Equipment Dilemma

[qwertified]

yea, i had been eyeing both the VM200L and VMC200L..
part of my quest for lightweight 8"..

Well yes. I had forgotten about that old warhorse M42.

Personally I find open clusters ZZZZZ. To each their own..

And while Sedili is "close by" do not underestimate the effort of packing up stuff.

I am ashamed to admit this, but ever since my Sedili trip, the CGEM in its suitcase has sat in the trunk of the car. That's like 3 months now. I simply didn't have the energy to haul it back up the stairs to the elevator lobby. It's like having one extra kid in the car all the time. Doesn't do much for gas mileage.

Forgot to mention this (Kevin might have) - Vixen VC200L. Very light for an 8". Pair with a Vixen SXD or iOptron iEQ30 for a lightweight setup. And of course the refractor.

[qwertified]

You guys ever found the TMB a little overpriced for a 92mm APO?
I'm still bent on it cause of its super fast optics.. but need to justify myself to spend $1995 on it.

I beg to disagree.
The TMB92SS will be useful for brighter open clusters such as M6/7, bright nebulae such as M8/M42, surfing the various clusters and star fields of saggitarius, carina and centarus regions. The Moon!
And looking at your neighbours (oops!)
Its also useful for daytime terrestrial views of animals and nature scenes.
Anyway Desaru/Punggai/Sedili is a short drive away (literally) and the petrol almost pays for itself if you leave Sg with 3/4 tank full, plus food is cheap and good

[orly_andico]

Well - now you put it that way..

$2K for a Chinese APO does seem to be a little dear, to be honest. You do pay for the Feathertouch focuser etc. Why not go for the regular L model at $1500?

Unless you are putting a really heavy camera on the back (or using a big-chip camera like an STL11K or a full-frame DSLR), the regular focuser should do fine.

Or do what somebody did and buy an NP101, used. You can get one for $2K USD if you look/wait. More aperture than the TMB92L or SS, American-made, doesn't need a flattener, and fast - f5.4

Plus if you resell it, no more depreciation.

[qwertified]

i will be hanging a 5DMKII on it, so definitely feathertouch at that price difference.. but having said that, i have my eyes set on the NP101 esp those that end up upgrading to the NP101is series, but its a pretty long wait.

plus point of 92SS is the fact that I can bring it as hand carry via air; for the NP101, a little more tricky but at that weight, can still bring it on some airlines due to FF status.

My mind was pretty set on the 92SS a few months ago, but I never pulled the trigger as I just couldnt justify the price point of 1995$ for it and the fact that there is no dedicated flattener --> put me off.

Prolly have to lurk around A-Mart for a good buy.

Well - now you put it that way..

$2K for a Chinese APO does seem to be a little dear, to be honest. You do pay for the Feathertouch focuser etc. Why not go for the regular L model at $1500?

Unless you are putting a really heavy camera on the back (or using a big-chip camera like an STL11K or a full-frame DSLR), the regular focuser should do fine.

Or do what somebody did and buy an NP101, used. You can get one for $2K USD if you look/wait. More aperture than the TMB92L or SS, American-made, doesn't need a flattener, and fast - f5.4

Plus if you resell it, no more depreciation.

[orly_andico]

5d Mk II body is only 920g.

I am lifting a 2.5kg assembly (QHY8, off-axis guider, and DSI Pro guide camera) off an ordinary 2" William Optics focuser. Even when the scope is vertical the focuser can still lift it.

Do I wish I had a Feathertouch? Yes. It gets fiddly and slips down all the way if I loosen the tension knob too much. So an annoyance, but not a deal-breaker. From my experience, if you really are into imaging, the most luxurious thing you can get is an auto-focuser.

[cloud_cover]

The NP-101 isn't really airline portable because its quite a long scope despite its short focal length - this is the result of its Petzval design. Its almost 700mm long and its casing is large.
Having said that, its a wonderful astrograph: Moderately fast, completely flat field out to a full frame chip and has acceptable vignetting. Focusing is sure and smooth. It has dual focus locking screws and a dual screw compression band. Very secure. It also has the best star test I've ever seen and is completely color free, visually and photographically. The only thing it lacks is a camera rotator to get the angle exact even when changing filters. If you want one and can get one, go for it! Only be aware its not really travel friendly although its a grab and go. By far my favourite scope

[MooEy]

hmm...both my flt-98 and borg 125sd are airline portable

[qwertified]

Which focuser on your FLT98? DDG?

hmm...both my flt-98 and borg 125sd are airline portable

[qwertified]

There is a TAK FS102NSV on AMart for US$1800.. Worth it??

[orly_andico]

doublet.

i'd wait for a $2K NP-101.