Grab and Go Refractor

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

Hi Colin (and anyone else put off Borg due to lack of info),
Just to let you know Borg do an entire visual range as well as their extensive AP range. Unfortunately info on the web is scarce, outdated or confusing. Below are system diagrams for the old 125 mm range, but this will give you an idea of what is available for the ED89 & smaller OTAs http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/...sysdiag125.pdf
Ted Ishikawa at Hutech will readily figure out all the possible part combinations for anyone interested via email - there are dozens of options and the tailoring/versatility is a huge strength once you know what you need. Claude at AEC can order them all in. Parts are interchangeable so it's easy enough to have both AP & visual capabilities.
I was nearly deterred from Borg myself, but I'm very glad I persisted. Borg are genuinely great quality scopes but could do with a serious marketing & advertising overhaul!
Good luck with your search.

[Atmos (Colin)]

Thanks for that Borg info. When I had a quick look at the AEC website on Borg I got the feeling that it was even more confusing to figure out (in adapters) than the Taks!

After some more exhaustive reading I may slowly moving towards the FC-100DF. Using it exclusively for visual I don't need anything more than a well corrected doublet. Prefer it being lighter with faster cooling and not quite so front heavy. Can always put a W extender to bring it to F/11ish.

Still a little way off making a decision.

[Tinderboxsky (Steve)]

In my view, well corrected doublets hit the sweet spot for visual observing. As you say, they are lighter, cool down quickly and are generally cheaper than an equivalent quality triplet. A well corrected doublet will control visible chromatic aberrations in all but the most extreme situations. In those situations, I have found the aberrations to be at the margin and not impacting on the quality of the image.

Steve.

[Atmos (Colin)]

I have since decided to move away from strictly grab and go and have decided to get a scope for planet and Luna viewing. So, I am down to deciding between a Tak FC-100DL and an Orion Optics UK 6" F/8 with 1/10 Wave optics.

Tak:
- On the larger side but still grab and go, kinda airline portable not that I have any current plans on taking anything other than a pair of 10x50 binos on a flight.
- Cools marginally faster (15 minutes?).
- No need for collimation unless something seriously goes wrong.
- Fluorite, for its seemingly magical properties
- Less maintenance.

Orion Optics UK:
- Would not consider it grab and go, not unless compared to my 12" dob anyway Still small and light.
- Cool down is a bit longer but not substantial (20-30 minutes?).
- Has 2.25x light grasp.
- Has better resolution.
- At F/8 collimation is very forgiving.
- Not fluorite but still good quality optics.

I am still nudging a bit more over to the Tak at the moment. It is considerably more expensive but it is more portable if I want to take somewhere other than my back yard, has better resale value (not that I am planning on selling either of them). Has the "But it is a Takahashi" draw to it Has a nice chunk of protected fluorite.

Ultimately though, is it worth spending that bit extra? Especially when on paper a good newt with a small secondary (~22% on this one) should out perform.
It is this quandary which has me wanting to head to the Tak Party

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by Atmos

I have since decided to move away from strictly grab and go and have decided to get a scope for planet and Luna viewing. So, I am down to deciding between a Tak FC-100DL and an Orion Optics UK 6" F/8 with 1/10 Wave optics.

.........

It is this quandary which has me wanting to head to the Tak Party

Not sure that there are any FC100DLs left, I thought all were now sold. I am using mine with Televue Binovues for planets, clusters and the big white thing that keeps changing shape constantly.
So far it compares very well with the TSA/FS lines.

Best to come up next weekend and see for yourself. You will also be able to look through the Monster Mewlon/EM400 combination.

[Atmos (Colin)]

You're right Matt, had the current DF in mind Although the DL at F/9 does have some added benefits :-)

[sharpiel]

Tak. Nuff said