Which AP Scope?

[Murray]

Interesting comments - and particularly as I am now in the market for a really good scope to fit an AP900 mount.

So why go for an AP OTA rather than a modern TAK ?

Is there really that much difference to justify the wait ??

Murray

[BT Technologies]

Hello Murray and welcome to Astroclassifieds.com!!

A scope from either AP or Takahashi will provide you with a superb instrument that will last one a lifetime.

The biggest issue that most everyone seems to have with AP is their extemely long lead times for their products. With Takahashi, their products are more readily available however there are exceptions and sometimes we have to wait up to a year or more for certain scopes.

I have owned both brands and IMO they both are extemely high in quality. I can tell you definitively that I prefer my TOA-150 APO over my AP-155 that I used to own. I feel that the TOA offers a sharper/more contrast view than my older AP did. I also much prefer the focusers on the Takahashi scopes compared to the AP.

In full disclosure, I should mention that we are a Takahashi dealer as some might think that my opinions will be biased due to this.

Originally Posted by Murray

Interesting comments - and particularly as I am now in the market for a really good scope to fit an AP900 mount.

So why go for an AP OTA rather than a modern TAK ?

Is there really that much difference to justify the wait ??

Murray

[Murray]

Brian,


Yes - I am aware of your provenance and it does not worry me at all.

Thanks for the note of welcome - I had looked at the site a week or two back the day after you posted it and made a note to sign up. I hope it takes off - the adverts are well laid out and clear and the forums are still "fresh".

As far as the scopes are concerned, I have narrowed the choice down to either a 6" TAk or one of their reflector-types.

However, your comment about the older AP scopes not being quite as sharp as a new TAK is interesting and I had begun to suspect that that was the case. "Sharp as a TAK" - sounds as good as "Runs like a Deere" in a way. You saw it here first.

Murray

[BT Technologies]

Of course I am partial to the TOA-150 APO as I have always loved high quality refractors!!

The only issue with this scope is that it is heavy so be prepared in terms of strength (lifting) the scope and with your mount.

If you have these 2 issues covered then you will be all set!! BTW, we just happen to have a TOA-150 in stock!!

Originally Posted by Murray

Brian,


Yes - I am aware of your provenance and it does not worry me at all.

Thanks for the note of welcome - I had looked at the site a week or two back the day after you posted it and made a note to sign up. I hope it takes off - the adverts are well laid out and clear and the forums are still "fresh".

As far as the scopes are concerned, I have narrowed the choice down to either a 6" TAk or one of their reflector-types.

However, your comment about the older AP scopes not being quite as sharp as a new TAK is interesting and I had begun to suspect that that was the case. "Sharp as a TAK" - sounds as good as "Runs like a Deere" in a way. You saw it here first.

Murray

[Murray]

Well -- I am in the market for a good TAK. Is there a big difference between the FS and TOA series ?

Perhaps this a TAK forum question.

Murray

[BT Technologies]

YES!! The TOA series as I am sure you are aware are triplet designs where the FS series were doublets.

The TOA has a HUGE advantage over the FS series in terms of color correction and IMO image sharpness. Don't get me wrong, the FS series were great instruments but the TOA is the next generation of scope that excels in almost every area.

Originally Posted by Murray

Well -- I am in the market for a good TAK. Is there a big difference between the FS and TOA series ?

Perhaps this a TAK forum question.

Murray

[markvcostello3]

Well, the AP scope that I would get if I could would be the AP130 EDF (F6). It would have been the best refractor available.

Among those available, my dream apo would be the TV NP127 or maybe the TMB130SS. For me 5 inches hits the sweet spot. But the reality for me is that any 5" refractor I get will be a nice achro. But that's OK if it's nice and I can wait with what I have.

Mark Costello
Matthews, NC

[MRieck]

Just curious Mark, why no TOA 130 or TMB 130/780 on your wishlist?

Mark

[markvcostello3]

Originally Posted by MRieck

Just curious Mark, why no TOA 130 or TMB 130/780 on your wishlist?

Mark

Hi Mark,

Shoot, I have to get over here more often so I can send more timely replies.

Both the TOA 130 and TMB 130/780 are top o' the line reference class refractors. For me the TOA 130 is a bit on the heavy size and so would be one I'd pass over in favor of say, the TV NP 127. As for the TMB 130/780, I just flat missed that one and its 115mm little brother. The CNC versions again might be a bit heavy for me but the LW versions actually ought to be on my short dream list. Slotting it in and re-ordering would make my dream list look like this:

A List
TV NP 127
TMB115 LW
TMB 130/780 LW
TMB130SS

Then
SV5
SV127
TMB 115 CNC
TMB130/780 CNC

As best as I can tell, their optics are just as great as on the A-list; my perception is that they are a bit beefy.

The AP130 is or was the best out there but there just isn't any point in wishing for it.

Take care.

[MRieck]

I know what you mean by not getting here often enough. I too prefer light tubes, but then again I'm not an imager so I have that luxury. A&M is continually expanding their line of scopes that include A list optics. I put in a request that they start making a cf 105 f/6.2 with a 2" focuser that should rival the venerable A-P Traveller. The prototype should make it to NEAF. Their version of the 130/780 is really appealing to me. I now use a 115/805 LW, but the cf 130 might displace it someday.

Clear skies!
Mark