I'm a refractor kind of guy, but this Criterion has me feeling a little dizzy. When I was 12 or 13 and realized, like a lot of us here, a 3" or 4" Unitron was never going to happen (never say never), I briefly turned my attention to the Criterion 6" Dynascope. A Newtonian reflector of all things. Of course at the rate I was acquiring wealth the RV-6 was also out of the question. I scotch taped the ad from a Sky&Telescope to a gallon wine bottle (no, I didn't drink the wine first), seeded it with a few coins, and kept it in my room. By the end of that summer I had a few more coins, but still about $198 shy of the $199.99 I needed. O K so I learned you can't culture money like sourdough... or can you? So 45 summers, and a few wine bottles (from wine I did drink), later I now actually have the 199.99! And there is an RV-6 for sale.

I'm sure a few of you have looked at the listing. I've been keeping a high bid presence, and have had some contact with the seller. Any observations or opinions about what you see in the listing. The seller seems to be quite precise (owns a machine shop... go figure) And has prepared a great visual presentation.

Besides having to look into the wrong end, is there something else I should know about the RV-6? The seller looked inside the drive motor cover at my request and found 182 imprinted there. I had read the manufacture date was (penciled) in there... true? Does 182 mean anything? Can anyone guess at a vintage? Does it look complete to those of you in the know? I suppose this will head north of the original selling price before the auction ends. I just want to be sure I'm getting the one used for that 1960 advertisement photo shoot, or at least one close to it.

I think it's been pretty well documented that the optics were pretty sweet in these instruments. Were some years better than others? Is there a good way to determine whether the mirror needs re-coating from across country? What is the best method to see a scratch in the mirror or coating? The seller mentioned in the eBAY copy about seeing one, but after blowing off the dust with solvent (his words), he can no longer see it. Should I ask what the solvent was? Please post away, I need your help

other Keith