What's better? Astro Physics or Takahashi?

[nebula]

I am in the process of trying to decide which scope I should go with. I currently am working with a Takahashi dealer that has a TOA-150 brand new but I am also contemplating a tempting deal on a used Astro Physics 155 EDFS. The price differences are rather small and my Paramount ME can handle either scope with ease.

Most of my use would be a mixture of imaging with the 6303 chip SBIG and casual observing. The compelling feature about the Takahashi is that it is brand new and offered with a warranty. The price differences between the Takahashi and the AP is small so this is the reason for me wanting your opinions on which scope would be the best for me.

I would think that both scopes should be excellent optical wise but I hear pros and cons towards each instrument depending upon who you talk to you what group you subscribe to. Since this forum seems to be the most non-biased group that I have found, I hope to have some nice discussions about my present dilema.

Any opinions or other ideas comparing these 2 scopes would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Bill

[Broose]

Bill,

either scope should perform most excellently. I believe the Tak TOA will have better color correction..( that you probably would not be able to see visually...but COULD measure with proper instrumentation ) with the superior color correction notable down towards UV....in CCD imaging this can be an important factor to consider

Warranty tho an important question...shouldn't weigh in on the decision...
there two scopes are built superbly...should NOT present any real problems.

From a resale perspective....I think you'd probably do a bit better with the A/P....since we all know the A/P mystique and sporadic availability of those scopes.

On another note....the Tak has a built in camera rotator that is quite handy at times...whereas the A/P does not.

Decisions decisions.....LOL

Bruce K

[pizwiz]

Never having been able to afford either one, I can only wish I had your Problem.

But from what I have read and seen ( several telescopes of each brand are represented amongst my club's members) when offered the chance to look through these scopes, makes me think that it really comes down to personal preference.
At least visually I could not tell the difference between the scopes from an image standpoint. Both Brands are top of the heap as far as I am concerned.
I am afraid I am of no help in making up your mind.
You're just gonna have to suffer !! ( Yeah Right !! )

Adolph

[BT Technologies]

Hello Bill. Both Takahashi and AP are probably the best quality manufacturers of premium APO refractors in the world.

As a dealer for Takahashi we are obviously biased but I have personally owned AP Scopes as well and as Bruce pointed out, the TOA series have no equal when it comes to lack of color when used either in ccd imaging or visual observing.

I also give the nod to Takahashi when it comes to fit and finish and their focusers. The fact that you say that the price difference is not too great between the two and that you get a full warranty with the Takahashi as it is brand new, my opinion would be to go with the Takahashi TOA-150 APO.

[Panotaker]

Yes, get the Tak. Then e-mail me privately and let me know who is selling that AP-155.
Thanks
Ralph

[starbuck]

I have owned both and I really could not say which one was better or worse. They were both amazing scopes but if I had to chose, i would go with the Takahashi TOA-150. My reasons woue be because it is a brand new design and you would be buying it new with a full warranty in effect.

IMO the used AP scopes are way overpriced and often sell for more than what they did when new.

John

[Jim Fusco]

I had 2 starfires and a FSQ. The FSQ I know if not a TOA, but certainly extreamly nice optics. However the AP has a much friendly focuser, unlike the FSQ where everything needed to be threaded on. This should be considered if you like using other manufacture adapters and such.

[Ken Stewart]

I recently acquired a new AP 160 and have owned the 155 and 130 AP scopes. I also have a Takahashi TOA-150 so I can comment on how at least they compare to me.

There is something about the fine glass optics of both companies that gets me to purchase them when they are so very similar. To my eye, the Takahashi has a little bit more contrast and sharpness compared to the AP. I have just started getting into imaging so I can not comment with any intelligent remarks regarding which is better in that capacity.

Visually speaking they are both very close and there have been many nights when I had both the TOA150 and the AP160 side by side. I had friends over and most of them did prefer the views through the Takahashi however we did not do a blind test so who knows how that would turn out.

Like the other people here already said, whichever scope you chose I do not think that you can make a bad decision as they both are probably the best made scopes in the world.

Ken S

[MRieck]

There is a third option that has not been mentioned. APM/TMB apochromatic refractors are in the same league as A-P, but as available as Takahashi. Food for thought.

Mark

[Paul G]

A friend uses both for imaging (he's on his second 150), passed on the following FWIW.

Visual -- no difference
Imaging -- neither scope will ever be the limiting factor
Warranty -- nonissue. Tak has worked out the problems in the early 150's, not much else can go wrong. AP offers excellent service for used equipment
Resale -- AP will appreciate, Tak will depreciate
Only significant difference he has seen is in rapidly falling temperatures. The AP will keep up better than the 150. Not sure that will be an issue in TX.

I don't image, but have used both and visually see no difference.