AP 155 EDF vs TOA 150

I have a wonderful but perplexing choice, a new Takahashi TOAS 150 or a 2000-2001 vintage AP 155 Starfire EDF. They are price equivalent. Any thoughts? I will be using a Losmandy HGM Titan/Gemini or AP900GTO mount regardless of OTA (any thoughts on the mount as well). This will be a major step up for my equipment .

Thanks,
Robert

AP 900 and Tak TOA 150. Matter of fact Herb is offering a deal on that exact combo now!

Chris

This is a no brainer, AP 155. Both will have a similar view but the AP will retain its value. Martin

Robert Gilbert said:

I have a wonderful but perplexing choice, a new Takahashi TOAS 150 or a 2000-2001 vintage AP 155 Starfire EDF. They are price equivalent. Any thoughts? I will be using a Losmandy HGM Titan/Gemini or AP900GTO mount regardless of OTA (any thoughts on the mount as well). This will be a major step up for my equipment .

Thanks,
Robert

Others will likely disagree but . . .

It all depends on configuration I suppose. Just clarifiying thatt is the 155 an EDF (4 inch focuser with flattener) or EDFS (2.7 inch focuser without flattener). Does it have a Starlight FeatherTouch pinion?

1) the 155EDF is significantly lighter than the TOA150.

2) the Starfire has thinner lens elements and a smaller lens cell. It cools down a fair bit quicker even though it is oil spaced. It doesn't require a tube counterbalance.

3) the Tak micro-focus or whatever it is called is not even close to the Feathertouch. I used one for a month or three on my Sky90 but when Starlight Instruments made the replacement pinion (I was one of the people begging and pleading), the Tak micro-whatever was GONE.

4) overall I find the AP focuser body to be sturdier than the Tak. I mean both the 2.7 and 4 inch AP focusers.

5) No contest for me. I'd take the AP155 - but I am biased.

Rick.

My impression from the Ronchi and knife-edge tests at
http://homepage3.nifty.com/cz_telesco/refracter_test.htm
is that the TOA has slightly better color correction -- patterns are
more color-free. TOA150:
http://homepage3.nifty.com/cz_telesco/toa150ronkitest.JPG
AP155:
http://homepage3.nifty.com/cz_telesco/AP155EDF.JPG
But you would probably not notice the difference unless
you are obsessive about such things. They are both fine scopes.
You are very lucky to have such a choice!

Thanks to all. I got the AP 155 EDF with a MI-250 mount/ATS portable pier .