Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Equipment Reviews:Telescope Reviews:Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M

 Info  Votes  Messages  More Stats  Up One Level
image
Brand and Model:Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
Price ($USD):499
Type:Newtonian
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:110mm (4.3")
f Ratio:f/7.3
Focal Length:806mm
Finder:6x30
Electric Power:
Mount:GEM single drive
Tripod:Pier
Weight (lbs):40+ lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:25mm Pløssl

15mm Kellner

3x barlow (pooooor quality)

Color filters, solar projection screen, aperture stop, "piggy" cam holder, +

Vote Highlights Vote
Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
There is an old saying that goes something like: "A telescope with excellent optics on a wobbly mount, is not a good telescope, and is virtually useless, whereas a telescope with good optics on a solid mounting, is a very good telescope".

The Tal 1M certainly falls into the latter category.

Side by side, with a Chinese 102mm f9.8 acromatic refractor on an EQ3-2 mount, the images from the Tal were brighter and sharper, whereas the acromat gave somewhat softer images of the Moon and Jupiter.

This was verified by a friend of mine at a recent star party, who had never used an astronomical telescope in her life, and had no prejudice for refractor/reflector.

Damping times on the Tal are almost instant (about 1 second maximum), compared with up to 10 seconds on the refractor. Bouncy slo-mo cables, and the leggy, but possibly too short aluminium tripod don't help the refractor/mount combo.

The eyepieces supplied; a 25mm symmetrical, and a 15mm Kellner are well up to the job, though there is general agreement that the 25mm is the nicest. However, there is a crosshair that can be inserted into the Kellner, which can be used to allign the finder with the main telescope, as well as (using the barlow) for guiding a camera on the supplied piggyback camera mount that screws on the declination shaft.

Narrow field of view is unimportant on planets, and so it isn't an issue.

Also, it has to be remembered that with experience, shorter (and longer) eyepieces become easier to use. Another maxim: "An experienced observer will see more with inferior equipment, than will a beginner with a larger scope and better eyepieces".

I viewed the Moon the other night using the 15mm Kellner, and it gave me a very pleasing view indeed. Don't dismiss it out of hand!

Accessories:

Finder; This is a fine little 6x30 focussing refractor in its own right.

Eyepieces; Very good. Uncoated symmetrical 25mm is the favorite.

Barlow; Probably more useable than department store scope Barlows, but might not be everybodies cup of tea. Gives a sensible range of magnifications for size of scope, without pushing the limits (get more eyepieces. See below).

Piggyback camera mount; Screws on declination shaft. Very solid!

Solar projection screen; Screws on declination shaft, does the job well, with clips to hold white card.

Filters; Adequate (to be honest, I don't use them much myself). These fit over the eyepiece, rather than screwing into the barrels. Moon filter handy around gibbous/full Moon.

Mount; This has to be the most solid mount in the 4.5 inch (and above) class! I believe this is the same mounting they use for the 150mm. Large (3 inch diameter) setting circles, black on light grey, and easy to read.

Pier; Strips down easily, retentive screws on the legs, and pier can be used at shorter hight, allowing seated observations, also giving lower centre of gravity and even more solid!

Summing up:

This is a comprehensive package for the amateur starting out.

Any telescope package is a compromise between quality and cost. I feel that this package compromises less than other rivals in the 4.5 inch class in terms of optical quality, mount, eyepieces and accessories.

Standard eyepieces DO fit the push fit focusser! I did however "push" the main mirror forward to get more back-focus, using longer bolts on the mirror cell.

Any telescope package should be expandable; You will aquire eyepieces as you go. The Tal will accept these. Try the cheap Plossls and Barlows on E-Bay. I know of someone who uses Teleview Naglers with his 15 year lold Tal, and he loves it!

Finally, I can only speculate, but those who have had bad experiences with a Tal, have perhaps got one that slipped through quality control. If you do get a bad one, please alert your dealer, these should be excellent little telescopes!

Good hunting!

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Mount:9 Ease of Use:7 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=443158

Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
I regularly use my Astronomical Society Tal 1 and find it optically and mechanically excellent.It is rather heavy for a 110mm scope and takes a long time to acclimatize on colder evenings.It has a superb finderscope,excellent 25mm Plossl eyepiece,average 15mm Kellner eyepiece,poor Barlow lens,useless filters(for Godsake don't use sunfilter). I own a Tal 120 ,which is also a good scope,but I have to admit the Tal 1 is superior,(Tal120 does not have a collimatable rear cell).

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Mount:10 Ease of Use:6 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=139249

Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
I've now owned this scope on 3 seperate occasions. It is the telescope I buy just to see me through times where I can't have a larger instrument. Am I worried? Not a bit, it's a great little scope with great optics and price to match. Highly recommended for any beginners or to those who just can't have a big scope.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=69491

Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
Excellent scope for the size, constructed like a tank.
I own the non-motorized version (TAL-1). Very good optics, good contrast on the moon and planets and pinpoint stars even at high power. The performance is worthy of larger and more expensive reflectors.
Impressive collection of accesories: two eyepieces (25mm Plossl superb, 15 mm Kellner quite good), 3X Barlow, six color filters, sun projection screen, piggyback camera adaptor, very good 6x30 achromatic finderscope....and all for a very affordable price.
Sturdy eq. mount even overbuilt for this instrument.
I've seen other 4.5" reflectors imported from Asia and they looked like toys compared with the TAL-1.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=67020

Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
My first real scope after suffering a Tasco refractor. I must say I'm rather impressed. Value for money its 10 out of 10. If you are thinking of buying one ask the dedicated fans on YAHOOS talscope discussion group what they think.
My only gripe is that although you could drive over it, it is most heavy especially when youve got a slipped disc like me! Still the joy of using it over shadows the aches!!!!! Buy one!

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=40257

Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
Cheap and robust...seems perfect!

The optics are ok to have a look up at the sky with but the supplied eyepieces are awful and the version i had would not accept my own standard 1 1/4" oculars. I sold it having used it twice.

Save your money and get a pair of binoculars or wait till you can afford a scope which accepts industry standard fittings and has known good optics.

Overall Rating: 2
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=40256 

>Cheap and robust...seems perfect!
>
>The optics are ok to have a look up at the sky with but the supplied eyepieces are awful and the version i had would not accept my own standard 1 1/4" oculars. I sold it having used it twice.
>
>Save your money and get a pair of binoculars or wait till you can afford a scope which accepts industry standard fittings and has known good optics.

My Tal 1M focuser accepts all my 1.25" barlows and eyepieces just fine. Meade, Celestron, Brandon, University Optics, TeleVue, and Chinese generics. You name it, it fits perfectly.
Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
(TAL 1 purchased, i.e. without the motor drive). The main reason for the 9/10 rating is the exceptional value for money that this scope offers - purchase price GBP199. The pedestal mount is superb and the slow motions smooth and easy to use. Optically, it's fair, though the 6X30 finderscope is excellent. However, the 15 mm eyepiece does not do justice to the quality of the primary mirror and the 3x Barlow is poor. The 25 mm Plossl is good and suits the scope well in terms of quality. The point is that if you factor in the purchase price of a replacement 3x Barlow and a better 15 mm eyepiece, it still represents great value for money. Allowing £100 for these extra purchases, you can end up with a good quality and mechanically sturdy scope for less than GBP300.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=40255

Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
After some minor modification and adjustment the mount is even more stable. The motor track can be improved by use of electronic control.
Very very very good price/power ratio !!!

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=40254

Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
I thought the whole setup was really good - very solid and good optics. The mount is more stable than that on my C8 and as a result I have removed the tube, sawed off the rings and mounted a plate on what was left!!

It now carries my cookbook camera and a 90mm F5.6 super finder . I love it!!

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=40253

Novosibirsk/Sovietski Tal-1M
Hey man i think you are being a little harsh. I have been the proud owner of one of these scopes for three years now and have found the optical performance and the construction to be far far superior to anything in this price range. I have never experienced any of the problems you describe above. I have been a keen amateur astronomer for the past six years, and have spent countless hours at the eyepiece. I dont mind lugging this telescope around simply because it is an absolute joy to use, and i would highly recommend it to anyone starting out in this fascinating hobby.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=40252

[Click Here to Login]
Don't have a login? Register!

Checking Your Telescope
Starting out in Amateur Astronomy
 
How to use This Site
Why Register?
[Get rid of the ads!]
Voting Guide