TS 65 or Redcat 51 - Forums

Topic starter

Mar 9, 2023

Hello
Sadly one needs to go. I'm torn over which one to get rid of.
Which one would you sell and why?? I need help and advice…

Thanks for reading…
Alan

Sascha Wyss

Mar 9, 2023 · Edited: Mar 9, 2023

I never understood the Redcat 51 - it is way too wide. So I would kick the cat out and keep the TS which has an ideal focal length for most objects. Also the redcat will be easier to sell as out of whatever reason (probably the looks) there is still a high demand for it.

AdamJ

Mar 9, 2023

Well the FOV depends on the sensor as well as the focal length. I image with a 180mm FMA180 and its not too wide for the objects I want to image when I pair it with my ASI1600mm pro. The detail you resolve is also based on SNR as much as focal length the TS is only F6.5 and that is significantly slower than the Redcat.

What camera are you using with the scope?

Adam

Alan Hancox

Topic starter

Mar 9, 2023

Qhy 168c (same as zwo 071mc pro)

Joe Linington

Mar 9, 2023

I wonder if the Tak TS 65 would stand up to the Starizona .65 reducer. I would keep the TS 65 if there was a .7 or better reducer available. That would give you 2 scopes for you money and it uses a regular focuser without using belts or things.

If there isn't a reducer, I'd likely keep the faster redcat, or sell them both and buy an Askar 400/500 with the .7 reducer.

Jesse Priolo

Mar 9, 2023

I've only ever seen a very few SpaceCat/RedCat images that could stand up to close scrutiny. They're stylish pieces of kit, sure, but don't seem particularly good optically. Even most of the IOTDs with them here on Astrobin are either so down-sampled that you can't check out the detail, or rife with edge-of-field aberrations.

While not perfect, I still much prefer the output of my Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 LII (@ F/4) - a 27 year old DSLR lens - over just about everything I've seen out of a RedCat.

I have no experience with the TS 65.

Well Written Insightful Respectful Concise Engaging

Rajat Kumar

Mar 9, 2023

There is Askar PHQ65 with .75 reducer. The big difference between TS and PHQ is that latter is a quintuplet. Another option to consider?
Following this discussion closely.

Piers Palmer

Mar 9, 2023 · Edited: Mar 9, 2023

Which do you enjoy using more? I think this is often overlooked. For me astrophotography isn't simply about the end result, but the process and I know, out of my three scopes, I enjoy using my 82mm refractor the most. I find the Redcat finicky to use and I don't like the focus mechanism…for example.

Do you find yourself going to for one over the other generally?

Engaging

Alan Hancox

Topic starter

Mar 9, 2023

No not really Piers. I actually think I have a really good specimen of both the 51 and TS. I know the TS is harder to find used as people tend to keep hold of them….

Piers Palmer

Mar 9, 2023

Then yes, you’ve got a dilemma!

AdamJ

Mar 9, 2023

Alan Hancox:
Qhy 168c (same as zwo 071mc pro)

Honestly, I would stick with the TS if I had an APS-C sized sensor with the pixel size the 071 has. With it being OSC then the sampling is going to be very low on the redcat.

My FMA180 mainly works out in terms of sampling and detail due to being used with a mono sensor with smaller pixels than the 071.

The other option is to sell them both and go for the middle ground at about 300mm F5:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/askar-telescopes/askar-fra300-60mm-f5-petzval-astrograph.html

Adam

James

Mar 9, 2023

Technical aspects aside.. when you imaged with each of them..

-Which one was more enjoyable?
-Which was easier to work with?

This is a hobby.. I'd keep the one that's been the most fun to use.

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