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The Comprehensive List of Japanese Symbols

Started by Steve_M_M , Jun 26 2010 10:23 PM

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414 replies to this topic

#1 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

topic starter

Posts: 3,644
Joined: 09 Jun 2004
Loc: Leander, TX

Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:23 PM

Just for fun I decided to go through and gather up some information on Japanese symbols so it is all in one place. We have had various discussions on symbols and tags, but I could not find one that was all inclusive. Some of this goes all the way back to the start of the Classic Forum on CN. You are all probably in possession of better pictures on some of these, so please add them to update the post. Also, as you can see, some of these are still not classified by me. I could have easily missed a post or two, so if you know what Circle M (maybe Mizar) is for example, please let us know.

It is going to take me an hour or so to get all these posted, and I am going to do them somewhat alphabetically. I will post a few distributors symbols and we can add more if you all like.

Let’s get started…

Here is Circle A-Astro Optical

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#2 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:24 PM

More Astro Optical Symbols

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#3 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:25 PM

I will get to the Royals later....

APL-Apollo Labs or Apollo Business and Industry-Mostly on Bushnell and Mayflower brands, Did show up on a Jason Saturn.

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#4 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:27 PM

AvA-Takahashi...the unknown quiet Tak

Mostly on Swift brands.

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#5 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:28 PM

I saw a circle B once. I think it was Pentax. Anyone have a picture?

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#6 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:29 PM

C.O.C Carton Optical

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#7 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:31 PM

Diamond BOL-Mostly on Bushnell There has been much discussion about this one, but I could find no clear authority on the manufacturer.

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#8 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:33 PM

Ok, so I am a bit out of order

Upside down Y-Eikow. Seem to be all over. I have seen Eikow on many brands both well known and not.

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#9 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:34 PM

Another Eikow for fun.

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#10 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:38 PM

Circle K-This one I have a lot of trouble with. Before CN, I had a circle K telescope that had a manual with it, for the telescope, that was Vixen. Vixen was Koyu before Vixen. I believe those Vixen employees came from another optical house, just can't remember which one. Then came a bunch of peopple insisting Circle K was Pentax. Now, Circle K is Kenko. But KOL, King Optical, is also Circle K. So, make up your own mind. Here are some circle K's.

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#11 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:39 PM

Circle K on OKKK scope

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#12 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:42 PM

Circle K on King and link to King, KOL, on Hiroki's site.

King Manual

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#13 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:43 PM

One more Circle K

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#14 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:44 PM

Circle M-No clear decision on manufacturer. Is it Mizar? Seems to be mostly on eyepieces and mostly Celestron.

Edit: Confirmation from Japan friends is that Circle M is Mizar.

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#15 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:46 PM

Oh Shoot, I forgot Clint's favorite. H.O.C. Hino Optical.

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#16 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:48 PM

Royal Astro...you guys all know these. Seemingly the most coveted and also seem to be on most brands. Looks like TOWA took them out as the brands with Royal transitioned to TOWA.

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#17 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:49 PM

More Royal-with SPI, Southern Precision Instruments

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#18 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:51 PM

Royal with Lafayette-Top of the line Lafayette is the Arcturus, if you see one, buy it. Gigantic awesome scope.

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#19 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:51 PM

And the Tasco Royal prior to changing to TOWA

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#20 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 10:54 PM

Next up is TOWA. I think we have all seen TOWA, circle T. It's everywhere.

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#21 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 26 June 2010 - 11:00 PM

This next one is one of my favorites. SYW, Yamamoto. You know, I think this is where the Vixen employees went to.

These are on a lot of Mayflowers and many other brands. There must have been some stiff competition, or collaboration, between Yamamoto and Royal. You see a lot of scopes with the same brand as SYW or Royal, seemingly during the same time period.

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#22 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Loc: Leander, TX

Posted 26 June 2010 - 11:02 PM

One of my Mayflowers...

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#23 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Joined: 09 Jun 2004
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Posted 26 June 2010 - 11:05 PM

Circle V-Vixen. The crazy part is determine the reason or dating for Circle V vs Double Circle V vs No Circle V vs Whatever Circle V. That is for another discussion that I believe Bill Rose has covered.