Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums
Privacy Policy |
Please read our Terms
of Service | Signup and
Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User
JadeSmith
member
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 28
Loc: Alexandria, VA
|
|
I know there differing opinions out there, but I'm looking for a used Celestron 8" SCT OTA and I know they have changed over the last 30 years. Was there a "glory time" when they made the best optics/best coatings/best craftsmanship? Opinions welcomed.
Thanks!
--------------------
Celestron Nexstar 8 OTA
Celestron C102-HD
Celestron CG5-GT
Minolta 8x40
Meade 9x63
|
Eddgie
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/01/06
Posts: 1495
|
|
For the C8 specifically, I think that the 90s were a good time.
I believe that the late 80s caused a dip in quality becuase of Comet Mania, and I think that the last 4 or 5 years were maybe under pressure to meet demand (and when Manufacturing is under pressure, it is difficult to keep quality very high).
But this is my opinion only, and it is more generic that to the C8 specifically.
Have you seen this link??? Of course we don't know the ages, but you can see that quality does vary from sample to sample quite a bit...
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.astro-foren.de%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D8977&lp=de_en&btnTrUrl=Translate
--------------------
Celestron C14, CGE (Big Al)
Astro-Physics 6" f/8 (Buffy)
Televue 101 (No name, but I call it my Widescreen HD Space TV)
The night sky is my mistress. She seduces me away from all other lovers.
|
Granger
member
Reged: 03/25/07
Posts: 19
Loc: SE Missouri
|
|
I think the current C8 with the XLT coatings are the best. A little brighter than the older ones.
That being said, it really comes down to the individual scope. Sometimes one just gets lucky with the manufacturing tolerances and it comes out very accurate.
|
Midnight Dan
sage
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 343
Loc: Brockport, NY
|
|
Keep in mind that any front-surface mirror such as in an SCT or reflector will degrade with time. The aluminum coating will oxidize on both the primary and secondary mirrors. Its a slow process, but given 10 or 15 years, it's a noticeable difference. So based on this, I'd say that the current releases are potentially the best especially with the newest anti-reflective coatings.
The coatings are not something to be taken lightly. I read a study done by Dr. Clay of ArkSky regarding the latest coatings on the Meade SCTs and he concluded that their claims of 20% improved light transmission were accurate! That was Meade, not Celestron, but one might assume that the latest Celestron coatings achieve similar improvements over older ones.
-Dan
--------------------
Celestron NexStar 8
Telrad
Celestron 40mm and 25mm eyepieces
Baader Hyperion 13mm, 8mm, 5mm eyepieces
2x Barlow
Meade 0.63x Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
|
w orchid
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 570
Loc: Tampa, Fl
|
|
I sure love my classic C8. At every star party that I bring it to, I will get at least one person to say " I had one of these, never should of sold it". Now granted todays coating are superior as is the goto features via the mount but 25 years from today will any of these instruments be around?
--------------------
Celestron C8 orange tube circa 1982
Stellarvue SV102ED
|
rmollise
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 1197
|
|
Quote:
I know there differing opinions out there, but I'm looking for a used Celestron 8" SCT OTA and I know they have changed over the last 30 years. Was there a "glory time" when they made the best optics/best coatings/best craftsmanship? Opinions welcomed.
Thanks!
The best? That's impossible to answer except in generalities. The worst is easy; as has already been mentioned, "Halleyscopes."
I love my 1994 Ultima 8 OTA, but I've little doubt the average new XLT coated one is better.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Watch for Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using the New CATs--coming soon!
|
Stelios
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/04/03
Posts: 1351
Loc: West Hills, CA
|
|
I had a wonderful 1981 vintage C-8.
OTOH, I don't think it would compare with current day ones for light-gathering power. The coatings they had then (not to consider degradation over time) were not comparable.
IMO, for a keeper scope like a C-8, buy new. If you can't afford to buy new, then inspect the actual scope, as with older ones there's a ton of variability--not necessarily in how they were produced, but what's happened to them since.
--------------------
APM/TMB 115/805 APO
9.25S - GT
Naglers: 17T4, 13T6, 3-6 zoom
UWANs: 28mm, 7mm
Pentax 10XW, 10mm Radian (shootout coming!!!)
Misc EP: 50mm Parks, 42mm GSO, 2x TV Barlow
|
islandsteve11
super member
Reged: 01/08/07
Posts: 104
Loc: Lake Ontario Northern NY
|
|
I can only speak for the brand new C8 w/XLT coatings that I recently purchased and the factory quality control was "less than impressive".
The instant I took off the dust cover, I noticed a 1/2 inch wide 2-tone discoloration on half of the outside perimeter of the corrector lens. It took numerous attempts and 55 minutes on hold to reach a live customer service rep who then asked me to send photos of the corrector lens. After Celestron ignored multiple emails just to confirm receipt of the photos I sent, I finally called my retailer. Celestron emailed a RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) about 48 hours later.
This Friday will mark a full 2 weeks since they emailed confirmation that they received the OTA (shipped UPS with insurance)and still wrapped in the factory tissue paper since it had never seen first light. They're still ignoring my email requests for information on when I can expect them to ship a replacement.
Celestron must be selling a BOATLOAD of scopes since they seem UNnconcerned that I stated that if they don't respond soon, they can just ship the OTA back to the retailer and I'll just purchase a different scope and NEVER buy another Celestron product again.
If you've read any of my other posts, you'll notice that I'm usually more upbeat and supportive, but Celestron has lost me as a customer.
--------------------
Fledgling SRF (Self-promoted from "nobb" with order of second ED refractor)
Celestron C8S-CG5 ASGT(returned, looking for a ~4" APO)
Astro Tech 80ED on M1 w/heavy surveyor's tripod
Orion EON 72ED (on the way)
Astro Tech 1.25" & 2" dielectric diagonals
Sony Alpha 100 DSLR (+ 2 film SLRs)
WO 8X42 APO binoculars
Astronomy Technology Today subscription
Complaints are an opportunity to identify problems and make improvements. (Source : Business School - I NEED to find the author's name!)
|
rmollise
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 1197
|
|
Quote:
Celestron must be selling a BOATLOAD of scopes since they seem UNnconcerned that I stated that if they don't respond soon, they can just ship the OTA back to the retailer and I'll just purchase a different scope and NEVER buy another Celestron product again.
If you've read any of my other posts, you'll notice that I'm usually more upbeat and supportive, but Celestron has lost me as a customer.
Call 'em on the phone. Forget the email business. For whatever reason, it takes 'em a long time to answer it. That's not excusin' 'em...that's just the way it is. Frankly, for out of the box scopes, I suggest _immediate_ return to the dealer for replacement without even involving Celestron or whomever. That is just ol' curmudgeon me, howsomeever.
--------------------
Uncle Rod
Watch for Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using the New CATs--coming soon!
|
w orchid
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 570
Loc: Tampa, Fl
|
|
I agree with Rod, return to the dealer and let them deal with the manufacture.
--------------------
Celestron C8 orange tube circa 1982
Stellarvue SV102ED
|
islandsteve11
super member
Reged: 01/08/07
Posts: 104
Loc: Lake Ontario Northern NY
|
|
I immediately called my retailer and THEY told me to call Celestron. I tried calling several times and waited on hold for over 25 minutes each time before finally reaching a rep after 55 minutes. I help run a demanding seasonal family business (top rated RV Resort & Marina in northern NY) and any scope manufacturer that requires that sort of time commitment just to handle a defective product is one I simply cannot afford to patronize. Although for my personal use, I planned on using it during our weekend mini star parties for our customers. Although it's taken a LOT of restraint, even the CG5 ASGT has yet to go outdoors with my AT80ED on it. Sorry, but Celestron has shot themselves in the foot.
Next time, if there is a next time, I will insist that Astronomics handle any product defects for me, but it will not be a Celestron product if I can work out a 100% refund or store credit on the C8S-ASGT.
I apologize for hijacking this post and intend no further comment on the matter.
--------------------
Fledgling SRF (Self-promoted from "nobb" with order of second ED refractor)
Celestron C8S-CG5 ASGT(returned, looking for a ~4" APO)
Astro Tech 80ED on M1 w/heavy surveyor's tripod
Orion EON 72ED (on the way)
Astro Tech 1.25" & 2" dielectric diagonals
Sony Alpha 100 DSLR (+ 2 film SLRs)
WO 8X42 APO binoculars
Astronomy Technology Today subscription
Complaints are an opportunity to identify problems and make improvements. (Source : Business School - I NEED to find the author's name!)
|
|
8 registered and 4 anonymous users are browsing this forum.
Moderator: Jason B
Print Thread
|
Forum Permissions
You cannot start new topics
You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled
UBBCode is enabled
|
Thread views: 530
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
