Re: Equatorial mount for TeleVue NP101 ?

Alan W. Craft <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> On Mon, 01 Dec 2003 01:47:20 GMT, Richard DeLuca <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ...reflected:
> 
> >Hi,
> >
> >I've been looking for a good small refractor for some time, so while at 
> >Chiefland last week I sprung for a TV NP101.  
> 
>         Please forgive, but why the TeleVue NP101 @ $3595 when you 
> might've had a Takahashi FS-102 @ $1895 instead, that is, if you 
> bought the TeleVue new?  Also, if the TeleVue possesses some 
> clear advantage over the Takahashi, that I do not see so readily,
> is it still worth the extra $1700?
> 

Alan,

These scopes are different animals.  You'll note the poster stated
he'd been looking for a good "small" refractor.  While only a 4"
scope, the Tak 102 is hardly small.  It's huge for a 4 incher, easily
bigger than the TV102 and much bigger than the NP101.  The NP101 is a
much faster scope  and according to Alan Dyer, shows zero color.  Both
the Tak 102 and TV 102 will show slight color, though certainly not
enough to bother me.  I've used a friend's Tak 102, though only once. 
Great scope and I loved it,  And while it bested my TV85, the margin
was not nearly as large as I would have thought.  We were both
surprised when my $350 6" f/8 Dob clearly beat the Tak on Saturn,
though  Jupiter was too close to call.

Clyde