TheSkySearchers

For my upcoming retirement gift to myself, (January 28,2021 at 3pm...do you think I am counting the days? )
I went ahead and clicked on the buy button and purchased the TS Optics Photo Line Doublet SD Apo 102 mm f/7 - FPL53 / Lanthanum Objective from Teleskop Express. This one:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... info/p9868

I addition I also got their;
- TS-Optics REFRACTOR 0.79x 2" ED Reducer Corrector
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... info/p5965

- TS-Optics REFRACTOR 1.0x Flattener and Field Corrector - 2" connection
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... nfo/p10307

- TS-Optics 8x50 Finder - with Bracket - white colour - 90° angled - erect image
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... /info/p298

For guiding I will be using my;
- ZWO 60mm f/4.6 Guidescope with 1.25" Helical Focuser
https://agenaastro.com/zwo-60mm-guidesc ... 60280.html
- ZWO ASI290MM Mini Monochrome Astronomy Camera
https://www.highpointscientific.com/zwo ... e30b1feb96

I also got some spacers and adapters, I wasn't sure what I am already using to connect my 8' SCT with the camera would be compatible with this new scope, so hopefully I got everything I might need to connect the new scope with the camera I am using at this time (Canon T3i).
Next Years big purchase will be a dedicated Astro-camera, brand and model yet to be determined.

The only condition my wife had for this purchase, which I reluctantly agreed upon, was that she is going to wrap it all up, and I can't open it up until Christmas morning. :Boo:
On a good note I haven't been this excited for Christmas since I was a young boy!

Clear skies to you all,
Kerry

A very nice choice Kerry!
One suggestion though before wrapping it up, check the telescope beforehand just in the chance something has occurred during shipping.
A quick visual check should be enough

That is a great suggestion! I will make sure I examine it "very" closely. It may take most of the day I presume.

Best to take your time and evaluate properly!

Congrats Kerry! This is a nice scope. I can relate to your situation. I had to wait a few months to "open" my 80mm ED. Did check it before wrapping up.

Update time. Teleskop Express received the new shipment of their out of stock telescopes and other items that I have on order on November 6th, and is now on it's way to me...whoohoo!!
This morning I got an email from UPS letting me know that I need to pay and additional import charge of $142.40....Grrrr!! I was unaware of that charge. With that and the cost of shipping $130.00 for a total of $272.40 has me second guessing my decision to acquire this scope. I will not return it unless I find it damaged because I will have to bear the cost of shipping again. For what I have into this scope now I may have been able to get a triplet of the same quality with free shipping here in the States, though I have not checked into that yet.
I am still excited to get this scope, start gazing at the nights sky and imaging with it. But the additional costs inflict a resounding sting. I hope the sting is worth the results.
I think I know now why I don't see much TS Optic equipment availability or for sale in the North America even though their reviews and rating are very good. Doing research I see most of that information comes from European countries.
So, lesson learned, albeit an expensive one.
Kerry

Huh. I've had stuff sent via DHL and Royal Post and not been dinged for extra fees. Maybe b/c the items were relatively inexpensive? Not to be too cynical, but I'm not sure I trust UPS and definitely not USPS to be 100% accurate on charges for things. But I digress.

So about 10 pounds and maybe $1,000 US exclusive of extra charges. Tasty!

That sounds more like UPS just trying to get a brokerage charge from you.
I have not heard of anyone else being billed for this and a lot of people from CN purchase from Teleskop-Service.
Sorry to hear about this extra charge.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Nov 13, 2020 6:52 pm That sounds more like UPS just trying to get a brokerage charge from you.
I have not heard of anyone else being billed for this and a lot of people from CN purchase from Teleskop-Service.
Sorry to hear about this extra charge.

Yes, that's a new one on me! I bought my f11 102mm ED refractor from TS last year and was not charged. Bad on UPS! If and when I buy from TS again I'll make sure I use DHL and not UPS.

Well the waiting is over. Christmas morning came and I was finally able to open my much anticipated gift to myself!
Here it is all set up, waiting for some clear skies... As it sets the TS 102mm scope will image using a .79 reducer flatter for a f/l of 564mm with the ASI294 MC Pro camera. Guiding with a ASI290mm mini looking through a ZWO 60mm 280mm f/l scope. I also purchased the ZWO 2” filter drawer and have it installed, though the photo doesn’t show it.
Everything is set up and talking to each other, and now waiting patiently for first light photos. It will be a learning experience going from my DSLR to this dedicated Astro camera, so wish me luck.
I’m sure I will be posting questions in the beginners forum as questions arise. Anyway I am excitedly waiting to get using.
Here is wishing clear skies to everyone,
Kerry

Looks like you had a great Christmas Kerry!

I hope you get a clear night soon. Have you got any targets in mind yet?

Nice tree too!

Regards

Graeme

The setup looks very good Kerry, I hope you can enjoy it soon.

Graeme1858 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:22 am Looks like you had a great Christmas Kerry!

I hope you get a clear night soon. Have you got any targets in mind yet?

Nice tree too!

Regards

Graeme

Thanks Graeme, yes I did!
M42 is a easy one to follow, and that was the first target I did a year ago with my then new 8”SCT on the alt az mount using my DSLR. So I think I will revisit it again first so I can have something to compare.
I have wanted to do M45, the Pleiades, but my SCT FOV was to small to capture it, so that will be my second target. Then I will follow what comes along as the year progresses.
The tree, one of 3 in the house, is “all” my wife’s doing. I take care of the outside lights and she does the inside. The trees will be coming down this weekend.
Happy new year...
Kerry

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Dec 31, 2020 8:26 am The setup looks very good Kerry, I hope you can enjoy it soon.

Thank you for the help you provided. I really think, after all the research on scopes, that I now have a very good scope for the money. Now I hope to do it justice for many years to come.
Next up will be some quality eye pieces so I can enjoy some visual observations as well as the photographic side...more research coming my way.
Happy new year to you...
Kerry

Hi Kerry. I waited until about a year or so before my upcoming retirement to start loading up on astronomy equipment. And you sure picked a beauty too. That's a great setup there Kerry, I hope that you enjoy the new gear very much under some great skies, and have a Happy New Year.