Posts Made By: Mark Payne

I am considering the following APO's for planetary use. Just wanted some input.

Tak FS102
Tak FS106
Meade 127ED (how's the color correction?)
Televue TV102
Vixen ED114SS

Of course these are all new, I am also looking at the used stuff. Right now I am leaning twords the TAK FS102. Is there anything else I should be looking at in that price range? ($3000 or less for OTA). Which of the scopes above have the best color correction and which has the sharpest image (and hold up under the highest magnifacation given ideal seeing conditions)?

Thanx
Mark

Very nice picture.

May I ask the details of the equipment used to take the photo?

Hey there,

I am one of the people considering the 4" APO for planetary. The reason I am considering this is becase of several reasons. I have never owned a refractor and if I get one I want it to be a smaller APO versus a bigger Achro. I do not dissagree that his list is very accurate however the first 4 scopes do not track (without an EQ Table anyhow) and that is something I cant live without. The next 2 on the list, 5 and 5b, are not even remotley feasable. As for the SCT's, I have done the C11 thing. It was definatly no slouch and I may very well end up with another soon.

Hope I didnt rable or ruffle feathers. That is just my reasoning. Oh, I am also seriously looking at the 6.5" OA scopes as recomended by a member in my revious post.

May the sand be settled for your viewing.
Mark