telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED vs Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
Takahashi
Epsilon-160ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi
Epsilon-180ED
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+6% focal length
-11% aperture
Slower by 0.5 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi Epsilon-160ED | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Newtonian | astrograph |
| Optical design | Hyperbolic astrograph | Hyperbolic Newtonian |
| Aperture | 160mm | 180mm |
| Focal length | 530mm | 500mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/3.3 | f/2.8 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 44mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 10.0kg | 12.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
- Lighter (10kg vs 12.5kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- 13% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.8 vs f/3.3
Best for — Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.89° × 2.59°Scale: 1.46"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.54° × 1.70°Scale: 1.46"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.22° × 1.22°Scale: 1.46"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.13° × 2.75°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.69° × 1.80°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.29° × 1.29°Scale: 1.55"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.