Planet views with Takahashi TSA 120? - Forums

Topic starter

New contributor

1 day ago

Hello,

I am currently using a C8 AVX. This telescope takes a while to cool down, and with the seeing conditions in the UK I have had many nights of underwhelming views. I am going to be buying a shed to store it in, to hopefully decrease cool down times and inspire me to use it more.

I am however contemplating an upgrade. I have seen many, many reviews of the Tak TSA-120 that all describe it as excellent and stunning for lunar and planetary work. I don’t really care for the faint fuzzies at this time because I live near Manchester and I can’t see anything dimmer than the ring nebula anyway.

Planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Venus, The Moon and Sun being my priority.

The obvious choice would be upgrading to a C11 CGX, which would be around the same cost as the Tak+ accessories. However I have seen many reviews of people describing the telescope as gathering dust due to the bulk and the long cool down times. This is the same issue I have with my current C8 set up and I am cautious about upgrading to an even bigger and longer cool down telescope because of this. After all the best telescope is the one you use the most.

So with this in mind, and for bright planetary and Lunar work, what do people think of the Tak TSA 120? Every review I have seen and no one has regretted buying it. They all talk of the incredible details on these brighter planets and especially the Moon. People also talk about details I can’t even see with my C8, and with the increased contrast and colour details I think this telescope might be an upgrade to my C8. The telescope is also only 5kg and can easily go on my mount, and will cool down very quickly.

Being able to have a telescope I can have stunning views with, and less bulk than my C8 makes me seriously consider this as an upgrade.

Thanks for your help! I welcome all discourse and suggestions :)

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andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

1 day ago

Frankly the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, moreso if you spend a lot of money on it… This said you're kidding yourself if you think the 120mm can compete with a 200mm and here I mean not visual observations but planetary imaging. You are at the mercy of the seeing and while a small aperture might seem less affected it is because it doesn't show as much.

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Christophe Perroud

1 day ago

Hi Luke,

Let’s talk about my own experience as an happy TSA-120 owner since 2013 (I’ve got the upgraded version w/ FeatherTouch focuser). On a visual point, I always appreciate the overall crispy image and fine details it delivers on the lunar surface, Jupiter, Saturne, many stellar targets, like open clusters, and as well some bright DSOs. This is the only reason I chose this high-end equipment over others : pinpoint and colourful stars, razor-sharp lunar and planetary view.

Back in late 2023, my Taka was on duty along other serious competitors for two nights under dark skies in the French Alps. Dobsons from 250 up to 715mm were giving us stunning views of the starry sky… but according to my astro-companions, the « cristal and study view » of Jupiter and Saturn through my refractor was more than amazing and wasn’t surclassed by any reflectors under 400mm. I guess they were fair enough with me, hopefully 😄

And the binocular experience was also in «another level». But the observing conditions were absolut first class those nights and this should be not ignored if you consider buying a « mere » 120mm refractor : it can deliver fantastic images, but cannot do any magic if the sky don’t play with you…but for the Moon, I don’t think it’s a big problem…

Observing the Moon is also very enjoyable. During public outreaches, many observers are really stunned by the among of lunar details they can see. Focusing is very convenient for everyone and there is not image-shift on the focuser 👍️

I also appreciate the weight of the OTA and its shorter cool down time comparing to larger telescope. I will never trade my TSA for anything else!

Take time to think about your next telescope and, if possible, grab the chance to see through a TSA (or similar triplet competitors) to refine your opinion 😉

Clear skies,

Christophe

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Luke Pearson

Topic starter

New contributor

1 day ago

Christophe Perroud · Mar 15, 2026, 04:04 PM
Hi Luke,
Let’s talk about my own experience as an happy TSA-120 owner since 2013 (I’ve got the upgraded version w/ FeatherTouch focuser). On a visual point, I always appreciate the overall crispy image and fine details it delivers on the lunar surface, Jupiter, Saturne, many stellar targets, like open clusters, and as well some bright DSOs. This is the only reason I chose this high-end equipment over others : pinpoint and colourful stars, razor-sharp lunar and planetary view.
Back in late 2023, my Taka was on duty along other serious competitors for two nights under dark skies in the French Alps. Dobsons from 250 up to 715mm were giving us stunning views of the starry sky… but according to my astro-companions, the « cristal and study view » of Jupiter and Saturn through my refractor was more than amazing and wasn’t surclassed by any reflectors under 400mm. I guess they were fair enough with me, hopefully 😄
And the binocular experience was also in «another level». But the observing conditions were absolut first class those nights and this should be not ignored if you consider buying a « mere » 120mm refractor : it can deliver fantastic images, but cannot do any magic if the sky don’t play with you…but for the Moon, I don’t think it’s a big problem…
Observing the Moon is also very enjoyable. During public outreaches, many observers are really stunned by the among of lunar details they can see. Focusing is very convenient for everyone and there is not image-shift on the focuser 👍️
I also appreciate the weight of the OTA and its shorter cool down time comparing to larger telescope. I will never trade my TSA for anything else!
Take time to think about your next telescope and, if possible, grab the chance to see through a TSA (or similar triplet competitors) to refine your opinion 😉
Clear skies,
Christophe

HI Christophe, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it greatly. Could you tell me more about what you can see on Jupiter and Saturn? I have used a 250p before actually and my C8 and yet I have struggled to even get the GRS most nights. This is partly because I was much less experienced, however. Thanks.

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TiffsAndAstro

1 day ago

As you live near Manchester, I'm astonished you don't already have a shed.

I would advise getting one immediately before any neighbours realise this and contact the authorities.

It's also handy for keeping a c8 acclimatised ;)

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FranckIM06

New contributor

1 day ago

Bonjour Luke,

J’ai aussi une TSA 120 et je peux dire franchement que c’est réellement un pure régal à utiliser.

Voici quelques images :

https://www.astrobin.com/di5t7q/

https://www.astrobin.com/rtbfbk/

https://www.astrobin.com/lbie0i/0/?nc=&nce=

https://www.astrobin.com/sly7wc/C/?nc=&nce=

https://www.astrobin.com/oolcn9/

Luke Pearson

Topic starter

New contributor

1 day ago

FranckIM06 · Mar 15, 2026, 07:57 PM
Bonjour Luke,
J’ai aussi une TSA 120 et je peux dire franchement que c’est réellement un pure régal à utiliser.
Voici quelques images :
https://www.astrobin.com/di5t7q/
https://www.astrobin.com/rtbfbk/
https://www.astrobin.com/lbie0i/0/?nc=&nce=
https://www.astrobin.com/sly7wc/C/?nc=&nce=
https://www.astrobin.com/oolcn9/

Merci, superbes photos!

Christophe Perroud

1 day ago

Luke Pearson · Mar 15, 2026 at 05:12 PM
HI Christophe, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it greatly. Could you tell me more about what you can see on Jupiter and Saturn? I have used a 250p before actually and my C8 and yet I have struggled to even get the GRS most nights. This is partly because I was much less experienced, however. Thanks.

You’re welcome Luke 😊 I live under a Bortle 4 sky, and move sometime to Bortle 3. As I said, with very good seeing, I’m able to observe the GRS, the N/S equatorial belts and some wisps at the edge. The smaller temperate belts and zones are shown in color as well, but no details inside, but they pop up in contrast from the background of both N/S polar regions next to them. I witnessed also the transits of Jupiter’s moons and their shadows on the surface.

Looking at Saturn give me a nice overall view with warm braun and yellowish braun on the surface. The A and B rings show some grey tints, C ring is much harder to catch, and I could only see the Cassini division. No opportunity yet to spot the tiny Encke division. Need to wait until the ring reaches its maximal angle around 2032!

I always take long minutes to “track” a feature on the surface I really want to observe. My best views of planets are when the sky quality meets the higher elevation of the target. As you probably wonder, backyard astronomy is a tribute to patience 😉

Mars was always disappointing but I will give a new try as soon as the planet moves closer to us at its opposition. But according to calculations, the bigger size of the disk will be in 2035 (24’’) or 2031 (17’’)…

My visual combo just to give you an idea : TSA-120 + Pentax XL 5.2, or Vixen LVW 8, or Pentax XL 14 w/ 2x Barlow.

Cheers,

Christophe

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Craig Towell

1 day ago

No scope can beat the laws of physics no matter what badge is on the dew shield, and a 4” telescope can not out resolve an 8” telescope, BUT there is a lot to be said for usability and you can bet your backside that a 4” apo is a lot easier to use than pretty much any other scope, and will work at its best with less fuss and on more nights than an 8” reflector.

If would say that it doesn’t have to be a Tak or other premium brand though, the Chinese/Taiwanese FPL-53 fracs are very good and an awful lot less money.

I owned an FC100-DF at the same time as a Starfield 102ed and I couldn’t tell the difference between them visually and I ended up selling the Tak and keeping the Starfield. My eyes are not the sharpest though so maybe I just didn’t have the visual acuity to see the difference.

I think a 4 or 5 inch apo would be a good bet for you as you’d probably end up taking it out and using it a lot more often than the larger reflectors. If you have your heart set on the Tak there is not a lot anyone can say to steer you away from it but if you are interested in cost savings I’d see if you get a KUO made FPL-53 frac or maybe an APM one first as you’d probably be delighted with it.

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