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BianchiAZ
member


Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 92
Loc: Fraser, Michigan
Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313
      #3394525 - 10/17/09 12:28 PM

I came across this telescope . I talked with the seller and he says it is in "mint" condition. It is from the early 80's.
Original Box, All accessories (adjustable tripod, rack-and-pinion micro-focusing, Barlow Lens, Star Diagonal Prism, Image Erecting Prism (for terrestrial viewing), Accessory Shelf with Illuminator, Sun Projection Screen, Sun Filter, Moon Filter)

He is asking 150.00. Is this scope worth that price considering it is like new with all the original documentation?

I am in the process of buying another new scope but came across this one. I figured I will grab it if it is worth it.

So what do you guys and gals think? This would be my first refractor.

Regards,
Rick

Thanks for reading. scope


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BarabinoSr
sage
*****

Reged: 11/17/05
Posts: 318
Loc: Slidell La
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: BianchiAZ]
      #3394558 - 10/17/09 12:53 PM

Hi Rick! I have two of these instruments-one made by Towa and the other is a diamond z(a small emblem on the focuser).Mine both are excellent imagers and the views are clear and free of latent false color.However,I do suggest getting a couple of decent eyepieces to get the best results.The fiderscopes on these are different The Diamond Z has the flip finder while the earlier Towa version has the 6X30mm finder.Seems that the one you are looking at has been very well cared for and could be a TOWA product and see if he would take less for it .I have no problems with mine.Good luck!G

--------------------
12"GSO f/5.3" Newtonian Reflector 10" Meade LX-50 Fork Mounted Schmidt-Cassegrain
8" Hardin f/6 Newtonian reflector
6" Konus f/8 Refractor,Yulin 5"f/9 refractor,
4.5"TASCO Luminova f/9 Newtonian Reflector 4.5"TASCO 11TR(Lunagrosso) Red reflector
90mm Meade f/11 refractor,Tasco 10TE 76mm 1200mm f/l Refractor
60mm TASCO 7TE-5 1000mm f/16.7 Refractor 60mm TASCO 9TE 700mm f/l refractor
60mm TASCO 9TE-0 710mm f/l Refractor 50mm-TASCO 6TE-5 600mm f/l Refractor

Edited by BarabinoSr (10/18/09 11:03 AM)


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akman1955
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Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 363
Loc: Alaska, USA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: BianchiAZ]
      #3394582 - 10/17/09 01:06 PM

Hi rick, I just won on ebay this same scope for 49.00 plus 30.00 shipping. older box but same thing in mint shape. Haven't recieved it yet. I think price is alright but ask if he would take less.have fun, John

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aa5te
Genial Procrastinator
*****

Reged: 08/30/08
Posts: 428
Loc: Clinton, TN
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: BianchiAZ]
      #3394585 - 10/17/09 01:08 PM

I paid $40 for mine off of Craigslist locally - it didn't have the box, one of the eyepieces, and the tray light was broken, but it was worth it. Mine's a Circle T (Towa) and has the flip/reflex finder built in (Circle T marked on the almost completely worn off label). It's an excellent performer, maybe more so than my Sears 80mm:
My 313 compared to a junk department store scope

--------------------
Shane
Binos: Apogee 25x100 / Burgess Optical 25x100 / Pentax 20x60 PCF WP / Tasco InFocus 10x50
Tripods: Sunpak PlatinumPlus Ultra 7500TM / Quickset Samson
Refractors: Meade DS-2102AT-TC 102mm f/7.8; Sears Discoverer 3 (4454) 80mm f/15; Jason 313 Discoverer 60mm f/15.2
Reflectors (Dob): Hardin Optical DSH10 10" f/5
EP's: Zoom: Zhumell 8-24mm & Circle K 7.5-22.5mm 0.965"; 9-52mm Plössls; Zhumell 2x barlow
Kodak Z760; Orion SteadyPix camera mount; Orion LaserMate Deluxe Collimator


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BianchiAZ
member


Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 92
Loc: Fraser, Michigan
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: aa5te]
      #3394697 - 10/17/09 02:17 PM

Thanks for the replies.
Well I found out a bit more. This scope was bought for his daughter in the very early 80's. It is a "Circle T" Towa.
The daughter never used it and it has been sitting in the box ever since. I offered him $100.00 and I'm picking it up tomorrow. I will do a final inspection tomorrow of the glass.

Thanks again for the input.

The road up to $ Refractorville $ has been opened...

Rick

--------------------
Orion 8" SkyQuest Dobsonian W/Telrad
Celestron Nexstar 114GT Reflector
Vintage Tasco 11T Reflector D4.5 FL900mm w/EQ2 mount.
Meade 10x50 Binos

St.Clair Shores Michigan


Oscoda, Michigan



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armchairal
sage
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Reged: 01/05/08
Posts: 364
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: BianchiAZ]
      #3394846 - 10/17/09 03:54 PM

Mine is the circle T, Originally bought in 1977. I think you will do good on the $100.00 price. I paid a little more for mine shipping included. But it was near perfect and complete, but no manual.

--------------------
Al
12"er some EPs and filters


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akman1955
sage
*****

Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 363
Loc: Alaska, USA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: BianchiAZ]
      #3394863 - 10/17/09 04:23 PM

Quote:



The road up to $ Refractorville $ has been opened...

Rick


Good deal rick but have we created another monster looking forward too pictures as you will probably get yours before I get mine. You did good John

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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 563
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: BianchiAZ]
      #3395990 - 10/18/09 11:10 AM

Hi Rick,

You just nabbed a great instrument. At $100.00, and the condition it is in, I think you got a fair price. I have one I purchase for $56.00 (cost+shipping) on eBay. It performs quite well. I put it up against a Tasco 7te-5 and the difference was marginal. I love it!

Mel

--------------------
Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor

http://www.vega-sky-center.com


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BianchiAZ
member


Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 92
Loc: Fraser, Michigan
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: dawsonian2000]
      #3397225 - 10/18/09 11:06 PM

I picked up the scope today. It is immaculate. It literally looks like it has never been touched. All documentation is with it. Even the registration card to mail back for the scope. I ll post some pics when I get my camera back.

Funny thing... I went outside and was setting it up. As soon as I had the Polaris in the finder scope the clouds rolled in.
I swung it around to look at Jupiter real quick.... by the time I was on it I had about 1 minute of viewing and then cloud cover....

Rick

--------------------
Orion 8" SkyQuest Dobsonian W/Telrad
Celestron Nexstar 114GT Reflector
Vintage Tasco 11T Reflector D4.5 FL900mm w/EQ2 mount.
Meade 10x50 Binos

St.Clair Shores Michigan


Oscoda, Michigan



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akman1955
sage
*****

Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 363
Loc: Alaska, USA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: BianchiAZ]
      #3397737 - 10/19/09 10:38 AM

It's the new scope curse..happens all the time Glad you have it and looking forward too pictures

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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 563
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: BianchiAZ]
      #3397823 - 10/19/09 11:33 AM

Look forward to see your pictures, Rick! Here is a link to an observation I recorded and posted on my website using the Jason 313 while observing and imaging the moon with it in March of 2008. Gary Barabino was on the other end of the phone joining in from his location in Waggaamans, LA. A great session indeed!

Lunar Observation at the VSC-2

Mel

--------------------
Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor

http://www.vega-sky-center.com


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scopethis
professor emeritus


Reged: 05/30/08
Posts: 636
Loc: Kingman, Ks
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: dawsonian2000]
      #3399116 - 10/19/09 10:33 PM

I have the Jason 313; it gives beautiful wide field views of the heavens. Only item that came with it that I didn't trust was the solar filter; never used it. I always removed center of lens cap and mounted the solar screen.

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aa5te
Genial Procrastinator
*****

Reged: 08/30/08
Posts: 428
Loc: Clinton, TN
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: scopethis]
      #3401293 - 10/20/09 11:17 PM

I had mine out for a few minutes tonight. It provides sharper images of anything astronomical compared to my Pentax binoculars, which are supposed to be pretty sharp. I observed the Pleiades, M31, Jupiter, and the Double Cluster with it. Stars were pinpoints up to 114x (the highest I took it tonight). Jupiter's bands were clearly visible at 114x as well. This has the sharpest image of any item in my collection with the exception of my Sears 80mm, which may be a little below this Jason scope - I haven't had time or a good enough night yet to perform a side by side comparison of them yet. By the way, I measured the maximum TFOV at 1.25 degrees based on the angular separation between some stars in the Pleiades (provided by Starry Night Backyard) using a 32mm 1.25" eyepiece into a 0.965" adapter.

--------------------
Shane
Binos: Apogee 25x100 / Burgess Optical 25x100 / Pentax 20x60 PCF WP / Tasco InFocus 10x50
Tripods: Sunpak PlatinumPlus Ultra 7500TM / Quickset Samson
Refractors: Meade DS-2102AT-TC 102mm f/7.8; Sears Discoverer 3 (4454) 80mm f/15; Jason 313 Discoverer 60mm f/15.2
Reflectors (Dob): Hardin Optical DSH10 10" f/5
EP's: Zoom: Zhumell 8-24mm & Circle K 7.5-22.5mm 0.965"; 9-52mm Plössls; Zhumell 2x barlow
Kodak Z760; Orion SteadyPix camera mount; Orion LaserMate Deluxe Collimator


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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 563
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: scopethis]
      #3404066 - 10/22/09 12:04 PM

Way to go! Don't ever take chances like we did years ago. I now us a Baader Solar Screen on most of my scopes. I also have a Thousand Oaks full aperture filter for my 10" Newt.

Mel

--------------------
Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor

http://www.vega-sky-center.com


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tim53
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 12/17/04
Posts: 1454
Loc: Highland Park, CA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: akman1955]
      #3404124 - 10/22/09 12:50 PM

Quote:

It's the new scope curse..happens all the time Glad you have it and looking forward too pictures




I'm convinced...

Climate change isn't caused by carbon emissions, it's caused by us amateur astronomers!!

-Tim.

--------------------
"We`re just waiting looking skyward as the days come down.
Someone promised there`d be answers, if we stayed around."
-Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, "The Romance of the Telescope"


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akman1955
sage
*****

Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 363
Loc: Alaska, USA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: tim53]
      #3404158 - 10/22/09 01:14 PM

Thank God Tim, I thought maybe it was my old cars I have too transport my scopes in were the ploblem(1971 chevelle SS)
Quote:

Quote:

It's the new scope curse..happens all the time Glad you have it and looking forward too pictures




I'm convinced...

Climate change isn't caused by carbon emissions, it's caused by us amateur astronomers!!

-Tim.




Edited by akman1955 (10/22/09 01:16 PM)


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akman1955
sage
*****

Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 363
Loc: Alaska, USA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: dawsonian2000]
      #3407046 - 10/23/09 08:40 PM

Hi, what does the SLR stand for on my 313 jason

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aa5te
Genial Procrastinator
*****

Reged: 08/30/08
Posts: 428
Loc: Clinton, TN
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: akman1955]
      #3407070 - 10/23/09 08:58 PM

Super lensed refractor!

Ok, seriously, I'm pretty sure it stands for single lens reflex, which describes the finder mechanism.

--------------------
Shane
Binos: Apogee 25x100 / Burgess Optical 25x100 / Pentax 20x60 PCF WP / Tasco InFocus 10x50
Tripods: Sunpak PlatinumPlus Ultra 7500TM / Quickset Samson
Refractors: Meade DS-2102AT-TC 102mm f/7.8; Sears Discoverer 3 (4454) 80mm f/15; Jason 313 Discoverer 60mm f/15.2
Reflectors (Dob): Hardin Optical DSH10 10" f/5
EP's: Zoom: Zhumell 8-24mm & Circle K 7.5-22.5mm 0.965"; 9-52mm Plössls; Zhumell 2x barlow
Kodak Z760; Orion SteadyPix camera mount; Orion LaserMate Deluxe Collimator


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desertrefugee
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 08/06/07
Posts: 1215
Loc: Arizona
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: BianchiAZ]
      #3407318 - 10/23/09 11:25 PM

Rick, I have the same scope labeled directly by Towa (Circle T). It is one of the best small refractors I've used. Last summer, it won my 60mm shootout ( Quick-n-Dirty Shootout )

I've since acquired at least one 60mm refractor that tops it, but it still is among the best I've used. The "Sky Radar" finder is also great once you get used to it. It never needs alignment!

Enjoy - and post pictures!

--------------------
"Illimitable ocean, without bound, Without dimension, where length, breadth, and height, And time, and place are lost." - Milton

-Darrell

Reflectors - 76 to 305mm (f4.7 to f9.2)
Refractors - 50 to 120mm (f5 to f16.7)
Binoculars - 6x15 to 22x100

N. Phoenix, AZ



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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 563
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
Re: Jason Discoverer 454 Model 313 new [Re: akman1955]
      #3407549 - 10/24/09 01:40 AM

akman1955,

I concur with aa5te. It means "Single Lens Reflex", which is the design of the finder. It utilizes the main telescope objective (once the flip mechanism moves a small prism into its path) to capture light from your target object and sends it to the finder's ocular. I recall being a bit apprehensive about this design configuration, but once I actually used it, I was quite impressed!

Mel

--------------------
Clear Skies, Forever!
The Vega Sky Center
10" (254mm) F/5.65 Home Built Fork Mounted Newtonian Reflector
5" (127mm) F/9.4 Home Built Refractor (under construction)
3.5" (90mm) F/11.1 "Vixen-Spec Modified" Konus Refractor
3.1" (80mm) F/6 Scopos ED APO Refractor
4.5" (114mm) F/8 Tasco 11te-5 Newtonian (under restoration)
2.4" (60mm) F/16.7 Tasco 7te-5 Refractor
2.4" (60mm) F/15 Jason Discoverer 313 Refractor

http://www.vega-sky-center.com


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