Astromart Reviews - Takahashi FS128 vs TOA130

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Home > Reviews > Telescopes > Refractors > Takahashi FS128 vs TOA130

Takahashi FS128 vs TOA130
By James Edwards - 10/8/2004

FS128 mounted on a Losmandy GM8

OK, so I do have this fascination about legendary sayings...The word "Monster" discribes these Telescopes as they are both incredable pieces of equipment, each great choices for the serious amature looking for optical quality in a refractor. Like many short reviews I have placed on Anacortes, a few mentions in various forums and Tak user groups, there is a striking simularity in any Tak refractor you own, as they ALL give exceptional image quality with amazing richness to dark sky.

To begin, I had worked my way to refractors, looking through my first a TeleVue NP101 (very good scope). With the jury still out, I started with Meades using 2 solid but inexpensive scopes, the ED102 and ED152 to start. My first Tak was the FS128 I had made a trade with using my 152 Meade in the transaction. I was an immediate Tak Fan. Man, what a step up I was hooked line and sinker.

My FS128 soon gave way to my need for Apiture, so I headed back to a Meade 14" SCT, Not realizing at the time I should have kept my Takahashi.

What you see when using a FS128 vs a TOA130, is that they both give exceptional pin point star images, a darker sky background then many of there competitors, with the TOA reaching more contrast as the Third lense corrects an already fantastic view. That isn't to say the Flourite system the FS's series provides isn't quality, the FS128 doesn't lose any image contrast, the TOA just gives you more.

Another aspect you come to understand, is that the FS128 is lighter in weight and easier to use, with the TOA quite a bit heavier, creating the need for a larger EQ mount ( FS128 on a Losmandy GM8, my TOA130 on a Tal EM200 Temma ). They both have a solid focuser and with the addition of Tak's camera angle adjuster, the Tak 7x50 finder scope they both get a much needed upgrade.

Since I am a strickly a visual astronomer, I can not give many looking for a image review much to go on, But I can say with all sincerity, you can't beat either scope no matter the application.

CONCLUSION:

The FS128 ( 1040mm @ f/8.1) is a rock solid, beautiful scope to use, view from and enjoy for many years to come. Once you've own one, spend the time using it, the planetary views will astound you. Deep space objects are exceptional to look at with the inherient 128 quality you'll instanty become an addict. As soon as you view various object and the surrounding dark star field you soon come to understand the FS128 means busines.

TOA 130 mounted on a Tak EM200

The TOA130 (1000m @ f/7.7) is Takahashi's newest line of triplet refractor, surpassing any scope currently being manufactured, a great successor to an already excellent series of scopes (FS). It's hard to come to grips with , that a TOA can out perform some of the finest scopes in this size class in the world. I'm not blowing smoke, this Scope changes the way you see using a refractor and the way YOU would hope one would view like, only this one is REAL! The image quality is mind blowing, life like and real with the more you use this scope the more you want to and we haven't left the Solar system yet. What the TOA gives you when looking into deep space is another image quality that makes you truly take notice. As I do more of my viewing looking at Nebula, Star clusters and many of the amazing galaxies, the TOA will astound you with the way each object looks, like they are REAL! The other portion about this scope is it's weight, IT is a BEAST at 22 lbs compared to 16.5 for the 128, ( add another 3 for the tube weight ). The focuser is typical "Tak" quality, the sliding dew shield is very good but it is the image quality that grabs you, that's a TOA130!

So all in all these are both wonderful scopes, two of which I highly recommend and two you will honestly enjoy!

Clear skies,
J.E.

Click here for more about the Takahashi TOA-130. -Ed.

Click here for more about the Takahashi FS-128 . -Ed.

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