Takahashi FS-102

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Takahashi FS-102
The Takahashi FS 102 is an excellent choice for a 4" apochromatic refractor from the standpoints of mechanical quality, optical precision, and price.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:8 Value:9
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=93110

Takahashi FS-102
The Takahashi FS 102 represents one of the finest telescopes competing within the four-inch apochromat horse race. It is mechanically well-made, possessing a focuser that behaves itself even under a Nagler-heavy load. Optically, it truly shines. Despite some reviewers' (ahem) criticism that a 4" apo cannot compete against a newt or SCT of moderate size, this bad boy has contrast, focus travel, and the ability to find fine detail that will leave an 8" SCT gasping. This comes at a price, of course, but quality always does. If you want the best, however, this Tak provides views that will spank Televues at a much more "reasonable" price. So, if optical quality, mechanical soundness, and sheer astronomical fun is on your shopping list, the Takahashi FS 102 should be your first choice.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:8 Value:8
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=93713

Takahashi FS-102
As the proud owner of a Tak FS 102, I can easily attest to its quality. High-power imaging is effortless. I can focus objects quickly and easily because it has a substantial "sweet spot". It's built like a tank, yet it is a beautiful object in its own right. The perfect blend of form and function.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 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=94647

Takahashi FS-102
Just bought this scope and the views through it are the crispest I've seen in any refractor I've had. No color on bright objects like Venus and the Moon. Stars are sharp pinpricks on black velvet background. They look the way they are supposed to! The EM-2 mount it came with is rock-solid and beautiful to look at. I will be keeping this wonderful scope forever!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount: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=113603

Takahashi FS-102
I recently obtained the FS102 on a Tak EM-2 mount. Spectacular views. Perfect Airy disks; optics are just as tack-sharp as it gets. The EM-2 mount is extremely solid and stable... not a trace of the shakes.

I highly recommend picking up a Takahashi apo if you don't want to wait a long time to get another premium apo scope- you simply won't be disappointed.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=122390

Takahashi FS-102
The Tak FS102 is a very well meticulous work of art, though quiet not so portable as the Tak FS106 it still yields its own mystic and grace. I have had mine for the past 4 months and till today i have no regrets in spending and saving for it. Worth the reviews because i see no signs of false colors when viewing planets to deep sky objects. It will give you a proud owner feeling standing next to it......beautifully made and has an air of pride amongst its rivals (Astro-Physics). Try and you will fall in love with it even though it is quiet expensive just for an O.T.A. Happy viewing and dark skies!!!!!

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Mount:9 Ease of Use:9 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=130369

Takahashi FS-102
It is unfortunate that some people feel that this is a forum for their personal preferences. As a point of contention, I SOLD my Starmaster (a wonderful telescope) to fund a larger APO, and I do not regret it one bit. I would not go to the Starmaster area and give any of their excellent products a poor rating because I prefer a refractor...

Now to get to the real point of these reviews. I purchased my FS-102 new about 3 years ago. I made the selection based on viewing through a friends FC-100. The construction of the FS-102 is simple but top notch in every regard. The 2.7 focuser is fantastic. It is smooth as silk but strong enough to easily support photo gear. Optics are as good as any I have ever seen. Near perfect star tests. I have used this scope at 504x on clear nights with excellent results. Some people do not like the ala-carte aspect of the Takahashi scopes, but I do. It allows me to configure my scope the way I want to without having to pay for a package filled with things I do not want. First rate optics. First rate mechanics. You get what you pay for and the FS-102 is worth every penny.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=135027

Takahashi FS-102
The absolute finest telescope ever crafted by the hand of man.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Mount: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=141382

Takahashi FS-102
Using a Tak is like seeing thru the eyes of God.

Taka for ever !

Jim

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=145251

Takahashi FS-102
For years I admired these scopes and finally Takahashi made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I ordered one the first day of the price drop.

I’ve had it out five times now and can report that it is even better than I had hoped. With EPs ranging form a 32mm Tak Erfle, to a Tak 3.6mm HI LE, it has yielded consistently dazzling views. Nothing I have ever used comes close to its contrast. (After a recent side-by-side comparison with an otherwise superb AP Starfire, the AP owner went home shaking his head and wondering if he should send it back to AP for evaluation and possible repair!)

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=148769

Takahashi FS-102
I bought my Tak about 2 years now as a portable alternative to light bucket reflectors. I've found it gives pin-sharp views of planets and tight doubles and takes high power well when UK seeing permits. It also gives a meaningful improvement, on all objects, over a couple of 80mm apos I've tried.

I probably used it more often in the first month than I used my reflector in the previous year. Of course, aperture fever then set in and I had to have a 5". I bought a second-hand FS128 and sold the 102. Big mistake. The 128 was better than the 102 on DSOs but only marginally so on planets and the moon. However, I really returned to refractors for portability and the 128 is MUCH bigger than the 102. Certainly too massive for a lightweight mount. I part exchanged the 128 with the chap who bought the 102, which I am happy to say is mine again. It now sits on a Vixen custom alt-az for grab and go views, or a GM8 for high power work.

Finally, I have to say, much though I love the Tak the best view of the planets I've ever had was through an Orion Optics 250mm f/4.8 Newtonian on an exceptionally steady night. Deatil on Saturn in particular was incredible. When all else is equal then I think that more aperture really does win!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:8
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=186005

Takahashi FS-102
I bought my tak fs 102 used on astromart.It came with the clamshell and 2in visual back'So i save a littel off new price which they are on sale now for $1895.Plus they have the new model with micro focuser and retractable dew sheild and the scope is 2in shorter.My scope is mounted on a gp-dx.Views are breathtaking'perfect startest/Excellent widefield views and does great on planets and lunar,Contrast is the best and sharpness hard to beat.No color on bright objects that i can see.Focuser is very smooth.but can't wait to add the micro focuser.All in all a great scope.thanks bob hart

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Ease of Use:7 Value:8
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=347429

Takahashi FS-102
Incredibly sharp views. The focuser travel is too small though giving a constant problem of not being able to get things in focus if I use a focal reducer with a diagonal. SO I have to remember the various combinations of things to make it able to go into focus. Apart from that it is clearly a professional instrument that does not take long to cool off, gives very sharp wide views plus is good to look at!.

It is not really that expensive in this category of scope either.
Greg.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:10 Ease of Use:8 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=366354

Takahashi FS-102
I had an FS 102 for about 9 months to a year. I did not think I would ever sell it but only did so to get an FS152!

Beautiful views of wide field stars and planets and moon.

You will need a barlow or low focal legnth eyepieces to get the power. It is too small aperture for DSO's though which appear dim.

Makes a good astrograph.

One of the best views ever was widefield star views through the FS102 and Denk standard binos- - breathtaking.

Sharp stars, good contrast, some false colour on the moon's edges, good focuser, strongly built, gorgeous deep green flourite lens (you gain a love for flourite with these scopes).

As with the FS152 the accessories are needlessly complex.
The focal reducer to F6 is a good addition.

Ditch the plastic 1.25 inch compression ring (it grabs eyepieces on their safety groove and won't let go and won't be tight either) and get the Mercury System's one.

Optically wonderful, but there are other triplet APO's out there I believe are superior but at a higher cost.

Greg.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 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=421253

Takahashi FS-102
I have just received my new FS-102 NSV (New Short Version) from Anacortes Telescope after they advertised that they had a limited shipment of new units that they would be offering at the summer 2004 sale price. I couldn't turn it down... Being on the Jersey Shore, the nights of truly exceptional seeing are rare, but my first views of the gas giants and Luna convinced me the Tak was the best astronomical purchase I've ever made. The visual 'snap' and contrast were superb, using UO classic orthoscopics & a TV Panoptic. No color detectable at any magnification. Pricey??? Yes, but you do get what you pay for here. I'd love an FS-128, but my back wouldn't like the overall weight. Overall, highly recommended....this is something that'll be passed on to my grandchildren someday.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=427928

Takahashi FS-102
I just bought a FS 102 NSV on Astromart, and I've been very impressed with it so far. I have only looked through the scope briefly due a run of incredibly bad, cloudy weather, so I'll leave the comments on optics to the other reviewers.

I would give the overall refinement & mechanical structure of the OTA a perfect 10. I have recently used a Stellarvue 102 and Tele Vue 102, and IMO this tube is the best. Here's why:

- Weight. Tak says the new NSV tube weighs only 10 pounds including 1.25 inch focusser adaptor. This is WAY lighter than the Stellar Vue 102. The TV102 is supposed to be 9 pounds, however, I did a direct comparison between the Tak and the TV102, and I thought the Tak was slightly lighter. I believe this is due to the manhole-like dewcap of the TV102, which must be screwed on & off. The Tak dewcap is lightweight & pops on & off, it's much better.

- Size. The Tak tube is very short, you must attach a focuser extender to use it w/o binoviewer, but this enables the minimum length of the tube to be very short. The FS102 tube is 114mm OD. The TV102 is 102mm OD, but it has no internal baffles, only black flocking. The FS102 has actual baffles.

- Mechanics. The Tak focusser is awesome. It is not 2-speed, but it is extremely nice, much better than the TV focusser. For 200 bucks, you can replace the Tak pinion with an FT pinion assembly and have the ultimate focusser. I'm not sure this is necessary for visual use, though, the OEM focusser is very, very, smooth and heavy-duty.

Also, the retractable dewcap on the Tak slides very easily, it uses 2 set-screws to lock it in or out, which is standard on AP, TEC, and TMB refractors. The SV and TV use a friction-fit dewcap, which is difficult to slide in & out, especially when the scope is mounted.

Also, very important - the FS102 uses a removable lens cell, which means you can take it out for cleaning w/o disturbing collimation. The SV and TV cells don't come out without needing re-collimation. To me, this is an unacceptable design flaw. Who did they make these scopes for? If a couple of large pieces of debris get on the back of the lens, you're going to be looking at them for a long time. The FS102 lens can be taken off quickly to blow off debris, or for a more serious cleaning, which will definitely be needed eventually if you actually use the scope.

Overall, the Tak OTA is 1st-class all the way, I think it's clearly the most refined 4-inch refractor tube available. Other amateurs using the green laser test have noticed that the "Fluorite" lens element no longer passes the CaF2 test, but apparently the lens dispersion is still much less than the best ED glass. Whatever they're using, it appears to be better than ED, probably offering slightly better color correction than ED doublets, thought I have not confirmed this myself.

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=443379

Takahashi FS-102
Focuser a bit stiff. Dewshield not retractable.
Optics are top notch.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Ease of Use:8 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=453206

Takahashi FS-102
Recently picked one of the last issue Takahashi FS-102 NSV model OTA's with the front fluorite element. Outstanding first rate optics!. Textbook star test with impressive spherical correction and only a hint of visable ca past 400 power on bright stars in poor seeing. Lunar/planetary/double stars are resolved with a high degree of sharpness and contrast. One thing that really strikes me about the fluorite doublet is the degree of image "brightness" for it's mere 4" aperature. Saturn at 205 power is much brighter than other 4 inchers I have owned and resolution and contrast are impressive on ring definition and surface banding. Lunar was a nice surprise too with a wealth of resolved information observed for a 4" class instrument on the terminator and other surface features. 2 small side by side craterlets observed in the floor of Plato as one example. Deepsky for it's aperature is also very good given the scope's high contrast sharp optics. I only gave "ease of use" a 9 because the focuser can get a little stiff during cold observing sessions but mechanics on the OTA are very good. Top quality clam style tube holder and finder scope bracket were also included. The Takahashi finder bracket fit a white Skywatcher 9x50 finderscope perfectly. A short standard Synta dovetail bar matched up perfectly with the 2 outer holes in the clam ring for use on my EQ mount.

Excellent instrument in the 4" apo market and money well spent.


Best regards. Stan Taylor Vancouver B.C.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=498535

Takahashi FS-102
Simply the best (for visual use) 4" refractor ever made. Amazing contrast, sharpness, image quality. Planetary observation is it's strongest field... when seeing is good you might stick the whole night in the eyepiece!!! Discontinued now by Takahashi so you can only find it second handed but the price is usually equal to the price of a new one and that tells the whole story.If you can affor it buy it...you will neve ever regret it.Greetings from Greece

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=573399

Takahashi FS-102
The Takahashi FS102 is one of the finest 4" apochromatic refractors on the market. Solidly built, it is going to last the enthusiast many happy years. The all-metal construction is painted beautifully and all parts fit tight together...right down to the heavy, felt-lined lens cover! The focuser moves smoothly, even with heavy eyepieces and accessories attached. Optically, it is a real treat. Images are sharp across the FOV and there is virtually no false color thanks to the excellent Takahashi f/8 fluorite doublet. It is relatively light (in the neighborhood of 11 pounds) and is easy to transport, although it is a bit longer than the f/5 and f/6 apo's that are the current fashion. It is a real bargain compared to these shorter scopes and, in my opinion the FS 102 provides sharper, brighter images, as well. To anyone in the market for a 4" apo possessing solid construction, superior optics, and a reasonable price, the Takahashi FS 102 is an excellent choice.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:9
Weight: 40 (Reputable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=95142

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