.
The TSA is quite simply an awesome scope.
On Jupiter at about 100-150x (low in Cancer) with average seeing, the 10" was much brighter as expected but I wasn't prepared to make a call on which scope revealed more detail. That requires more critical study, likely on a better night. The views were similar in respect to cloud features that could be seen.
The thing that impresses me most about the TSA is it's SHARPNESS. I find myself just happy to sit and relax and look at random star fields because they just look so nice. I am truly appreciating the jewel box for the first time. The whole Eta Carinae region is just magnificent at 26-41x (35 & 22mm panoptics).
With the 1st quarter moon low in the western sky, galaxies M83 and NGC4955 were dimly visible at 40-50x, the latter being a particularly lovely sight because of the lovely field stars which were tiny pinpoints. M104 and NGC5128 were obvious, both revealing their dust lanes. I'm really enjoying the open cluster NGC2516 in Carina for the first time now that I can get a 2.5 degree FOV.
My only slight annoyance is that the focuser operation is a tiny bit stiff for my liking.
My 10" has an excellent mirror and after comparing it side by side with the TSA for the first time, I did something; I put my name on AP's notification list for the Starfire 160! I never expect to own one, but it does suggest I'm starting to crave a little more aperture! My 10" is not quite as sharp as the Tak. and I am keen to perform more side by side comparisons of them as opportunity permits. One thing I'm always concerned about with the 10" is cool down and this doesn't seem to be an issue with the TSA.
Maybe I'll end up with a TEC 160 or 180 one day!
