Moving on from RASA 8 Celestron RASA 8" · Christopher · ... · 6 · 568 · 0

This topic contains a poll.
What scope would you choose coming from a rasa?
Takahashi Epsilon 130
Takahashi Epsilon 160
Sharpstar Hypergraph
Newton with Starizona Nexus
RASA11
Christopher 0.00
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Hi folks! 
Up until now I have been using a Rasa 8 and love it! After some initial struggles with tilt, it ended up being a well tuned photon sucking machine. But! I have come to yearn for more! Especially a bit more FL, even at the cost of some speed (but not slower that F4). Also, I would love to properly put my asi2600mm to use with a FW. So, I was wondering what you guys went for after your Rasas? Have you been looking back? 
Thanks in advance! 
christopher
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bluemoon737 3.61
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What is your budget? If no concern you could consider a PW DeltaRho 350.
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Christopher 0.00
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Budget-wise <6k$. Portable would be preferable, so the delta rho, although a sweet scope would be a bit too much.
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SemiPro 7.67
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The options you listed aside from the RASA 11 and Starizona Nexus are more or less lateral moves that allow you to use a filter wheel. The RASA 11 gets you more focal length, but then you are still stuck changing the filters. The only way the Nexus allows you to increase your focal length is if you use it on a large newtonian, think 250mm+ of aperture.

I have no experience with the Nexus so I cannot speak towards its quality. I would suggest searching astrobin for newt + nexus combos to see if you like the image quality.

You might just have to accept that with current 'budget' options, a higher focal length comes at the cost of a higher focal ratio.
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Rob_24 2.15
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If you do not mind collimation or diffraction spikes, then I would go for a Newton f4, 1000mm. You get most bang for your bucks.
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carted2 3.58
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I have the Epsilon 160 and it is a fantastic scope. The two biggest issues people have with the Epsilon series is 1) Collimation and 2) Tilt. 

Collimation gets easier and easier the more you do it and understand how the scope works. If you go this route the Takahashi collimation tools are absolutely required.

Since you have found a way to mitigate tilt with the RASA the Epsilon shouldn't be hard to deal with. I use the ASG Photon Cage and adjusting for tilt is super easy with it. The Octopi is another device people use for the Epsilon to deal with tilt.

If you do decide on an Epsilon I recommend the 160. It has the newest corrector and it the best adjusted for small pixel cameras like your ASI2600. The 130 is nice since it is a little bit lighter and easier to grab and go but I had no issues taking my 160 along with me to my imaging site. 

I love my Epsilon so much that it is currently at a remote facility so I can actually use it since it is so cloudy where I am!

The Sharpstar HNT13028 or 15028 is alternative for the Epsilon series but I have no firsthand experience with them. Just by browsing images of them on here, I think the Epsilon series produces sharper images.
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Christopher 0.00
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Thank you all for your replies! This pretty much consolidates what I have been gravitating towards…a Tak! Have a great weekend!
cheers Chris
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