TAKAHASHI TALK
urthworm
I just purchased a Takahashi FS-78 OTA and would like to start a
Takahashi-only thread which is limited to Takahashis and all that goes or
works with a Takahashi. These fine instruments deserve a place of their own
on the WWW. I would like to start this thread by posing the following
question(s): Besides the OTA, what is the favorite piece of equipment
(Takahashi-manufactured or not) that you use with your Tak? Besides Tak
mounts, what other mount do you feel works as well or better than a Tak
mount? What are your experiences with a Tak scope?
Clear Skies,
Sal
Chuck Gulker
picked up about 10 years ago. Once in awhile, these mounts come up for
sale. I had a special quick release bracket made, and observing under high
power is a total joy. Rock solid and easy to assemble/disassemble. My
mount has a neat little counterweight. The slow-motion controls are very
smooth. I've yet to see or use a nicer smaller portable mount.
Chuck
urthworm wrote in message <7pib6q$amo$1...@news.telisphere.com>...
Graham Warrellow
I very recently purchased a Tak FS-78 from Nick Hudson at True
Technology. Nick's service has been exemplary. He actually loaned me
his own EM-10 mount to take on holiday to Corfu due to a delay in the
supply of my own mount!! I wonder how many dealers would have done
that. You may be interested to know that after some prior arrangements
with the airline, I was able to take the OTA as carry-on luggage. I
found that a 3-stick hockey bag was an ideal way of transporting it.
The mount went into a well padded suitcase and the wooden tripod was
sent through in the original padded cardboard box. No problems.
This is one beautiful instrument with great attention to detail. The
finish of the FS-78 is superb and aesthetically very pleasing with pale
green touches. A silky smooth focuser with lock-down mechanism, a truly
superb illuminated 10 x 50 finder, and an air-tight manhole cover for a
lens cap!
I used the instrument with the vari-extender and two of my favourite
eyepieces, a 19mm Panoptic and a Tak LE 5mm. I had one morning with
this instrument that I will never forget, from my notebook of Friday 5th
August at 5:00 am local time I wrote "this is mind-blowing. The views
of Copernicus on the terminator, Jupiter and Saturn are better than I
have EVER experienced" (I also own a collimated 10" LX200 which I use
from London suburbia!). The detail was just so crisp I could do nothing
more than soak it up in amazement. This guy was asking for more
magnification than I could supply.
Just to give you some idea of how excited I was, I woke up my usually
astronomically-unenthusiastic wife to take a look. I have never heard
so many "wows" (at the telescope!) as I heard that morning. She
actually kept saying "it's fantastic, what a lovely telescope" and I
kept thinking I really love this woman and my APO!
Regards,
Graham
In article <7pib6q$amo$1...@news.telisphere.com>, urthworm
<urth...@telisphere.com> writes
Rich N.
Graham Warrellow wrote in message ...
Hi Graham,
Congratulations on the FS-78!
Should you want a lighter finder scope the Takahashi 6x30 is the
best 6x30 finder I've used. The star images are a little better than
my illuminated Tak 7x50 and I don't have to worry about forgetting
to turn off the illuminator.
Should you ever want to use the FS-78 on an alt/az mount you can
adapt a TV Genesis tube ring to fit the FS-78 by adding about 1/8"
of stiff rubber and felt.
Rich
Ron Wodaski
finder, too. <g> I use it on an FC-60, and it's better than many 6x30s in
terms of clarity and precision.
Speaking of things Takahashi, that FC-60 is the most amazing telescope. I
can see things in it that I would never have dreamed possible in such a
small scope -- planets at 200X and up, detail in some of the faint fuzzies,
such as M57 (Ring Nebula), etc.
Ron
Rich N. <rnapo*remove*@znet.com> wrote in message
news:rrrsq2...@corp.supernews.com...
Salvatore A. Giambruno
I would like to start by thanking you all for participating in this
thread. Let's keep it going . . .
Sadly, I won't be receiving my FS78 until Mon or Tue next week :( and
even then, I STILL DON'T HAVE A MOUNT/TRIPOD! So I need your help. I
am considering two mounts: 1) the Losmandy GM8, and 2) the Tak EM2.
Here are my observations about each one (albeit, they may be erroneous
and definitely incomplete):
The Takahashi EM2 has the following attributes:
a) Goes well with the Tak OTA (matches it aesthetically, mechanically,
and conceptually)
b) Has built-in polar finder/alignment scope
c) Is rock solid
d) Nice wooden tripod
e) Don't know how to interpret details about motor drive rates/pwr/etc
f) Don't know how well it will upgrade with accessories such as GOTO
systems, autoguiders, clutches, etc, or how available these items are
g) Unsure if adaptable (without major re-work) to many GOTO/correction
systems
h) Japanese Mfr which, as far as I know, provides very little
information for its superb products
The Losmandy GM8 has the following attributes:
a) Has exceptionally well machined and styled parts
b) Is very re-sellable because Losmandy has parts to adapt it to just
about any other OTA on the market
c) Is motorized on both axes, with apparently more slew and tracking
rates than offered with the EM2
d) Has aluminum tripod (con?)
e) Requires matching to Tak OTA with a Losmandy $100 (list) Universal
Dovetail Plate (UDP) which may or may not match it as well as EM2 Mount
f) Polar scope/alignment scope is optional $150(?)
g) Is "wired" for most popular GOTO and correction systems (correct me
if I am wrong)
h) US Mfr that seems to really be expanding and supporting its superb
product lines and that you can contact directly with questions/concerns
So far, that's all I know. But a $1500+ decision (not to mention the
intangible costs of making the less appropriate choice) requires more
consideration than what I have given so far. If you would like to
propose another fine mount, please do. But consider that I need
something I can get soon(unlike some A-P stuff that takes a year just
to PLACE and order)and that isn't some eccentric concoction of robotic
surplus from a 1950's boeing factory.
Please enlighten me! I will be purchasing soon, so time is of the
essence.
TAK-ATTACK (a new Tak Salutation for TAKies only, hehe),
Sal
In article <37be...@news.nwlink.com>,
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
Salvatore A. Giambruno
It's me again. Please note, my name changed from "urthworm" (my
"nick") to Salvatore Giambruno (my real name). Don't ask how, I still
haven't figured Deja News out yet.
Here's a clip I found on Todd Gross' page (www.weatherman.com):
Regarding Losmandy GM8:
"Losmandy GM8 mount is very solid and built well. The mount is perfect
for this type of scope. I have only two complaints I wish the PEC would
retain it's training in memory. Every time the PEC is turned on it
needs to be retrained for 8 minutes. The mount should have a seperate
RJ211 for an autoguider input you can easily make one. Unfortunatly the
way it is designed you must unplug the hand controller to use the
autoguider. Scott does sell an additional line splitter for a few
dollars. The Sky Commander computer and losmandy encoders work well
together. There is are now additional covers for the RA and Dec gears &
motor covers as well. I recommend you purchase these covers. This mount
is the best value on the market entering the excellent quality. "
And on the GM11:
"Losmandy GM11 Mount this mount has a nice reputation as being sturdy
and able to handle refractors of 6" f7 or SCTs to 10". I have heard
many other larger claims as well but found they aren't correct. This is
the limit for critical work under less than ideal conditions. The mount
performs flawless in all operations and is identical to the GM8 in user
operation. The G 11 is twice the size of the GM8. Like a Jeep to a
Hummer. This is no longer a portable carry out whole setup like the
GM8. This mount is the best value vs performance on the market !! "
And on the FS102:
"Takahashi FS102 This scope has a nice reputation for giving perfect
images.When it arrived I tested the focuser for smoothness and lockup
ability these are two important features for film or CCD. The focuser
has a very positive lock on the draw tube. The focuser is extremely
smooth. There should be no problem filling the frame on a 35mm since
the focuser is 2.7" wide. The optical tube has a total of 8 light
baffels. The overall fit & finish are excellent. The due cap has a
built in aperture reducer. The optional 7 * 50 finder is equally
superior to many on the market. Star testing the FS 102 went text book
perfect on both sides of focus. There is just the slightest hint of
false color on the star test. This scope is a doublet and IMO the best
I have seen. The AP scopes are triplets and they do remove the last
trace of false color. In the FS 102 I viewed Jupiter at 473 * the views
under poor sky's were excellent. The great red spot jumped out at you.
along with the banding of the clouds. The moons were even more
interesting they appeared 3 dimensional."
Enjoy and learn . . .
Sal
Rich N.
I worry about the electronics of the Tak mounts. Some friends
fried their Tak mounts and the cost of replacing the electronics
is very high. If the EM2 is a 6 volt system I would forget it.
The GM8 is nice but for visual work the Vixen GP will hold the
FS-78 very well. If you want more beef then the GP DX is a nice
choice. You can get GOTO with the Vixens. They also come
with polar scopes. I believe the Vixens come with a dovetail
bar with holes that fit the holes in the bottom of the FS-78 tube ring.
Rich
Salvatore A. Giambruno wrote in message <7plkob$6q2$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>...
JMc
tripods. These are more prone to vibration than the wood Tak tripod, and
it limits the usefulness at high powers, or for photography.
Refractors have a lot of mass concentrated at either end of the tube, so
the drive system must be well damped to prevent cogging, where the tube
vibrates with each pulse of the drive motor. I once saw a TV101 on a GP
mount where the end of the tube bounced visibly each time the RA motor
pulsed.
The six volt EM-2 drive system is actually very nice because standard
12V batteries will always run it. I use a 6V step-down regulator with
mine and have never encountered any problems running off a 12v gel-cell.
Or, you can use the mount's standard battery pack, and run it for weeks
on four D-cells.
Jim McSheehy
Rich N.
The GP Dx aluminum tripod is better design than the GP
but you could replace the aluminum legs with wood. I've not
been too impressed with the stability of a EM10 and wooden legs.
Rich
JMc wrote in message <37BEC89E...@my-deja.com>...
Ron Wodaski
the results were quite good. I also tried it visually on an EM-10, which is
very similar to the EM-2 in terms of capacity, and it was fine.
However, for photography, I upgraded to an Astro-Physics 400, and that has
proven to be more stable than the EM-2/10. However, for the FS-78 you should
have no trouble at all with the weight of the scope on the mount.
The EM-10 and EM-2 mounts are not heavy-duty enough for larger scopes, such
as the Takahashi Mewlon 210. When I put the Mewlon on an EM-10, it was
difficult to focus because of the wobbly situation and long focal length of
that scope. I would recommend the EM-10 for scopes up to 20 pounds and a
focal length of 1200, or for scopes up to 14 pounds and a focal length up to
1600mm.
Ron
Salvatore A. Giambruno <urth...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:7plkob$6q2$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> Congrats Graham! I sent you an e-mail, too.
>
> I would like to start by thanking you all for participating in this
> thread. Let's keep it going . . .
>
Rich N.
Tak dealers at least give the Texas Nautical full list price. At least
then we can subtract 10% or 20% depending on the dealer. The
amount of information on Takahashi products available on the net
(at least the US net sites) is very poor given the number of products
and the specs used to be available on Takahashi products.
I'm guessing a complete EM-2 is at least $1600 US? And the
EM10 around $2000 US?
A Vixen GP with motors is about $1100 and the GP DX is about
$1400. You can get GOTO but is is more expensive.
I wanted an EM10 for several years for my FC-100 but after comparing
it to my AP400 I found the AP more stable. Yes it is nice to have a mount
and OTA from the same company but I find the Tak mounts just aren't as good
and compared to the AP and they are quite a bit more expensive. The
Losmandy G11 is a very good mount for the money.
Rich
Ron Wodaski wrote in message <37be...@news.nwlink.com>...
Chris Marriott
Rich N. wrote in message ...
>
>
>The GP Dx aluminum tripod is better design than the GP
>but you could replace the aluminum legs with wood. I've not
>been too impressed with the stability of a EM10 and wooden legs.
Vixen do a number of different aluminium tripods. The AL150, supplied as
standard with the GP head, is not very good at all. The HAL110 tripod,
however, which is supplied as standard with the GP-DX is very good indeed
and absolutely rock solid.
Chris
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Marriott, SkyMap Software, UK (ch...@skymap.com)
Visit our web site at http://www.skymap.com
Astronomy software written by astronomers, for astronomers
Herb
Yes it is nice to have a mount
> and OTA from the same company but I find the Tak mounts just aren't as
good
> and compared to the AP and they are quite a bit more expensive. The
> Losmandy G11 is a very good mount for the money.
>
> Rich
Well more expensive? I don't think so.
You ARE right about the G-11 being a great mount for the money.
We would like to post our Takahashi prices but there are those that don't
like us to do that so.........
My email address is ztr...@fidalgo.net if you want specific prices please
email or 360-588-9000 is my phone number.
I thought you had these. <g>
Thank you
Herb
http://www.buytelescopes.com online astronomy and camera shop
Anacortes Telescope and Wild Bird
(360)588-9000
Rich N.
Herb wrote in message ...>news:rrtp8d...@corp.supernews.com...>
>
>Yes it is nice to have a mount
>> and OTA from the same company but I find the Tak mounts just aren't as
>good
>> and compared to the AP and they are quite a bit more expensive. The
>> Losmandy G11 is a very good mount for the money.
>>
>> Rich
>
How much much more is the EM200 vs the AP 600? What
about the larger Tak mounts vs the AP 900 an d1200?
>You ARE right about the G-11 being a great mount for the money.
>We would like to post our Takahashi prices but there are those that don't
>like us to do that so.........
What about posting the full list price from Texas Nautical?
One day last month I spend quite a bit of time to find information about
Takahashi equipment. I looked at your site, Spectra Astro, Pocono Mountain,
Texas Nautical and Lumicon. They all had something a little different but
there was still very little out there. One would think someone would have
a site with lots of Tak equipment specs / data that you dealers could at
least link to. It is a pain in the butt to call all the time and I'm sure
it takes
you time too when it is not involving a sale that day. What is the matter
with Texas Nautical?
Rich
Dave & Frani Pisak
Rich N. wrote in message ...
>>You ARE right about the G-11 being a great mount for the money.
>>We would like to post our Takahashi prices but there are those that don't
>>like us to do that so.........
>
>What about posting the full list price from Texas Nautical?
>
>One day last month I spend quite a bit of time to find information about
>Takahashi equipment. I looked at your site, Spectra Astro, Pocono Mountain,
>Texas Nautical and Lumicon. They all had something a little different but
>there was still very little out there. One would think someone would have
>a site with lots of Tak equipment specs / data that you dealers could at
>least link to. It is a pain in the butt to call all the time and I'm sure
>it takes
I agreee with you Rich. Herb has the most info regarding Takahashi on his
web site but I would welcome a more complete spec/data sheet. It can be
hard to buy something if you don't know it exists. This is where TN should
step in.
>What is the matter with Texas Nautical?
Don't get me started with TN, Takahashi deserves a better national distributer
than those people.
Dave
>
>Rich
Herb
http://www.buytelescopes.com online astronomy and camera shop
Anacortes Telescope and Wild Bird
(360)588-9000
>
> How much much more is the EM200 vs the AP 600?
Well we kinda skipped gears here didn't we? We were talking about the EM-2
and the EM-10 which now I guess we aren't saying cost more than AP mounts.
What
> about the larger Tak mounts vs the AP 900 an d1200?
It is a little difficult to compare now that AP is only goto but Company 7
is allowed to post there prices for AP and I know you know how to get there
and I will give you a general answer about the price of the Takahashi mounts
without getting in trouble. A famous company used this approach so I'm sure
it is okay to do it this way. <g>
The EM 200 with the long leg tripod (there are 3 different heights) and two
counterweights non goto is $4842 "List"
Now you could deduct 10 Ben Franklins and 2 Andrew Jacksons and 3 George
Washingtons to get our price. I don't think it would be safe to carry this
much further.
As far as the EM-500 if you really want one call me and I will make you a
hell of a deal and I have it in stock.
> What about posting the full list price from Texas Nautical?
Well we could do that. The Problem with posting "List" prices is that on the
one hand when we do that for Meade "List" prices we get criticized for
inflating the "List" prices even though we are using their price list and
the other problem is people look at the list price and say "I can't afford
this equipment". If we post our prices we break a contractual aggreement
and it isn't really that big of a deal to email us or call now is it?
>
> One day last month I spend quite a bit of time to find information about
> Takahashi equipment. I looked at your site, Spectra Astro, Pocono
Mountain,
> Texas Nautical and Lumicon. They all had something a little different but
> there was still very little out there. One would think someone would
have
> a site with lots of Tak equipment specs / data that you dealers could at
> least link to. It is a pain in the butt to call all the time and I'm sure
> it takes
> you time too when it is not involving a sale that day.
We put everything that is available to us (in English) and some of our own
but every product they make is not supported with English documentation and
photos.
What is the matter
> with Texas Nautical?
With all things considered ( distance from the manufacturer - language
difference - 12 pain in the rear dealers always complaining about one
another - etc. ) I think they are doing pretty good and they always treat us
good. Everyone - no matter what you do can always do better.
Thanks
Rich N.
the amount of information available about Takahashi products.
Hey... maybe Pocono would be willing to sell links to their Tak
data. ;-)
I still think it would be good if TN would make info available about
all the fine Takahashi products. Tak has an outstanding list of
accessories for their telescopes.
Herb, I see that Pocono is offering the EM200 for $4075. You are
right. The EM200 looks to be a little less than the AP600. Does the EM200
have
servo motors and Digital Sky (or something similar) software? Is the
EM200 as accurate?
I do like Takahashi telescopes. One of their best points is that they
are available on short notice.
Rich
Salvatore A. Giambruno
replied yet, I have no choice.
To illustrate a case in point regarding TN's (and other dealers who
fail to provide the consumer with enough information to make an
educated purchasing decision) less-than-competitive
distribution/marketing methods (or lack thereof, have you seen their
web page? I guess were just not that important to TN), I would like
you all to know that today, after trying to dig up as much information
as I could about Tak EM(x) mounts and Losmandy GM(x) mounts, I drove up
to Anacortes and purchased a very nice Losmandy GM8 ($1375) system (no
shipping, yeah!). Why did I choose the GM8? Well, primarily because
of its market exposure. Losmandy products are readily available, very
well supported, and have more features and options (IMNO - In My Newbie
Opinion) than a comparably-priced TAK (if there is such a thing, the
jury is still out, isn't it?). I just had a better feeling about my
purchase than if I had bought a Tak. For the very same reason(s) that
Rich et. al. have been discussing -- The Vendors, it appears, are
keeping consumers in the dark about Taks! Why? I don't know. Is it
to keep us from discovering that these things are selling dirt cheap
(well, maybe not that low) in some other part of the world (or
dimension)? Maybe. Is it because of, as Herb said, the Japanese-
English language barrier? In part, I'm sure. But dog-gonnit, there is
no reason to keep specs. and catalog lists from those who want to buy
the stuff. For example, I need to purchase a finder for my FS78.
Nowhere have I seen a listing for this item (and trust me, I've spent
hours upon hours on the internet). I'm sure Anacortes could hook me
up, but, as a consumer, how can I feel comfortable that I did
everything possible to find the best product at the best price? Answer
is, I can't. I don't claim to be an expert (or even a student) in this
arena, but I do sense the frustration. Losmandy = more information =
less frustration. . .
Who knows, maybe Tak is just stuck having to put up with TN until their
contract with TN expires. Maybe TAK is willing to and could do better
in the US if it could break away from TN. Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah . . .
TAK-OUT (like fast food, only astronomical equipment),
Sal
In article <rru3mc...@corp.supernews.com>,
RAnder3127
<urth...@my-deja.com> writes:
>Who knows, maybe Tak is just stuck having to put up with TN until their
>contract with TN expires. Maybe TAK is willing to and could do better
>in the US if it could break away from TN. Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah . . .
TN seems to be like a stereo store in Manhattan. They expect
stock brokers in suits to walk in, no time, hook me up with the
best you've got, I know nothing about stereos, I haven't time
to learn. Price no object.
-Rich
"Politically-correct revisionism doesn't help
explain history, it only confuses those trying to
learn from the past."
lude...@my-deja.com
Salvatore A. Giambruno <urth...@my-deja.com> wrote:
Hi Salvatore,
let me add something too. Takahashi have an new nice cataloge in
english language, which includes all king of telescopes, mounts and
accessories. Why no of the Takahashi dealers prints this full cataloge
on his webside ?
About not printing the prices: You don't know Takahashi. Takahashi is a
very strange company, if it comes to the point of prices. Noone is
allowed to print lower prices or he will lost his dealershipment ( it
is as minimum so in Europe and some countrys in Asia, so i expect it is
same in USA)
Markus
> Who knows, maybe Tak is just stuck having to put up with TN until
their
> contract with TN expires. Maybe TAK is willing to and could do better
> in the US if it could break away from TN. Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah .
. .
>
> TAK-OUT (like fast food, only astronomical equipment),
> Sal
>
> In article <rru3mc...@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Rich N." <rnapo*remove*@znet.com> wrote:
> > I see that Pocono Mountain optics has greatly increased
> > the amount of information available about Takahashi products.
> >
> > Hey... maybe Pocono would be willing to sell links to their Tak
> > data. ;-)
> >
> > I still think it would be good if TN would make info available about
> > all the fine Takahashi products. Tak has an outstanding list of
> > accessories for their telescopes.
> >
> > Herb, I see that Pocono is offering the EM200 for $4075. You are
> > right. The EM200 looks to be a little less than the AP600. Does
the
> EM200
> > have
> > servo motors and Digital Sky (or something similar) software? Is
the
> > EM200 as accurate?
> >
> > I do like Takahashi telescopes. One of their best points is that
they
> > are available on short notice.
> >
Joe Pedit
> Tak dealers at least give the Texas Nautical full list price.
> At least then we can subtract 10% or 20% depending on the dealer.
> The amount of information on Takahashi products available on the
> net (at least the US net sites) is very poor given the number of
> products and the specs used to be available on Takahashi products.
>
> I'm guessing a complete EM-2 is at least $1600 US? And the
> EM10 around $2000 US?
OGS has a list of prices at:
http://www.opticalguidancesystems.com/pricing.htm
I don't know if the prices are list or actual.
Salvatore A. Giambruno
rande...@aol.com (RAnder3127) wrote:
> In article <7pnok3$hp3$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>, Salvatore A. Giambruno
>
> >Who knows, maybe Tak is just stuck having to put up with TN until
their
> >contract with TN expires. Maybe TAK is willing to and could do
better
> >in the US if it could break away from TN. Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah .
. .
>
> stock brokers in suits to walk in, no time, hook me up with the
> best you've got, I know nothing about stereos, I haven't time
> to learn. Price no object.
> -Rich
>
> "Politically-correct revisionism doesn't help
> explain history, it only confuses those trying to
> learn from the past."
>
>
Salvatore A. Giambruno
>
> Hi Salvatore,
>
> let me add something too. Takahashi have an new nice cataloge in
> english language, which includes all king of telescopes, mounts and
> accessories. Why no of the Takahashi dealers prints this full cataloge
> on his webside ?
Someone does: Anacortes Wild Bird & Telescope at
http://www.buytelescopes.com
> About not printing the prices: You don't know Takahashi. Takahashi is
a
> very strange company, if it comes to the point of prices. Noone is
> allowed to print lower prices or he will lost his dealershipment ( it
> is as minimum so in Europe and some countrys in Asia, so i expect it
is
> same in USA)
Well, there are two sides to the business equation and the formulation
of prices, supply (the vendor) and demand (the consumer). The market
eventually reaches a natural equilibrium which will determine pricing
and, to some extent, marketing practices.
> > Who knows, maybe Tak is just stuck having to put up with TN until
> their
> > contract with TN expires. Maybe TAK is willing to and could do
better
> > in the US if it could break away from TN. Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah .
> . .
> >
> > TAK-OUT (like fast food, only astronomical equipment),
> > Sal
> >
> > In article <rru3mc...@corp.supernews.com>,
> > "Rich N." <rnapo*remove*@znet.com> wrote:
> > > I see that Pocono Mountain optics has greatly increased
> > > the amount of information available about Takahashi products.
> > >
> > > Hey... maybe Pocono would be willing to sell links to their Tak
> > > data. ;-)
> > >
> > > I still think it would be good if TN would make info available
about
> > > all the fine Takahashi products. Tak has an outstanding list of
> > > accessories for their telescopes.
> > >
> > > Herb, I see that Pocono is offering the EM200 for $4075. You are
> > > right. The EM200 looks to be a little less than the AP600. Does
> the
> > EM200
> > > have
> > > servo motors and Digital Sky (or something similar) software? Is
> the
> > > EM200 as accurate?
> > >
> > > I do like Takahashi telescopes. One of their best points is that
> they
> > > are available on short notice.
> > >
Rich N.
Herb wrote in message ...
>
>> with Texas Nautical?
>
>With all things considered ( distance from the manufacturer - language
>difference - 12 pain in the rear dealers always complaining about one
>another - etc. ) I think they are doing pretty good and they always treat
us
>good. Everyone - no matter what you do can always do better.
Hi Herb,
Trying to find information about Takahashi equipment on the net is
a very frustrating experience. At least one deailer has improved the
info available within the last couple of months.
What I find furstrating is that a few years ago I could call TN and get
a very complete list of Takahashi scopes and accessories. This may
still be true but why not put it on the net? I also have a very nice fold
out
Takahashi brochure that I got back in the early '90s, in English, that if
the data and images are still accurate could easily be put on the net. If
I have one of these one would think TN would have one too.
Yes, I have brochures but I am also a buyer of Takahashi equipment
so I am not "just looking", I am looking with a purpose. I'm sure this
is true of others on the net. I get the feeling TN and some of their
dealers
don't realize the importance of good and complete information being
available on the net. If we don't know something exhists how the heck
do you expect to sell it?
Rich
Rich N.
Salvatore A. Giambruno wrote in message <7ppk7a$na4$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>...
>In article <7pogku$1d7$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
> lude...@my-deja.com wrote:
>> In article <7pnok3$hp3$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
>> Salvatore A. Giambruno <urth...@my-deja.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Salvatore,
>>
>> let me add something too. Takahashi have an new nice cataloge in
>> english language, which includes all king of telescopes, mounts and
>> accessories. Why no of the Takahashi dealers prints this full cataloge
>> on his webside ?
>
>Someone does: Anacortes Wild Bird & Telescope at
>http://www.buytelescopes.com
Maybe I'm not navigating Anacotre's sight correctly but what is see
in not even close to being a full list of Takahashi telescopes and
accessories. Herb, please correct me if I am wrong.
Rich
Herb
Mounts) - then Takahashi - then Product info - then you can either look at
the pages there or click on the "Online Brochure" for the scope on the
refractors and mounts and eyepieces. The Mewlons and Newts and Epsilons and
accessories will be expanded. Our web page is over 65 megs and climbing.
MORE INFO COMING SOON!!
In the next week or two we should have some more stuff for you to browse.
Thank you
Herb
http://www.buytelescopes.com online astronomy and camera shop
Anacortes Telescope and Wild Bird
(360)588-9000
Rich N. <rnapo*remove*@znet.com> wrote in message
news:rs1231...@corp.supernews.com...
Nick Spalding
> About not printing the prices: You don't know Takahashi. Takahashi is a
> very strange company, if it comes to the point of prices. Noone is
> allowed to print lower prices or he will lost his dealershipment ( it
> is as minimum so in Europe and some countrys in Asia, so i expect it is
> same in USA)
I seriously doubt this so far as Europe is concerned. The EU takes a
very dim view of that sort of anti-competitive behaviour.
--
Nick Spalding
Rich N.
ddd wrote in message <37cc8da8....@news.texas.net>...
>On Sat, 21 Aug 1999 10:05:02 -0700, "Rich N." <rnapo*remove*@znet.com>
>wrote:
>
>>I wanted an EM10 for several years for my FC-100 but after comparing
>>it to my AP400 I found the AP more stable. Yes it is nice to have a
mount
>>and OTA from the same company but I find the Tak mounts just aren't as
good
>>and compared to the AP and they are quite a bit more expensive. The
>>Losmandy G11 is a very good mount for the money.
>
>in the same weight class of the G-11 you need to compare the EM-200.
I just said the G11 is a nice mount for the money because someone asked
about it. I wasn't comparing it to the EM-10 or the AP400.
>Of course the comparison is going to suffer if you compare super
>lightweight travel visual mounts with photographic mounts.
>
>The EM-200 is the lightest photographic mount Takahashi makes.
>The NJP is the first serious photographic mount they make.
>
>At least try to make apples-to-apples comparisons. You have obviously
>never used an NJP to make the statement you did.
Which statement is that Gene?
A friend has a FS-152 on the mount listed as a NJP on the Anacortes
web site. It is a very nice mount.
A club member had a 6" f/15 on what seemed to be a larger Takahashi
mount. The EQ head he said weighted about 90 lbs. I had my 155 EDT
out at several star parties long with his 6" f/15.
I've "used" both mounts, that is I've looked through the scope on the mount
and touched the focuser.
I'm not sure what you point is.
Rich
>
>Gene Horr
>trarubee ng fjoryy qbg arg
>
>ROT13 to reply
Rich N.
ddd wrote in message <37cd8e78....@news.texas.net>...
>On Sat, 21 Aug 1999 11:49:13 -0700, "Rich N." <rnapo*remove*@znet.com>
>wrote:
>
>> What about the larger Tak mounts vs the AP 900 an d1200?
>
>carry a larger payload.
The EM200 also comes close to the AP600.
>
>The NJP falls in the middle. It will carry a 100# visual/ccd
>payload but the photographic limit is ~60#.
I believe Anacortes lists the load capacity of the NJP as 70 lbs.
>
>The EM500 will easily carry a 100# photographic load and
>a 150# visual load (the smallest counterweight is 50# IIRC
><g>).
>
>The NJP is the ugliest mount in existance, but it was built
>from the ground up to be the best photographic platform
>it it's weight range. The only negative is the limited
>carrying capacity. Unfortunately Takahashi is stopping
>production of this model reportedly in the next year. They
>are limiting their production to "EM" style mounts.
>
>A grave mistake IMO. I've used the EM-500. Yes, it is
>heavier duty and has plug in goto capability, but the only
>thing that tracks better than a NJP ( < 4" PE) is the Byers
>Research II.
I would be surprised if it would track much better, or as good
as the AP 1200. And AP mounts use servo motors.
Herb
I would be surprised if it would track much better, or as good
as the AP 1200. And AP mounts use servo motors.
Rich
Well, I used the AP 206 on the EM500 in Arizona and I could get up to 10
minute unguided shots with an SBIG ST-8. I'm presently using the AP 1200
goto with the AP 206 and an Finger Lakes Instrumentation IMG 1300 and have a
problem going much over 5 minutes unguided. For what it is worth. I will be
guiding soon so I don't think it really matters a heck of a lot.
I'm not saying one is better than the other I'm just telling you what I'm
experiencing.
Either mount will work in a pinch. <g>
Rich N.
Herb wrote in message ...
>
Rich N.
Was that 1200 the latest version?
The AP 1200 certainly has a lot going for it. Smooth,
accurate servo motors, the mount can be taken apart
into two relatively easy to handle pieces. It has all the
nifty voice activated software. They work very well with
the CCD auto guiding system.
How much is a Tak 500? How heavy is the Tak 500?
Is it all one piece?
I certainly see quite a few AP1200s being used for astrophotography.
They all seem very happy their AP mounts. I have yet to see one Tak 500
used for anything.
The primary reason I see for getting Tak equipment is that AP equipment
has a long lead time. Although it is nice you can get the Tak 4" in f/8.1.
Rich
Herb
Rich N. <rnapo*remove*@znet.com> wrote in message
news:rs3d94...@corp.supernews.com...
> Sorry about the non reply reply.
>
> Was that 1200 the latest version?
A month old.
>
> The AP 1200 certainly has a lot going for it. Smooth,
> accurate servo motors, the mount can be taken apart
> into two relatively easy to handle pieces. It has all the
> nifty voice activated software. They work very well with
> the CCD auto guiding system.
Yes it is a very nice mount very well made and I have zero complaints.
>
> How much is a Tak 500?
I would have to get into that Ben Franklin - George Washington thing again.
How heavy is the Tak 500?
The one I have is NOT for portable use. It weighs around 350 lbs.
> Is it all one piece?
The mount is one piece (around 80 lbs) and it sits on a pier made of 3/8"
thick steel and is supported by 3 beef tripod legs with adjustments on each.
>
> I certainly see quite a few AP1200s being used for astrophotography.
> They all seem very happy their AP mounts. I have yet to see one Tak 500
> used for anything.
>
Just because you haven't seen one doesn't make them inferior.
> The primary reason I see for getting Tak equipment is that AP equipment
> has a long lead time. Although it is nice you can get the Tak 4" in
f/8.1.
One persons opinion.
Both companies are making very good equipment no doubt.
BTW I was told today that Takahashi goto mounts are imminent. For people
that have the EM 10 through EM 500 and the NJP 160 will be able to bolt
these onto their exsisting mounts and we hope to be able to offer the
completes soon. It is nice that they will go on the mounts already produced
as an add on eh? All the info I have on the Takahashi goto stuff is what I
just told you. Not a lot right now.
Thank you
Herb
http://www.buytelescopes.com online astronomy and camera shop
Anacortes Telescope and Wild Bird
(360)588-9000
> Rich
>
>
Rich N.
Herb wrote in message ...
>
>
>> Sorry about the non reply reply.
>>
>> Was that 1200 the latest version?
>
>A month old.
>
>>
>> The AP 1200 certainly has a lot going for it. Smooth,
>> accurate servo motors, the mount can be taken apart
>> into two relatively easy to handle pieces. It has all the
>> nifty voice activated software. They work very well with
>> the CCD auto guiding system.
>
>Yes it is a very nice mount very well made and I have zero complaints.
>
>
>
>>
>> How much is a Tak 500?
>
>I would have to get into that Ben Franklin - George Washington thing again.
Too bad.
>
> How heavy is the Tak 500?
>
>The one I have is NOT for portable use. It weighs around 350 lbs.
>
>
>> Is it all one piece?
>
>The mount is one piece (around 80 lbs) and it sits on a pier made of 3/8"
>thick steel and is supported by 3 beef tripod legs with adjustments on
each.
So the mount is 80 lbs not 350 lbs?
Which pier did you have the AP 1200 on?
>
>>
>> I certainly see quite a few AP1200s being used for astrophotography.
>> They all seem very happy their AP mounts. I have yet to see one Tak 500
>> used for anything.
>>
>
>Just because you haven't seen one doesn't make them inferior.
It doesn't mean they are better either or as good either. It looks to me
like they aren't selling very well.
>> The primary reason I see for getting Tak equipment is that AP equipment
>> has a long lead time. Although it is nice you can get the Tak 4" in
>f/8.1.
>
>One persons opinion.
>Both companies are making very good equipment no doubt.
One person answering you on the net. I am not alone in my opinion.
Several of us were talking about APs and Taks at a recent star
party and we agree that the two reasons for a Tak over an AP was
availability
and that some Taks come in longer focal ratios.
I like Takahashi equipment. But I prefer the longer fl AP OTAs and AP
mounts.
>BTW I was told today that Takahashi goto mounts are imminent. For people
>that have the EM 10 through EM 500 and the NJP 160 will be able to bolt
>these onto their exsisting mounts and we hope to be able to offer the
>completes soon. It is nice that they will go on the mounts already produced
>as an add on eh? All the info I have on the Takahashi goto stuff is what I
>just told you. Not a lot right now.
I hope you would mention any unusual features about Takahashi equipment
in specs on your site. Please check your specs on the FCT-76.
Thank you,
Rich
Rich N.
The AP 1200 is rated for a 140 lb instrument (depending on length).
I believe the 900 is about half the 1200's capacity but I'm really not sure.
I haven't seen any numbers for visual and photographic.
Rich
Vahe Sahakian wrote in message <37C20D74...@flash.net>...
>ddd wrote:
>
>> The EM-200 comes closes to the AP900, but the AP900 will
>> carry a larger payload.
>>
>> The NJP falls in the middle. It will carry a 100# visual/ccd
>> payload but the photographic limit is ~60#.
>
>Hi,
>
>I wonder if anyone knows the payload capacity of the AP900, photographic
>and the visual?
>The EM-200, if I am not mistaken, has a load capacity of about 32# at
>its rated accuracy and the NJP about 60# payload at its rated accuracy.
>
>Thanks,
>Vahe
Vahe Sahakian
DBogan3220
>
>The AP 1200 is rated for a 140 lb instrument (depending on length).
>I believe the 900 is about half the 1200's capacity but I'm really not sure.
>I haven't seen any numbers for visual and photographic.
>
>Rich
>
>
>Vahe Sahakian wrote in message <37C20D74...@flash.net>...
with. I've had mine loaded to 50lbs so far and no problems.
Clear Skies
Dwight L Bogan
Chris1011
and the visual?
The EM-200, if I am not mistaken, has a load capacity of about 32# at
its rated accuracy and the NJP about 60# payload at its rated accuracy.
>>
Why wonder? Call AP and ask.
I have a 54lb. 9" Mak-Newt mounted on the AP900 mount on a very short pier. It
carries that scope with ease. I have added a 4" refractor on top of that with
large Pentax 2-1/4 camera. The mount carries it all easily. You can bang on the
tube and there is hardly a jiggle. Weight is not the only criteria. It is a
combination of weight and length that needs to be figured in. If the tube is
long, as in the case of a large refractor, the weight needs to be reduced.
Also important is the pier that the mount is attached to. One of our customers
has an 8.1" refractor mounted on the AP1200 with 1/4" thick steel pier. He told
me that he can advance the film lever of his Pentax 6x7 camera while tracking
with an ST4. The mount is so stable that the ST4 does not register any error.
Roland Christen
ASTRO-PHYSICS
Mike Boorman
before now. (At least this is the first mention I've seen in this newsgroup.
I have one of Roland's 5"F8 mounted on a 6 foot high 1/4" thick pier that
was scrap left over from a well drilling operation.
Even when the kids run into the pier, it doesn't shake!
Mike Boorman
t...@lanl.gov
Rich N.
ddd wrote in message <37c6b8c7....@news.texas.net>...
>On Tue, 24 Aug 1999 03:19:07 GMT, Vahe Sahakian <va...@flash.net>
>wrote:
>
>>ddd wrote:
>>
>>> The EM-200 comes closes to the AP900, but the AP900 will
>>> carry a larger payload.
>>>
>>> The NJP falls in the middle. It will carry a 100# visual/ccd
>>> payload but the photographic limit is ~60#.
>>
>>Hi,
>>
>>and the visual?
>>The EM-200, if I am not mistaken, has a load capacity of about 32# at
>>its rated accuracy and the NJP about 60# payload at its rated accuracy.
>
Hi Gene,
Both ratings sound very subjective. Why not use numbers like
damping time in seconds for a side impact of a given force?
And, or the number of arc seconds of change when tracking with
a stated number of pounds (kg) of load?
Rich N.
Mike Boorman wrote in message <37C2BBBA...@lanl.gov>...
>I'm kind of suprised that the diameter of the pier hasn't been brought up
>before now. (At least this is the first mention I've seen in this
newsgroup.
>I have one of Roland's 5"F8 mounted on a 6 foot high 1/4" thick pier that
>was scrap left over from a well drilling operation.
>
>Even when the kids run into the pier, it doesn't shake!
This is why I asked if the 1200 Herb compared to the 500
was on the same heavy pier? Or what pier was used for the 1200?
Rich
>
>Mike Boorman
>t...@lanl.gov
>
>Chris1011 wrote:
>
>> >>I wonder if anyone knows the payload capacity of the AP900,
photographic
>> and the visual?
>> The EM-200, if I am not mistaken, has a load capacity of about 32# at
>> its rated accuracy and the NJP about 60# payload at its rated accuracy.
>> >>
>>
Rich N.
ddd wrote in message <37c2eaf9....@news.texas.net>...
>On Tue, 24 Aug 1999 10:42:23 -0700, "Rich N." <rnapo*remove*@znet.com>
>wrote:
>
>>Both ratings sound very subjective. Why not use numbers like
>>damping time in seconds for a side impact of a given force?
>
>understand it. And even that wouldn't tell you very much.
>I could build a mount that would damp down incredibly fast,
>but have horrible tracking.
Hi Gene,
It could at least be use to compare one mount to another.
I believe you missed the part where I suggested tracking errors.
>
>The figures "this mount will carry a 60# load with < 4" tracking
>error" at least tells you _something_ about what what kind
>of performance you will get. I agree that it is highly
>misleading that many of the American mount manufacturers use
>visual load limits, which is basically a garbage number, rather
>than the what the mount will do photographically.
Are you sure this is a "visual load limit"? Whatever that is.
>
>But then the little kids couldn't run around bragging about
>the "carrying capacity" of their mounts.
>
>BTW - a rule of thumb that many people use is to divide the
>"carrying capacity" by 2 to get the photographic load. As
>long as you are working at < 2m FL this will get you in the
>ballpark. Obviously if you are working with real short FLs
>you can push that number quite a bit, and if working with
>longer FLs you'll need to back off of that number. But it
>will get you in the ballpark.
>
>This is assuming that one is trying to get good images.
>
>BTW - I have a one hour unguided photo from an EM-200 at
>.35m FL if you're interested. I can post it at the binaries group.
>It has every error immagineable (not in focus, film curl, is a
>bad scan, etc) but will let you see what the tracking accuracy
>is.
You used a 350mm camera lens? A camera (35mm?) with a 350mm
lens is a very light load for the EM-200. But I'm sure the EM-200
is a very nice mount.
rich
Vahe Sahakian
> About 70lbs appears to be the upper limit on the AP900 I would agree
> with. I've had mine loaded to 50lbs so far and no problems.
>
> Clear Skies
> Dwight L Bogan
Hi Dwight,
Give me your opinion of the 50 lbs load for the AP900, when you say "no
problem" are you talking about the photographic or the visual load
limit?
Thanks,
Vahe
Rich N.
ddd wrote in message <37c4f6d6....@news.texas.net>...
>On Tue, 24 Aug 1999 13:13:41 -0700, "Rich N." <rnapo*remove*@znet.com>
>>You used a 350mm camera lens? A camera (35mm?) with a 350mm
>>lens is a very light load for the EM-200.
>
>35mm + 100mm lens, 6x6 w/ 50mm f/2.8 lens, 3" f/4.5 + 6x4.5 camera.
>The photo was taken from the 3" f/4.5. It was just a test photo to
>see the unvignetted field and so I only focused through the viewfinder
>and didn't use a vacuum back. I wasn't expecting to see perfectly
>round stars, and was quite surprised when I got the film back.
>
>Now, ~350mm FL will cover up many sins, but at 40X at least some
>material tracking error should have been present, and it wasn't.
>
>Gene Horr
>trarubee ng fjoryy qbg arg
>
>ROT13 to reply
Thanks Gene, I'm sure it would give great astro photos.
A friend had an EM200 with the Tak 225mm SCT. He didn't
take photos but it was certainly a very fine combination of
scope and mount. He sold it to another club member and
that Tak SCT is still giving excellent images. The lunar detail
through that SCT is so fine you can spend hours looking for
little rilles you just don't see in most scopes.
Rich