TMB 105/650


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Brand and Model:TMB 105/650
Price ($USD):about $3200
Type:Apochromatic Refractor
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:105mm (4.1")
f Ratio:f/6.2
Focal Length:650mm
Finder:
Electric Power:
Mount:
Tripod:
Weight (lbs):
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
TMB 105/650
I received a carbon fiber version with rings and a feathertouch focuser. Comes in at an amazing 8.5 lbs all together, and when the dew shield and focuser extension tube are retracted, is so short and cute you'll want to wrap it in a receiving blanket. Gorgeous black mosaic tube. When matched ( and color matched, too) to a Wimberley mount and a Gitzo 1228 tripod, you'll have a 16 lb package that'll fit in a carry-on. My use of this scope is primarily as a travel scope, so I'm a very happy camper.... it packs a phenomenal punch for it's size and weight... and it looks like a real telescope, too. *grin*

Image quality is awesome. The one I received had .966 Strehl. Being used to an SCT, I was enthralled by the huge FOVs and pinprick stars that appeared EveryWhere. I can't wait to see the planets through this scope! ( Clouds blocked Jupiter the 2 nights I've been out ). Although I don't intend to use it for deep sky, the 105 brought out M13, M3, Ring, Dumbell, M81/82 under horrible skies. Open clusters and binaries pop out everywhere.

Other scopes checked out: Tv-76/85 ( nice, but too small aperture for me )... Sky 90 ( also nice, but not a great price/performance vs the TMB ), AP Traveler ( very nice, but too long a wait... and the TMB is lighter and less costly! ), FSQ-106 ( very nice, but WAY too heavy! )

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=243221

comment5, <a href="http://www.xiti.com/xiti.asp?s=209733">http://www.xiti.com/xiti.asp?s=209733</a>, [url="http://www.xiti.com/xiti.asp?s=209733"]http://www.xiti.com/xiti.asp?s=209733[/url], http://www.xiti.com/xiti.asp?s=209733 http://www.xiti.com/xiti.asp?s=209733,  lwsq,
>UPDATE:

I'm giddy. This critter performs exactly as I had hoped.

With an OIII, it easily picked up the Veil, Swan, Eagle, Triffid nebula.  I was really perplexed when more detail was visible in the Swan, than in my 8" SCT that was cooled down.  I don't understand exactly why, yet.  An exception, since the 8" SCT outperfomed the 4" refractor on the vast majority of  deep sky objects.

With a Radian 3, I was able to see a moon transit on Jupiter that was invisible to the SCT.

Powered up to 232x to view Mars with no image breakdown.  The Tak 2.8 ortho that exposes every flaw in an SCT's diagonal/corrector/secondary was easily and clearly handled by the TMB optics.

With a Nagler 26 ( and optionally, a 6.3 reducer ) the field is huge, and flatter and sharper edge to edge than I'd expected.  Doubles appear everywhere, including one near the Ring that I never noticed before, in the same FOV.

Setup time is literally seconds, everything is so lightweight it's a breeze to view anytime I want to!

So THIS is what all your refractor nuts have been talking about!

TMB 105/650
superbe optique

Overall Rating: No Vote
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=586568


TMB 105/650
After neglecting this 'scope for far too long (I bought it long before I got a mount) I've finally had the opportunity in recent weeks to give it the attention it deserves. Wow! I've owned or looked through a great many telescopes from other high-end refractors of similar aperture to 10" SCTs and this incredible telescope is providing sharp, contrasty and color-free views that beat all of them. I cannot realistically say that it's brighter but when the contrast is so perfect I suspect the eye doesn't need as much light to work out the details; I'll still keep the 10" around for deep-sky stuff. Stars are perfect dots and nebulae exhibit a wonderful mottled look even at high magnification.
The 105 is heavier than its peers but not objectionably so; I think the issue has been far overplayed. I have a rather tall mount and I have to heft it to about my eye-level to get it set up. I haven't found this is be straining in any way. In fact I far prefer the extremely beefy build of the OTA that is uncomparable to other telescopes. The machining is beautifully done and makes the 'scope nearly as much of a pleasure to own in the daytime as at night....almost.
I did ding the 'scope one point on 'Value' but this is more indicative of a general condition of refractors in general and does not indicate any displeasure on my part with the TMB 105. In fact, for ANY other $3k 4" telescope I would have subtracted more because nothing currently available in the realm of refactors matches the performance and value that TMB offers with the extensive machining, finder and corresponding machined bracket, gorgeous (in look and feel) monster [rotating] focuser and custom case. Heck, they even put in a 1.25"-2" converter with brass clamping ring and very nice tube rings!
In my book this telescope is a no-brainer. For those wanting a longer focal ratio, the TMB 100 f/8 is also available and is also reportedly a phenomenal refractor.

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=160202


TMB 105/650
It is very compact but too heavy

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=65550

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