BianchiAZ
member
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 92
Loc: Fraser, Michigan
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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
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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
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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
sage
Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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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: 429
Loc: Clinton, TN
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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
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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
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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
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Orion 8" SkyQuest Dobsonian W/Telrad
Celestron Nexstar 114GT Reflector
Tasco 11T Reflector D4.5 FL900mm w/EQ2 mount
Jason Disoverer 454 #313 60mm/900mm Refractor
Tasco 9F 60mm/910mm Refractor
St.Clair Shores Michigan
Oscoda, Michigan
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armchairal
sage
Reged: 01/05/08
Posts: 364
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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.
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Al
12"er some EPs and filters
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akman1955
sage
Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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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: 566
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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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
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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
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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
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Orion 8" SkyQuest Dobsonian W/Telrad
Celestron Nexstar 114GT Reflector
Tasco 11T Reflector D4.5 FL900mm w/EQ2 mount
Jason Disoverer 454 #313 60mm/900mm Refractor
Tasco 9F 60mm/910mm Refractor
St.Clair Shores Michigan
Oscoda, Michigan
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akman1955
sage
Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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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: 566
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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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
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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: 429
Loc: Clinton, TN
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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: 566
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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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
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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.
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"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: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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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: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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 Hi, what does the SLR stand for on my 313 jason 
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aa5te
Genial Procrastinator
Reged: 08/30/08
Posts: 429
Loc: Clinton, TN
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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
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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: 566
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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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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akman1955
sage
Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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 yes but the one i bought and haven't got yet shows clearly mint in box with seperate finder on bracket. with slr is on lable on outside of box so it doesn't have flip finder. when i get it i'll investigate further, john
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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 566
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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Quite interesting, John.
Well, below is a link to the Jason 313's instruction manual. On the last two pages of this PDF document, it explains the workings and collimation of the SLR Finder. If your scope has the bracketed stand-alone type finder, I do not understand why the designation is labeled on the box. 
Click here: => Jason 313 Instruction Manual
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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armchairal
sage
Reged: 01/05/08
Posts: 364
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Quote:
Quite interesting, John.
Well, below is a link to the Jason 313's instruction manual. On the last two pages of this PDF document, it explains the workings and collimation of the SLR Finder. If your scope has the bracketed stand-alone type finder, I do not understand why the designation is labeled on the box.
Click here: => Jason 313 Instruction Manual
Mel
Mel I tried your link and not getting anything,, maybe just my comp,
Al
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Al
12"er some EPs and filters
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dawsonian2000
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/26/06
Posts: 566
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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Hi Al,
You probably don't have a PDF reader installed. You can download and install AcroReader from this link => AcroReader Download Site . If you do not want the McAfee software, just uncheck it. Once AcroReader is installed, you can click on the previous link again and it should open.
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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aa5te
Genial Procrastinator
Reged: 08/30/08
Posts: 429
Loc: Clinton, TN
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After some more testing, I'm pretty sure my Jason 60mm beats my Sears 80mm - both in FOV and image clarity. The Jason TFOV is 1.25°; the Sears measures in at 0.97°. The Pleiades, the Double Cluster, and Jupiter all looked a little better/sharper in the Jason scope, and the Ring Nebula was just as bright in the Jason. I split Epsilon Lyrae in both, and I was a little better with the split in the Jason scope. The Jason also seems to "snap" to focus better on most objects. Not bad at all...
--------------------
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: 566
Loc: Riverview, FL, USA
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Congratulations aa5te! 
I always looked forward to other amateurs conveying the true attributes of the underrated Jason 313, and you are now a proponent to that belief. But, I am quite surprised it whipped up on the Sears 80mm a bit! What eyepieces did you use?
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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aa5te
Genial Procrastinator
Reged: 08/30/08
Posts: 429
Loc: Clinton, TN
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I used the same 0.965" to 1.25" diagonal adapter with these eyepieces/barlow:
Zhumell 32mm Plossl
Zhumell 8-24mm zoom
Meade 9.7mm Super Plossl
Zhumell 2x barlow
and I also used the Circle K 0.965" 7.5-22.5mm zoom
What really surprised me is that M57 in the Jason seemed every bit as bright as it did in the Sears (60mm vs. 80mm).
One negative though - the SLR finder on the Jason is dimmer and harder to use that the attached finder on the Sears (it is aligned, though).
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akman1955
sage
Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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Quote:
yes but the one i bought and haven't got yet shows clearly mint in box with seperate finder on bracket. with slr is on lable on outside of box so it doesn't have flip finder. when i get it i'll investigate further, john
 I recieved the scope in allmost mint condition and could have swore the pictures on ebay listing showed telescope with seperate finder. The one I got is exactly like you said a SLR should be. With the flip focuser...nice scope and mount with all accesary's. Sorry for confusion but seller must have posted wrong pictures then changed them later i guess. thanks,john 
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BianchiAZ
member
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 92
Loc: Fraser, Michigan
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Hello again. Well I finally have my new camera and I took some pics this morning of my Jason telescope.
Right after i purchased the Jason it was cloudy almost every night for a few weeks. I was able to do some viewing with it recently though and I must say I like the telescope very much.
First light was very good. I observed the Moon, Jupiter, Pleiades, Cassiopeia areas on interest, and Orion. The telescope performed very well. Stars are very crisp points of light going to the edge of the field of view. I thought the stock eyepieces performed very good. The moon looked great as I could see peaks of mountains while taking advantage of the waning cycle. Looking into the craters depths was not a problem either on the edge of the shadows. I was surprised that I had pretty good seeing at 227 magnification. Though the image was washed washed over a bit I could still make out what I was looking at with definite detail of craters and peaks at the edge of the terminator. The mount was a little nervous at this magnification but I was smiling the whole time.
Jupiter looked very crisp and viewing the planets detail was not a problem. I was not able to make out the great red spot though.
Well here are some pictures of my scope that has been in a box since 1982.
Original Paperwork !
--------------------------------------------------------
The Telescope ...
And that's it....
Edited by BianchiAZ (11/22/09 02:13 PM)
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aa5te
Genial Procrastinator
Reged: 08/30/08
Posts: 429
Loc: Clinton, TN
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Wow man, that scope is in excellent shape. Thanks for those pics. I really like my 313 a lot.
--------------------
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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akman1955
sage
Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 366
Loc: Alaska, USA
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Nice scope! just like mine. i'll have too check mark on label too see if circle T. Haven't had chance too use yet as been too cold out.  Thanks for report on how it works. glad your happy with it john
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