televue owners - Page 2

taxman (Matt) · #21 31-03-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

Are you sure you really don't want a 'Televue' just for the sake it? - which is fine if that is really the case, and you can afford it - I'm just a bit confused about what your expectations are given the above.

Come on Fox, getting a Televue, Takahashi or any other high end scope is more than about optics - otherwise you would not have gotten one. There is an emotional investment as well.

My expectations are the same as anyone else considering any high end equipment for their hobby - mostly for the increased improvement in the performance, but also partly for the knowlege that you have the best you can get.

goober (Doug) · #22 01-04-2009, 08:14 AM

Nothing wrong with that, taxman.

I just had a peek at the current prices on an Australian site and nearly dowsed the screen in coffee. The 85 is basically the price I paid for a 101 two years ago.

Fox · #23 01-04-2009, 12:49 PM

Hah! Now we're talking!
Seriously, I don't think the TV optics are that much better than TMB. I was considering the TMB Signature 130 to replace my Genesis, since the NP127 is so damned expensive - but then again the TV has an inherently flatter optical design I believe.

Anyway, in my 'defence', I did get the Genesis 20 years ago, so there was no to very little competition/other choices around at the time, and it was to replace my 8inch SCT for very specific reasons. At the time of deciding, I was in the UK, I saw a 4inch Celestron/Vixen fluorite next to the (first generation!) Genesis, the quality and finish of the TV was superb in comparison, that and the comparo/review on 4inch refractors in Astronomy magazine won me over.

If you raise most of the $ buy selling off your other equipment, I'm sure you will enjoy the TV, although I would lean to the 85. Tell us how it goes, cheers, Fox!

Quote:

Originally Posted by taxman

Come on Fox, getting a Televue, Takahashi or any other high end scope is more than about optics - otherwise you would not have gotten one. There is an emotional investment as well.

My expectations are the same as anyone else considering any high end equipment for their hobby - mostly for the increased improvement in the performance, but also partly for the knowlege that you have the best you can get.

taxman (Matt) · #24 01-04-2009, 04:09 PM

Sorry Fox, wasn't trying to make you 'defend' yourself

. Just saying that hard-headed logic isn't the only factor to consider in a past time.

Otherwise we'd all own GSO dobs and Skywatcher EDs - after all, 90% of performace vs 25% of cost...

As far as price is concerned, this is where it is handy to have a brother in law that stays near OPT Corp in California during their Televue sale...

Fox · #25 01-04-2009, 05:44 PM

Taxman, no problemo! When I got the Genesis, TV refractors were just in their infancy - around 1990, Astronomy magazine ran pics of the TV "MPT", then came the golden Renaissance, and finally the Genesis. I assume my scope would be worth a small fortune now - I think I paid around $2,500 AUD in the UK for it. Who knew it would become such a classic, and when the day comes - my folks will have trouble prying it
'from my cold dead hands...' hehehe...

Needless to say, I am pretty stoked with the scope, it's really the mount that I am obsessing over now, wrt to upgrading at some stage. The noise of the LXD75 is so damned offensive, and I have also now become rather critical and picky regarding both the hardware & software I would ideally want in a mount.

That one handy contact you have in the States! Fox.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #26 01-04-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

I don't think the TV optics are that much better than TMB.

Hi Fox,

That's a bit of a loaded comment. I have used both the TV85 and the TMB80 (not at the same time) and I "personally" felt the TMB80 was a better telescope than the TV85. We are comparing slightly different animals with the TMB being a flourite APO triplet and the TV85 being a non flourite APO doublet. The TMB also has a much nicer focuser for visual use in the dual speed Feathertouch. The TMB also has less false colour than the TV85, which is itself very good for colour correction.

At the end of the day it really is all a bit academic at this small aperture. Any differences between the top end scopes appear to reduce as the aperture is reduced IMO. Don't forget we are talking about a telescope of the same aperture as the finderscope on the two 25" Obsessions I regularly use. Put another way, does it really matter a whole lot if one is a tick better than the other because an 80mm telescope doesn't show a lot for visual astronomy anyway. Are you really going to see that much more in a Televue 85 than you will in a Williams Optics 90mm or a TMB80? Somehow, I don't think so.

Cheers,
John B

MarkN · #27 01-04-2009, 06:53 PM

Taxman,

I'm also tending to think you have unrealistic expectations for the TV. That is a lot of loot for not a whole lot of 'scope. Have you actually been able to look through one yet?

As you can see, I have a Skywatcher 100 ED. Yes, it yields very pretty views of open clusters and a tad more contrast on planets. Very nice on the moon too. Would I have it as an only 'scope? Not on your life.

There was a story about the financial advisor telling a client who had a less than stellar idea about making some easy money.

"Go down to the beach, lay down in the warm sun and wait for the feeling to go away".

I'd be looking real hard for a used unit. Good luck with whatever you do.

Mark.

Fox · #28 02-04-2009, 01:16 AM

Hi John B, agreed I think the Megrez 90 is better than the TV85, albeit the differences are likely to be small at these apertures. Thus, if it were me I would keep the Megrez 90 and use the $$ elsewhere eg. better eyepieces or upgrade the mount. Fox

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

Hi Taxman,

... Having said all that, I agree with Ausastronomer, ie. I would simply keep the Megrez 90 - for all intensive purposes, it's as good as if not better than a TV 76 or 85.... Fox

Merlin66 (Ken) · #29 02-04-2009, 01:35 AM

I was lucky enough to find and buy a TV 4" f5 Genesis in the early 90's.
Since then I've built and used almost everything up to 18" reflectors..... but you know what, the Genesis will be with me for life ( and death!!)
If you can find one, or the newer TV 102 you will NEVER be disappointed....