Calling all FS102 or FSQ106 owners

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #1 23-02-2008, 07:09 PM

Hi all

I'm looking at getting an EM-11 Temma2-Jr mount for my little FS60-C. I also want to mount an additional scope side by side and use the 60 as the guide for the other - and then vice versa.

My question is this. Given that the advertised weight limit of the EM-11 is 8kg, I could fit the FS60-C and the FS102 on the mount at a combined total of 6.6kf - plus camera and plate.

I see Takahasi USA selling the FSQ106 ON an EM-11 as a package. Looking into it further, the FSQ106 weighs in at a hefty 14kg! Seems like the weight limit is uhmm.. overloaded.

Any indications from those that may have used both of these scopes how different in performance they really are? The FSQ106 is a Petzval, so flatness of field would be substantially better than a native FS102, but a flattener/reducer would fix that.

Thanks for any input.

Comet Hunter · #2 23-02-2008, 07:37 PM

G'Day Chris,

Those weights look a little outta wack.

Optcorp have the Jr. rated at 25lb's (11kg's)
The New Q is listed at 15.4 lb's. (7Kg's)

RB (Andrew) · #3 23-02-2008, 07:52 PM

I'm going to recommend you stretch your budget Chris and go for the EM200.
Even if it means you hold off on the FSQ or FS102 for a while.
Believe me it's better to go bigger on the mount first up than having to upgrade later.

Once you start adding on the two scopes plus your DSLR you'll wish you had the load extra capacity.
You may be upgrading your Nikon to a larger model too or you may want to through a good lens on there.
You'll future proof yourself with whatever combo you may want to use later.

If anything, look at getting the EM200 Jr and add an Argo on it !

Food for thought.

leon · #4 23-02-2008, 08:00 PM

Agreed Chirs, look hard at the mount first, the best that your budget can handle, the rest will be easy.

My G11 may be overkill for what i have on it at the moment, but it will handle anthing i want to add in the future.

Leon

JohnG (John) · #5 23-02-2008, 08:56 PM

Also, the FS-102 has been superceded by the TSA-102 although I do believe AEC have a couple.

Cheers

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #6 23-02-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comet Hunter

G'Day Chris,

Those weights look a little outta wack.

Optcorp have the Jr. rated at 25lb's (11kg's)
The New Q is listed at 15.4 lb's. (7Kg's)

Hmmm.. that's wierd! Here's where I got the weights from.

http://www.takahashiamerica.com/cata.../OTASpecs1.pdf

You'll notice that the FSQ weighs in at 14kg/30.8lb.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #7 23-02-2008, 11:03 PM

Thanks for your advice fellas

I'll look at an EM200/Temma.

Andrew - does the EM200JR allow you to autoguide?

RB (Andrew) · #8 24-02-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Hmmm.. that's wierd! Here's where I got the weights from.

http://www.takahashiamerica.com/cata.../OTASpecs1.pdf

You'll notice that the FSQ weighs in at 14kg/30.8lb.

The TOA130 is listed at 10kgs on the same doc, so that may well be correct for the FSQ because it is referring to the original FSQ.
Leon will be able to confirm how much an original FSQ weighs.
I believe the new FSQ is lighter, but it does seem a big difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Thanks for your advice fellas

I'll look at an EM200/Temma.

Andrew - does the EM200JR allow you to autoguide?

Yes it does according to the manual.
You can D/L it here.

gbeal · #9 24-02-2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Andrew - does the EM200JR allow you to autoguide?

Yep, same mount, just the Jnr is a slower goto slew.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #10 24-02-2008, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbeal

Yep, same mount, just the Jnr is a slower goto slew.

Thanks Gary

montewilson (Monte) · #11 24-02-2008, 08:25 AM

I have the 200 jnr. It is a work of art. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of getting into top end mounts.

It will of course guide using the ST4 format plug. There is a cable for this included.

It's all-sky rms pointing is about 20" with TPoint. The 5" periodiic error as advertised is way higher than I see in normal operation.

You wouldn't need Argo (but I think you can add it if you really want to) I use my EM200 with TheSky. While it is not good at displaying objects (IMO I still prefer Uranometria 2000 to find potential photo targets) it runs the scope very well. The slower slew speed is not an issue. The speed is high enough as it is and paying the premium to go up in speed was not worth it. Hint... run it on 24 volts and you will be more than happy. I bought a 24v power supply from Jaycar for this.

The polar scope is deadly accurate. I can get to within 2' of the pole in a few minutes. It is complex but after a few goes you will be on top of it.

I am a bit puzzled about the weight statement of the FSQ. Mine (an old one) is not with me right now but I think its weight must be way less than 14kg. There is a mix up on their site.

The EM200 will keep you happy for many years give you can get up to a TOA-130 on it. See attached picture to give you an idea of what you can carry on it.

Peter Ward · #12 24-02-2008, 10:12 PM

I have a New Q FSQ106 OTA. With rings it weighs 7kg. (I know this because I just put it on the kitchen scales...which prompted my wife to ask whether I was about to bake it...)

An EM11/EM10/G-8 or similar would be more than ample.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #13 24-02-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

I have a New Q FSQ106 OTA. With rings it weighs 7kg. (I know this because I just put it on the kitchen scales...which prompted my wife to ask whether I was about to bake it...)

An EM11/EM10/G-8 or similar would be more than ample.

That's very interesting Peter - and thanks for going to the trouble of weighing the 106.

If I can get away with an EM-11 it'd certainly make my home life easier.

I'm still leaning towards an EM-200 though, because even at 7kg, the 106 plus the 60 and cameras will exceed the advertised limits of an 11. On it's own, the 106 and EM-11 would be wonderful though...