Thanks Col, Richard and Steve, the more I use the TMB the more I like it.
My latest addition is a counterweight to help balance the big chunk of glass at the front. This allowed me to slide the scope forward in the rings an extra 50mm and that allows me to use the shorter tripod extensions......
Thanks Col, Richard and Steve, the more I use the TMB the more I like it.
My latest addition is a counterweight to help balance the big chunk of glass at the front. This allowed me to slide the scope forward in the rings an extra 50mm and that allows me to use the shorter tripod extensions......
As usual, superb!
If only others could learn to look after their instruments as well, and finish DIY/homemade to a fine degree rather than "She'll be roit".
Feathertouch focuser landed today and eventually with a little help got the stock focuser off and on it went so now is fully set up i just have to make a decision on if to run a Nexus DSC or not with the DM4
Hopefully you'll have more luck with the FT than I'm having with mine! (same model as yours)
Darn thing was poorly made, tak adapter was out of round, focuser is wobbly as heck and don't even get me started on the rotator which won't lock flat.
A top brand does sadly not equal top quality.
Thankfully, ASV member Stefan Buda can re-machine it all and make almost everything better!
Hopefully you'll have more luck with the FT than I'm having with mine! (same model as yours)
Darn thing was poorly made, tak adapter was out of round, focuser is wobbly as heck and don't even get me started on the rotator which won't lock flat.
A top brand does sadly not equal top quality.
Thankfully, ASV member Stefan Buda can re-machine it all and make almost everything better!
At its price point i wouldn't accept less than perfect, Did all the basic tests and so far so good and in my book the one you have is unacceptable and think you've been extremely unlucky i have had about 8 FTF this the first brand new one they don't come up on the used market but everyone has been spot on have you contacted Wayne at starlight?
At its price point i wouldn't accept less than perfect, Did all the basic tests and so far so good and in my book the one you have is unacceptable and think you've been extremely unlucky i have had about 8 FTF this the first brand new one they don't come up on the used market but everyone has been spot on have you contacted Wayne at starlight?
Hi, unfortunately it's third hand and 5-6 years old. How the previous owners managed to get round stars I'll never know!
However, Stefan inspected and diagnosed it by spinning the entire thing on the lathe - then re-machined the both ends of the Tak adapter, both internal faces of the rotator mechanism, and made new spacers - I hope and pray that when I test it again next it will be ok.
No point mentioning it to Wayne as I cannot verify it's history.
Hi, unfortunately it's third hand and 5-6 years old. How the previous owners managed to get round stars I'll never know!
However, Stefan inspected and diagnosed it by spinning the entire thing on the lathe - then re-machined the both ends of the Tak adapter, both internal faces of the rotator mechanism, and made new spacers - I hope and pray that when I test it again next it will be ok.
No point mentioning it to Wayne as I cannot verify it's history.
Andy and Andrew,
Something you need to be aware of with regard to using the Feathertouch focusers.......
Only use the thumbscrew under the focuser to lock the focus in place, Do Not engage it partially and then move the focuser..... Kent had a new FT3545 fitted to his TEC200 that failed as he had been using the thumbscrew to adjust tension (as instructed) but this causes wear that requires full dismantling and parts replacement..... Wayne and Jon declined Kent's warranty claim saying that he had caused the damage and it cost $300 USD for the repair...
Draw tube tension must be adjusted by the socket screw on top of these FT focusers.....
I have just adjusted two of my three FT focusers so that the 'tension screw' does not need to be touched unless I really want to lock the focuser....
This is my current set up, C9.25 XLT on NEQ6 Pro mount. I run Hyperstar on it as well for wide field, and take it off for planetary. Currently using Canon 50D for imaging.
Having said that, I'll be looking to move this gear along in favour of a new setup, probably something more portable!
Hi crew, These are my grab and go setups. I just bought the Heritage 130 recently and whacked it on my Vixen porta 11 (with Nexus DSC) The little Vixen now on the Heritage dob mount. They both work really well and am very happy with them. The Heritage sits beautifully on the Porta and really nice to use. Great scope for the price! The little Vixen on the dob mount is fantastic and is rock solid. So easy to use. I took it to the local reserve and it makes a great nature scope with nice sharp comfortable views. Excellent with my Baader zoom. Next time I go to Portland to see the whales it will replace my binos.
Thanks for looking.
Cheers, Richard.
Its a vintage orange tube C5 DIY on a laser level tripod and old tripod dolly. I'm looking out for a wedge to complete the mount, hopefully can find one.
Have finally got my Tak where I want it was not going to use the Nexus but so happy I did work out how to use it the last couple of days job done Serge’s YouTube video on the quick setup is priceless
Number of Taks in general...let's not go there. 
