telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED vs Celestron RASA 6
Takahashi
Epsilon-180ED
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Key differences
+49% focal length
+18% aperture
Slower by 0.6 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED | Celestron RASA 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | astrograph | astrograph |
| Optical design | Hyperbolic Newtonian | Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph |
| Aperture | 180mm | 152mm |
| Focal length | 500mm | 335mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/2.8 | f/2.2 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 16mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 12.5kg | 3.8kg |
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Tighter framing — 500mm vs 335mm focal length
- 18% more light-gathering aperture
- Larger image circle (44mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Celestron RASA 6
- Wider field — 335mm vs 500mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/2.2 vs f/2.8
- Lighter (3.8kg 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 — Celestron RASA 6
- Wide-field nebulae and Milky Way regions
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
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
Celestron RASA 6 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 6.16° × 4.11°Scale: 2.32"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.02° × 2.69°Scale: 2.32"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.93° × 1.93°Scale: 2.32"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Celestron RASA 6 — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.
