Novosibirsk/Sovietski TAL-150PM


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Brand and Model:Novosibirsk/Sovietski TAL-150PM
Price ($USD):$550
Type:Newtonian
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:150mm (5.9")
f Ratio:f/5
Focal Length:750mm
Finder:8x50
Electric Power:
Mount:equatorial
Tripod:pedestal
Weight (lbs):45lbs. lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
Novosibirsk/Sovietski TAL-150PM
[webmaster note: vote moved from description of alternate entry]

L.S.,
I wrote a review for this instrument in Dutch. Here is my conclusion translated into English.

Regards,

Ger Dik
de_appeltjes@hetnet.nl

TAL 150 PM pros and cons

Pros
 Low price
 Fine Optics
 Rock-solid mount and pier.
 Excellent 8 x 50 finder
 First class 25 mm eyepiece
 R.A. drive
 Very complete package

Cons:
 High weight
 No facilities for polar alignment finder
 No facilities for declination motor
 Manual


The TAL 150 PM is a high quality all-round telescope for a price which is almost unbelievable in the European perspective.

Because of it’s f/5 aperture, the 8 x 50 finder, the easy-to-use equatorial mount and the brilliant 25mm eyepiece, views are brilliant, star-hopping is sheer fun, and lots of deep sky objects can be studied in great detail. With the 10mm eyepiece and the barlow, lunar and planetary features, like the Cassini division in Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud belts and the GRS are easily visible. The nice thing is that everything is there; eyepieces, a barlow, a lunar filter, a camera adapter, etc. etc.

For ambitious amateurs, who are looking for their first serious telescope, a better choice is hardly possible. Especially to those poor young lads who still think that an American Schmidt-Cassegrain is a bare essential, I would strongly advise to take a look throug a TAL and compare . . . (An example for the American readers: A Meade 8" LX90 costs $2600 in Holland!)

The most serious disadvantage of the TAL is it’s weight, which is the price you pay for a stable mount and a durable product at this price-level. Futher, I believe that the mount is, although great for visual use, not an optimal solution for astrophotography. Although my results have been quite acceptable so far, while piggybacking up to 300 mm f.l., the absence of facilities for a polar alignment finder and a declination motor restrict the possiblities for long-time guided exposures at the prime-focus. As my skills develop, I sometimes consider replacing it some day. Meanwhile the TAL 150 PM is an instrument which exceeded my expectations by far.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
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Novosibirsk/Sovietski TAL-150PM
Excelent Telescope comes with everything you need to start observing. Good quality eyepieces included.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=351958


Novosibirsk/Sovietski TAL-150PM
The optics are superb.The only problem I had was poor contrast at low power.The inside of tube is simi gloss which gives poor contrast.I removed the optic's and brushed flat black paint inside the tube and contrast now is excellent.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=103677


Novosibirsk/Sovietski TAL-150PM
Very robust, A pleasure to use

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=66761


Novosibirsk/Sovietski TAL-150PM
Tal 150 f.5
Classically propelly constructed fast Newton--its brightness is G R E A T.
The using 25mm Pl.(incl.in cpl.)an observing is the pleasure.
The scope is giving fantastic conrast and sharpness using wide field of view but the adjustment of secondary is needed.Plantetary i used the 10mm PL.&X4 Barlow inc.in cpl ,too.
The results are v.nice,,but for all deep sky objects /mainlly Messiers
THIS SCOPE is absolutelly not similiar to Tal2 old brother for me TOOO dark.
Its finderscope after the removing the cross glass shield from the 25mm Pl.(wide angel)is a small scope could exist separatelly by a way.
I"ve the simple version on the stable metal pedestal mount to 300Xpower en.
Return to tests after adjustment starry rings are ideal and confirme the high optical accuracy.

For this TAL i rate 10 having no to hide .

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41075


Novosibirsk/Sovietski TAL-150PM
Tal 150 f.5
Classically propelly constructed fast Newton--its brightness is G R E A T.
The using 25mm Pl.(incl.in cpl.)an observing is the pleasure.
The scope is giving fantastic conrast and sharpness using wide field of view but the adjustment of secondary is needed.Plantetary i used the 10mm PL.&X4 Barlow inc.in cpl ,too.
The results are v.nice,,but for all deep sky objects /mainlly Messiers
THIS SCOPE is absolutelly not similiar to Tal2 old brother for me TOOO dark.
Its finderscope after the removing the cross glass shield from the 25mm Pl.(wide angel)is a small scope could exist separatelly by a way.
I"ve the simple version on the stable metal pedestal mount to 300Xpower en.
Return to tests after adjustment starry rings are ideal and confirme the high optical accuracy.

For this TAL i rate 10 having no to hide .

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: <none>
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41074


Novosibirsk/Sovietski TAL-150PM
I purchased my TAL-150PM in Oct of 2000. Unfortunately I think Sovietski is going out of the telescope business. Too bad as this is a great scope. There are other ways to get one, but perhaps not at the same price ($550 U.S.). These scopes seem more prevalent over in Europe, but are rarer over on this side of the pond.

The TAL-150PM features a parabolic primary as well as a short focal length (f5). Otherwise, it is very similar to the longer tube f8 TAL-2. It does not come in a wooden box, just a particle board crate. For long term storage, you may need to construct or purcahse some sort of box. The short tube design is great for this as everything can break down into a sturdy plastic box I purchased at Lowe's (to which I have added a shlef and foam padding), and this can be hefted into the back of my Subaru Outback wagon for trips to dark sites.

Images and overall quality is good, just as other reviewers have noted for the TAL scopes. They are built like a tank and seem rugged enough to take years of transport and setup in remote locations. One thing I did notice was a clunking sound as I shifted the scope around. I traced this to loose clips holding the primary. As a remedy, I retightened the clips and added small leather scraps to act as pads between the clips and the mirror. I have had no problems since then. You will find that any adjustements or modifications will be easy due to the straightforward design of the scope. Again, I am a relative beginner, but the Airy disk seemed to look as it should from the textbooks, with no noticable astigmatisms.

I have the original russian motor and have noticed not irregularities or cause for concern, although I may be unsophisticated compared to other reviewers. The mount is sturdy and damps out vibrations fairly quickly. I wanted the beginner's scope I wanted as a kid - decent aperature, quality optics, simple construction, equatorial mount with motor. This thing delivers!

I would NEVER USE THE SUPPLIED SOLAR FILTER!!!! The scope comes with a "solar filter" that can snap on top of a lens - this has potential dangers, as it can easily fall off or crack from the intense heat. Instead, use some Baader film - it is cheap, safe, and effective. The scope came with an extra cover with an aperature step down, and I use this with a Baader film for solar observing. I have never used the supplied solar projection screen but it looks like a good idea.

The 25mm lens is great, the 10mm adequate, and the 2x Barlow good. The stars of the Trapezium break out in distinct dots, and the Cassini division is clearly visible. I have used this scope with a 10mm Pentax and WOW, what great images, even when in tandem with the russian Barlow!

The finder scope is great - it is big (8x50) and quite useful, although the crosshairs are hard to use at night. For solar use, I also use a piece of Baader film over a spray paint cap, which fits snugly on the end of the finderscope.

If you have one of these, I would like to know any tips or techniques you have discovered. Please contact me at cherknight@pcola.gulf.net.

Overall Rating: No Vote
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