This is part 1 of a 3 part series reviewing the TV-85 doublet refractor. All items reviewed are available from First Light Optics via the links below.
This video shows the opening and my initial impressions of the OTA and Berlebach tripod. Part 2 of the video will be using the telescope with the supplied diagonal, eyepiece and tripod, and Part 3 will be imaging with the focal reducer.
TV-85
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/tele-vue-telescopes/tele-vue-85mm-f7-apo-doublet-refractor/ref/simpastro
Diagonal
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/tele-vue-everbrite-90-diagonals/ref/simpastro
Berlebach Tripod
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/tele-vue-mounts/tele-vue-panoramic-mount-with-ash-tripod/ref/simpastro
Field Flattener/reducer
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/tele-vue/tele-vue-08x-reducer-flattener-trf-2008-for-tv-76-tv-85-and-400-600mm-focal-length-refractors/ref/simpastro
Eyepiece
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/tele-vue-eyepieces/tele-vue-delite-62-degree-eyepieces/ref/simpastro
Clamshell
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/tele-vue-telescopes/tele-vue-3-satin-clamshell-style-mounting-ring/ref/simpastro
Price: $389.00
Celestron - StarSense AutoAlign Telescope Accessory - Automatically Aligns Your Celestron Computerized Telescope to the Night Sky in Less Than 3 Minutes - Advanced Mount Modeling
(502)
Price: $148.00
Televue 32mm Plossl 1.25 inch (1-1/4 in.) Eyepiece
High-index glasses to improve the edge-field performance Fully multicoated Parfocal Rubber Eyeguards, Grip Rings, Filter Threads, Blackened Lens Edges, Saftey undercuts (as of November 12, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $666.00
Televue 31mm Nagler Type 5 2 inch Eyepiece
2" Barrel 82 degree Apparent FOV, 19mm Eye Relief, Field Stop of 42 mm 6 Elements (as of November 12, 2020 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Price: $256.00
Really awesome first impression. Can’t wait to see how you got on with the field test. So one thing I did notice, there is no dovetail? I guess it’s just like Taks that you pay extra for the clamshell and then use your own dovetail.
Also is the bag water/weather proof?
Can’t wait for parts 2&3! Hopefully FLO forgot to include clouds. Last time I got s delivery with sticker like that, it brought three months worth of them.
I’ve never considered a Televue scope before. It’s certainly lovely and dark in side the tube, so I expect it will have excellent contrast. The soft case looks a bit worrying to me though, I would have preferred to see the foam uniformly hugging the scope all the way around, the wall thickness looks very thin on the side with the handles, but I guess this is a minor thing. The build of the scope itself looks excellent.