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Posts Made By: Hans Tucker

October 22, 2006 09:40 AM Forum: Refractors

Super Apo's

Posted By Hans Tucker
Hi All,

Lately, well over the past few months, I have come across the term 'Super Apo' in the description of Refractors. I have only seen this description used with Russian refractors, APM and in the description of the HT Precision Optics APOMAX 130. Whilst Triplets are alleged to be corrected for three colours Super Apo's claim to be corrected for four (this maybe a very simplistic and inaccurate description of the differences). Question: Is the term Super Apo a marketing ploy to put them above the many triplets available or are these the next generation of Apo refractors.

October 23, 2006 11:29 AM Forum: Ask rating questions here

Ad in one name rating comments in another name

Posted By Hans Tucker
When looking through various ad's in the Classifieds I also look at the ratings given. On one ad I noticed that the ratings given were for someone of the same surname but different first name. Obviously a related member using this members account or so it appears. The comments given for some of the ratings are not that bad but at the same time are not the great and do send some alarm bells ringing. The ad is in one name but the ratings and comments refer to another name...is this normal and acceptable practice or should each member, despite being related, deal through their own seperate account?

November 7, 2006 05:37 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Is one scope enough

Posted By Hans Tucker
Hi all,

Currently I have a Takahashi Mewlon 250 on a NJP Mount but being that this is my first medium/large aperture scope I have come to the realisation that scopes of larger aperture are at the mercy of the seeing conditions, which here down under in Melbourne haven't been favorable. How many of you have more than one scope and what would you guys recommend as an in between scope. I am considering a 5" refractor (is that still too big??) to fill the niche...a TEC-140 possibly, I just wish there wasn't a waiting period for these scopes...I hate waiting because I'm at the mercy of the foreign exchange rate which is somewhat in my favor at the moment. I have been keeping an eye out for a TOA-130 but must of the sellers prefer CONUS only buyers. Should I be looking at a different scope and size to fill in between the Mewlon? What have you multiple scope owners got?

November 17, 2006 08:13 AM Forum: Takahashi

No speak English

Posted By Hans Tucker
Does any other Takahashi users get the impression that Takahashi never really intended for their product to be made available outside Japan. Receiving accessories such as the MEF-1 and the TCE0100 Collimating Scope I notice that the Instructions are only in Japanese without any English translation. Even their website is in Japanese without any translation link to English like you see with some of the European Astronomical product websites. Don’t get me wrong, I love Takahashi products and 90% of my stuff (Mewlon 250S, NJP Temma 2 Mount, Full LE Eye-piece set and other Tak accessories) is Takahasi but I believe it is the small attention to detail that would make a great product greater. I guess this may not be seen as a problem with you US guys because you get great customer service through Anacortes and from Art at TNR.

OK..I’ll get off my soapbox now. Maybe I should have posted this in the 'I like to complain about everything' Folder.

November 22, 2006 10:45 AM Forum: Takahashi

Goodbye FSQ, Hello????

Posted By Hans Tucker

Well even though website such as Anacortes and OPT still advertise the FSQ it pretty much a certainty that Takahashi intends to replace the FSQ,,but with what. Even dealer I have contacted have verified this but they don't even know anything more. Takahashi sure likes to keep a lid on things. I even decided to fore go putting my name down for a TEC-140 in anticipation that the replacement maybe a larger aperture FSQ type. I heard a rumour that the reason Takahashi replaced their Fluorite line of scopes (including the FSQ) was because the material is hazardous to work with..truth or fiction only people like Roland could confirm.

Sorry..I know this subject has been done to death but I loved my FSQ but I didn't realise it until I sold it sad now I want another one but they are no longer available so the possible replacement has got me very interested.

November 28, 2006 10:04 AM Forum: Takahashi

Binoviewers with Mewlons

Posted By Hans Tucker
Any of you Mewlon owners use Binoviewers with your scopes. I am toying with the idea of purchasing the Denkmeier Binoviewer (don't know which model would best suit the Mewlon series) but as you can appreciate these are quite costly so the decision shouldn't be taken lightly.

Cheers,

Hans

December 5, 2006 09:16 AM Forum: Binoviewers

Eye-pieces for Denkmeier Binoviewers

Posted By Hans Tucker
Well I took the gamble and after a bit of research settled for purchasing a Denk II Refractor package now I am presented with a delema of chosing suitable eyepieces. Any suggestions??? I did note that Denkmeier have their own range of eyepieces available, the D14mm & D21. Odd that they only offer these two focal lengths. What are you fellow Denkmeier owners using?

Cheers,

Hans

December 19, 2006 06:42 AM Forum: Takahashi

Repairing Takahashi Scopes

Posted By Hans Tucker
Hi All,

I need to have an Takahashi FS-78 looked at repaired,cleaned and recollimated. Mishap during transit and all the six screws of the lens cell worked loose with two actuall working completely loose and were floating around during transit.Lens cell is totally loose now and collimation is lost and I have no owners manual. Whilst you North American guys can rely on Art & TNR we down under don't have that luxury so I need to send the scope back to Takahashi Japan. Have any Astromarters outside the US had to send their scopes back to Japan for servicing and did you have to go through your local agent or could you actually deal directly with Takahashi Japan.

Any suggestions please.

Cheers,

Hans

December 29, 2006 06:40 AM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

Definition or Glossary for Classifieds Section

Posted By Hans Tucker
How hard would it be to set up a definition of terms or some type of glossary to describe common words used to describe items being put up for sale in the classifieds section of astromart. My view of the word "Pristine" or "Mint" may vastly differ from another member reading the same advertisement or even the member posting the advertisement. I know that OPT has something similar like this on their website for their second hand section and it does prove quite useful in case a persons expectations are too high. This is not a dig or a trolling for negative responses just a suggestion stemming from a purchase I made.

January 10, 2007 09:31 AM Forum: Mounts

Alt-AZ Mounts

Posted By Hans Tucker
Whilst my FS-78 is away at Takahashi getting repaired I am now looking at purchasing an non-equatorial style mount for use with the FS-78. I already have an NJP and anyone can conclude this is an overkill for a 78mm scope. So I need something quick and easy to set up. I have looked at the DiscMount DM-6 & I guess the DM-4 and these look great but the company isn't really set up for International Customers, I prefer and have always paid via Credit Card and now PayPal which is much simpler than Money Order or Cheque. So anyone can suggest other brands and styles of non-equatorial mounts that I should look at. I have also looked at the Tele Optics (APM) Giro 2 Deluxe but looks like the XXL is no longer available which would have allowed me to also mount my Mewlon 250. Plus the APM website doesn't appear user friendly. So any other suggestions please.

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