Takahashi TOA-130 or Williams Optics FLT-132

[UniPol]

Thanks guys for your informative and unbiased comments regarding the Tak. It is the 130S model with the 2.7" focuser which still seems pretty massive (and adequate) to me. I'd love to have the FLT-132 and Tak for a while to compare but alas the money can only be stretched so far. It might turn out to be a flip of the coin to decide.

Cheers,

Steve

[Stephen65]

Steve

there's a review of the FLT-132 in the current edition of Australian Sky & Telescope

S

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by UniPol

Thanks guys for your informative and unbiased comments regarding the Tak. It is the 130S model with the 2.7" focuser which still seems pretty massive (and adequate) to me. I'd love to have the FLT-132 and Tak for a while to compare but alas the money can only be stretched so far. It might turn out to be a flip of the coin to decide.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve, please don't leave it up to a flip of the coin, take a serious look at all the info you can find on both scopes, it's a lot of money you're going to spend for what will potentially be a lifelong scope.

The TOA130 is far from bland IMO, actually if you see one up close you'll see that it's very sleek and beautiful, what a scope should look like if you ask me.
Even though the 4" focuser would be nice, the 2.7" is more than adequate unless you want to go with large chip cameras in the future. If you'll be using it for visual and/or with an APS-C (crop) size DSLR then it should be fine.

Is it possible for you to inspect the TOA130s before you buy it?

[UniPol]

Originally Posted by Stephen65

Steve

there's a review of the FLT-132 in the current edition of Australian Sky & Telescope

S

Thanks Stephen, I have read the article and the FLT certainly comes up trumps. In actual fact I have been speaking to a WO seller here in Australia (who will remain nameless) and he indicated that there appeared to be no discernible difference between an AP 5" APO in his opinion. I will have to do some serious thinking again.

Cheers, Steve

[UniPol]

Originally Posted by Rocket Boy

Steve, please don't leave it up to a flip of the coin,..................... Is it possible for you to inspect the TOA130s before you buy it?

I suppose I was coining a phrase so to speak Andrew, I know the Taks are a superb piece of equipment which makes the choice very difficult. The Taks are a known quantity and I suppose the WO are not quite so known. I have a WO 66mm f5.9 Petzval for casual grab and go observing and it is absolutely faultless. The optics are superb and the mechanicals are perfection. The orange colour is a bit lairy but at night, who cares. I can't inspect the Tak as it is in another state so its lots of talk and pics. Thanks for your input Andrew.

Cheers,

Steve

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by UniPol

I suppose I was coining a phrase so to speak Andrew,

Yes of course

I have a WO 66mm f5.9 Petzval for casual grab and go observing and it is absolutely faultless. The optics are superb and the mechanicals are perfection. The orange colour is a bit lairy but at night, who cares. I can't inspect the Tak as it is in another state so its lots of talk and pics. Thanks for your input Andrew.
Steve

If you're already happy with WO 66mm, it would make sense to stay with the manufacturer you're already familiar and happy with.

I'd be very reluctant to change if I was already an existing happy customer too.

Good luck in your decision Steve.

[jase (Jason)]

Agree, move on your instincts Steve. If you’re happy with the WO, just go for it.

The APO Petzval design is marvellous (also used in the Televue NP and Tak FSQ), but keep in mind it is optically different to an APO triplet.

Perhaps the important point is to make a decision based on your own research, not the view/opinion of others. My goal, and that of many others who contributed to this thread was to provide as much statistical data as possible so people like yourself can make an informed decision. No just an opinionated one.


I’ve attached two longitudinal chromatic aberration graphs for the AP130 EDF’s made by AP. This provides a comparison to the other information provided. I’ve only included these to validate the WO seller’s opinion. You can pick the AP 130’s on the seconds market for around US$6,000. They don't last long and sales are rare.

As luck would have it, there is one being auction on Astromart now. It has 4 days to go and is up to US$4,400. Don’t think it will last long. Beside it is a second hand AP 160 EDF also going to auction for US$11,100 (11 days to go), which is incredible considering a new AP 160 EDF straight out of the factory costs US$8,950. Talk about return on investment. This is a testament to the quality of refractors made by Astro-Physics.

[Stephen65]

Steve

I don't know if you read the www.cloudynights.com forums but the refractor forum there has had a few first light reports on FLT-132s and some discussions comparing it with other 5" APOs. If you look back over the last couple of months worth of discussion you'll find a few interesting threads.

Stephen