Interesting TMB 130SS review

Interesting TMB 130SS review posted here on Astromart. Check it out in the Reviews section. Or click:

http://www.astromart.com/articles/article.asp?article_id=633

Philip

Pretty much what I found with mine. It was one of the first 50 with the original focuser. The focuser actually had image shift just like reversing focus in the average SCT. The views were good but not Tak sharp. Imaging was OK with it if you got over that focus shift. What sent mine back was comparing the 130ss to a Tak FS-78 on the Trapezium. E and F were solid in the 3 incher and winked with F often missing in the 130ss. Both were mounted side by side on an NJP looking through the same air column. As Mr. Yang said, a good value for the money and it gets you "in the game". The sample I had wasn't quite an AP or Tak though.

Philip Blanda said:

Interesting TMB 130SS review posted here on Astromart. Check it out in the Reviews section. Or click:

http://www.astromart.com/articles/article.asp?article_id=633

Philip

I bet that review will ruffle some CN feathers.

I owned and used a TMB 130SS for while and it did not exhibit the problem that Jerry's scope did. Nor did I have an AP to do side-by-side comparisons. My scope provided sharp, contrasty views that were better than in my FS-102 (the only scope I had to compare the TMB to). As Mr. Yang noted, in focus CA was essentially not visible.

It does not surprise me that a side-by-side comparison with an AP would show that the TMB is not its equal. That is to compare the TMB with what is among the very, very best. It would also be interesting if Mr. Yang would do a side-by-side test with the AP and a 130mm LZOS set of optics. I think Mr. Yang's review is quite fair: "The TMB 130 is an excellent scope which I believe is priced fairly for what it delivers." That is my opinion as well.

I now use a Televue NP127is which, IMHO, performs better optically, but that is another story. I did not sell my TMB 130SS because I disliked it however. I simply felt that the NP127 fit my observing habits/preferences better. I also feel more comfortable with Tele Vue's customer service.

For years while I was into birdwatching, I used a pair of humble Bushnell binoculars. Later I was able to upgrade to Zeiss. The views were much clearer and brighter and colors were more vivid, but it would be wrong to say that I didn't enjoy my birdwatching hobby before I bought the Zeiss binos.

The astronomy hobby is a lot like that. Buy the best you can afford and have fun looking at some pretty "cool" things. I think Thomas Back said something like that.

Clear Skies,
Ed Kessler

Somehow I knew who will post on this thread and what they will say...