Reviews of the TOA are all over the 'net but to put it in a nutshell:
Incredibly sharp and with perfect colour correction. Even AP & TEC acknowledge Takahashi's superior colour.
Outstanding visual scope for planetary, lunar, nebulae, split doubles and clusters. With a dedicated reducer a/o flattener the TOA 130 becomes one of the best imaging 'scopes around.
Accessories include:
TOA Clamshell
FT Micro Focuser
BT Technologies 100mm focuser extension flange.
'Scopeguard'-type transport case
Counterweight ring
SV Dielectric diagonal - optional
Tak 5mm LE OR Brandon 24mm eyepiece - optional
Sorry. Neither the eyepiece turret nor finderscope are included.
Price drop from 6k to $5500 ($2400 less than new!).
$5200 w/o diagonal or ep
All sensible offers considered.
Pick-up OK or can deliver within 100km.
Shipment would be by courier only as its too long for Auspost.
Thanks for looking.
Last edited by Waxing_Gibbous; 05-04-2011 at 12:00 AM.
To clarify:
The "100mm focuser extension flange" is the stretch of machined aluminum you see between the scope tube and the focuser.
It is very rigid and is used primarily for AP to avoid any extra stress on the photographic chain by removing the need to use the smaller Takahashi, black extension tubes. Also gives more back focus (it says here).
Perfectly OK for visual as well.