telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED vs William Optics Ultra-Cat 131
Takahashi
Epsilon-160ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
William Optics
Ultra-Cat 131
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-18% focal length
+22% aperture
Faster by 1.6 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi Epsilon-160ED | William Optics Ultra-Cat 131 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Newtonian | refractor |
| Optical design | Hyperbolic astrograph | Petzval (5-element advanced) |
| Aperture | 160mm | 131mm |
| Focal length | 530mm | 648mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/3.3 | f/4.9 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 60mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 10.0kg | 11.3kg |
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
- Wider field — 530mm vs 648mm focal length
- 22% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/3.3 vs f/4.9
Advantages of William Optics Ultra-Cat 131
- Tighter framing — 648mm vs 530mm focal length
- Larger image circle (60mm) — supports bigger sensors
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 — William Optics Ultra-Cat 131
- 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
William Optics Ultra-Cat 131 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.18° × 2.12°Scale: 1.20"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.08° × 1.39°Scale: 1.20"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.00° × 1.00°Scale: 1.20"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
William Optics Ultra-Cat 131 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
