Help Me Decide....

Hi folks,

Since I have some extra cash, I want to add to my astronomy habit. There
are three things I want, but I can only get one of them. Help me decide
which one.

1. Gemini for my Losmandy G-11.
Although I get along without it, this may seem like a "nice to have"
accessory. However, I would like to make use of the GoTo capability and
control the mount with a laptop computer.

2. Takahashi TSA102 triplet APO.
I think this scope is one fine piece of optical perfection. Would be a
perfect match to my Tak FS60. I currently have a Meade 102ED APO and would
like to upgrade to something more suitable to my demands. Of course, I
would love to go to an Astrophysics scope, but the waiting list is too long
and they are rare in the used market and considerably more expensive. All
others are under considerations, but they have certain little things I don't
like.

3. Sbig ST-2000XCM.
I currently use a Meade DSI with my 102ED refractor and 10" SCT. Although a
pretty good little tool, I want greater capability for DSOs and better
resolution CCD chip. This camera is in my price range and on sale. To go
for the monochrome version requires a CFW and filters which put it outside
my cash limit.

I would enjoy hearing your ideas on this matter.

v/r
Scott

reconair wrote:
Hi folks,

Since I have some extra cash, I want to add to my astronomy habit. There
are three things I want, but I can only get one of them. Help me decide
which one.

1. Gemini for my Losmandy G-11.
Although I get along without it, this may seem like a "nice to have"
accessory. However, I would like to make use of the GoTo capability and
control the mount with a laptop computer.

2. Takahashi TSA102 triplet APO.
I think this scope is one fine piece of optical perfection. Would be a
perfect match to my Tak FS60. I currently have a Meade 102ED APO and would
like to upgrade to something more suitable to my demands. Of course, I
would love to go to an Astrophysics scope, but the waiting list is too long
and they are rare in the used market and considerably more expensive. All
others are under considerations, but they have certain little things I don't
like.

3. Sbig ST-2000XCM.
I currently use a Meade DSI with my 102ED refractor and 10" SCT. Although a
pretty good little tool, I want greater capability for DSOs and better
resolution CCD chip. This camera is in my price range and on sale. To go
for the monochrome version requires a CFW and filters which put it outside
my cash limit.

I would enjoy hearing your ideas on this matter.

v/r
Scott



If imaging is your primary goal, then skip the Gemini... given the total
time that's involved in setting up a shot, getting on target seems a
small amount of effort, especially given the wide field of view you'll
get with the ST-2000XCM and the Meade 102 and/or Tak FS60.

I believe that the Gemini GoTo for the Losmandy Mounts are "WAY-OVERPRICED"!
I currently have a GM-8 and could not believe how much it costs to add go-to
capability. I really wish I would have never purchased the Losmandy mount in
the first place. (I purchased the mount before the go-to system was
available and therefore did not know that the price would be astronomical).
I am currently interested in selling the GM-8 and moving to a more
affordable mount that has go-to capability.

To answer your original questions:

1. No. Way overpriced.

2. The Tak may or may not provide any noticeable performance over your
current Meade APO. If your Meade APO is one of the better specimens, then
you may not notice any performance difference. On the other hand, if you
Meade is mediocre or a marginal performer, then the Tak will be a step-up in
performance. How is the star test on the Meade, and how much false color are
you currently experiencing?

The bottom line question is "why are you considering upgrading the Meade?"
If the Tak will not provide better performance, they why upgrade?

3. The SBIG sounds like a good idea and a big step-up in performance from
the Meade DSI. If necessary, go for the monochrome version and forget the
color wheel for now. You can always get later after you have saved more
money, or use a credit card and get everything now.

I think that you really have to ask yourself "what you are attempting to
accomplish and what capabilities your current equipment is lacking to
accomplish that goal". Then the decision will become much more clear.

Clear skies,

-Mij
(Don't forget to support George W Bush and the Republican Party)


"reconair" wrote in message
...
Hi folks,

Since I have some extra cash, I want to add to my astronomy habit. There
are three things I want, but I can only get one of them. Help me decide
which one.

1. Gemini for my Losmandy G-11.
Although I get along without it, this may seem like a "nice to have"
accessory. However, I would like to make use of the GoTo capability and
control the mount with a laptop computer.

2. Takahashi TSA102 triplet APO.
I think this scope is one fine piece of optical perfection. Would be a
perfect match to my Tak FS60. I currently have a Meade 102ED APO and
would
like to upgrade to something more suitable to my demands. Of course, I
would love to go to an Astrophysics scope, but the waiting list is too
long
and they are rare in the used market and considerably more expensive. All
others are under considerations, but they have certain little things I
don't
like.

3. Sbig ST-2000XCM.
I currently use a Meade DSI with my 102ED refractor and 10" SCT. Although
a
pretty good little tool, I want greater capability for DSOs and better
resolution CCD chip. This camera is in my price range and on sale. To go
for the monochrome version requires a CFW and filters which put it outside
my cash limit.

I would enjoy hearing your ideas on this matter.

v/r
Scott

reconair wrote:
Hi folks,

Since I have some extra cash, I want to add to my astronomy habit. There
are three things I want, but I can only get one of them. Help me decide
which one.

1. Gemini for my Losmandy G-11.
Although I get along without it, this may seem like a "nice to have"
accessory. However, I would like to make use of the GoTo capability and
control the mount with a laptop computer.

2. Takahashi TSA102 triplet APO.
I think this scope is one fine piece of optical perfection. Would be a
perfect match to my Tak FS60. I currently have a Meade 102ED APO and would
like to upgrade to something more suitable to my demands. Of course, I
would love to go to an Astrophysics scope, but the waiting list is too long
and they are rare in the used market and considerably more expensive. All
others are under considerations, but they have certain little things I don't
like.

3. Sbig ST-2000XCM.
I currently use a Meade DSI with my 102ED refractor and 10" SCT. Although a
pretty good little tool, I want greater capability for DSOs and better
resolution CCD chip. This camera is in my price range and on sale. To go
for the monochrome version requires a CFW and filters which put it outside
my cash limit.



Hi Scott:

1. I think you'd find go-to a big improvement to your observing life. I
don't hear a lot of people raving about the Gemini system, but it
certainly seems to work well enough.

2. No comment. I'm not the kind to spend major bucks for 4-inches of
"perfecton." ;-)

3. I use the mono version, and think it's a GREAT camera. I do believe
I might be willing to give up a little sensitivity for one-shot color,
however.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of:
Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
and
The Urban Astronomer's Guide
http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland

Christ! Get them all. The TSA102 would be my very first choice however.


reconair wrote:

Hi folks,

Since I have some extra cash, I want to add to my astronomy habit. There
are three things I want, but I can only get one of them. Help me decide
which one.

1. Gemini for my Losmandy G-11.
Although I get along without it, this may seem like a "nice to have"
accessory. However, I would like to make use of the GoTo capability and
control the mount with a laptop computer.

2. Takahashi TSA102 triplet APO.
I think this scope is one fine piece of optical perfection. Would be a
perfect match to my Tak FS60. I currently have a Meade 102ED APO and would
like to upgrade to something more suitable to my demands. Of course, I
would love to go to an Astrophysics scope, but the waiting list is too long
and they are rare in the used market and considerably more expensive. All
others are under considerations, but they have certain little things I don't
like.

3. Sbig ST-2000XCM.
I currently use a Meade DSI with my 102ED refractor and 10" SCT. Although a
pretty good little tool, I want greater capability for DSOs and better
resolution CCD chip. This camera is in my price range and on sale. To go
for the monochrome version requires a CFW and filters which put it outside
my cash limit.

I would enjoy hearing your ideas on this matter.

v/r
Scott

Why would the 4 inch scope be your first choice?

"Harry James" wrote in message
...
Christ! Get them all. The TSA102 would be my very first choice however.


reconair wrote:

Hi folks,

Since I have some extra cash, I want to add to my astronomy habit.
There
are three things I want, but I can only get one of them. Help me decide
which one.

1. Gemini for my Losmandy G-11.
Although I get along without it, this may seem like a "nice to have"
accessory. However, I would like to make use of the GoTo capability and
control the mount with a laptop computer.

2. Takahashi TSA102 triplet APO.
I think this scope is one fine piece of optical perfection. Would be a
perfect match to my Tak FS60. I currently have a Meade 102ED APO and
would
like to upgrade to something more suitable to my demands. Of course, I
would love to go to an Astrophysics scope, but the waiting list is too
long
and they are rare in the used market and considerably more expensive.
All
others are under considerations, but they have certain little things I
don't
like.

3. Sbig ST-2000XCM.
I currently use a Meade DSI with my 102ED refractor and 10" SCT.
Although a
pretty good little tool, I want greater capability for DSOs and better
resolution CCD chip. This camera is in my price range and on sale. To
go
for the monochrome version requires a CFW and filters which put it
outside
my cash limit.

I would enjoy hearing your ideas on this matter.

v/r
Scott

I bought the Takahashi TSA102 triplet APO. The extra dough will go toward
the Sbig ST-2000XCM.

Scott
"reconair" wrote in message
...
Hi folks,

Since I have some extra cash, I want to add to my astronomy habit. There
are three things I want, but I can only get one of them. Help me decide
which one.

1. Gemini for my Losmandy G-11.
Although I get along without it, this may seem like a "nice to have"
accessory. However, I would like to make use of the GoTo capability and
control the mount with a laptop computer.

2. Takahashi TSA102 triplet APO.
I think this scope is one fine piece of optical perfection. Would be a
perfect match to my Tak FS60. I currently have a Meade 102ED APO and
would
like to upgrade to something more suitable to my demands. Of course, I
would love to go to an Astrophysics scope, but the waiting list is too
long
and they are rare in the used market and considerably more expensive. All
others are under considerations, but they have certain little things I
don't
like.

3. Sbig ST-2000XCM.
I currently use a Meade DSI with my 102ED refractor and 10" SCT. Although
a
pretty good little tool, I want greater capability for DSOs and better
resolution CCD chip. This camera is in my price range and on sale. To go
for the monochrome version requires a CFW and filters which put it outside
my cash limit.

I would enjoy hearing your ideas on this matter.

v/r
Scott