telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED vs Tele Vue NP101is
Takahashi
Epsilon-180ED
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Tele Vue
NP101is
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Key differences
-7% focal length
+78% aperture
Faster by 2.6 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED | Tele Vue NP101is |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | astrograph | Refractor |
| Optical design | Hyperbolic Newtonian | Petzval |
| Aperture | 180mm | 101mm |
| Focal length | 500mm | 540mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/2.8 | f/5.4 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 40mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 12.5kg | 4.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- 78% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.8 vs f/5.4
Advantages of Tele Vue NP101is
- Lighter (4.5kg vs 12.5kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Tele Vue NP101is
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
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
Tele Vue NP101is — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.82° × 2.55°Scale: 1.44"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.49° × 1.67°Scale: 1.44"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.20° × 1.20°Scale: 1.44"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Tele Vue NP101is — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.