stars_in_my_eyes
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 803
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Any guesses as to which scopes today will be the sought after classics of tomorrow?
And how about the low cost 60mm offerings?
Will a Meade 60mm offered by Walmart be the Holy Grail of tomorrow?
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albert1
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/01/07
Posts: 1454
Loc: Northern New Jersey
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Interesting question. Will be looking forward to the replies. Most of my scopes are classics already so I can't offer any guesses on new stuff.
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Albert
1 Great 'ole Newt
6 Good 'ole Newts
3 Great 'ole Cats
1 Lousy 'ole Newt
One of these days I'll try a Refractor other than my 90mm finderscope
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sailor70623
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/12/08
Posts: 1516
Loc: Ok.
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Actually the Mead 70mm that Wal-Mart carried last Christmas migh be one. For an Alt./Az. scope it gets pretty good views, and by Feb. it was selling for $25 so a lot of them went out the door. I bought 3 of them. Not a cheap scope, but not over priced either are the Mead Light Bridge scopes. I'm sure these will become classics, especially if in like new condition, as most of these get heavily modified. I think any Obsession will become a classic too.
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Corornado PST
LB 16" 12" & 10"
Z 10"
LX50 8", 8" CPC
ETX127, 102 & 90mm MAKs
80mm Richfield APO, 102mm & 6" refractors
ETX60
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 3889
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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I believe the smallest scope that will be a future classic is the Stellarvue SV50. This is truly "The little scope that could." Amazing optics and can use most eyepieces.
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Preston
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
SV115T,NHII,SV70,SV50 and Tele Vue Ranger
Vintage Refractors: Asahi-Pentax, Edmund Scientific, Tasco, Unitron
60mm Telescope Club
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 3889
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Probably the next smallest classic scope will be the Tele Vue TV-60. What a great little scope!
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Preston
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
SV115T,NHII,SV70,SV50 and Tele Vue Ranger
Vintage Refractors: Asahi-Pentax, Edmund Scientific, Tasco, Unitron
60mm Telescope Club
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ukcanuck
Vendor (Skylight Telescopes)
Reged: 11/07/06
Posts: 753
Loc: London, UK
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The original Meade ETX 90RA.
All the plastic is a statement of its' time, and I think these guys will be around for a long time. An iconic telescope, great optics, and very little to go wrong.
I think for many, this will have been their first scope, and when they become nostalgic, they will go looking for one again.
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Richard
THE SKYLIGHT F15
Skylight Gallery
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pbealo
super member
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 177
Loc: New Hampshire
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Blue tube Astrophysics Starfire APOs from the late '80s. Especially the "oddball" 5.1" version (I hope I have that size correct...)
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PeterB
15" fecker cass
12" Fecker cass
6" Fecker Celestar
4" Fecker Celestar
4"/4" dual tube Brashear
Porter Garden telescope
3.5" Mogey
Quantum 6
Quantum 4
6" AP Starfire
misc. smaller stuff
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RLTYS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/18/04
Posts: 2323
Loc: New York (Long Island)
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I have one of the early Telvue Genesis's, got it back in early 1989. Hopefully it will become a classic.
Rich (RLTYS)
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10" F4.8 Refl.
4" F5 Refr. (Genesis)
3" F4 Celestron FirstScope
50mm F12 Refr. (Tasco #6TE-5)
12x63 and 10x50 Binoculars.
"I want to do more then just look."
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Rat8bug
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 1495
Loc: Michigan
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Only Questar is, was, and will be.....
http://www.barrie-tao.com/faq.html
Ciao....Barry
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Nikon D40/D50/D70 DSLR
WO 105mm Triplet APO
WO Zenithstar 66SD APO (Black 'n Blue)
WO 8 x 45mm APO Bino
UO 20 x 80mm Bino
Vixen 80SS Refractor
Orion 127mm Apex Maksutov
Vixen GP-DX with Skysensor 2000
SBIG STV and e-finder
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Dan /schechter
sage
Reged: 12/21/06
Posts: 397
Loc: Long Beach, Calif.
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My vote is for theBlue tbube Brandons of 94mm and 130mm aperture. Dan
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proud uncle
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/22/07
Posts: 1619
Loc: Central Texas
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What about the Orion Intelliscope Dobs?
What about an original U.S. made Edmund Astroscan? Or has it already graduated into the "classics"?
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Kenneth
Zhumell 10" Dobsonian (f/4.9)
2" 32mm WA eyepiece
9mm, 12.5mm, and 20mm Plossls
6mm TMB/BO Planetary
2" 2x ED Barlow
Nikon 10x50 binocular (6.5 deg FOV)
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SATMAN
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 317
Loc: NJ 39.7 lat., -74.3 long
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Ditto Dan and Rat8burg,
Brandon 94 and Questar 3.5 are the ultimate Timeless classics!!  
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CELESTRON/VIXEN C102 GP REFRACTOR
CELESTRON SUPER C8 PLUS
VIXEN 90 CUSTOM REFRACTOR ALTAZ. MOUNT
QUESTAR 3.5 STANDARD POWER GUIDE II ON TRISTAND
CORONADO PST DOUBLE STACKED
BRANDON 94mm f/7 ON VIXEN POLARIS MOUNT
VINTAGE ORANGE TUBE C-90 ASTRO (CIRCA 1978)
VIXEN PORTA MOUNT, QUARTER HALF HITCH MOUNT
BRANDON EYEPIECE SET (circa 1986) 8,12,16,24,32, 2.4X DAKIN BARLOW
VARIOUS NAGLERS 3-6 ZOOM,7,9,11,13,16,24PANOPTIC
ETHOS 6mm, 10mm
ZEISS 10X40B/GA T*P* BINOCULARS
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jayscheuerle
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/16/06
Posts: 4249
Loc: S. Philadelphia, PA
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Portaballs.
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Fight indignorance!
120ED, 12" f/5 Green Goblin, 6" f/5 Eero2, 4.5" f/8 PortaBowl, 8" f/5 Big Red Ed.
The PortaBowl-a $100 4.5" f/8 ball-scope YOU can build!
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woodsman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/12/08
Posts: 1325
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
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I guess it depends on your definition of classic. I think that the Questar will always be a 'classic' due to its price. I guess it will go down as the Rolls-Royce of telescopes. Maybe the Takahashi will be the next.
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artisticwoods
C-14 Orange Tube, C-8, C-5, C-90 Astro Model, C8 Schmidt Camera 8" f1.5, C5.5 Schmidt Camera f1.65, SPI 42mm f/19 Refractor, Sears 90mm f/15.56 Ref, Sears 80mm f/15 Ref, Scope 60mm f/11.7, Sears 50mm f/12
Unitron Model 140 75mm/1200mm, Unitron model 128 60mm/900mm
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 5147
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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How about the TeleVue Genesis SDF, Meade 102ED refractors and the Meade 7" Maksutov?
Of course, I'am biased. 
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Jim
TV-85~NP-127~12.5" dob project
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Clive Gibbons
Mostly Harmless
Reged: 05/26/05
Posts: 14082
Loc: Oort Cloud
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Many of the scopes from bygone times which are considered "classics" nowadays, are ones which have a certain visual appeal and/or mechanical quality.
Doesn't hurt if they have good optics, too. 
Some of the William Optics refractors are very attractive instruments, have fine mechanics and most have very nice optics, too.
Their original oil-spaced FLT-110 (TEC lens) is already a "classic" in the eyes of many.
Of course, high-end APOs made by Astro-Physics will be classics. Same goes for most of the Takahashi refractors.
I think that in the future, we'll have as much trouble deciding what's a classic, as we do these days... 
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A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife, two curious cats and one sadly departed.
"Semper ubi sub ubi"
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Al Canarelli
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 2619
Loc: Central New Jersey
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It seems like everyone has concentrated on the small to very small telescopes. How about the big light buckets? How about a telescope which qualifies completely as a light bucket while, at the same time is manageable enough for the average Joe to load in his car and set up at a dark sky location? I'm talking about the C-14.
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woodsman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/12/08
Posts: 1325
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
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I have the C-14, serial number 23. I was told it was number 3 when I purchased it, and that the plate was sent later, but it was manufactured in 1972, and I think that it is actually number 23. It is a great instrument. It will never be sold and I agree wholeheartedly it is a CLASSIC. It is completely impressive when all put together, and I am a happy owner. I would think that the newer C-14s will be Classic as well. I would rate Classic as very well known and a high quality instrument and I have heard that the new ones are just great. Rich
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artisticwoods
C-14 Orange Tube, C-8, C-5, C-90 Astro Model, C8 Schmidt Camera 8" f1.5, C5.5 Schmidt Camera f1.65, SPI 42mm f/19 Refractor, Sears 90mm f/15.56 Ref, Sears 80mm f/15 Ref, Scope 60mm f/11.7, Sears 50mm f/12
Unitron Model 140 75mm/1200mm, Unitron model 128 60mm/900mm
Edited by woodsman (10/28/08 02:44 PM)
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proud uncle
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/22/07
Posts: 1619
Loc: Central Texas
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Many of the scopes I've read of in this thread are designed, built and sold as premium optics, sort of the "Rolls Royces" of telescopes (to borrow someone elses terminology). True, many of these will likely be classics of tomorrow. But, many of today's "classics" which I regularly read about on this forum were never designed or intended to be premium telescopes of their day. They were, for the most part, well made. But, many were not "Rolls Royces" of their day, they were just good working "Chevies". What about the Sears refractors of the 60's and 70's, or the Edmund telescopes of yesteryear (not just the Astroscan)? What are the "good working Chevies" of today you think may be considered classics tomorrow?
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Kenneth
Zhumell 10" Dobsonian (f/4.9)
2" 32mm WA eyepiece
9mm, 12.5mm, and 20mm Plossls
6mm TMB/BO Planetary
2" 2x ED Barlow
Nikon 10x50 binocular (6.5 deg FOV)
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stars_in_my_eyes
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 803
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I think those who think expensive refractors will be the next "classics" will be surprised.
My quess is scopes like the original Celestron C8 and the Coulter Dob...true trailblazers...wil be in demand.
What other scopes made a REAL difference in the hobby?
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GeneDiG
sage
Reged: 05/31/05
Posts: 288
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I think Orion's popular short tube 80 and 127mm maks will be sought after in the future. Of course perhaps they won't be as collectible if Orion continues to make them in the years to come.
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Gene DiGennaro
Baltimore, Md.
Celestron C-130 5" Mak
Celestron Firstscope 80eq
Tasco/Vixen 999VR
Tasco 11t Vintage Newtonian
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proud uncle
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/22/07
Posts: 1619
Loc: Central Texas
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Quote:
What other scopes made a REAL difference in the hobby?
Orion's Intelliscope Dobs.
Other mass-produced Dobs.
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Kenneth
Zhumell 10" Dobsonian (f/4.9)
2" 32mm WA eyepiece
9mm, 12.5mm, and 20mm Plossls
6mm TMB/BO Planetary
2" 2x ED Barlow
Nikon 10x50 binocular (6.5 deg FOV)
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proud uncle
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/22/07
Posts: 1619
Loc: Central Texas
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Quote:
Many of the scopes I've read of in this thread are designed, built and sold as premium optics, sort of the "Rolls Royces" of telescopes (to borrow someone elses terminology). . . . What are the "good working Chevies" of today you think may be considered classics tomorrow?
My apologies, I re-read the whole thread after posting and noticed some of these "working Chevies" of today were already mentioned.
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Kenneth
Zhumell 10" Dobsonian (f/4.9)
2" 32mm WA eyepiece
9mm, 12.5mm, and 20mm Plossls
6mm TMB/BO Planetary
2" 2x ED Barlow
Nikon 10x50 binocular (6.5 deg FOV)
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 4246
Loc: ohio
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Ill add my C102HD , its a work horse, sharp optics, pin point star images,very little ca.
And it was cheap enough to definately not be a cadillac, maybe not even a chevy...more like a pickup truck...not usually pretty ,but very efficient at what they do.
Mine is an early model , the ones that had the Vixen lenses, so Im not sure of the later chinese versions.
But I think this scope will be a classic someday.
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12 inch Truss Reflector "John"
102mm Celestron C102HD " Carl "
Tasco 7TE5 60mm Classic
Tasco 9TE5 60mm Classic
Celestron Ultima 2000 SCT "Wilma"
Celestron Comet catcher(orange tube)
1960 Edscorp Space Conquerer 6inch f/8
10x50 Bushnell Binoculars.
60mm Telescope Club
Edited by droid (10/29/08 10:47 PM)
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 3889
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Not a doubt in my mind that the 1980 Edmund Scientific "Voyager" will be a highly sought after classic in the near future. Not many of these were made.
They should be worth $3-5K in just a few years...
Trust me, I have two of them....
(and will want to sell one in just a few years). 
Now you know what my avatar represents! 
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Preston
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
SV115T,NHII,SV70,SV50 and Tele Vue Ranger
Vintage Refractors: Asahi-Pentax, Edmund Scientific, Tasco, Unitron
60mm Telescope Club
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Happy-Idiot
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 3072
Loc: 3rd Rock
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Quote:
Trust me, I have two of them....
Yeah Preston only owns two of them. But ask him how many of the objectives he owns? There are hundreds of glassless Edmund scopes floating around. 
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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Happy-Idiot
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/06/06
Posts: 3072
Loc: 3rd Rock
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I don't want to swell your head too much but i have to admit that is one handsome looking scope! 
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Brian
A small scope that gets used often is a better investment than a big scope that stays in the closet.
Unitrons, you spend more time looking at them than you do through them.
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actionhac
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 1076
Loc: WA
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I have heard the Edmund Voyager has fantastic optics and the style is very cool, retro 60's Star Trek.
Robert
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 3889
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Quote:
Yeah Preston only owns two of them. But ask him how many of the objectives he owns? There are hundreds of glassless Edmund scopes floating around.
Geez Brian, I don't have hundreds of them! I'm only in the double digits, honest! 
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Preston
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
SV115T,NHII,SV70,SV50 and Tele Vue Ranger
Vintage Refractors: Asahi-Pentax, Edmund Scientific, Tasco, Unitron
60mm Telescope Club
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 3889
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Quote:
I have heard the Edmund Voyager has fantastic optics and the style is very cool, retro 60's Star Trek.
Robert
I have heard some complaints about the objective as well as accolades. All of the objectives I have are very good (yes, more than two!). Some slight astigmatism but nothing that impacts on the focused image. Amazing when you consider this was the first "fast" small aperture achromat. It preceded the Tele Vue Ranger.
I do like the styling of it, It really is like the Edsel, way ahead of its time:
-First short-tube achromat,
-First cemented objective,
-First 1.25" focuser on a small refractor,
-Objective designed by Dr. Rank, the inventor of the RKE eyepiece,
-In fact the scope came with a 15mm RKE eyepiece!
-First travel scope (hence the name Voyager),
-First wide field, small refractor.
-Carrying case could be brought onto an aircraft at that time.
-The finder was brought into alignment using elliptical rings versus screws,
-The objective was made in America! - at Edmund Optics.
-Designed to be the follow-on refractor version of the Edmund Astroscan.
-even more!
Why didn't it succeed? Two main reasons: too expensive and America was not ready for the small refractor concept in 1980.
I have a draft review on this scope that I MUST finish.
This little scope has an amazing story - which was almost lost forever by Edmund Scientific... but I recovered it! (that's another story).
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Preston
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
SV115T,NHII,SV70,SV50 and Tele Vue Ranger
Vintage Refractors: Asahi-Pentax, Edmund Scientific, Tasco, Unitron
60mm Telescope Club
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Chuck Faranda
sage
Reged: 03/31/07
Posts: 212
Loc: Florida
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How about the William Optics Fluorite APO 80mm 10 year anniversary edition?
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Regards,
Chuck Faranda
See my vintage scopes at http://ccdastro.com/vintage.html
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Larry Geary
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/24/06
Posts: 757
Loc: NJ, USA
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The classics we deal with in this forum tend to be those that can be restored to original condition and used in the same way they were used when they first came out of the box. IMO, that would exclude those scopes that depend on computers that may no longer be functional in the future, and for which replacement parts could not be found or fabricated. It would also exclude some scopes constructed with large amounts of custom molded plastic. Some of the scopes being produced today may end up in the future as expensive paperweights - except that paper will be obsolete by then, too.
In the non-electronic area, I would have to disagree with the Coulter scopes. Perhaps it's just my prejudice, but I recall that for most of their run those scopes gave Dobsonians a bad name due to the shaving-mirror quality of their optics. It was only later when Obsession, Tectron and other makers began making Dobs using high-quality mirrors that Dobs became more than low powered "light buckets".
While I agree that the Edmund Astroscan is a classic, their red-tubed beige plastic scopes never did anything for me, emotionally. The transition from white tubes and heavy metal parts to red tubes and plastic just told me they were now foreign made toys rather than desirable scopes. Sorry.
Among currently manufactured scopes, I think anything made by Astro-Physics will be considered a classic. Many scopes made by Takahashi will be considered classics, particularly their no-longer-made FCT series refractors. Their SCT is I believe already considered to be classic. Questar has been around long enough to become a classic even though it is still being made. The computerized Meade equivalents will become useless paperweights.
Just my opinions, and if you want to put me some knowledge, I'm all ears.
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The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.
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purpleseeker
member
Reged: 03/12/07
Posts: 33
Loc: Colorado
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What about the Astro-Tech AT66ED? 
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Preston Smith
Military Observer
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 3889
Loc: Eureka, Pa
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Quote:
What about the Astro-Tech AT66ED?
Interesting consideration!
The "66mm" series was BIG over the last couple of years with William Optics, Stellarvue, Astro-Tech and others in the market. This year it's the "70mm" series that is making the splash with the Orion, Stellarvue and others.
History will dictate how these small travel scopes fit into the category of classics or not. There is no doubt that they fill a great niche of travel and grab-n-go.
But the Tele Vue Ranger was the first 70mm travel scope. The Pronto was the next iteration and a definite improvement. These will be definitely become classics in the travel scope category.
I have a Stellarvue 66mm and love it. I'm probably going to get a Stellarvue 70mm and compare the two and keep the one that fits me best. To be honest, if I find a good deal on a Ranger in the future, I would definitely consider buying it - after I get my TV-60 (see above).
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Preston
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
SV115T,NHII,SV70,SV50 and Tele Vue Ranger
Vintage Refractors: Asahi-Pentax, Edmund Scientific, Tasco, Unitron
60mm Telescope Club
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stevew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 1345
Loc: Vancouver
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Televue Genesis SDF gets my vote.
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So long, and thanks for all the fish....
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Astrojensen
sage
Reged: 10/05/08
Posts: 328
Loc: Bornholm, Denmark
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"But the Tele Vue Ranger was the first 70mm travel scope. The Pronto was the next iteration and a definite improvement."
Hi Preston
The Pronto came out several years before the Ranger.
BTW, Takahashi made a 65/500mm triplet semi-apochromat as early as 1976. Other Japanese companies also made triplet semi-apos with 60mm to 80mm aperture from the late 1960'ies and onwards. These, however, were almost unknown in the west, as they were VERY expensive for their size, and we tended to be more fascinated by SCT's and the beginning dob revolution at the time.
Clear skies!
Thomas, Denmark
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nightstalker
sage
Reged: 03/30/07
Posts: 265
Loc: Great South Land
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I'd say the one offs .. or the ones you justcan't ever buy in large numbers  .. you can't easily collect them , sell /buy bits off them ,so they are a true classic .
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=37174
Edited by nightstalker (10/31/08 06:21 AM)
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 4246
Loc: ohio
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Well this is interesting......takahashi- Televue-Pentax.
Me thinks a lot of amatuer astronomers have way to much money to spend.....
Me and my lowly second hand achromat are just fine 
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12 inch Truss Reflector "John"
102mm Celestron C102HD " Carl "
Tasco 7TE5 60mm Classic
Tasco 9TE5 60mm Classic
Celestron Ultima 2000 SCT "Wilma"
Celestron Comet catcher(orange tube)
1960 Edscorp Space Conquerer 6inch f/8
10x50 Bushnell Binoculars.
60mm Telescope Club
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Kal
sage
Reged: 07/31/06
Posts: 203
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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I think the celstron and meade cats will be the classics of tomorrow.
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CG-11 • 130mm f6.3 StarFire EDF Gran Turismo • SV90TBV • ETX90EC • 25x100 BINOCULARS • Toucam 840K hacked to a 900NC • DSI Pro
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 4246
Loc: ohio
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You know I thought to add my Ultima 2000 8inch SCT.But the more I read about the U2Ks not selling very well, having all manner of problems, including the goto features in some scopes, the more I wonder.
I will say that my U2K has extremely sweet optics.And Ill never part with her.
But a classic.....what do you all think?
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12 inch Truss Reflector "John"
102mm Celestron C102HD " Carl "
Tasco 7TE5 60mm Classic
Tasco 9TE5 60mm Classic
Celestron Ultima 2000 SCT "Wilma"
Celestron Comet catcher(orange tube)
1960 Edscorp Space Conquerer 6inch f/8
10x50 Bushnell Binoculars.
60mm Telescope Club
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Bradley Miller
super member
Reged: 10/15/08
Posts: 120
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio Area
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IIRC....
Many of the older vixen refractors were highly sought after in this country once upon a time and really only became reasonably known once Celestron and Orion began marketing them as either re-branded or co-branded pieces.
An example would be the Vixen 102 Flourite APO 902mm fl. This piece was introduced in the 1980s and discontinued in 2003. Some old fogies like me still look upon these as sort of a reference point for the modern refractor era. Or do I wax on wax off a bit too much? 
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Cincinnati Astronomical Society
1 of America's earliest established amateur astronomical societies
www.cinastro.org
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Bradley Miller
super member
Reged: 10/15/08
Posts: 120
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio Area
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Come to think of it...Coronado was responsible for selling lots of Prontos once upon a time, so I'm sure one of these years these scopes will be looked for in fond reverence ...I know I miss mine.
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Cincinnati Astronomical Society
1 of America's earliest established amateur astronomical societies
www.cinastro.org
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mattyfatz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/27/06
Posts: 1414
Loc: Boise Idaho
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Well if we are considering current production run scopes; my votes are:
Astroscan
ETX-90
Celestron C6-SCT
AT-66
ZenithStar 66 SD APO
Orion ShortTube 80-A Refractor
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**Matty**
Stimulating the economy, one piece of equipment at a time.   
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proud uncle
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/22/07
Posts: 1619
Loc: Central Texas
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Quote:
While I agree that the Edmund Astroscan is a classic, their red-tubed beige plastic scopes never did anything for me, emotionally. The transition from white tubes and heavy metal parts to red tubes and plastic just told me they were now foreign made toys rather than desirable scopes.
The original Astroscans were made in the USA. Not foreign to me!
How many reviews of the original Astroscans have you read? Of those I've read, one of the consistent strong points was their durability. How many "foreign made toys" do you know have been in continuous production for 30+ years?
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Kenneth
Zhumell 10" Dobsonian (f/4.9)
2" 32mm WA eyepiece
9mm, 12.5mm, and 20mm Plossls
6mm TMB/BO Planetary
2" 2x ED Barlow
Nikon 10x50 binocular (6.5 deg FOV)
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woodsman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/12/08
Posts: 1325
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
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I didn't know that the original ones were white and metal. I always thought they were red. I just sold a red 'plastic' one and it was older and Made in the USA. It had a big sticker on it that said so. It had very good optics. I have never seen a white metal one. Can someone post a picture of such a telescope? Rich
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artisticwoods
C-14 Orange Tube, C-8, C-5, C-90 Astro Model, C8 Schmidt Camera 8" f1.5, C5.5 Schmidt Camera f1.65, SPI 42mm f/19 Refractor, Sears 90mm f/15.56 Ref, Sears 80mm f/15 Ref, Scope 60mm f/11.7, Sears 50mm f/12
Unitron Model 140 75mm/1200mm, Unitron model 128 60mm/900mm
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RLTYS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/18/04
Posts: 2323
Loc: New York (Long Island)
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To All
I would also like to see a picture of a white, metal Astrocan. A friend of mine bought one many years ago. It was made in the USA and of red plastic, quite well constructed. The optics were quite good. Made some of my earliest observations of Comet Hyakutake with it.
Clear Skies.
Rich (RLTYS)
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10" F4.8 Refl.
4" F5 Refr. (Genesis)
3" F4 Celestron FirstScope
50mm F12 Refr. (Tasco #6TE-5)
12x63 and 10x50 Binoculars.
"I want to do more then just look."
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jayscheuerle
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/16/06
Posts: 4249
Loc: S. Philadelphia, PA
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I think he's talking of Edmunds in general. The white metal tubes of the 60s gave way to red metal tubes (at least in the 4.25") which gave way to red plastic (Astroscan) and red phenolic resin (6" & 8"). The red phenolics (around .2" thick) actually had better thermal properties than the steel tubes.
The original USA Astroscans seem to be more cherished and I'm not sure why, other than that the EPs they came with were better than the current ones. - j
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Fight indignorance!
120ED, 12" f/5 Green Goblin, 6" f/5 Eero2, 4.5" f/8 PortaBowl, 8" f/5 Big Red Ed.
The PortaBowl-a $100 4.5" f/8 ball-scope YOU can build!
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woodsman
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/12/08
Posts: 1325
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
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Quote:
I think he's talking of Edmunds in general. The white metal tubes of the 60s gave way to red metal tubes (at least in the 4.25") which gave way to red plastic (Astroscan) and red phenolic resin (6" & 8"). The red phenolics (around .2" thick) actually had better thermal properties than the steel tubes.
The original USA Astroscans seem to be more cherished and I'm not sure why, other than that the EPs they came with were better than the current ones. - j
I think you may be correct. I haven't ever seen a white one, and I don't recall ever seeing them and I used to get the old astronomy periodicals with the advertisements. I remember them being red from back in the late '70's. Perhaps he is thinking of the white Newtonians from back then.
I think the older Astroscans are sought after because they were made in the US.
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artisticwoods
C-14 Orange Tube, C-8, C-5, C-90 Astro Model, C8 Schmidt Camera 8" f1.5, C5.5 Schmidt Camera f1.65, SPI 42mm f/19 Refractor, Sears 90mm f/15.56 Ref, Sears 80mm f/15 Ref, Scope 60mm f/11.7, Sears 50mm f/12
Unitron Model 140 75mm/1200mm, Unitron model 128 60mm/900mm
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moonman
sage
Reged: 09/13/08
Posts: 412
Loc: Grafton, Wisconsin
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My vote is for the Televue Ranger. No longer made and people who have them tend to hang on to them. Quality is excellent, compact scope and from what I've read and heard excellent performers. (I'll find out first hand when the Skies clear!) The focusing system is unique from the the other TV's and so makes it a bit different than other models and so perhaps an edge toward future collectability -The drawtube and helical focuser is smooth and works very well too. Overall an excellent package. I was fortunate to recently pick one up, and hope it becomes a classic. I think it has a good chance.
Does anybody have any data on how many were produced and years of production ?
Edit:
Here's a nice link to a very detailed review of the Ranger
http://www.analyticalsci.com/Astronomy/Telescopes/imagestv/Ranger/Sky_Telescopes_Review.htm
Edited by moonman (11/15/08 08:58 AM)
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AlexN
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/09/08
Posts: 1180
Loc: Brisbane - Australia
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my C11 will be seen as a classic by the time Im finished with it... in.. say, 2050
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Custom Made 10" F/3.8 Newtonian Astrograph
EQ6-Pro
SBIG ST-8300M
FLI CFW 2-7
Astrodon 5nm NB Filters
Astrodon I series LRGB
OAG + QHY5
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iancandler
member
Reged: 10/22/07
Posts: 69
Loc: Essex, UK
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Early WO ZS66 triplets and petzvals certainly will be.
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clintwhitman
Caveman
Reged: 01/01/07
Posts: 2925
Loc: ValVerde CA(SoEasyaCavemanCanD...
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I would agree with some of the williams optics scopes are amazing I think the red 80mm florite they made is a canadate for a classic. Also of couse the Orion ED80 for sure oneday will be a collectors scope. ALL AP scopes are only days old and are a legend already!! The Tak TOAs will be also...
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Clint & Debbie Whitman (aveman
Please joint us at the CLASSIC STAR PARTY @ PINOS AUG. 6 thu 8 2010 You are the reason we are having it!!!
My Time Machine is a 1984 Astro Pysics, Nine Inch!! F10.6 Refractor... A NINE INCH AP !!!!! WOW!!!!! It will be at Mnt. Pinos!!! Rolando Called it a onesy. We Call it the Pearl. The 1984-2010 Whitman / Cristen 9" Refractor..
Edited by clintwhitman (11/15/08 12:57 PM)
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mike bacanin
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/19/07
Posts: 747
Loc: united kingdom
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I think my Takahashi TSC 225 sct will be a future classic, if not already.
Mike
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Larry Geary
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/24/06
Posts: 757
Loc: NJ, USA
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I didn't say the Astroscan was foreign made, or that it was originally white and metal. I said the other red tubed scopes Edmund sold, which replaced their white tubed scopes on metal mounts, looked like plastic, foreign made toys.
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The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 5258
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Quote:
I would agree with some of the williams optics scopes are amazing I think the red 80mm florite they made is a canadate for a classic.
Right on. One of my personal faves. Shame they didn't keep doin' 'em.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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matthew2000tx
sage
Reged: 12/14/06
Posts: 339
Loc: San Antonio, TX
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I think the etx90, Lightbridges and Solid tube dobsonians... the way we are seeing stutts and trusses coming out they (Solid Tubes) will soon be a thing of the past.
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<>< Matthew R.
My Astronomy Blog
*16" Meade Lightbridge
*10.1" f/4.5 Coulter Odyessy Dobsonian
*4.5" F/8 Dob. Built by Yours Truly
*3" Celestron First Scope Dob. IYA2009 edition.
*90mm Meade DSX Mak-Cass Go-To
*60mm Meade Refractor on Sears Discoverer EQ Mount
*60mm Tasco Refractor on Tasco EQ Mount
*12x50 Bushnell Binos
*10x50 Celestron Close-Up Binos x2
*20x80 Celestron Binos
*Canon 20D/40d/50d and bunch of L lenses
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Jeff Lee
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/17/06
Posts: 551
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Celestron C5....besides the NASA thing, just an amazing scope for its size.
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Jeff Lee
C90,C5,C8, 10 x 50's
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Fomalhaut
sage
Reged: 08/16/08
Posts: 398
Loc: Switzerland
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If Fluorite as a lens-material won't be re-introduced, then there is not the slightest doubt that all Takahashi Fluorites will (not so) slowly turn into (very!) Classic Telescopes, be it the FC-, FCT- or FS-line... And they will have the great advantage to stay very close to the utmost possible state of the art of optics forever...
Chris
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Currently:
Tak FS-60c
Tak FCT-100/640 on Tak EM-10
Tak Mewlon-180 exchangeable on same
IntesMicro-M500
Zeiss 7X42-T*P-Dialyt
Nikon 18x70 Binoculars with circular eyecups
Coronado Maxscope 40
Edited by Fomalhaut (11/18/08 02:17 AM)
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ukcanuck
Vendor (Skylight Telescopes)
Reged: 11/07/06
Posts: 753
Loc: London, UK
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The Meade RCX400.
Let me explain!
It was a optically excellent, ground-breaking telescope that didn't stay in production long, even if it is put into production again, it will be a different animal. While I acknowledge that it's heavy dependancy on computerization will mean that not everyone will be looking for one, I think that (over time), they will be evolved & modified by users & owners, and could well become sought after items in the future.
There is also of course, the potential 'harbinger of doom' element. Depending on what happens to Meade in the coming years, the RCX400 could also hold a place of real notoriety as the catalyst to whatever Meade's future holds.
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Fomalhaut
sage
Reged: 08/16/08
Posts: 398
Loc: Switzerland
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... and all of the Zeiss refractors, as for example:
Achromats such as the Telementor C 63/840
Semi-Apochromats: AS 80/840, AS 80/1200, AS 100/1000 and so on...
Full-Apochromats: APQ 100/640, APQ 100/1000, APQ 130/1000 and APQ 150/1200.
All of these have been and will be amongst the best in their respective class forever.
And none of them is being produced anymore...
Fomalhaut
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Currently:
Tak FS-60c
Tak FCT-100/640 on Tak EM-10
Tak Mewlon-180 exchangeable on same
IntesMicro-M500
Zeiss 7X42-T*P-Dialyt
Nikon 18x70 Binoculars with circular eyecups
Coronado Maxscope 40
Edited by Fomalhaut (11/18/08 05:26 AM)
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payner
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/22/07
Posts: 503
Loc: Bluegrass Region, Kentucky
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I just received my "new" Tak TSC-225 and think it is a classic. The optics and build quality are great. Another scope I hold in high regard for its optical performance is the Intes MK91. These are tanks and beautiful in their own right.
Randy
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Santel MK91 Deluxe Rumak
Takahashi TSC-225
Takahashi FS-128
Takahashi FS-152
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oldtimer
sage
Reged: 11/13/08
Posts: 354
Loc: NW Illinois
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Most certainly almost all AP's will be future classics. When Roland retires who knows he may sell the shop. If he does all the AP's from the 'Rolland' era will be more valuable.
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Patricko
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/30/07
Posts: 1825
Loc: SE New Mexico USA
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I'd have to add the TV Pronto. There were two different versions of this scope. I believe one had a 6.4 focal length and the newer had the 6.8 focal length.
Why? Well, it was made in the USA for one. I have one and can vouch for its optical quality. For two, it was a scope many lusted after for a travel grab n' go scope. It is a portable tank.
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Clear skies,
Patrick
Telescope:
Bincoulars:
- 10x50mm Simmons
- 11x56mm GOs
Eyepieces:
INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY ASSOCIATION
"You don't need equipment to view the night sky, just motivation." - Me, myself, and I
Edited by Patricko (12/18/08 01:56 PM)
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Arizona-Ken
sage
Reged: 08/31/08
Posts: 427
Loc: Scottsdale, Arizona
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I'll vote for the Orange Tube C8. I have one (from '81) and have enjoyed it over the years - and still enjoy it.
But the reason why it is a classic is that it is the icon for the explosion of Schmidt-Cass scopes that changed the hobby. Like the Ford Model T it certainly wasn't the best, most premium scope ever made, but it made astronomy accessible to thousands of people. It was upgraded with wide field diagonals, morphed into astrophoto telescopes, has zillions of accessories created for it, and is a recognizable icon for what a modern telescope is.
Short, light, compact, affordable, the same focal length then as today; a classic universal design.
Maybe its a classic now; I don't know. But maybe my confusion is because the design and implementation is still cutting edge today! It will stack up favorably against anything else in it's price range!
Arizona Ken
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"Considered as a collector of rare and precious things, the amateur astronomer has a great advantage over amateurs in other fields ... the amateur astronomer has access at all times to the original objects of his study; the masterworks of the heavens belong to him as much as to the great observatories of the world. And there is no privilege like that of being allowed to stand in the presence of the original."
--Robert Burnham Jr, Burnham's Celestial Handbook
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 5258
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Quote:
I'll vote for the Orange Tube C8. I have one (from '81) and have enjoyed it over the years - and still enjoy it.
Amen.
My definition of "classic" is that it has to have been produced in enough numbers and have been affordable enough for a few people to have experienced it, not just drooled over pix in Sky and 'Scope.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Posts: 4246
Loc: ohio
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Well Uncle rod what do you think of the U2K as a classic?, I own one , love the dern thing, but the controls and goto have been a bugaboo for me,lol.
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12 inch Truss Reflector "John"
102mm Celestron C102HD " Carl "
Tasco 7TE5 60mm Classic
Tasco 9TE5 60mm Classic
Celestron Ultima 2000 SCT "Wilma"
Celestron Comet catcher(orange tube)
1960 Edscorp Space Conquerer 6inch f/8
10x50 Bushnell Binoculars.
60mm Telescope Club
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 5258
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Quote:
Well Uncle rod what do you think of the U2K as a classic?, I own one , love the dern thing, but the controls and goto have been a bugaboo for me,lol.
I'm torn, badly torn about the U2K. On the one hand, it is a mavelous little scope, light, great optics, etc. OTOH...
I was compelled to put it in the bad bunch:
http://cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1897
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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Astrosetz
sage
Reged: 10/05/03
Posts: 362
Loc: Wisconsin
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I think the Televue Ranger will end up being a classic. It is a little bit of an odd duck compared to the other, equally-excellent TV scopes past and present, and people tend to remember quirkiness and long for it years later -- especially if it was part of a successful design.
Ditto for the Coronado PST.
The ETX90RA as the "revolutionary" Questar for the masses also makes it a classic in my book -- remember when you had a waiting period and pre-orders for those things?
I also think the C5 will become a classic, especially the C5+ version but also maybe the original Nexstar 5.
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-Astrosetz
www.astrosetz.com
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 5258
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Quote:
Ditto for the Coronado PST.
The ETX90RA as the "revolutionary" Questar for the masses also makes it a classic in my book -- remember when you had a waiting period and pre-orders for those things?
I also think the C5 will become a classic, especially the C5+ version but also maybe the original Nexstar 5.
The C5 is ALREADY a "classic"...
As for the Ranger...I dunno...with the modern proliferation of inexpensive ED scopes with better color correction, I dunno...
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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Colonel Bogey
sage
Reged: 01/27/07
Posts: 291
Loc: Sweden
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I would guess the Pentax refractors will retain their value and quite probably become sought after "classics". Excellent optics and quite expensive new - not so many of them outside of Japan. Rumor has it the will soon be discontinued, hope that's not true, can't afford a 125 SDP quite yet 
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Observatory: Paramount ME/C-14/TCF-S/FW8-STL BVRI/STL-1001E + TV85/STL guider
Portable: Giro Gr-III/TEC140/Pentax XW's/ZAO II's
Solar: LS60THa
Binocs: Fujinon 16x70
Grab&go: Manfrotto tripod/FS60C
SW: Mira Pro, IRAF, MaximDL, CCDSoft, TheSky6, VisualSpec etc etc
S.C.R.A.P - Stocksund Centre of Rooftop AstroPhysics
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gravityslens
sage
Reged: 02/18/07
Posts: 316
Loc: Orange County, CA
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Celestron Ultima 8 PEC. Already a classic in my book.
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Steven
_________________________________
Photographer/Astronomer/Gadgeteer
Celestron Ultima 8 PEC
Canon 20D
My Gallery
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