Is it just apo fever?

How do I even ask this question?

Background: I have a magnificent TEC 6. This is a great all around scope. Lightweight, enough Aperture, great build quality, and cosmetically, looks awesome on my GM-8.
Downside is cooldown, and possibly 6" is a bit much to reach ambient temperature quickly in Northern, KY. Coupled with an almost constant haze. I believe these are factors that take away from performance that this scope is capable of...

I have been thinking a lot lately about an FS102 that I had which performed marvelously regardless of seeing conditions. It seemed to cut through any reasonable amount of haze. Cooldown was never more that a half hour.

However, I would like more than 4".

To add to my dilema, I had a Tak FS128 for about 6 months. It was a beautiful performer, but it seemed to be hindered by haze and heavy light pollution that I am subjected to in my area.

Question: What APO might fit my needs? Something in the 4.5" range? The TMB115 Lightweight seems attractive. Perhaps the very similar SV115 or even a Vixen.

I am strictly a visual observer. No CCD imaging in the forseeable future.

Any opinions on a very familiar question?

Steve

Are there some used Orion/ Vixen 5" Flourites floating around? I think that there may be.

Steven Keaton said:

How do I even ask this question?

Background: I have a magnificent TEC 6. This is a great all around scope. Lightweight, enough Aperture, great build quality, and cosmetically, looks awesome on my GM-8.
Downside is cooldown, and possibly 6" is a bit much to reach ambient temperature quickly in Northern, KY. Coupled with an almost constant haze. I believe these are factors that take away from performance that this scope is capable of...

I have been thinking a lot lately about an FS102 that I had which performed marvelously regardless of seeing conditions. It seemed to cut through any reasonable amount of haze. Cooldown was never more that a half hour.

However, I would like more than 4".

To add to my dilema, I had a Tak FS128 for about 6 months. It was a beautiful performer, but it seemed to be hindered by haze and heavy light pollution that I am subjected to in my area.

Question: What APO might fit my needs? Something in the 4.5" range? The TMB115 Lightweight seems attractive. Perhaps the very similar SV115 or even a Vixen.

I am strictly a visual observer. No CCD imaging in the forseeable future.

Any opinions on a very familiar question?

Steve

I have a TMB 115 CNC, and love the scope. It cools down quickly. It is just barely airline carry on portable.

The SV115 is the same objective, with a different tube.

Either should give beautiful high contrast images.

In a slightly larger size, you might consider the 130 f9.25. It won't be quite as portable, but you might prefer the slightly higher F ratio.

A lower cost alternative is the Orion 100mm f9 apo. A 14 year old member of my astronomical society just got one, and considering how inexpensive it is, it's nice. We have noticed it seems to dew up quicker than our TMB's though.

Good luck.

Regards,

Mark

Steven,

Sounds like you need to keep your TEC 6 and get away from the light pollution in N. Ky. (Cin./Florence/Ft. Mitchell?) once in a while. You could join the Cincy Astronomical Society and go to their dark-sky site in Adams Co.
I have an FS 128 in north-central Ky., a small-town/rural area, and every time I look thru this scope from home, the phrase "jaw-dropping" comes to mind.

Steve O.

Hi Steve -

The smaller refractors would be great for wide deep sky views and at lower powers cooldown would not present much of an issue. If you enjoy observing the planets the aperture and long focal length of your TEC mak would be preferable. Why not keep it in an unheated location so it is ready to go when you are?

clear skies -
Alan