Show us your equipment!

[Rainmaker (Matt)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

That's a sensational bit of gear there!
I'd be very keen to get a hold of one of the original LZOS lensed WO FLT-110's or WO FLT-132 scopes from the mid 2000's... They were amazing! I can only imagine the GT 153 is SUPERB!

Still waiting to get under the stars with this one Alex, but it appears to be very well made.

Originally Posted by FlashDrive

Matt ....very nice Scope

William Optics make some beautiful Scopes.

Col...

Thanks Flash !

[davewr]

The family (rather unwisely) asked if I wanted to do a little window shopping in Akhihabara during a recent holiday to Japan, see if there was a uniquely "Japanese" item to bring home...

Had a great time fitting it into the carry on luggage

[m11 (Mel)]

That is a nice souvenir from Japan.

I did a similar thing and ended up at Kyoei Osaka where I picked up a Tak 76mm DCU. I was concerned the airline might not let the scope be taken as cabin luggage as the box was quite long.

How did you go with your airline getting it back?

[davewr]

I went to Starbase.

They were very helpful, took it out of the cardboard box and everything.

I unscrewed the hood and focuser and then packed the 3 pieces into a small carry on suitcase. Was more worried about what was going to happen when I put the bag through the x-ray machine, was expecting the full pat down, didn't even blink.

[m11 (Mel)]

Ahh awesome.

I think you can't go wrong with any of the Japanese Telescope shops - great service and super respectful. The AUD to Yen exchange is pretty good with the GST free purchase helps as well.

Ahh good idea to break the scope down to carry it through. I had my scope in the original box with double bubble wrap by Kyoei Osaka.

The only time I had any real questions was in Hong Kong in transit going through security. The security officer asked what was in the box and I explained what it was which I think he found interesting, ended chatting for 5 mins about stargazing to a few of them. My wife thinks they were just bored as it was late in the evening with no traffic.

[AstroViking (Steve)]

Very nice thing to bring home, davewr!

I just got back from 4 weeks in Japan, and didn't really want to come home. The level of service you get over there, from the smallest 7-11 to the largest store, is so much greater than what we get here.

Cheers,
V

[gerardgallagher]

I remember seeing that last year and thinking "I wouldn't mind a holiday like that" :-)

Originally Posted by davewr

The family (rather unwisely) asked if I wanted to do a little window shopping in Akhihabara during a recent holiday to Japan, see if there was a uniquely "Japanese" item to bring home...

Had a great time fitting it into the carry on luggage

[Rainmaker (Matt)]

Made some custom mounting brackets for the Baader Vario 60mm finder and the SkySurferV RDF while waiting for the rains to pass…… She’s all dressed up with nowhere to go…..

[MortonH]

Have recently put this setup together.

- Celestron C8 from the '80s
- Stellarvue M2 mount with encoders and Nexus II
- EQ6 tripod

[anj026]

Just want to show off the new focuser adapter made by Joshua Bunn here in WA. This is an M114 to M95 adapter made to suit the FT 2535 focuser I had saved from a previous project.
Joshua is well known for his excellent machining service and I can say I am very impressed with this adapter.
Along with the new focuser, K-astec rings and dovetail and TOA130 lens cap I have done all I can to reduce the weight of the FS152. It is now 10.73kg as shown in the photos.
If you need adapters or other special machining projects done I highly recommend Joshua at SC Astro.

[AdamJL]

Josh is awesome to deal with.

[NCRAW]

Hi All

This arrived today. I blame a certain member here who resulted in me not wanting to pass this scope when the opportunity arose.

Been stressing about it for a week during bidding and transport.Yet to have a first light but as described, it presents in as new condition including the losmandy plate. Comes with black scope finder bracket.

I’ll let you guess the scope.

[AlexN]

Well... That explains a lot...

That's a Tak FC100DZ 100mm f/7.4 doublet!

[NCRAW]

Originally Posted by AlexN

Well... That explains a lot...

That's a Tak FC100DZ 100mm f/7.4 doublet!

Ahhh close but it's not. Notice the black focuser (not green). Also it's a F/9.0!

[Wilso]

Ooh very nice.
Takahashi FC 100DL , bit of a Tak fan myself, have a TSA 102.

[NCRAW]

Originally Posted by Wilso

Ooh very nice.
Takahashi FC 100DL , bit of a Tak fan myself, have a TSA 102.

Well done. First batch.

TSA102 very niceee

[david booth (david)]

this is one of my scopes a 8 inch f 20 folded refractor its colour free on the moon and is 18kgs love it on a g11 mount
the scope was made by barry adcock

[anj026]

That is amazing David. Is it a D&G lens? I sometimes miss my old 6" f15 even though it has been replaced with a more compact 6". Not sure I could handle an 8" even folded like yours. It is a pleasant fantasy anyway.