I recently put in an inquiry with an Australian "Global Tak dealer" (NOT AEC/Claudio Voarino) for the FSQ106 advertised on the dealer's pages. He told me the item advertised was sold, but being a global Takahashi dealer and agent, he would order me another.
He responded in due course with a price ex-Takahashi, but said the price was for an FSQ100, which was the same as the FSQ106EDXIII but had the camera angle adjuster as standard, whereas the FSQ106EDXIII was lower spec export model (?!?!), and did not have the CAA.
I queried him again regarding the FSQ100 - thinking he may have meant FCT100 (I WISH!!!) - but he again reiterated that it is an FSQ100, and that I should know what it is if I am so Takahashi knowledgeable (his decorum was becoming rather rude and condescending at this point). He again said he had NOT quoted me for the FSQ106, but for the FSQ100.
So, am I completely Takahashi ignorant (I hope not, considering the 15 years plus experience I have with them here and in Europe, and owning currently 9 Takahashi's ranging from FC60 to CCA250 and a good bunch in between) and does the FSQ100 really actually exist? My google-fu turned up NOTHING but FSQ85 and FSQ106, and even in Japanese - assuming it is an indigenous product market item - turned up nothing also but the FSQ100 semi-conductor chip HA HA
I am genuinely flummoxed at this stage and want to get to the bottom of it, as "the global Tak Australian dealer" refuses to answer my queries regarding the elusive FSQ100 or even show any pictures, data etc. I have asked a few of my astronomy pals and gals here and back "in the old country" (I am staying with one of those friends right now whilst I await repairs to my house after a tree fell through the roof! ) and no one had heard or seen one either.
Last edited by Ihsahakat; 18-09-2014 at 10:06 PM.
Reason: Edited to remove name of business so as not to cause issues
If you are unhappy/uncomfortable with the service I suggest you contact another vendor - I can suggest Takahashi Australia - see advertisement to the right
I recently put in an inquiry with"Global Tak dealer" (NOT AEC/Claudio Voarino) for the FSQ106 advertised on his pages. He told me the item advertised was sold, but being a global Takahashi dealer and agent, he would order me another.
He responded in due course with a price ex-Takahashi, but said the price was for an FSQ100, which was the same as the FSQ106EDXIII but had the camera angle adjuster as standard, whereas the FSQ106EDXIII was lower spec export model, and did not have the CAA.
I queried him again regarding the FSQ100 - thinking he may have meant FCT100 (I WISH!!!) - but he again reiterated that it is an FSQ100, and that I should know what it is if I am so Takahashi knowledgeable (his decorum was becoming rather rude and condescending at this point). He again said he had NOT quoted me for the FSQ106, but for the FSQ100.
So, am I completely Takahashi ignorant (I hope not, considering the 15 years plus experience I have with them here and in Europe, and owning currently 9 Takahashi's ranging from FCT60 to CCA250 and a good bunch in between) and does the FSQ100 really actually exist? My google-fu turned up NOTHING but FSQ85 and FSQ106, and even in Japanese - assuming it is an indigenous product market item - turned up nothing also but the FSQ100 semi-conductor chip HA HA
I am genuinely flummoxed at this stage and want to get to the bottom of it, as "Global Tak dealer" (NOT AEC/Claudio Voarino) refuses to answer my queries regarding the elusive FSQ100 or even show any pictures, data etc. I have asked a few of my astronomy pals and gals here and back "in the old country" (I am staying with one of those friends right now whilst I await repairs to my house after a tree fell through the roof! ) and no one had heard or seen one either.
The only 100mm Takahashi model that I am aware of is the FC-100D light weigh Flourite.
See Takahashi Japan: http://www.takahashijapan.com/products.html If you click on the top right hand select button, it shows all the current models in the refractor range. There is also a Tak FC-100D F and a 100 D C models (click on the fourth left hand menu which shows all the models). There is no mention of an FSQ 100.
It doesn't show any new models for the FSQ range either, so I would think it doesn't exist, unless it is a one off.
Cheers Pete
Last edited by Stardrifter_WA; 18-09-2014 at 03:44 PM.
The only 100mm Takahashi model that I am aware of is the FC-100D light weigh Flourite.
See Takahashi Japan: http://www.takahashijapan.com/products.html If you click on the top right hand select button, it shows all the current models in the refractor range. There is also a Tak FC-100D F and a 100 D C models (click on the fourth left hand menu which shows all the models). There is no mention of an FSQ 100.
It doesn't show any new models for the FSQ range either, so I would think it doesn't exist, unless it is a one off.
Cheers Pete
I also thought he may have meant the FC-100DC/DF, but alas, he said no.
Your last line is exactly what concerns me - a global Tak dealer speaking of and trying to sell a product that does not even exist I have emailed Tak Japan, Tak Europe and TNR in the USA for any clarification regarding this supposed FSQ100. This should settle it.
One off - would be nice, but not for the $5100 quoted I would think. Prototype would be interesting but again, I can find no info out there, anywhere.
I also thought he may have meant the FC-100DC/DF, but alas, he said no.
Your last line is exactly what concerns me - a global Tak dealer speaking of and trying to sell a product that does not even exist I have emailed Tak Japan, Tak Europe and TNR in the USA for any clarification regarding this supposed FSQ100. This should settle it.
One off - would be nice, but not for the $5100 quoted I would think. Prototype would be interesting but again, I can find no info out there, anywhere.
A one off would be nice. It may be a FSQ106 that had been reground and stopped down, maybe? I doubt it though. Even if that was the case, I doubt Takahashi would allow it to be sold as a one off anyway. Could it be a misprint as a 106 could easily be seen as a 100. Maybe someone needs glasses.
If it is the vendor I think you are talking about I wouldn't believe a word that is said or for that matter, any advice given, believe me, I know from personal experience as perhaps many others do. How's this : placed a wanted ad on IIS some time back for a Tak LE 10mm EP, got a terse reply from the said vendor stating that "Takahashi have never or will not make an LE-10mm EP ", emailed back links to a number of sites showing images of the eyepiece. Needless to say I never received a reply. I could go on however ...........
Regarding the FSQ-106ED & FSQ-106EDXIII, the former has the capstan wheel fitted and the latter has the CAA fitted and no capstan wheel. Both configurations are the same price, at least at AEC. The ED is regarded as a visual scope and EDXIII version for imaging. I bought the ED model from Claude and I subsequently bought the CAA and adaptor to have the best of both worlds and most particularly I liked the "Captains" wheel.
I didn't know that another Tak dealer existed here in Oz ..... I have heard rumours someone in Melbourne is getting Tak stuff via Peter Tan in Hong Kong but cannot ascertain the verity of that rumour.
In Oztralia I would only deal with AEC, who I believe to be the only Takahashi Approved Dealer.
a. I have been in correspondence with the AMA (Associated Manufacturer's Agency in Japan), who have confirmed, without reservation that only ONE (1) AUTHORISED Takahashi dealer exists in Australia - Claudio Voarino and Associate of AEC in SA. There are NO GLOBAL Takahashi dealers (period), except Takahashi Japan themselves. There are no plans to alter the status quo.
b. Takahashi have confirmed that there is no FSQ100. It simply does not exist. They too thought the "dealer" must have meant FCT100 (which has not been available for MANY years, and only circa 20 were ever made) or FC-100.
c. Takahashi is well aware of the Grey Market issue with their products. Any "warranty" implied by a grey marketeer will NOT be honoured by Takahashi without proof of purchase from an AUTHORISED TAKAHASHI DEALER. To sell from one's "personal collection" is one thing, but to "bait and switch" to a new, void warrantied product from an non-authorised dealer is another.
Caveat emptor applies. I feel a flag of prout infida be additional to this.
Love Takahashi. Have received nothing but exemplary service through Claudio. Even if it's just asking questions or arranging quotes. The phone calls are an added bonus.
The Captains Wheel on the FSQ is a bad move by Tak. It can be a source of flexure so tighten it off. I thought there was a version where this was replaced with a solid molded piece. It was an attempt to make a rotating focuser like on an AP or TEC refractor which work very well.
Hence the need for the CAA which is a very useful and practical imaging accessory. You don't need both. The Captains wheel worked well on the BRC 250.
FSQ106ED has been a great scope for Tak but flex in the focuser (not present in the 106N) has been a problem for quite a few. There is a fix on the Tak Uncensored Yahoo site. From memory it involved tightening the focuser grub screws underneath. I think Tak also changed a pressure unit in the focuser from a metal one to a Teflon one or vice versa.
I had one that had no flex even with a heavy FLI proline 16803 camera but read many times of those who did.
The Captains wheel was one source and a bit of lack of pressure in the focuser was another. The CAA has limits for weight as well.
The focuser lock tends to shift focus when engaged so the trick I used was to partially engage it so the focuser was slightly stiff but still moved then fully engage it once focused or better use a Robofocus unit with the correct FSQ brass bushing meant specifically for FSQs.
Internal flocking can improve the colour response of an FSQ which is slightly green biased as the internal blackening paint Tak used has a green bias. Perhaps a bit extreme and not worth it.
I think most imagers would only choose to get the FSQ106EDXIII by choice.
There is no Captains Wheel, just the CAA.
Many lock off the original focusser anyway and add an electronic focusser which solves that - this tends to be needed for heavy cameras simply because most (standard) motor drive units that drive the original focus shaft cannot reliably shift the focusser with big heavy camera loads at Zenith.
Hmmm another Tak dealer in Australia. That would be great, though not the fool mentioned here. Australia needs a good dealer for service and parts knowledge alone.
I have an FSQN ( Edit correction ED) and have the captains wheel locked off. I will be considering an FLI Atlas down the track when I replace the QSI with a larger camera.
Last edited by Paul Haese; 19-09-2014 at 08:40 PM.
Hmmm another Tak dealer in Australia. That would be great, though not the fool mentioned here. Australia needs a good dealer for service and parts knowledge alone.
I have an FSQN and have the captains wheel locked off. I will be considering an FLI Atlas down the track when I replace the QSI with a larger camera.
The FSQ-106N I had before I sold it to Martin Pugh and bought the FSQ-106ED didn't have the Captains Wheel only the CAA...when did they introduce the Captains Wheel to the 'N' version?
Also, why are people skipping around the name of this supposed Takahashi Dealer...people like this need to be outed.
The FSQ-106N I had before I sold it to Martin Pugh and bought the FSQ-106ED didn't have the Captains Wheel only the CAA...when did they introduce the Captains Wheel to the 'N' version?
Also, why are people skipping around the name of this supposed Takahashi Dealer...people like this need to be outed.
Hey Maybe I have the wrong model Hans. It might well be an ED that I have. Still a nice scope.
) and no one had heard or seen one either.
