Downgrading from a Tak FSQ85 to a Espirit 80. Am I crazy?(Decision made keeping FSQ)

[Slawomir (Suavi)]

The comparison is just out of my interest- I have not had a privilege of using neither of the two scopes, and I also thought that due to lack of data, 80mm Equinox would be more relevant to Jeremy's original question than 150mm Esprit. I am sure that 80 mm Esprit is a great performer, and, as I hinted before, might yield very comparable if not identical results to FSQ85 if both scopes are mounted on HEQ5 (decent but not ideal tracking) and used with 8300 chip (somehow undersampling at that focal length).

[LewisM]

The 8300 was really ideal on my FSQ-85's (I had 2).

I consider the FSQ-106N portable enough, especially with the Vixen GPD2, to not need to consider a separate travel scope, otherwise I MAY have gotten another FSQ-85 or Esprit 80. The 106N covers all my needs (which are actually few)

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

All good stuff, thanks for mud-free info Lewis

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Why is it harsh?

By all means, discuss your personal experiences with the FSQ and Skywatcher scopes, but it's unnecessary to label people as 'brand snobs'. Play nice.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Awwww c'mon...the OP labelled the thread "Downgrading from FSQ85 to Esprit 80", so it was playful from the start and I can't think of a better label

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Awwww c'mon...the OP labelled the thread "Downgrading from FSQ85 to Esprit 80", so it was playful from the start and I can't think of a better label

[RobF (Rob)]

While we're brand snobbing, I've got a QHY9 on a Tak, and frankly the 9 is a wonderful rendition of the 8300 chip, regardless of what people may worry. Double cooled CCDs in an outside environment can be touchy beasts at times, and I believe you will find plenty of non-QHY owners still have to get their cameras serviced unexpectedly. Ultimately any camera is limited by the ability of the photographer wielding it. Someone should have told JPM(Astro Anarchy) a QHY9 was a poor choice.

Speaking of support, Theo from Gama Electronics (local QHY dealer) really does his best to look after customers.

Hope you save some $$ soon Jeremy. Moving to a cooled CCD from uncooled APS-C DSLR was a (fun) revelation in my astrophotography journey.

p.s. Don't be in a hurry to unload your HEQ5Pro if its working well for you - most of my recent work was FSQ/QHY9/HEQ5 with an OAG and very happy with star roundness - a nicely portable and under-rated mount, albeit no AP or Software Bisque masterpiece.

[Peter Ward]

Exceptional optics will last you a lifetime. The FSQ85 meets that spec and them some.

Electronics have about the longevity of the spoken word.....rest assured there will be a better camera model next year, and your (electronic) investment will halved.

Keep the Taka!

[jwoody (Jeremy)]

Thank you all for the responses and debate. Very interesting reading.
A couple of points I should have been clearer on in my original post:-

* I realise that selling the tak will not give me enough cash to buy a QHY9s and the Esprit, but it would sure help!
* I currently use a QHY8pro, and love it. It has a couple of minor quirks but nothing that can't be overcome. Want to move over to a mono and maybe even dabble in narrowband down the road.
* I will be sticking with the HEQ5 mount for a while, I can get 20 minute guided subs so I think it does well, albeit I haven't owned another mount so I don't have a comparison.

When I bought the Baby Q (second hand ) I thought it would be a keeper for life. Maybe it still will be. There is no denying its a great little scope. But if I have to make a compromise somewhere in order to get a mono camera would the step down (or across? ) to a Esprit 80 be too much of a compromise. I guess only by having the two scopes and comparing them is the only sure way to find out.

I am happy that there has been discussion for keeping the tak and also small praise for the Esprit. I haven't made a decision yet and Sky Rover ULT 115 is in the back of my mind now also!
Thanks again for the excellent, helpful information and discussion.
Cheers
Jeremy

[jwoody (Jeremy)]

Decision made.
Keep the FSQ, sell the QHY8pro, buy QHY9s and Baader 36mm LRGB.

I think the Esprit would be a good little scope but my wife convinced me to keep the Tak (probably so she doesn't have to listen to me moan when I got rid of it!)

Thanks again for all the help and information.
Cheers
Jeremy

[Logieberra (Logan)]

For the Esprit owners, there is a nice little FSQ85 (BabyQ) currently for sale in the classifieds... (Sorry. Couldn't help myself )

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=138538

[LewisM]

Bit exxy for one without the CAA though Logan. I don't think it will sell in a hurry.

I sold my last FSQ-85 a while back at $3000, INCLUDING rings, clamshell, adapters, CAA.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Even $3k is more than an Esprit 100...$3.5k is almost a 120...so that's quite a mark-up for a label

[RobC (Rob)]

Originally Posted by Logieberra

For the Esprit owners, there is a nice little FSQ85 (BabyQ) currently for sale in the classifieds... (Sorry. Couldn't help myself )

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=138538

Logan suggest you read the review comparisons between the Esprits and TECs. You might get a shock. Sorry couldn't help myself.

Cheers

Rob

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Originally Posted by RobC

Logan suggest you read the review comparisons between the Esprits and TECs. You might get a shock. Sorry couldn't help myself.

Cheers

Rob

Unlikely, Rob. I still think they're asking too much. I purchased a new FSQ106 (when the dollar was better) for not much more than the current asking price of an ESPRIT Triplet ED120... What did impress me recently was a view through a Lunt Engineering/APM 152mm. It compared favorably to my old TOA. To each their own.

http://luntengineering.com/product/l...apo-refractor/