4" premium apos

I've located a TV NP-101 (used) for about $3K, OTA only. While that's a discount on the retail price of this scope, I'm wondering that if I'm going to spend that much, shouldn't I also consider a 4" Tak or AP?

The Taks may be too big (you lose on portability) and the AP's just too much money. This scope is primarily for visual observing as a pal to an 8" SCT.

Any ideas?

Paul,

$3k is a lot to spend for a used 4" APO (even though I haven't heard anything but great reviews on the NP 101). I have a TMB 100/800 and just replaced my AT1010 with a Sky 90 and found that the Sky 90 gives great lunar/planetary views when the seeing will only support mags to 175x. (which is beyond my current EP collection anyway). On DSOs with a 31 Nagler, the views given the wide FOV are great. At 3.5" it almost acts like a 4" and with a telepod you are set to carry on for airline travel. Given it's f5.6, it would also be great for imaging. They can be had used with some accessories for about $1600.

If you have your heart set on a used 4" APO, personally I would go for a TMB 105 LW, or a 100/800 LW. They sell for hundreds of dollars less, is BV ready, has a FeatherTouch, and they are optically, IMHO the best 4" APO money can buy.
The Tak FS 102 is right behind the TMBs (not by much) and are hundreds of dollars cheaper than the NP 101 and the TMBs.

Good Luck, Owen