Jae
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/13/06
Posts: 536
Loc: near Boston
|
|
Quote:
I just now "won" one in Florida. Couldn't have been farther away and still conus!
other Keith
Keith,
Excellent ! Would love to hear what your thoughts are on it. I know I have really positive memories of the performance of my RV-6. It wasn't until I got a C8 that I fully appreciated how good the RV-6 was. I got my RV-6 after working a whole summer as a teen. 15 years later, I got a C8 - portable, powerful, great ads with Spock, Johnny Carson, etc.
My Super C8 Plus was excellent, as I was watching Saturn one hot, humid summer night, I thought the image couldn't be better. It was near perfect seeing conditions and to confirm how good a decision it was to buy the C8 I dragged the old RV-6 out. I couldn't believe it, my SCT was well collimated, etc but the RV-6 had a bit more contrast and a more pleasing image. The Cassini was vivid, crepe more clear, banding was more vivid. This was almost 25 yrs ago. Then 10 or more years later, during apomania, I sold the RV-6 ota and mount separately. A couple years ago, found my old ota for sale, so I bought it back from the guy. It needs new coatings, etc. so that's a project that I look forward to and compare it to another great C8 I have to see if it still holds. I've been told that a great C8 will hold it's own against an RV-6.
But the RV-6 legend continues.....
Jae
--------------------
Jae
|
wfj
sage
Reged: 01/10/08
Posts: 244
Loc: California, Santa Cruz County
|
|
Quote:
Hi Darrel,
I owned a 4" Dynascope for over 20 years. I finally gave it to a neighborhood kid when I realized I had stopped usig it. I still wonder if he made good use of it.
Depends on how you gave it to him. If it was just parking it with him - probably not.
Everytime I've had kids who really want to see things, then learn how to find things, then want to learn how to see things better ... when I give them a scope, they've made good use of it. Just checked - some still going strong after 8 years - one even got an accolade for the classic she'd received, kept, and used well.
Well worth the time and the scope. Take the time and care.
|
strdst
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/23/08
Posts: 818
Loc: Oregon USA
|
|
And yet another question... This new to me scope of unknown vintage comes with one 18mm eyepiece. It is a Bausch and Lomb. Would that imply that the vintage is early 1980's or whenever B&L bought out Criterion? Should I be concerned as it relates to quality, or were these scopes consistantly good throughout their production years? My personal preference is for older scopes from the 40's, 50's, and 60's, because just like their human counterparts of that vintage, THEY ROCK! 
other Keith
|
teast
sage
Reged: 11/10/07
Posts: 497
Loc: Kentucky
|
|
I wouldn't make any judgements until your RV-6 arrives. I, too, wanted one from at least pre-1975 but mine is probably 1979-80 vintage and performs like a champ. My eyepieces are labeled CRITERION, not BAUSCH & LOMB.
Also, keep in mind that some of the RV-6 owners moved up to the cat line so the eyepieces could easily have been swapped between the two since I'm pretty sure they differed only in the labeling. I think you'll be happy with the optical quality. It's rare to find a poor RV-6 mirror.
-Tom
|
strdst
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/23/08
Posts: 818
Loc: Oregon USA
|
|
Quote:
And yet another question... This new to me scope of unknown vintage comes with one 18mm eyepiece. It is a Bausch and Lomb. Would that imply that the vintage is early 1980's or whenever B&L bought out Criterion? Should I be concerned as it relates to quality, or were these scopes consistantly good throughout their production years? My personal preference is for older scopes from the 40's, 50's, and 60's, because just like their human counterparts of that vintage, THEY ROCK!
other Keith
So the eBAY seller has been so kind as to delay shipping while I thought I could perhaps let his scope go to a neighbor of his, (fellow CNer), (and save him the packaging hassle). In the meantime I had a great deal brewing in Wash. D.C. for what appeared to be an older scope with all the fixin's. That deal appears to have fallen apart with a cross-generational breakdown (father/son) not me, not mine! I gave the eBAY seller the go ahead to pack it. This he's done with a lot of trauma and riding of the learning curve.I think he probably has done a terrific job. He's ready to ship, gets it priced, and realized it will cost double what he had thought it would and what I had paid for. I'm not sure why I'm writing this. Perhaps I need a boost. If the vintage, (even though I have been assured by many shouldn't affect quality) were verified to be older I probably wouldn't be hesitating. So here are my options as I see them.
Call the deal off. He offered that because of the extra $90 shipping cost.
Have it shipped...$150 scope and $180 shipping. Hope it is a good specimen. OW.
If I call it off I'm actually going to make him keep $45 (1/2 of the shipping money for his efforts so far in packing)
I'm leaning toward just doing it because I know this extra cost took him by surprise and he's already been tortured enough learning about all the different size bubble wrap and where to find packing peanuts at 2 in the morning. I believe him to be a stand up guy. I'm not asking what you think he should do, but rather what should I do?
OK, I just need two of you to say DO IT! and I paypal him the extra. Just two. Sheesh, I never thought coming over to the dark side (reflectors) would be so difficult!
other Keith
|
Bonco
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/17/06
Posts: 2270
Loc: Florida
|
|
A RV6 unseen for $150 plus $180 = $330? I don't think so. Why? Because these scopes come up for sale frequently and you probably can do better if you wait. Personally I think the scope if in great condition is worth $330 but the market prices are typically much lower than that. Good luck in any case.
Bill
--------------------
RV6
Meade 2045
6 inch f/4 RFT R. Fagin Optics
TV Genesis
2.4 inch Lafayette Equitorial
3 inch Polarex/Unitron Equitorial
10 inch Zhumell
PST 40mm Solar scope
4 inch F/15 Antares
2.4 inch Unitron Equitorial
Tasco 10K 80mm/1200mm
|
albert1
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/01/07
Posts: 1351
Loc: Northern New Jersey
|
|
I agree with Bill.
--------------------
Albert
1 Great 'ole Newt
4 Good 'ole Newts
2 Great 'ole Cats
1 Lousy 'ole Newt
One of these days I'll try a Refractor bigger than my 90mm finderscope
|
strdst
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/23/08
Posts: 818
Loc: Oregon USA
|
|
Thank you Bill and Albert. I totally value your thoughts and advice. As is often (not always) the case I end up going the other way when given good counsel. I just sent off the additional shipping costs. It just seems like the right thing for me to do. Not smart, nor economical, nor frugal, nor preferred, nor... just right. Hey I just lost the squigglies!!! ... no... no they're still there! Oh well.
|
Bonco
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/17/06
Posts: 2270
Loc: Florida
|
|
Good luck... hope you get a pristine RV6 if so the price will reasonable.
Bill
--------------------
RV6
Meade 2045
6 inch f/4 RFT R. Fagin Optics
TV Genesis
2.4 inch Lafayette Equitorial
3 inch Polarex/Unitron Equitorial
10 inch Zhumell
PST 40mm Solar scope
4 inch F/15 Antares
2.4 inch Unitron Equitorial
Tasco 10K 80mm/1200mm
|
desertrefugee
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/06/07
Posts: 1188
Loc: Arizona
|
|
That's taking the situation by the horns, Keith. I won't repeat your own words to you, but you recently gave me some advice that truly applies here.
And you followed your own advice (so I don't have to repeat it)!
Congratulations - and I hope this scope gives you many pleasurable hours under the stars.
--------------------
"Illimitable ocean, without bound, Without dimension, where length, breadth, and height, And time, and place are lost." - Milton
-Darrell
Reflectors - 76 to 254mm (f4.9 to f9.2)
Refractors - 50 to 120mm (f5 to f16.7)
Binoculars - 6x15 to 22x100
N. Phoenix, AZ
|
albert1
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/01/07
Posts: 1351
Loc: Northern New Jersey
|
|
That's right. Threethirty, shmethirty, whats the difference. Just don't pay the kids car insurance, boom, you got a free telescope  . It's a great classic scope and your gonna love it. Congradulations!
--------------------
Albert
1 Great 'ole Newt
4 Good 'ole Newts
2 Great 'ole Cats
1 Lousy 'ole Newt
One of these days I'll try a Refractor bigger than my 90mm finderscope
Edited by albert1 (07/19/09 06:15 AM)
|
Jae
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/13/06
Posts: 536
Loc: near Boston
|
|
Keith,
Glad you did it. I would have done the same thing. I can "feel" the right thing to do and I just do it.
Jae
--------------------
Jae
|
strdst
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/23/08
Posts: 818
Loc: Oregon USA
|
|
Quote:
That's right. Threethirty, shmethirty, whats the difference. Just don't pay the kids car insurance, boom, you got a free telescope . It's a great classic scope and your gonna love it. Congradulations!
I wouldn't have found this group of maniacs had I still had kids at home. Not only could I not afford admission, I would have had to compete with them for the dial-up connection. And without their empty bedrooms for storage... Now that you mention it Albert.. how am I gonna pay MY car insurance?
|
clintwhitman
Caveman
Reged: 01/01/07
Posts: 2404
Loc: ValVerde CA(SoEasyaCavemanCanD...
|
|
Hi Keith,
I wanted to say My CaveCritter as Lew Named it, Was a 1965 or so Cave 6" mount and OTA. I purchased it for $40 but it had no optics  I had an RV 6 Someone left outside in oxnard. The mount took the brunt of a few years of the beach. Rusted and busted!!! So I started to re build it then the cave showed up. It was to tempting so the optics from the Rv 6 ended up in the cave. The secondary holder and primary cell in the RV6 is better built than Cave, faster cooling, better finder, nicer to adjust the secondary. But the Cave OTA, Focuser (Sky micro) and mount are lightyears better than the RV-6 so it seemed like a match made in the heavens. After shortening the tube, Re mounting a few thing she snaped right into focus. All in all I have not been over whelmed with the quality of the primary mirror from the RV-6 but then again I am compairing it to some awsome optics that come around here!! The colimation process with this scope alway leaves me scratching my head a little which may mean the mirror figure is a little whacky... Anyway thats my experience with the Cave Critter. One other thing if you need parts for an RV 6 I have a few floating around...
(aveman
--------------------
Clint&Debbie Whitman (aveman
1960s 6"F15 Jaegers-Unipons by John Pons on a Byers 812, 1947 4" F15 TINSLEY, 1965 10" F8 CAVE, 1950 5CM & 6.5CM Nippon Kogakus (the twins), 1960s UNITRONS a 152 restored a 160 numbered green lens original mint a 114 original 50s mint, 1950s UNITRON M100 100mm F15 OTA, WO 80mm Florite, ASTROPHYSICS 155 EDFS on LOSMANDY G11, a bunch of Tascos,Sears Mayflowers The list goes on Add infinitum.
|
strdst
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/23/08
Posts: 818
Loc: Oregon USA
|
|
Quote:
Nice scope Keith.
I can't wait to hear what a refractor guy thinks of a reflector!
152mm X 1219mm!
Robert
Well it came on Thursday and was missing a few nuts and bolts but otherwise looks good. The mirror looks good, but the eyepiece is way wrong, up near the top! There was even a spider inside. Preston fear not, you gotta get one of these things, come on over...it's always dark here!
I haven't looked at the R&P focuser but is rolls down from the mid-point. i assume there is a shim or pressure pad of some material to tighten it? I have focused on some fir tree needles at 2000' (so clear and bright!) but only with the focus racked out, the brass sleeve pulled out, and the ep just in the sleeve. Does that seem about right? Reflectors weren't designed for terrestrial viewing at less than infinity like refractors were? Or are there longer brass sleeves to put in? Unlike Rod's Criterion, I think this one may be dated by the finder scope. The tube has certainly yellowed in a mere 30 years  Can't wait to get a clear night and try this out!
|
strdst
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/23/08
Posts: 818
Loc: Oregon USA
|
|
Finder. Pulling that electrical tape is gonna hurt!
|
strdst
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/23/08
Posts: 818
Loc: Oregon USA
|
|
Anyone have a theory why I have a second set of screws in the tube. The mirror is held by the set closest to the end. The other set isn't doing anything at the moment.
|
Bonco
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/17/06
Posts: 2270
Loc: Florida
|
|
Any RV6 thread and I just gotta post a pic of my restored 1960 model.
Bill
--------------------
RV6
Meade 2045
6 inch f/4 RFT R. Fagin Optics
TV Genesis
2.4 inch Lafayette Equitorial
3 inch Polarex/Unitron Equitorial
10 inch Zhumell
PST 40mm Solar scope
4 inch F/15 Antares
2.4 inch Unitron Equitorial
Tasco 10K 80mm/1200mm
|
Compressorguy
sage
Reged: 03/14/09
Posts: 213
Loc: North Carolina
|
|
"Anyone have a theory why I have a second set of screws in the tube. The mirror is held by the set closest to the end. The other set isn't doing anything at the moment."
It is my understanding that they are for repositioning the mirror (move it closer to the focuser)to shorten the focal length for astrophotogrphy use. This would reduce the focal ratio, lessen the exposure times and help the camera setup achieve focus. I'm no expert but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express. Someone please correct me if i'm incorrect.
--------------------
Scott
1976 Cave 10" Deluxe f/6
Late 70's Meade 628 6" f/8
1950's Selsi 80mm X 910mm f/11
1960's Lafayette 60mm X 800mm f/13
2005 Meade 10" LX200GPS f/10
|
teast
sage
Reged: 11/10/07
Posts: 497
Loc: Kentucky
|
|
Quote:
I'm no expert but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express.
- Same here, Scott! The explanation I heard was that it was for prime focus astrophotography rather than reducing the focal ratio - 
-Tom
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
[Re: 
Edit
Reply
Quote
