Something maybe not for Ozman ;)

[notFritzArgelander]

Volcano top budget orthoscopic eyepieces that seem to be downmarket Takahashi offerings?

https://www.takahashiamerica.com/other- ... eyepieces/

Also here

https://cloudbreakoptics.com/products/s ... c-eyepiece

[DeanD]

I wonder if they are made by the same Japanese company that is contracted for the Starbase telescope? They are still associated with Takahashi, and according to the blurb for the telescope: "It is Takahashi's goal to introduce beginning astronomers to Japanese quality optics, with the hope that one day they may become Takahashi customers. Takahashi prides itself on being 100% Japanese made, and is continuing that tradition with the Starbase 80." ... or (horror!) maybe they are from China. Interesting that they are selling a 25mm Kellner too.

Anyone have an idea about these? Any reviews vs the "real" Tak orthos or the KK's?

[notFritzArgelander]

I wonder if they are made by the same Japanese company that is contracted for the Starbase telescope? They are still associated with Takahashi, and according to the blurb for the telescope: "It is Takahashi's goal to introduce beginning astronomers to Japanese quality optics, with the hope that one day they may become Takahashi customers. Takahashi prides itself on being 100% Japanese made, and is continuing that tradition with the Starbase 80." ... or (horror!) maybe they are from China. Interesting that they are selling a 25mm Kellner too.

Anyone have an idea about these? Any reviews vs the "real" Tak orthos or the KK's?

My understanding is that they are made by the same company as the Starbase telescope, Hanamaki, under contract to Takahashi.

Takahashi announces its first entry level telescope, the Starbase 80. The Starbase 80 is offered by Takahashi and made in Japan under contract with Takahashi at a factory in Hanamaki, Japan. From the lens coating to the final assembly, every step is carefully performed by the skilled craftsmen of Hanamaki.

The coatings are only "fully coated" not "fully multicoated" so that would account for a price difference and also some performance difference as well. I'd not expect that these are up to the BCOs or KKs but they might be interesting to give a whirl.

NOT chinese made I trust. The Starbase line (scopes and oculars) is intended to get folks interested in becoming Takahashi customers, so I doubt that they can be bad.