telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED vs Tele Vue NP127fli
Takahashi
Epsilon-180ED
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Tele Vue
NP127fli
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-24% focal length
+42% aperture
Faster by 2.4 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED | Tele Vue NP127fli |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | astrograph | refractor |
| Optical design | Hyperbolic Newtonian | Nagler-Petzval |
| Aperture | 180mm | 127mm |
| Focal length | 500mm | 660mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/2.8 | f/5.2 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 52mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 12.5kg | 9.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Wider field — 500mm vs 660mm focal length
- 42% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.8 vs f/5.2
Advantages of Tele Vue NP127fli
- Tighter framing — 660mm vs 500mm focal length
- Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
- Lighter (9.5kg 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 NP127fli
- 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 NP127fli — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.13° × 2.08°Scale: 1.18"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.04° × 1.36°Scale: 1.18"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.98° × 0.98°Scale: 1.18"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Tele Vue NP127fli — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.