Advice please on large refractor.

[loc46south (Geoffrey)]

Hi in the near future I am looking at upgrading my astro imaging equipment and looking closely at getting either a Takahashi TOA 150B or a TEC 160FL. Comments from anyone with any experience of either or both telescopes much appreciated.

Thanks
Geof Wingham

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

The TEC.
The Tak is a wonderful scope but I've had QA issues with every Tak I have owned, so I'm a little Tak-shy.
Assuming you got a perfect TOA150 I would Still go for the TEC160 simply on the issue of weight. The Tak is a behemoth. I forget its exact weight but it needs a good strong mount and hefty biceps to get it on and off.
Another issue with Taks is accessories. Practically everything you'd want for AP or visual means buying Takahashi - at a third more the price of the nearest comparable thingy and (usually) an inch shy of the quality.
I have no direct experience with the 160, but a Tec 140 is by far the best refractor I've ever viewed with!

Just my 2 cents, but if you can get a hold of a Tec 160 I'd buy it.
Happy hunting!
Peter

[loc46south (Geoffrey)]

Thanks - I own a couple of Taks, a Sky 90 and a M250 - I have never had any trouble with them other than the M250 which is not suitable for A/P. Thankfully a local engineer can turn up Tak adapters for me at a fraction of the online cost. Sadly the TEC is an unknown quantity.

Thanks

[sharpiel]

Two great brands. 160mm is bigger than 150mm. Need say anymore..?

[issdaol (Phil)]

From personal experience I would say the TOA150. I don't think I have heard any complaints from any TOA owners.

I have also found that the TOA150 counterweight ring for the tube is definitely needed to get proper balance.

I have yet to see spot diagrams and strehl reports for TEC but the TOA150 reports are outstanding.

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by sharpiel

Two great brands. 160mm is bigger than 150mm. Need say anymore..?

10mm is hardly going to make a difference.

My 2 cents would be to go with the TEC160FL is you strictly are a visual observer and the TOA-150 if you plan to do a fair amount of Astrophotography. I owned a TEC160FL for a short period and it was a great scope...visually...I never got to test it on Astrophotography. The Feathertouch focuser on the TEC160FL is superior to the focusers on the Takahashi scopes I have owned.

[loc46south (Geoffrey)]

Thanks for the replys - A/P is primary function of telescope and some kind person has thrown a giant spanner in the works - Apeture is king - why not go for a 12.5 Planewave or AG Optics CDK or even an Orion Imaging Newt-------------------------Why not indeed