My Takahashi FS128 Refractor .......

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by Kunama

Finally got to use the FS128 today , set it up with the Baader 2" Clicklock Hershel Prism and a Panoptic 27mm. Even with the clouds flying by it was excellent viewing. Great detail on the sunspots and and surface granulation. Certainly in this guise it is a match for the TSA120 but nighttime use will be the true test.

Finally got around to cutting in the foam for the case as well:
The case holds the OTA, Clamshell tube holder and the 14" Robin Casady Dovetail bar just perfectly. Thankfully the case also has wheels

Fantastic :-) Cant wait to hear your thoughts on the night use. Although the latest report is rain on the weekend for Canberra so we all know who is to blame

[Kunama]

Finally got to use the FS128 last night. Having not looked through one for about 10 years, I was very impressed.
I think the difference between the FS128 and the TSA120 'in-focus' view is so small it is not worth mentioning. 'Out of focus' pattern show the predictable purplish tinge but I have never known anyone who prefers to view the heavens out of focus, so the difference is inconsequential.

The sharpness and contrast seem to my 57 year old eyes to be on par with the TSA120. I only viewed M42, Mars, Omega Cent.
I viewed it initially 'warm' straight from house to outside, then checked it every 5 minutes till at 25 minutes the view was the same as at 20 minutes and had settled nicely. I think it cools down in nearly half the time of the TSA.

Can't really tell if the extra 8mm aperture makes a 'real' difference without having the 2 scopes side by side.

All in all very happy with the scope.

[Daniel Mounsey]

Kunama,
That's a wonderful instrument.
Best wishes,
DoctorD

[Kunama]

Hey Daniel,
Thanks, looking forward to many happy nights together with it

I saw your comparison thread got pulled, shame really as there are so many interested in the results. If you do get around to doing a write-up please let me know,
Matt

[Allan]

One of the best CN posts was Daniel's 4" APO Hyper Shootout. I have read it many times now and it continues to entertain me.

[LewisM]

Good stuff Matt.

I usually align the mount for the FSQ106 when the scope is still not acclimatised. Even then, the intra and extra focal patterns are astounding and sharp! NO colour whatsoever, What an instrument Tak makes. I thought my FL102S was brilliant (which it still is), but the FSQ blows it away.

Just waiting on my extender from Peter Tan to arrive. Then I will have a visual instrument, as well as an f/5 astrograph and an f/3.64 hyper-astrograph