Hmmm. If you could only have one Tak . . .

If you had to choose one Takahashi, whether it be refractor, reflector, cassegrain, what would you prefer to have and why? But I wish to throw in one stipulation. The scope must be portable. Lets say, under 35-40 lbs.

Thanks,

Steve

Tough question, but my $.02 based on my Tak ownership experiences and taking your basic premise, "the scope must be portable," as a driving (no pun) consideration.

IMHO, the "under 35-40 lbs" for the scope alone might seem semi-portable by many after you add in the mounting requirements, etc. You aren't traveling very light. Will you go to the handling effort time and time again?

Visual only: Mewlon 180 or Mewlon 210, 7"-8" aperture, very light weight, very light mounting needs, compact, travels well, collimates well, versatile size.

Imaging primary & visual secondary: probably TOA-130, but I'm slumming along OK with a FC100 and its f/5.9 reducer.

Tak scopes owned today: FS152, FC100, FC60. Other brands: C14

Formerly owned and gonna get again one day: M210 after selling something, but none of the above...go figure, can't have just one scope... ;-))