TAKAHASHI FSQ 106ED

lalana · Post by **lalana** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 11:27 am

TAKAHASHI FSQ106ED "NEW...........

I am considering buying this scope and have a couple of queries.
I live in Thailand and have my heart set on a top-end refractor with Airline-portable dimensions. Believe it or not, I am a novice at using/buying telescopes and have only had 15x70 Orion Resolux binoculars for a couple of years now!!!!

(1) I read on forums that it may be preferable to start on a larger aperture scope because a 4inch may disappoint me and not give me the wow factor and thrill me as much. Many say that a top-class 4inch is more suited to an experienced observer??????

(2) At a later stage I plan to do imaging...but....for the moment I will do mainly visual with a "FSQ106"? I know that it is best known as an imaging scope but if I attach the "Extender-Q" to make it an F8 is it just as capable a visual performer as,for example, the TSA102????

(3) Has anyone done visual work with a "106" or even the baby "85" and what is their impression of the visual capabilities??? (with or without an extender???

(4) Apologies,I am a novice....the FSQ 106ED has a reported backfocus of 178mm ........what are my chances of using an extender AND binoviewers for this scope because that would be an important factor for me???? I have been on the Denkmeier website and they reportedly have Binoviewers that they advertise as being compatible with a "106" and the Takahashi website also states that the "106" is Binoviewer capable......BUT.... am I being realistic here in wanting to work with the Extender and Binoviewers on the "106" with for example Pentax "XW 3.5mm" or the Televue "Ethos 6mm" type eyepieces??

(5) I know the "106" is quite heavy but at 16.7 inches retracted I was hoping it can be airline-portable??? What do you people think about that.......to bring the OTA back to Europe in maybe a "Scopeguard" case?

(6)Tak scopes in Thailand would be so very expensive and maybe Singapore not so cheap either....so..... Has anyone ever tried the "GRANDEYE" shop in Hong Kong and would they recommend them??? or are there other options out there without me paying a huge huge premium over the "$ 4195 OTA FSQ list price"???

THANKS EVERYONE FOR ANY VALUABE INPUT OF ANY DESCRIPTION YOU MAY HAVE...I WOULD APPRECIATE IT !!

*** Sorry,one last thing....if there are any other scopes that may fit my bill/preferences I would love opinions also.. My main preferences are...

-- top class refractor apo.
-- airline portable dimensions and weight
-- superb for visual and imaging work (if I buy accessories I need)
-- minimum or 90mm aperture

THANKS AGAIN......... (Someone please tell me that I am 100% crazy for considering this as my first scope ) hahahaha.......am I making a mistake of any kind here? hehe

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:48 am

Wow. That makes for an extremely expensive first scope. In my opinion it will be better to get a larger aperture Newtonian or sct for visual first. Next time out can decide if going on the imaging route

anat · Post by **anat** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:30 am

Hi

You may want to join a few star parties to see real scopes before your decision. I live in Bangkok Thailand. And there is an active group on astronomy: http://darasart.com/webboard/default.asp
We usually arrange star parties from November to March.
http://www.darasartonline.com/webboard/ ... p?GID=3362

You will be able to test various scopes for example: Newtonians, SCT, Tak FSQ, Tak TOA, AP.

Anat

lalana · Post by **lalana** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:41 am

Thanks for the answers.

CANOPUS LIM....... you are of course right that a bigger Newt or SCT will give me more satisfaction visually.I am,unfortunately, really keen on my scope being airline portable.I suppose a 6-8 inch SCT may be okay but I have no idea why the refractor bug has gotten a hold of me 555++ It is also a part of my mentality that I want my first scope to be one that I will still have in 10 years and have full use and love for it.I was hoping to start on "Solar System/Planerary" viewing first along with the some of the brighter wide-field extra-solar delights.....and from what I've read on Forums a top-end 4inch apo with good seeing gives spectacular views of them. I am not going to rush into a purchase though and will give it all some considered thought, and thankyou for your feedback!!!

ANAT........hello and thanks for the links!! I live in "Jomtien" myself, in the province of "Chonburi" and it is great to know of this Astronomy community, because all around where I live I can't find anybody who's interested in Star-gazing. I forgot to say in my original post that I am only about 50% finished on saving up money for a Telescope purchase so I will take my time in deliberating and not be impulsive and buy something that maybe is not suitable for me.
I will go online and check out the Darasart community/details and think it is a GREAT idea for me to attend some of these Star Parties to get a real "feel" for what they are like.I look forward to going to them and maybe I will bump into you sometime in the future!!. I cannot read Thai and I am not an expert on computers but will try to figure out how to "translate" with Internet Explorer!! From your pictures/link I think I will have to buy a "tent" also 555+ but I look forward to it,.. and the 'PETCHABUN" location looked lovely and great fun!!

Thanks and take care/ขอบคุณสำหรับข้อมูล

DAVID O CALLAGHAN.

Post by **acc** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:20 pm

The FSQ will be rather disappointing as a first scope due to its limited aperture... You will be amazed by the difference in the amount of details you can see between the FSQ and a comparatively cheap 8" newtonian or SCT. IMO, you would not go wrong -not- buying the FSQ as your first scope... YMMV, so best to join a local star party (for low-power widefield view of DSOs, there's not much difference (if any) between an FSQ and a cheaper refractor from WO etc)

lalana · Post by **lalana** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:12 pm

acc wrote:The FSQ will be rather disappointing as a first scope due to its limited aperture... You will be amazed by the difference in the amount of details you can see between the FSQ and a comparatively cheap 8" newtonian or SCT. IMO, you would not go wrong -not- buying the FSQ as your first scope... YMMV, so best to join a local star party (for low-power widefield view of DSOs, there's not much difference (if any) between an FSQ and a cheaper refractor from WO etc)

Thanks for the input. Your opinion about the possible "limitations/disappointment" for visual work of a 4inch Apo compared to bigger aperture and cheaper scopes is something I've thought about and was my first query/question in my Original post here!!

I think I need to get,(as you and Anat pointed out) some real-time Star-Party experience and decide for myself what I'm happy with!!
The only problem with Apo refractors (apart from expense) is that above 4inches, Airline-portability is not possible. The only 5incher that looks good for me would be the "Stellarvue SV130ST f6" ......very heavy of course because it's a 5inch triplet but at least it breaks down to carry-on dimensions!!

Anyway,I will keep saving my money and before I purchase will really have to go to some star-parties. Occasionally I am over in Singapore so I hopefully could do some viewing over there also!!

I bought the only Astro-gear I own from Joo Beng at Astrobargains when I flew over to Singapore before and met him at his house( Orion Resolux 15x70mm Bino's and Parallelogram Mount). I also went to Borders on Orchard Road and stocked up on some essential books and have been enjoying Astronomy with Binoculars for a while now!!

My only dilemma is one I suppose many people go through......the old question of wanting a scope that can do everything for you 5555++
(when of course no such scope exists).......... I suppose a 5inch AP130EDFGT that just happens to be airline portable but only weighs 6.8 kilos would be a great choice but some of the "flippers" of these scopes are asking for insane money and I'd have to have a huge discussion with my wife on why I should spend so so much money on a 5 inch OTA 5555+

Oh well, I love my hobby(even just with Bino's) and I will keep saving the $$$$$ and maybe go to a couple of Star parties in Thailand this Winter, after which, I may have a better idea of what I will purchase!!

Thanks for the tips and if anyone else has "anything" else to say and advise me on I would be very appreciative!!

DAVID O CALLAGHAN.