Tak FS Flourites - Quality ?

I have a quick question if anyone is interested in responding:

A gentleman has recently advertised a used FS102 on Astromart, and claims the following -
"Note that this scope is made with the earlier, higher-quality flourite glass that is no longer made. The lower-quality flourite is marked w/ a blue ring around the dew shield. "

For some reason, I have a hard time believeing that a cosmetic change to the tube is indicative of a lower quality standard. How is this related to the manufacturing of the lens group? I am aware of the differences between the FC and FS - the flip flop of the flourite placement, but this is the first I've heard of lower quality anything -especially when talking about Takahashi.

Can anyone shed some light on this subject, or speak to the validity of this remark?

Thanx!

Ned

Same thing here......
I read his ad, and I went... hmmmmmmmmmmm.... I don't think so!

It upsets me very much when people type "crap" like that just to sell their scopes...

All we need now is somebody here selling his 675X 60mm scope... which views will match Hubble's Pictures...


Clear skies my friends!


Ivan

The 'remark' is Hogwash! Takahashi fluorite elements are man made CaF2 monocrystal grown under controlled conditions by suppliers such as Canon-Optron. If anything, processes have gotten better with time, not worse. Newer FS versions benefit from newer coating technology for fluorite; this permits placing the fluorite element in the front (exposed) position. Some of the older FC series did benefit from a longer f/10 focal length, but this does not reflect poorer quality in the faster FS units.