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Well, so much for the stars will be blobs post from Valery.
Quite impressive. Looks as good as just about any other image of that
area from different scopes.
Are you sure your Tak flattener isn't working as the stars are odd only in the top left hand corner that I can see at that image size. That would seem to indicate lack of squareness - so something is tilting. Loose connections or the focuser drawtube is a bit loose etc.
I got an RCOS flattener once. They are US$1500 + shipping + GST (ie. almost as much as you scope cost) - didn't fit and really really couldn't care less type customer service. The packaging was also very amateurish. You get a US$400 Tak flattener and it has beautifully machined aluminium caps, a nice box and it fits. Their flattener is actually made by Peter Ceravolo and you could even contact him direct
(Ceravolo Optics - he makes an astrograph).
I am not sure flatteners are that sensitive scope to scope. Perhaps I am wrong but the main thing with them is the metal back distance so you would need to know the exact metal back distance for your Tak flattener. They are often around 86mm or 106mm. Tak uncensored group is a good place to find out. Looking at your image it doesn't appear to be so much the flattener is a problem but flexure in the focuser as you mentioned.
For example my 4inch FS152 flattener works fine on my AstroPhysics 140mm triplet.
Are GSO planning on making a flattener for theirs?
Another potential source for a flattener is Deep Sky Instruments who make an 10 inch RC and a flattener.
Greg.
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