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Equipment Discussions >> Classic Telescopes

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mustgobigger
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Reged: 06/12/07
Posts: 2636
Unitron 131-C On The Bay
      #3322257 - 09/08/09 02:53 PM

hi all,
sense this is such a rare bird i figured it deserved its own thread.
there is a unitron 131-c 75mm x 1200mm on the big auction site and i was wondering if anyone had comments on this scope.
i seem to recall that the optics in these were sub-par
because they loose a lot of light gathering ability
due to folded design.
looks to me like this also should have had the
tripod with the wood tray instead of the spreader bar.
he does not show pictures of optics or ota box.
Hmmm!
bluebook shows this at around $1100.00
any comments from users and owners would be welcome.
buy the way this seller has several vintage scopes
including 4" unitron up for auction right now.


unitron 131-c

--------------------
RV-6
Meade 826
Meade 880 Deluxe
Unitron's 114,128,140,142,150,152,155,160
4" Jaegertron
4.5" A.E f/14 Refractor
4" f/15 Edmund's Refractor



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rmollise
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Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 5295
Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: mustgobigger]
      #3322324 - 09/08/09 03:34 PM

Quote:

hi all,
sense this is such a rare bird i figured it deserved its own thread.
there is a unitron 131-c 75mm x 1200mm on the big auction site




I'd never spend this kind of money on one...but I've always wondered about this scope...NEVER seen one in person. Unitron certainly advertised it heavily for a while.

--------------------
Uncle Rod

Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!


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donnw
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Posts: 196
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: rmollise]
      #3322337 - 09/08/09 03:42 PM

Hi All:
I did get a peek at this one in person today - in quite nice shape. I don't recall what accessories were with it, other than the Unihex, as the outright sale price ($1700) was too rich for my blood. Sure does look interesting though - and I do bet it would draw crowds at any star party ;-) Cheers...

--------------------
Peace & Blessings,
Donn Williams
Member - AAVSO
----------------------------------
Celestron EdgeHD 11+Hyperstar 3 on CGE in SkyShed POD GL5
Meade Lightbridge 12", SN10, LX200 Classic 8", AR5, 314 Brass & ETX125PE
Lunt LS60T/DS, Stellarvue SV102ED, SV80BV, SV80/9D, SV NH2
Cave Astrolla 8", Zeiss Telementor II, Unitron 114, 128, 142
Towa 339, Royal Astro 76/1200, Pentax J80, Borg 100, AT 102-F/11
Goto 105, Various Sears/Tasco/Selsi/Towa 60-80mm's, APM 45/100mm binos


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Preston Smith
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Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 3892
Loc: Eureka, Pa
Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: mustgobigger]
      #3322447 - 09/08/09 04:41 PM

hmmm,

handtohand, Damascus Maryland,

It's got to be Gary Hand from HandsonOptics.....

--------------------
Preston

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

SV115T,NHII,SV70,SV50 and Tele Vue Ranger

Vintage Refractors: Asahi-Pentax, Edmund Scientific, Tasco, Unitron

60mm Telescope Club


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astrodon
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: Preston Smith]
      #3322490 - 09/08/09 04:57 PM

He's a jolly good fellow.

--------------------
Putting Tasco Refractors back on their mounts one scope at a time!


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akman1955
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Reged: 09/07/09
Posts: 1077
Loc: Alaska, USA
Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: mustgobigger]
      #3322733 - 09/08/09 07:09 PM

Hi all, yes the unitron 131c is suppose too have wood tray. I have one and can be seen on unitron group site under pictures.I also bought and owned for 30 years the 4" compact refracter with all case's but sold a few years age. I think they have very good optics because the 4" was outstanding too look thru the few times I used it. They are weard looking but neat

--------------------
classic scopes unitrons/tasco/sears/san & strieffe...Too much!


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astrodon
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: akman1955]
      #3323220 - 09/08/09 11:25 PM

Somehow that mount looks newer? Or is it just smaller and different?

--------------------
Putting Tasco Refractors back on their mounts one scope at a time!


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mustgobigger
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: astrodon]
      #3323292 - 09/09/09 12:01 AM

it has the crinkle paint finish.
unitron made a few mounts like this.
i think i have one somewhere.
it does look pretty nice.
i also notice the long mount rods are missing
or just not in picture.
his ad says if its not in picture or in text assume
its not there.

--------------------
RV-6
Meade 826
Meade 880 Deluxe
Unitron's 114,128,140,142,150,152,155,160
4" Jaegertron
4.5" A.E f/14 Refractor
4" f/15 Edmund's Refractor



Edited by mustgobigger (09/09/09 12:03 AM)


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Trever
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: mustgobigger]
      #3323490 - 09/09/09 04:26 AM

He also has the standard 4 inch there for sale too. Sure would be nice to see one in person.

--------------------
Trever

Celestron Edge HD 8 inch SCT ASGT
Stellarvue SV110ED
Lunt LS35T/DS Solar Scope
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
Celestron ASGT mount




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akman1955
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: astrodon]
      #3326327 - 09/10/09 04:02 PM

The 3" compact that I have is on a 3" eq mount with one larger wieght. It also has 2 short rods in picture and 2 long rods. The 4" compact (I think model number was 132c) that I bought from unitron came with 4" eq mount with 2 wieghts. Very heavy mounts for both. The one on bay looks like a 2" eq mount by looking at base where legs attach. Still with unihex/right angle finder/box should be nice scope. Also mine has unitron stickers and spec's on side. Wish there was picture of box and lense tho.

--------------------
classic scopes unitrons/tasco/sears/san & strieffe...Too much!


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akman1955
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: donnw]
      #3326336 - 09/10/09 04:07 PM

My 4" compact refractor cost me $1100.00 back in 1980 on eq mount /3 box's. shipped too fairbanks for extra $100.00. if I could only go back in time

--------------------
classic scopes unitrons/tasco/sears/san & strieffe...Too much!


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mustgobigger
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: akman1955]
      #3326577 - 09/10/09 06:12 PM Attachment (30 downloads)

i agree akman,
several things about this mount
including smaller tripod legs and spreader
has me thinking its a 128 mount.
also look at smaller distance between cradle bolts.
does anyone know when unitron started producing these.
my 1967 unitron 160 has stripes on focuser knobs
like this one has at base of focuser.
here is a picture of stripes like in picture 1 and 2

--------------------
RV-6
Meade 826
Meade 880 Deluxe
Unitron's 114,128,140,142,150,152,155,160
4" Jaegertron
4.5" A.E f/14 Refractor
4" f/15 Edmund's Refractor



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akman1955
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: mustgobigger]
      #3326957 - 09/10/09 10:10 PM

Hi mustgobigger, yes i agree too on mount as i have owned originals but as all manufactures do over time is cheapin stuff too cut cost or the mount is not original one that came with it. That is not too say wether you like this scope or not it is still a rare unitron and eq mount. I was told by someone when i sold my 4" compact that only 25 were made and 100 made of the 3" models. I would have never sold if i knew that in advance the 4" was only used a few times and stored most of its life in basement.I only used it when it was new.It was Unique work of art in design and fit in living room. Wish I had kept pictures from bay auction. I remember it weight around 80lb total. If anyone remembers that auction or has pictures let me know. thanks,john

Edited by akman1955 (09/13/09 03:44 PM)


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akman1955
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: mustgobigger]
      #3328080 - 09/11/09 01:56 PM

Quote:

i agree akman,
several things about this mount
including smaller tripod legs and spreader
has me thinking its a 128 mount.
also look at smaller distance between cradle bolts.
does anyone know when unitron started producing these.
my 1967 unitron 160 has stripes on focuser knobs
like this one has at base of focuser.
here is a picture of stripes like in picture 1 and 2


Yes at base off focuser on 3" compact is same stripes as your 1967 unitron. I do not know when unitron compacts were first introduced. I think mid "70's" too early "80's". You either love them or hate them and i like them. After all cassegrains and maks are folded are they not Anyhow (brian) mustgobigger you have a very nice "4" unitron and wish i had as nice of one. mine is alt/az 1958 model with super focuser.

--------------------
classic scopes unitrons/tasco/sears/san & strieffe...Too much!


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JWW
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: akman1955]
      #3328277 - 09/11/09 04:18 PM Attachment (29 downloads)

Here's another ...

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JWW
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay new [Re: JWW]
      #3328281 - 09/11/09 04:19 PM Attachment (28 downloads)

and the box ...

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mustgobigger
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay [Re: JWW]
      #3328383 - 09/11/09 05:08 PM

thanks akman,
i see the one on ebay is GONE.
hi jww,
that one looks sweet and complete.
do you know when that one was made.
from the looks of yours and the other they must
have came on the 128 mount?
do you have a gallery set of photos on this one.
you have a great collection JWW.
Brian

--------------------
RV-6
Meade 826
Meade 880 Deluxe
Unitron's 114,128,140,142,150,152,155,160
4" Jaegertron
4.5" A.E f/14 Refractor
4" f/15 Edmund's Refractor



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dougspeterson
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Reged: 09/01/04
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay [Re: mustgobigger]
      #3328687 - 09/11/09 08:26 PM

I had one of the last made in the early 90s. It was cute and cool, and the box great. The #128 mount paint was smooth not pebbled.

The shortcoming was the mirrors were very thin and backed with bubble wrap, IIRC a ring screwed down to hold the mirror in place. Once I backed off the over-clamped mirror, the horrible astigmatism went away. The mirror coatings did not appear all that bright either.

--------------------
18" Dob
12" SCT
8" TMB F6 + Chromacor
6" F6 APM/LZOS Fluorite triplet, 32", 32lbs
2ea. 6mm singlets, one blind
"--Granted, that's a worse case scenario. The destruction might in fact be ... limited to our own galaxy."


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akman1955
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay [Re: JWW]
      #3328798 - 09/11/09 09:32 PM

THANKS!! JWW I appreciate the pictures of box and mount. I will attempt too build box from your picture. Can you give me outside dimensions . All of you are a great bunch of people and glad I joined cloudy nights group some of you i think i have delt with over the years. as i must be only person from alaska in this group? i wish too say thanks for all the years of knowledge and intertainment i have recieved from reading all of your endever's Like shulze on hogans heroes would say( veeery interesting!) Also my name is John ...thanks again!

--------------------
classic scopes unitrons/tasco/sears/san & strieffe...Too much!

Edited by akman1955 (09/13/09 03:56 PM)


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akman1955
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Re: Unitron 131-C On The Bay [Re: dougspeterson]
      #3328809 - 09/11/09 09:37 PM

Quote:

I had one of the last made in the early 90s. It was cute and cool, and the box great. The #128 mount paint was smooth not pebbled.

The shortcoming was the mirrors were very thin and backed with bubble wrap, IIRC a ring screwed down to hold the mirror in place. Once I backed off the over-clamped mirror, the horrible astigmatism went away. The mirror coatings did not appear all that bright either.


Thanks Doug , I didn't know that the mirror system were the flaw in compact refractor. But is the lense the same as one on regular lengh refractor and are they interchangable Thanks again doug

--------------------
classic scopes unitrons/tasco/sears/san & strieffe...Too much!


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