My latest acquisition is this superb f15 refractor from Takahashi. Reputed to have a Strehl ratio of over 99% (with the extender) I can well believe it after viewing Jupiter and Saturn these past couple of weeks. Has also been outstanding at splitting double stars.
My truly final rig, after years of swapping, trading, selling, trying out them all.
You will have noticed I haven't sold anything in a LONG time...here is the reason. Nirvana. Tak EARLY FSQ-106 (it's even pre-N - scarcer than scarce) on Vixen SXP - portable, precise as hell, and the optics of the FSQ are the best of ALL the scopes I have had (and that is a LOT)
My truly final rig, after years of swapping, trading, selling, trying out them all.
You will have noticed I haven't sold anything in a LONG time...here is the reason. Nirvana. Tak EARLY FSQ-106 (it's even pre-N - scarcer than scarce) on Vixen SXP - portable, precise as hell, and the optics of the FSQ are the best of ALL the scopes I have had (and that is a LOT)
Trade the old FSQ for a new Redcat Lewis?
Another little astrograph arrived yesterday (Sharpstar 61EDPH: 60mm f/5.5, f/4.5 with reducer) - very interesting to see how it compares to the Redcat when I get a chance.
JUST preparing to GO OUTSIDE YES with the big CPC 925 AND 130mm TS Triplet 910mm Apo..and about to pop in some Tak Abbes and Meade Astrometric and trusty VIXEN
ZOOM
BOTH with OUTSTANDING OPTICS..
for some quick Double Star Measurements tonight
Bigjoe
Last edited by bigjoe; 24-07-2019 at 07:30 PM.
Reason: Adding pics words
Hi all , just thought I would show off my latest refractor , its a Saxon ED100 that I got here for just over $300 .
It was missing a Focuser , Rings and diagonal but never to worry as i have all these parts in my box of bits so here it is completed sitting on the Mizar mount all on a Celestron 2 inch s/s tripod .
Looks rather handsome don't you think ? and its very solid , but it's raining here so unless it clears up I won't be testing it tonight , yep the new scope curse is alive and kicking around here .
Another thing is that the lens in this Saxon has blueish/purpleish coatings , a lot like the EMC coatings on my iStar 127mm and every site I have visited on the ED100's ( and there are 1000's ) shows the typical ' China Green ' coatings so I wonder why this Sazon seems to have coatings a step or 2 above the SW and Orion ED100's ? , comments welcome .
The tube and dew shield is also flocked , a nice bonus .
Brian.
Looks nice Brian You have also a BIG CPC 925 /C9 AND large refractor like me ..A Great Combo I find..
I'm now in the hunt for A lil Tak 78 to mount on top of my CPC 925 for when the seeing is bad.
bigjoe
sensational Steve, congrats the FOA looks a winner
? and its very solid , but it's raining here so unless it clears up I won't be testing it tonight 
, yep the new scope curse is alive and kicking around here . 
wonder why this Sazon seems to have coatings a step or 2 above the SW and Orion ED100's ? , comments welcome .
