Are you ready for more Takahashi innovations? You asked for
superior quality optics in a portable package and you got it... the
Takahashi TSA-120.
The "T" stands for Triplet and
an air-spaced triplet design is exactly what you'll get. Inside the
precision crafted lens cell, you'll find three elements, two extreme
quality crown and flint glass, with an FPL-53 Extra-low Dispersion glass
element sandwiched in between. While traditional refractor designs use
oil in between elements, Takahashi doesn't... that means no oil to
possibly leak out or become opaque with age.
The
"SA" stand for "Super Apochromat" and Apochromatic means you're free
from those strange violet glows which often accompany bright stars or
planets. The lens cells are durably constructed to withstand transport -
yet are fully able to be collimated should the owner wish to make
adjustments. Just like its little brother, the TSA-102S, the optics on
the Takahashi TSA-120 will be, we are sure, as near to perfection as you
can get! The color free images produced will delight the lunar,
planetary and deep sky observer with very high contract images with
pinpoint stars.
But now, let's go it one better by adding a Takahashi EM-200 Temma II Mount!
The
Takahashi EM-200 Temma II is an accurate, precision-built GoTo German
equatorial mount that provides a stable platform for payloads of up to
40 pounds. It is an ideal mount for any type telescope, be it a
refractor, reflector, or cassegrain. The modern aesthetic design of the
EM-200 is highly attractive as well as beautifully functional. The RA
and DEC stepper motors are fully integrated into the mounting,and the
high precision design and construction provides cyclic errors lower than
+/- 5 arc seconds.
The integrated polar alignment
telescope has an illuminated reticule which can be dimmed to suit the
user or observing conditions. In conjunction with the precision altitude
and azimuth adjusters, this will typically give polar alignment
accuracy within 2 minutes of arc of the celestial pole. Included in this
package are an RS232C cable, ST-4 or ST-7 cable, shaft encoders, hand
controller, power cord for both 12V and 24V operation.
The new style EM-200 mounts include the ability for operation on 12v
or 24v and feature high speed slewing at 700x at 12v and 700x at 24v.
12V operation takes place with the use of the hand controller only (12v
DC only for high speed operation). The mount will then function just
like the EM-200 USD model (no GoTo functions). However, with the use of
the hand controller and your PC, you can operate with 12V or 24V (two
12V batteries connected in series). 12V will give you a slewing speed of
up to 700X sidereal, and 24V will produce slew speeds of up to 700X. A
hand controller and power cable for 12V/220V battery connection is
included. A PC is required for GoTo operations.
Takahashi TSA-120 and EM-200 Temma II Features...
- Aperture: 120mm - Focal Length: 900mm - Focal Ratio: 7.5
- Tube Length with Dew Shield: 990mm - Tube Diameter: 125mm - Diameter of Dew Shield: 713mm (28") - Weight: 12.6 lbs
- Resolution: 0.97 - Limiting Magnitude: 12.1 - Back Focus: 227.5mm (8.93")
- With TOA-35 Flattener:Focal Length: 882mm - Focal Ratio: f/7.3 -
Optical Performance: 7 micron RMS-spot to 20mm off axis - Image Circle:
40mm - Image Field: 2.6" diameter.
- With TOA-35 Reducer: Focal Length: 672mm - Focal Ratio: f/5.6 -
Optical Performance: 4 microns RMS-spot on axis, 6 microns 10mm
off-axis, 13 microns 20mm off-axis, 40mm/3.4" field
- German Equatorial Mount - R.A. and DEC. Slow-Motion Motor driven. Encoders Included.
- Azimuth Adjustment ± 15° - Elevation 10 to 48° - Polar Finder /
Accuracy Built-in / 2' - 4.45 degrees - R.A. Setting Circles Accuracy 10
arcminutes - DEC. Setting Circles Accuracy 2°.
- Weight (without counterweights) 15 kg - Counterweights 2 x 5kg -
Maximal Loading Capacity 18 kg (without counterweights) - Optimal
Loading Capacity 15 kg (without counterweights).
- Operating Voltage 12V / 24V DC - 12v DC only for high speed operation - Power Consumption NC
- Tube Mounting 2 x M8 screws (35mm) - Mounting Capacities Tube rings, plates and dovetail mounting plates,
- R.A. axis diameter. (material) 40 mm (bronze) - R.A. worm gear shaft
diameter (material) 18 mm (iron) - R.A. gear diameter (material) 92
mm/180 teeth (bronze).
- DEC. axis diameter (material) 40 mm (iron) - DEC. worm gear shaft
diameter (material) 18 mm (brass) - DEC. gear diameter (material) 92
mm/180 teeth.
- Stepper Motors Accuracy 50 PPS - Slow motion speeds 0,1x to 1,9x sidereal rate - High speed mode 700x sidereal rate.
- Worm gear shaft cycle 8 minutes - Tracking accuracy ± 5" - Autoguiding SBIG ST-4/7 compatible
| SKU | TK-TSS0121 |
|---|
| Manufacturer |
Takahashi |
|---|
| Telescope Series |
Takahashi TSA |
|---|
| Optical Design |
Refractor - Apochromatic |
|---|
| Mount Type |
Equatorial - Motorized w/GoTo Option |
|---|
| Warranty |
5 Year Warranty |
|---|
| Telescope Aperture |
4.7" |
|---|
| Secondary Aperture |
N/A |
|---|
| Telescope Focal Length |
900mm |
|---|
| Telescope Focal Ratio |
f/7.5 |
|---|
| Back Distance |
227.5mm |
|---|
| Image Circle |
40mm |
|---|
| Image Across Field |
2.6" |
|---|
| Optical Coatings |
Fully Multi-Coated |
|---|
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude |
12.8 |
|---|
| Highest Useful Magnification |
300x |
|---|
| Optical Tube Outer Diameter |
125mm |
|---|
| Length of Optical Tube |
28" |
|---|
| Optical Tube Weight |
15.4 lbs. |
|---|
| Tube Color or Finish |
Gloss White |
|---|
| Finder Included |
7 x 50 Optical Finder |
|---|
| Eyepiece(s) Included |
18mm LE |
|---|
| Diagonal Included? |
Yes - 1.25" Star Diagonal |
|---|
| Dew Shield Included? |
Yes |
|---|
| Dew Shield Outside Diameter |
160mm |
|---|
| OTA Mount Type |
Dual Rings |
|---|
| Power Adapter Included |
DC Cigarette Lighter Adapter |
|---|
| Objects in Database |
N/A |
|---|
| Hand Controller Included? |
Yes |
|---|
| Alignment Procedure |
EQ North Align, EQ South Align |
|---|
| Counterweights Included |
(1) 12.12 lb. |
|---|
| GPS Included? |
No |
|---|
| Mount Weight |
33 lbs. |
|---|
| Total Telescope Weight |
52.6 lbs. |
|---|
| Tripod Type Included |
SE-L Wood Tripod |
|---|
What's in the Box
- Takahashi TSA-120 Triplet APO Refractor
- MEF Fine Focuser
- Finder Quick Release Bracket
- TSA-120 Tube holder
- 7x50 Finder
- 2” Compression Ring Ocular Adapter
- 1 ¼” Compression Ring Adapter w/ Coupling
- 2 ea. 72mm Extension Tubes
- Metal Focuser Rear Cover and 2” Sleeve
- Takahashi EM200 Equatorial Mount with Temma 2
- Polar Alignment Scope
- Hand Controller
- Hand Controller Cable
- Autoguider Cable
- Serial Cable for PC
- Power Cable
- SE-L Tripod
- 1 ¼” Diagonal
- LE-18mm MC Ocular
Observing terrestrial objects (nature studies,
birding, etc.) is usually possible only with refractor and catadioptric
telescopes, and convenient only when the scope is on an altazimuth mount or
photo tripod. Most reflectors cannot be used for terrestrial observing. Scopes
with apertures under 5" to 6" are generally most useful for terrestrial
observing due to atmospheric conditions (heat waves and mirage, dust, haze,
etc.) that degrade the image quality in larger scopes.
Visual observation of the Moon is possible with
any telescope. Larger aperture scopes will provide more detail than smaller
scopes, thereby getting a higher score in this category, but may require an
eyepiece filter to cut down the greater glare from the Moon's sunlit surface so
small details can be seen more easily. Lunar observing is more rewarding when
the Moon is waxing or waning as the changing sun angle casts constantly
varying shadows to reveal craters and surface features by the hundreds.
Photographing terrestrial objects (wildlife,
scenery, etc.) is usually possible only with refractor and catadioptric
telescopes, and convenient only when the scope is on an altazimuth mount or
photo tripod. Most reflectors cannot be used for terrestrial photography. Scopes
with focal ratios of f/10 and faster and apertures under 5" to 6" are generally
the most useful for terrestrial photography due to atmospheric conditions (heat
waves and mirage, dust, haze, etc.) that degrade the image quality in larger
scopes.
Photography of the Moon is possible with
virtually any telescope, using a 35mm camera, DSLR, or CCD-based webcam
(planetary imager). While an equatorial mount with a motor drive is not strictly
essential, as the exposure times will be very short, such a mount would be
helpful to improve image sharpness, particularly with webcam-type cameras that
take a series of exposures over time and stack them together. Reflectors may
require a Barlow lens to let the camera reach focus.
Based on Astronomy magazine’s telescope
"report cards",
scopes of this size and type generally perform as follows . .
. |
| Terrestrial
Observation:
Observing terrestrial objects (nature studies,
birding, etc.) is usually possible only with refractor and catadioptric
telescopes, and convenient only when the scope is on an altazimuth mount or
photo tripod. Most reflectors cannot be used for terrestrial observing. Scopes
with apertures under 5" to 6" are generally most useful for terrestrial
observing due to atmospheric conditions (heat waves and mirage, dust, haze,
etc.) that degrade the image quality in larger scopes. | No |
| Lunar
Observation:
Visual observation of the Moon is possible with
any telescope. Larger aperture scopes will provide more detail than smaller
scopes, thereby getting a higher score in this category, but may require an
eyepiece filter to cut down the greater glare from the Moon's sunlit surface so
small details can be seen more easily. Lunar observing is more rewarding when
the Moon is waxing or waning as the changing sun angle casts constantly
varying shadows to reveal craters and surface features by the hundreds. | Great |
| Planetary
Observation:
| Very Good |
| Binary and Star Cluster Observation:
| Very Good |
| Galaxy and Nebula Observation:
| Good |
| Photography:
| Yes |
| Terrestrial
Photography:
Photographing terrestrial objects (wildlife,
scenery, etc.) is usually possible only with refractor and catadioptric
telescopes, and convenient only when the scope is on an altazimuth mount or
photo tripod. Most reflectors cannot be used for terrestrial photography. Scopes
with focal ratios of f/10 and faster and apertures under 5" to 6" are generally
the most useful for terrestrial photography due to atmospheric conditions (heat
waves and mirage, dust, haze, etc.) that degrade the image quality in larger
scopes. | No |
| Lunar
Photography:
Photography of the Moon is possible with
virtually any telescope, using a 35mm camera, DSLR, or CCD-based webcam
(planetary imager). While an equatorial mount with a motor drive is not strictly
essential, as the exposure times will be very short, such a mount would be
helpful to improve image sharpness, particularly with webcam-type cameras that
take a series of exposures over time and stack them together. Reflectors may
require a Barlow lens to let the camera reach focus. | Yes |
| Planetary
Photography:
| Yes |
| Star Cluster / Nebula / Galaxy Photography:
| Yes |
Customer Reviews:
You will not be disappointed with the Tak 120. You will have to
keep reminding yourself that this is only a 120mm aperture scope. And they are
as/almost as portable as most 4” refractors.
Below is “part” of what Jim
Phillips had to say (right here on CN) about his Tak 120. Jim is very
experienced refractor user and observer.
Bob
“Over the years I
have owned and used a variety of apochromatic refractors from AP, TEC and
TMB/APM from 4" to 10" apertures. They are/were all top quality telescopes. I
have become interested in imaging over the past 10 years and use apos for that
purpose. In, fact as I became more and more into imaging I observed visually
less and less. Until recently I spent only occasional time (usually of
relatively short duration) at the eyepiece.
I decided I wanted to get
back to doing some visual observations and decided the best way was to get a
"small" aperture apo that I might not be so tempted to use for imaging. Also, as
quality double star observations can be done with small aperture scopes and is
of interest to me I decided I wanted something between 4" and 5" aperture. Enter
the takahashi TSA 120.
To me the star test is perfect.
Last night
something amazing happened. I was observing visually with the Tak TSA 120 and
imaging Saturn with my TMB 8" F/9. The seeing was Very Good. I used the Tak on
doubles. At the end of the session I put a 5mm Pentax XW in the 8" and was
amazed at the beauty. I could see everything that was visible on the laptop
screen while imaging (not always the case I assure you). Then, I went outside
the observatory to the Tak. I had a binoviewer in and the scope was centered on
Porrima. I hit the Goto to Saturn (AP MachI) and sat back as the scope turned to
it. When I looked in there it was. I was shocked!! The view was as good
(better?) than the view with the 8"! The image was bright, sharp and extremely
crisp. I was using about 339X on the TMB and 180X on the TSA 120 with
binoviewer. I saw a faint moon near the polar region of the globe with the 8".
Knowing where to look I was able to see it with averted vision in theb Tak. Now,
I am not saying the Tak is as good as the 8" TMB. The 8" F/9 TMB is a super
scope. In retrospect I should have backed off magnification and used the
binoviewer with the TMB. But, to be honest, I was too amazed/shocked to think
about it.
This is my first Takahashi. It is an amzing scope with
exquisite optics.”
Jim Phillips
0 Item(s)