Posts Made By: Larry Thaxton

A little history thanks to the efforts of my friend in Japan:

"The initial date of the production of the 6.5cm achromat. was November 10, 1983. The Nikon 6.5cm ED started on March 15, 1984. By the way, the Nikon ad said that the first 200 Nikon 6.5cm Achromats would come with a Nikon logo collapsible chair (a promotion item). So I think Nikon made two hundreds of 6.5cm achromats, at least.

The end of Nikon telescopes (10cm ED, 8cm ED, 6.5cm ED and 6.5cm Achr. ) was in 1991. But I don't know the accurate date. By the way, Nikon continued making large telescopes after 1991. I send an ad in 1995. This is the Nikon 25cm Apo made in 1999. I think it is the last Nikon made refractor:

http://www.actpal-uji.com/tenntaikannsatu.html

The 6.5cm mount can be set up as an alt-azimuth (page 15 of the manual.) The worm wheel diameter of RA is 76mm, and the number of teeth is 144. The worm wheel diameter of Dec is 56mm, and the number of teeth is 112. (page 46 of the manual.) The official load capacity is 11 kg. You can use four counter weights with the mount. It is written on page 9 (and page 46) of the manual. I can't believe the load capacity written on the manual, because Vixen GPD's load capacity is 10kg. But the 6.5cm mount might be actually more robust than it looks. By the way, Nikon 10cm mount's load capacity is 18 kg. I can believe it. I think it is sturdier than Tak EM-200, of which load capacity is 16 kg.


Any idea how many were made or how many made it to the US? I don't know. As for the 10cm ED, 600+ were made. It was written in an article in an Astronomical magazine. And I heard from Nikon that the production of 6.5cm was lesser than that of 10cm ED.

Were they well regarded in Japan?

Nikon 6.5cm ED is not well known even in Japan, because there were so few."

I do not think so as Parallax list separate rings for at least the TV 85 and the FS-78:

3" OD Tubes (TeleVue TV-85 Refractor)-$105

95mm OD Tubes (Takahashi FS - 78, Sky - 90, Takahashi FSQ-85)

You might try contacting him through his new website:

http://danielmounsey.com

I did not see the 4" review nor any indication of the 5" review he was describing before leaving CN. He is not especially prompt at responding to e-mails in my experience but very helpful when he does.

Hi Rod,

I don't know if three of us makes this mainstream, but as a visual observer hooked on the Moon, planets, globulars and such, a binoviewer is always my first pick. Winkling out fine detail is far easier as is picking up subtle contrast when using both eyes. Another aspect for me is that my scopes that are used with the binoviewer allow seated viewing and having both eyes open combined with sitting comfortable allow more time at the eyepiece in a more relaxed mode. While I have only my own experience to base this on, and admittedly I love my old Cave 8" F/8 Newtonian, I see more detail more easily seated than standing and with two eyes rather than one. So count me in, binoviewers are an integral part of my observing regimen.

I guess I was not part of the forum in the beginning. But I have been hooked on binoviewers since my first pair of Takahash Twinstar(?) binoviewers. They were fixed at 45 degrees and not always conveniently located but man what views! Then a Denk standard and I was hooked on their ease of use. Now it is the AP Mk V set up and for planets, the Moon and globulars (with a big enough scope), I would never go back. And yes, I had to spend a lot more for eyepieces but in my opinion, especially after viewing Jupiter a morning or two back and seeing incredible detail and the moons in apparent 3-D, it was worth every penny.

Hi Bill,
I used an old Meade DS-16 equatorial with a D&G 6" F/18 and it was a great combo. Old school, plenty sturdy and they can be had for reasonable prices with drives on both shafts. Mine was on a home made wooden tripod that was inexpensive and sturdy as heck.

Hi Jack,

Very nice article, sorry to hear learn about his illness. I have lost several friends in the last couple of year to cancer, one a 32 year old suffering from brain cancer. But his outlook is incredibly positive, each day really is a gift and all of us would do well to learn that lesson and never forget it. I will add him to my prayers.

Larry

Now THAT is what a telescope should look like! Congratulations on such a fine instrument!

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