ESPRIT 80 or FSQ85EDX

I upgraded from an Esprit 100 because while I (still) love the rendition out to APS-C my mobile setup now uses a full-frame camera (6um pixels) and the corners are not to my liking. I find the standard Tak focuser to be quite subpar compared with the Esprit 100, so I had my vendor put an Esatto 3“ on the Tak. Both star rendition and illumination are better than the Esprit, there is no measurable tilt and focus is exceptionally repeatable. In addition I have smaller stars on-axis and almost no aberrations off-axis. On the other hand, having received the first sample in a miscollimated state, I am now afraid to use the Tak for flight trips - and bought a sturdy FRA 300 for those rough times.

The only justification for the Tak is if you’re running full frame. Otherwise the Esprit 100 is going to perform almost exactly the same with APS-C. I’ve owned multiple esprit 100’s and also processed a decent amount of data from remote FSQ106s. There are tells of which data belongs to each scope, however the sharpness is no different.

The only notable difference, but you should already know is the Esprit 80 and 100’s have a slight red bloat to the stars. We’ve compared across nearly half a dozen models and they all have them. It’s not a big deal and just something you learn to process around. If you want to see lots of Esprit data, come have a look at my gallery.

Brian Puhl · Nov 19, 2025, 01:35 PM

The only justification for the Tak is if you’re running full frame. Otherwise the Esprit 100 is going to perform almost exactly the same with APS-C. I’ve owned multiple esprit 100’s and also processed a decent amount of data from remote FSQ106s. There are tells of which data belongs to each scope, however the sharpness is no different.

The only notable difference, but you should already know is the Esprit 80 and 100’s have a slight red bloat to the stars. We’ve compared across nearly half a dozen models and they all have them. It’s not a big deal and just something you learn to process around. If you want to see lots of Esprit data, come have a look at my gallery.

Thanks Brian. Indeed your experience makes more interesting info for me. I use 2600 mmpro cameras, so i don´t think to upgrade to full frame. I´m happy with the apsc fov.

Jay Hovnanian · Nov 19, 2025, 09:15 PM

@Jandro.rm

I own and currently use the Esprit 100ED for targets in that size range. A few years back, I sold my Stellarvue SVX80T + Reducer (mistake) in order to purchase a new FSQ85-EDX. I had “always” wanted a Takahashi.

The FSQ85 captured and rendered color as close to a Newtonian Reflector as I have seen. Actually — uncanny. Images were also sharp and detailed. Unfortunately — especially in the colder New England Fall and Winter, stars at the edge of my APS-C sensor became crosses. Takahashi told me that the FSQ optics were designed for the older 9um pixel sensors. And then there is the Lighthouse effect on brighter off-axis stars ... and their price …. Even with its superlative features, I sold the scope … and then it was sold again. I believe @Deepan Vishal ended up with “my” scope … and then he sold it ….

The Esprit optics are solid performers, just short of FSQ optical quality. Both scopes have build-quality issues. Both manufacturers now have mighty competition. I have a feeling that Skywatcher is upping its game with a new line of high-end refractors.

Today, there are a fair number of manufacturers offering Petzval optics with shorter focal lengths. Check out their images here on AB. You may find 3-4 alternatives with strong build quality and better-than-decent optics.

Thank you for your response. Indeed i already have a esprit 100 and askar fra400. Petzval construction and great images but i think esprit series are other league. Thanks for your responses , i think i will keep my two esprits and leave the fsq for now

codwyer · Dec 5, 2025, 01:18 PM

Jandro.rm · Nov 19, 2025, 05:04 PM

I would like to have one light from taka fsq85 to compare

thanks for your responses

Here is a 120 second sub, my first ever with my FSQ 85. (.fits file was too large, included asi fitsview jpg outputs)2025-03-05_23-12-30__-10.20_120.00s_0000.jpg

Taken with imx 410 (5.94 um pixels, OSC). I setup for the first time, judged the 56.2 + 0.6 mm for backfocus and went from there. Came out nearly perfectly. The M106 completed image is in my profile. The attached is quite literally the first ever sub form the FSQ 85 setup, zero fine tuning of anything. Color correction is phenomenal.

2025-03-05_23-12-30__-10.20_120.00s_0000-.jpg

Thanks!

Alex Nicholas · Dec 6, 2025, 12:13 AM

Undoubtedly the optics in the FSQ are better than the Esprit 80. That said - you’ll be spending a lot of money for what are going to be marginal tangible image quality differences. If you’re planning on a move to full frame, the FSQ’s quality will really start to show over the Esprit 80.

In ‘meaningful’ terms, you could expect slightly smaller (possibly fractions of a pixel smaller) stars on-axis, maybe 1px towards the edge of the field. Colour rendition with a Tak is generally overall warmer than lesser optics, however somehow conversely to this, blue stars are more brilliant… Overall colour appears more pleasing, but not to any extent that you couldn’t replicate in post processing. Sharpness will be greater - but if you’re using BXT on both images side by side you’d likely not notice a discernable difference.

Its one of those situations where, yes, it is better. But is better necessary at such costs.

Analogy:
A $5000 car will get you to and from work in the same time as a $500,000 hypercar will if you observe the speed limits… The difference is, when you show up at work, nobody will care if you’re in a $5000 car, but everyone will pay attention if you’re in a $500,000 hypercar…

If you were to post images from your Esprit and with the FSQ-85EDX, but add the Tak to the equipment list for the Esprit image, and add the Esprit to the equipment list for the Tak image… I can almost guarantee on the Esprit image, people will comment on the exceptional star shapes, the sharpness and the undeniable ‘Tak’ quality of the image…

I had a 85EDX in 2013~2014, it was a step up from my TMB80/480 in terms of mechanical build quality and optics, but the biggest thing I noticed, despite a TMB80/480 being a very premium APO, going to star parties with a Tak draws a crowd… In recent years I’ve owned an Askar 65PHQ, 120APO and currently the Sharpstar 15028HNT… Would I have preferred an 85EDX, TOA130 and Epsilon 180, 100%… But is the Epsilon 180 worth 4x the price of the Sharpstar 15028HNT? not to me, no. Would the TOA130 have been worth 6x the price of the Askar 120APO? not to me, no… Better - sure… probably… Noticably better, To my eyes, given my sky conditions, probably not…

You have to weigh up the cost to benefit ratio on these things… Upgrading from a high quality 80mm F/5 APO to another high quality 85mm f/5 APO to my eyes is probably a net-negative move. If it was the Skywatcher ED80 doublet, I’d say 100%, move to the Tak… but from the Esprit 80, I wouldn’t bother, Or I’d save my pennies to get a FSQ106…

Thanks for your response. I was thinking about it and i will keep my esprits. I think is not worth the money diference to get some sharp that maybe i get it with blurx

Jandro.rm · Dec 6, 2025, 09:18 PM

Alex Nicholas · Dec 6, 2025, 12:13 AM

Undoubtedly the optics in the FSQ are better than the Esprit 80. That said - you’ll be spending a lot of money for what are going to be marginal tangible image quality differences. If you’re planning on a move to full frame, the FSQ’s quality will really start to show over the Esprit 80.

In ‘meaningful’ terms, you could expect slightly smaller (possibly fractions of a pixel smaller) stars on-axis, maybe 1px towards the edge of the field. Colour rendition with a Tak is generally overall warmer than lesser optics, however somehow conversely to this, blue stars are more brilliant… Overall colour appears more pleasing, but not to any extent that you couldn’t replicate in post processing. Sharpness will be greater - but if you’re using BXT on both images side by side you’d likely not notice a discernable difference.

Its one of those situations where, yes, it is better. But is better necessary at such costs.

Analogy:
A $5000 car will get you to and from work in the same time as a $500,000 hypercar will if you observe the speed limits… The difference is, when you show up at work, nobody will care if you’re in a $5000 car, but everyone will pay attention if you’re in a $500,000 hypercar…

If you were to post images from your Esprit and with the FSQ-85EDX, but add the Tak to the equipment list for the Esprit image, and add the Esprit to the equipment list for the Tak image… I can almost guarantee on the Esprit image, people will comment on the exceptional star shapes, the sharpness and the undeniable ‘Tak’ quality of the image…

I had a 85EDX in 2013~2014, it was a step up from my TMB80/480 in terms of mechanical build quality and optics, but the biggest thing I noticed, despite a TMB80/480 being a very premium APO, going to star parties with a Tak draws a crowd… In recent years I’ve owned an Askar 65PHQ, 120APO and currently the Sharpstar 15028HNT… Would I have preferred an 85EDX, TOA130 and Epsilon 180, 100%… But is the Epsilon 180 worth 4x the price of the Sharpstar 15028HNT? not to me, no. Would the TOA130 have been worth 6x the price of the Askar 120APO? not to me, no… Better - sure… probably… Noticably better, To my eyes, given my sky conditions, probably not…

You have to weigh up the cost to benefit ratio on these things… Upgrading from a high quality 80mm F/5 APO to another high quality 85mm f/5 APO to my eyes is probably a net-negative move. If it was the Skywatcher ED80 doublet, I’d say 100%, move to the Tak… but from the Esprit 80, I wouldn’t bother, Or I’d save my pennies to get a FSQ106…

Thanks for your response. I was thinking about it and i will keep my esprits. I think is not worth the money diference to get some sharp that maybe i get it with blurx

And do you think that upgrade to FSQ106 from esprit 100 is goog chance?