Takahashi FSQ-106

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Brand and Model:Takahashi FSQ-106
Price ($USD):$3995
Type:Apochromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:106mm (4.2")
f Ratio:f/5
Focal Length:530mm
Finder:7x50
Electric Power:
Mount:
Tripod:
Weight (lbs):13.2 lbs.(OTA)
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:Takahashi America's FSQ-106 Page
Todd Gross's Review
Cloudy Nights' Review
Cloudy Nights' FSQ vs. AP Traveler Page

Vote Highlights Vote
Takahashi FSQ-106
Unreal. I had a FS-102 and didn't think you could get much better. I was wrong. This scope is to refractors what DVD is to home movies. Here are my impressions:

1. Typical somewhat bland styling of Takahashi. Blah green paint around focuser, etc., doesn't quite go with white tube and Tak Blue accents and stickers.

2. Huge focuser. Mine is just a tad tight. I believe it needs a little lube is all. Butter smooth with no image shift at all when you change directions.

3. Very heavy. Around 14 pounds. Built like a tank and I like it that way. Makes you feel like you are getting something for your money.

4. Absolutely, first rate construction and finish. Not a flaw that I could find. Can't expound much beyond that.

5. Optics are coated so darkly you'd hardly know you were looking at glass. Multi-element design. Go to any good vendor site for detailed specs.

6. Ok, Ok... the views are what you want to know about. Here it is as simply as I can state it. I have owned AP's, Televue's, Taks, and several other brands. I will simply state that I have "never" looked through a better scope. Not at a star party, not that I have owned, not that my friends have owned. It is the BEST 4" you can own. Period. You have to look to believe.

7. The only downside is this one thing. To use the FSQ visually you will need either the TAK FSQ diagonal or the Tak Tele-extender and diagonal adapter to accept your own diagonal. You can only use the Tak diagonal if you wish to use the scope in f5. The tele will allow you to use any other 1.25 or 2" diagonal at f8. That is ideal for planetary work anyway. Either option will run you another $300+. This is not enough to rate it down from a 10. And, if you can afford the OTA you should be able to spring for either or both of these.

Overall this is a "WORLD CLASS" refractor worth every single penny if you can afford it. I feel very lucky.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39868

Takahashi FSQ-106
I have postponed this review to cool down my enthusiasm and become more objective about this scope. Problem is: I am still highly enthusiastic! And I don't easily get entusiatic. But this is a truly fantastic, multi-purpose scope. In comparison with my other scopes, that is, a Televue Ranger, Intes MK66, and Celestron 9.25", my conclusions are: Far better in sharpness, contrast, and details compared to Ranger and Intes MK66. The Celestron 9.25" is indeed a great scope too, but the FSQ still exceeds it, especially in professional finish, sharpness and contrast (though, of course, not regarding light gathering capacity). Expensive, yes, but I am fully satisfied. And then I can use it as a "travel-scope" too. To show FSQ's sharpness, here is one of the first pictures I have taken with the Takahashi FSQ 106N [dead link removed]

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=362823

Takahashi FSQ-106
What a beauty. I've owned Newts, SCTs, Dobs and one other apo -- none of them had the first-light impact of this one. Possible downside is that as a primarily photographic scope you're forced to accessorize a bit for visual use by getting the f/8 extender (also needed if you want to use anything other than the FSQs dedicated diagonal), however most of us equipment freaks don't consider more accessories as a bad thing. In any case this is far & away my favorite scope so far, with optics as superb as you could ask for.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=84208

Takahashi FSQ-106
Great color free views.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=84061

Takahashi FSQ-106
Awesome scope. It is built like a tank and is VERY heavy for a 4" refractor. Views are simply superb. It is the equal of any 4" on the market. Obviously, each high end refractor has its +'s and -'s. The optics are 10+ and star test are flawless. Have not had an opportunity to ccd with this scope but many notable CCD imagers use them. Could go on and an on. There are few equals.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39874

Takahashi FSQ-106
I love this scope. I wish it was a little lighter, but put up with the weight for its performance. I highly recommend the Ext-Q for this scope.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39873

Takahashi FSQ-106
This scope is the best 4" available. Don't need to repeat all the great above comments. It is heavy as a rock, built to last, and will be an heirloom.

Paul

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39872

Takahashi FSQ-106
My Tak is the best refractor I have ever looked through including lots of other brands. EXPENSIVE. But hey isn't everything.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39870

Takahashi FSQ-106
Comments above mine sum it up. This scope blows TMB, Televue, AP and others of same size right out of the water. It isn't world class, it is the one the rest of the class can only hope to follow.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39869

Takahashi FSQ-106
The best telescope on the market under 5" of aperture. It beat the pants off of a 150mm/f12 Intes MK-67 Deluxe in a side-by-side lunar and planetary comparison. The FSQ stays sharp to 380X and I haven't tried higher yet. No trace of color whatsoever on Sirius at over 250X. Very fine hardware and optics. Buy the Extender Q1.6 to convert back and forth from f5 to f8. It's a necessary item for great planetary images at high magnification. Lots of WOW factor -- including unfortunately the price, but still worth it!

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39867

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