Telescope Comparison
Takahashi FS-60CB vs William Optics Zenithstar 61
The specs are close. The experience isn't.
First light
Takahashi · 60mm · £729
The custom-rig optical tube
- 60mm refractor — optical tube only, no mount included
- 355mm focal length at f/5.9
- Requires a compatible mount before you can observe anything
- Best for: observers who already own a suitable mount or are building a specific imaging rig
- Not a complete purchase — budget at least £100–300 extra for a mount before observing
William Optics · 61mm · £499
The custom-rig optical tube
- 61mm refractor — optical tube only, no mount included
- 360mm focal length at f/5.9
- Requires a compatible mount before you can observe anything
- Best for: observers who already own a suitable mount or are building a specific imaging rig
- Not a complete purchase — budget at least £100–300 extra for a mount before observing
The full picture
The numbers that separate these two scopes — and what they mean at the eyepiece.
Aperture
William Optics Zenithstar 61 gathers 1× more light. On bright targets — Moon, Saturn, Jupiter — you won't notice. On fainter targets — dim galaxies, faint globular clusters — the gap is real.
Focal length
William Optics Zenithstar 61's longer focal length reaches higher magnification with the same eyepiece — better reach for planetary detail. Takahashi FS-60CB's shorter focal length gives a wider true field — better for large open clusters and extended nebulae.
Focal ratio
Same focal ratio — the same eyepiece gives equivalent magnification and true field in both scopes.
Mount type
Neither scope includes a mount — both require a separate purchase before you can observe.
Weight (OTA)
Similar optical tube weight. Any portability difference between these setups comes from the mount, not the tube itself.
Optical design
Both are refractors — no mirrors to collimate, good contrast, colour-free stars with ED or APO glass. The differences between them are in aperture, focal ratio, and glass quality.
At the eyepiece
Both scopes · same aperture
Both refractors share essentially the same aperture — views through each will be very similar on all standard targets. The hallmarks of good refractor optics are sharp stars and good contrast on planetary targets, with no false colour on ED or apochromatic glass. Saturn's rings are distinct from the disk; Jupiter shows two equatorial bands. The Orion Nebula (M42) is bright and well-defined. Open clusters are a strength — the Double Cluster in Perseus and the Pleiades look good at low power. The differences between these two scopes show up in focal ratio, focal length, and what they're optimised for, not in fundamental light-gathering capability.
The real tradeoff
Both scopes are capable. The question is which one fits the way you actually observe.
The Takahashi FS-60CB costs 46% more. The premium buys a more capable mount and better build quality, not larger optics. For a first telescope, the William Optics Zenithstar 61 is the smarter entry point. Return to the Takahashi FS-60CB when you know from experience what you actually need.
The dark side
Every scope has a personality. Here’s where each one gets difficult.
Takahashi
Takahashi FS-60CB
No mount included
You cannot observe until you buy a separate compatible mount — add at least £100–300 before you have a working telescope.
Nothing to look through on day one
Until a mount arrives, the optical tube is a piece of glass you cannot point at the sky.
William Optics
William Optics Zenithstar 61
No mount included
You cannot observe until you buy a separate compatible mount — add at least £100–300 before you have a working telescope.
Nothing to look through on day one
Until a mount arrives, the optical tube is a piece of glass you cannot point at the sky.
Which is right for you?
Two different buyers. Two different right answers.
The custom-rig optical tube
Takahashi · Takahashi FS-60CB
You’ll love this if…
- You already own a compatible equatorial or alt-az mount — this is the optical tube you've specifically chosen to put on it
- You're building an imaging rig piece by piece and know exactly what you need at the end of a focuser
- Choosing an optical tube independently of the mount gives you more flexibility over your overall system
This will frustrate you if…
- You buy it without fully accounting for the mount — add at least £100–300 to the purchase price before you have a working telescope
- You expected a complete package and didn't realise this is a bare optical tube that cannot be used without a separate mount
The custom-rig optical tube
William Optics · William Optics Zenithstar 61
You’ll love this if…
- You already own a compatible equatorial or alt-az mount — this is the optical tube you've specifically chosen to put on it
- You're building an imaging rig piece by piece and know exactly what you need at the end of a focuser
- Choosing an optical tube independently of the mount gives you more flexibility over your overall system
This will frustrate you if…
- You buy it without fully accounting for the mount — add at least £100–300 to the purchase price before you have a working telescope
- You expected a complete package and didn't realise this is a bare optical tube that cannot be used without a separate mount
Our verdict
At £499 versus £729, the Takahashi FS-60CB costs 46% more. The extra money buys a more capable mount and better build quality, not larger optics.
For most buyers starting out, the William Optics Zenithstar 61 is the sensible choice — put the savings into a better eyepiece. The Takahashi FS-60CB makes sense once you know exactly why you need what it offers. If I had to choose: the William Optics Zenithstar 61, and spend the difference on a quality eyepiece.
Takahashi FS-60CB
View Takahashi FS-60CB →William Optics Zenithstar 61
View William Optics Zenithstar 61 →Deep field: Full specifications
Every data point, for those who want to go further.
Full specifications
Fields highlighted in blue or amber indicate the better value for that spec. Data is manufacturer-stated and may vary.
How much can it see?
| Spec | Takahashi FS-60CB | William Optics Zenithstar 61 |
|---|---|---|
Apertureⓘ The most important spec — bigger = more light = better views | 60mm | 61mm |
Focal Length Longer = more magnification potential | 355mm | 360mm |
Focal Ratio Lower f-number = wider field of view; higher = more magnification per eyepiece | f/5.9 | f/5.9 |
Optical Design The type of optics — each design has different strengths | Refractor | Refractor |
Coatings Better coatings = more light transmission through the optics | Takahashi proprietary fully multi-coated fluorite doublet | Fully multi-coated FMC on all air-to-glass surfaces, including ED element |
How do you point it?
| Spec | Takahashi FS-60CB | William Optics Zenithstar 61 |
|---|---|---|
Mount Type The mechanical system that holds and moves the telescope | None (OTA only) | None (OTA only) |
GoTo Computer-controlled pointing — finds any of thousands of objects automatically | ||
Tracking Motor keeps objects centred as the Earth rotates — essential for astrophotography |
The focuser
| Spec | Takahashi FS-60CB | William Optics Zenithstar 61 |
|---|---|---|
Focuser Size 2" accepts wider eyepieces and gives better low-power views | 1.25" | 2" / 1.25" |
Focuser Type Rack-and-pinion is standard; Crayford and dual-speed are smoother | Helical focuser | Dual-speed Crayford 2" (10:1 reduction fine focus) |
Size & weight
| Spec | Takahashi FS-60CB | William Optics Zenithstar 61 |
|---|---|---|
OTA Weightⓘ Optical tube only — useful for comparing mount load capacity | 0.9kg | 1.35kg |
Tube Length | 260mm | 270mm |
Tube Material | Aluminium | Aluminium, anodised red |
What's in the box?
| Spec | Takahashi FS-60CB | William Optics Zenithstar 61 |
|---|---|---|
Diagonal Tilts the eyepiece 90° for comfortable viewing — useful on refractors |
Blue highlight: Takahashi FS-60CB advantage · Amber highlight: William Optics Zenithstar 61 advantage · Greyed cells: equal or subjective.