IC1848 - Embryo/Soul Nebula

[neilfleming]

Can't post anything lately...weather has been horrible!

OTOH, I just picked up a TMB 203 F/7. I'm looking forward to first light with that!

...Neil

[BT Technologies]

Congrats Neil on the new scope!! I can't wait to see your "first light" with that monster APO!!

Originally Posted by neilfleming

Can't post anything lately...weather has been horrible!

OTOH, I just picked up a TMB 203 F/7. I'm looking forward to first light with that!

...Neil

[Fatih Buyuktas]

Grats on the new scope Neil.
I'm also interested in new Signature Series 130 and digging the net for any info.

[pizwiz]

Thanks a lot Neil ! That certainly explains the lousy weather we've been having. Buying a monster like that will bring clouds for at least a month.


Adolph

[neilfleming]

I wish I could take the credit...the weather has been lousy for WEEKS! Note the lack of new posts everywhere!

Fatih, that SS130 should be a great scope. Here is some info from their site:
"- Visual Limiting Magnitude 13.1
- Focal Length 910mm
- Focal Ratio f/7
- Shipping Weight 18 lbs.
- Heaviest Single Component 18 lbs.

The new TMB 130mm f/7 Signature Series apochromatic refractor is one of the finest optical instruments, both optically, and mechanically, that TMB Optical has ever designed. Using FPL-53 glass in an air spaced triplet, we achieve color free performance. All surfaces are multicoated with superb low reflection coatings, and all optical aberrations are under complete control. The lens cell has full collimation capability. If you notice in the supplied image of the lens cell the glass actually seems to disappear, the coatings are just that well made.

Mechanically, the OTA is a gloss pearl white, automotive quality, and the system is fully baffled. The dew shield is retractable for compact storage. The 4" focuser, is fully rotatable, and has two speed focusing, with normal focus, and a 1 to 10 reduction on the second focus knob. This allows for a very precise focus, in imaging, and in visual observations. The focuser also comes with a built-in quick release foot for most standard finderscope brackets. The OTA comes standard with a hardcase for transportation and general protection purposes.

The price for the OTA with the supplied accessories is $3,790.00. I feel that this apochromat refractor has the best price to performance of any apo refractor on the market. And no long initial waiting lists -- this telescope will be available from stock. The initial order should be available in December. I am very excited about this new Signature Series apochromatic refractor, and I hope you are too as this is the only series good enough to carry my signature.
Thomas M. Back"

[starbuck]

neil, I have heard rumors that the new TMB scopes use Chinease made components and hardware in order to keep the price down?

Do you know if there is any truth to that?


John

Originally Posted by neilfleming

I wish I could take the credit...the weather has been lousy for WEEKS! Note the lack of new posts everywhere!

Fatih, that SS130 should be a great scope. Here is some info from their site:
"- Visual Limiting Magnitude 13.1
- Focal Length 910mm
- Focal Ratio f/7
- Shipping Weight 18 lbs.
- Heaviest Single Component 18 lbs.

The new TMB 130mm f/7 Signature Series apochromatic refractor is one of the finest optical instruments, both optically, and mechanically, that TMB Optical has ever designed. Using FPL-53 glass in an air spaced triplet, we achieve color free performance. All surfaces are multicoated with superb low reflection coatings, and all optical aberrations are under complete control. The lens cell has full collimation capability. If you notice in the supplied image of the lens cell the glass actually seems to disappear, the coatings are just that well made.

Mechanically, the OTA is a gloss pearl white, automotive quality, and the system is fully baffled. The dew shield is retractable for compact storage. The 4" focuser, is fully rotatable, and has two speed focusing, with normal focus, and a 1 to 10 reduction on the second focus knob. This allows for a very precise focus, in imaging, and in visual observations. The focuser also comes with a built-in quick release foot for most standard finderscope brackets. The OTA comes standard with a hardcase for transportation and general protection purposes.

The price for the OTA with the supplied accessories is $3,790.00. I feel that this apochromat refractor has the best price to performance of any apo refractor on the market. And no long initial waiting lists -- this telescope will be available from stock. The initial order should be available in December. I am very excited about this new Signature Series apochromatic refractor, and I hope you are too as this is the only series good enough to carry my signature.
Thomas M. Back"

[neilfleming]

No idea, John. TMB is very protective of their reputation, so although it looks like there is some sort of low-cost producer in the chain somewhare, I'd say that QA should be pretty thorough.

The only way to tell is to wait for the first units to ship then listen to the feedback.

...Neil

[AlbertSims]

I have one of their older 130 APO's and it is a great instrument. The tube is the cnc version and is a bit heavy.

I have heard that the new TMB's will have China made tubes to cut costs. I don't know about anyone else but as soon as I hear the word China, I would be less inclined to purchase the product. Especially at the prices we are talking about.

I used to do a lot of manufacturing and was a QA administer for a large corporation. The quality or should I say lack of out of China was astonishing. Should we really expect any more though? They pay their workers pennies a day but that is an entirely different subject.

Al

[suburbanskies]

According to Astronomics, the tube mechanics are made in Taiwan, so in a sense yes, it is Chinese-made.

Quality should be high - many companies outsource to Taiwan for quality goods, unlike the situation when they go to China with the main goal of cutting their component costs to the bone.