The Last Telescope You'll Ever Buy

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

I hate credit cards or being in debt so if I can't afford a new toy through paying cash then I pass.

True that Hans, only way to go. However, I do use a credit card for everything, but then I pay it off within the 55 days interest free period, leaving my cash in the bank, until it is time to pay (thus paying no interest). I have the convenience of having a card, I use the banks money, pay zero fees, I get purchase insurance (and travel insurance included), I have a full record of my purchases and, most importantly, at least to me, is that I get points on every purchase. Most of the appliances in my kitchen have been bought with points, so they have cost me nothing, particularly since I haven't paid interest. Now, I let the points build up throughout the year and use them for all my xmas food shopping, by redeeming Coles vouchers.

But, that all only happens if you have discipline, otherwise they aren't that great, particularly if you have to pay interest. In the last 18 years, I have only paid interest once on my card, because I forgot to pay that month off, as I was in hospital. I was so surprised by this that I rang my bank, and they waived it anyway, due to the circumstances. Sweet!

I love my bank!

[Neutronstar (T)]

I for one have really enjoyed this thread.

What I have found interesting is when you all talked about spending $10K it was mainly Refractors that were mentioned.

Would anyone spend $10K on a Cat or other?

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by Neutronstar

I for one have really enjoyed this thread.

What I have found interesting is when you all talked about spending $10K it was mainly Refractors that were mentioned.

Would anyone spend $10K on a Cat or other?

Mewlon 250CRS or 300 comes to mind !

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

There is a scope that I have wanted for a while but gave up looking because they never come up on the second hand market.....until now...one has come up for sale on Astromart and I am not in a position to buy it.

It is a Carbon Tube Takahashi 250C Epsilon Astrograph

Wow, US$15,500. I know its a Tak and built like a tank but basically it would be similar to the ASA Hypergraph in terms of optics, wouldn't it?

Greg.

[sn1987a (Barry)]

Originally Posted by Neutronstar

I for one have really enjoyed this thread.

What I have found interesting is when you all talked about spending $10K it was mainly Refractors that were mentioned.

Would anyone spend $10K on a Cat or other?

Buy the biggest Zambuto mirror you can for 10 grand. The rest is details

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Wow, US$15,500. I know its a Tak and built like a tank but basically it would be similar to the ASA Hypergraph in terms of optics, wouldn't it?

Greg.

Yes, that would be a accurate comparison. I don't know what accuracy the Takahashi Epsilon optics were polished to but the Mewlon's had a reported accuracy of the optical surfaces of at least lambda/20.

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Yes, that would be a accurate comparison. I don't know what accuracy the Takahashi Epsilon optics were polished to but the Mewlon's had a reported accuracy of the optical surfaces of at least lambda/20.

I have heard many rave reports of how amazing Mewlons are as visual instruments but as imaging instruments they seem quite poor.

I guess they need a corrector as in the Planewave corrected Dall Kirkham design. Dall Kirkhams suffer from bad coma without that corrector so I imagine the Mewlon corrected imaging circle is very small as a result.

ASA (if you trust them) were promoting a hyperbolic 8 inch astrograph. It seemed good. I imagine you need a lightweight camera as flex would be the huge downside. The Tak is more likely to be robust enough to take a decent camera but I would think twice about using a Proline on the Epsilon. The ED 180 F2.8 had some focuser issues. Same with FSQ106ED and TOA150 prior to TOA150B (Taks response to some focuser flex issues reported).

Imaging trains have gotten a lot heavier than when that scope was designed.

Greg.

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

I have heard many rave reports of how amazing Mewlons are as visual instruments but as imaging instruments they seem quite poor.

I guess they need a corrector as in the Planewave corrected Dall Kirkham design. Dall Kirkhams suffer from bad coma without that corrector so I imagine the Mewlon corrected imaging circle is very small as a result.

ASA (if you trust them) were promoting a hyperbolic 8 inch astrograph. It seemed good. I imagine you need a lightweight camera as flex would be the huge downside. The Tak is more likely to be robust enough to take a decent camera but I would think twice about using a Proline on the Epsilon. The ED 180 F2.8 had some focuser issues. Same with FSQ106ED and TOA150 prior to TOA150B (Taks response to some focuser flex issues reported).

Imaging trains have gotten a lot heavier than when that scope was designed.

Greg.

There is a good report on CN regarding Astrophotography with the older un-corrected Mewlon.

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=133

I would be interested to see if there is an improvement with the newer corrected Mewlons (CR & CRS).

Seriously though the older Mewlons were marketed as a visual instrument with the ability to produce good on axis planetary imaging results. As for wider DS stuff...well forget it.

The older Epsilons (E200, E210 and E250) were Takahashi's flagship Astrographs.

Didn't Mike Sidonio have an ASA Hypergraph which he had issues with or was that another brand?

[sharpiel]

Not sure anyone's really interested now since the thread has moved slightly off topic as they do, but I'm the OP for the thread and I thought I'd give a bit of closure to the questions I first posed.

In the end I bought a beautiful Tak TOA130. It refractor royalty, light enough to only require a mid size light mount which will come easily with us in the Jeep as we travel around Australia and is both visual and photographically (with flattener) stunning.

I couldn't be happier in terms of my requirements and the best fit.

Now one day when I have even more money and an observatory...Tak TOA 150 or TEC...

[stevous67 (Steve M)]

Hi Les,

No advice here, except for congratulations and good luck with the purchase.

Hope you get what you hope for and just enjoy it. Lots of interesting advice above!

Hope you get some clear skies after all that!

Cheers
Steve

[RD400C (Garth)]

Hello Les

My name is Garth and i had followed the thread, and am pleased for you on your purchase of a TOA-130, i also have one, and am equally pleased with the instrument. I have gone through the process of getting pelican cases for all of my kit, and have a 1740 Long for the OTA. I have put a CCA on the rear ready for the flattener. But the case only holds the OTA with the CCA and the standard 2" adaptor on the rear. Just thought this might be helpful if you plan to travel long distances with your scope. If you look at my 'wishes come true' post I hope you find many other things you need. I am now saving up for a 35mm CCD.

All the best Garth

[Shano592 (Shane)]

I spent that on my first setup, below.

For my last scope, I would be spending upwards of $60k, plus some land out nowhere to park it.

Plus a plane to fly to it.

A man can dream...

[skysurfer]

This one ?

http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/Tele.../6500-CNC.html

$995000 ....

I hope the bank will provide you a mortgage for it

... no but what for me is really the dream scope is a...

Canon 500mm f/4L or 600mm f/4L

And using this trick make a fantastic visual APO of it ....

[Shano592 (Shane)]

I was thinking of something closer to the Orion 50". Plus a 3-storey barn to house it.

Plus the plane, of course.