Larry Geary
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/24/06
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Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
#5301020 - 07/03/12 05:50 PM
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Quite a few small refractors pass through this forum, but some are more coveted than others. Although I'm not an active buyer, I look for scopes known for high optical quality, and/or those with a special connection, such as the alleged Swift/Takahashi connection. I was tempted by the Sears 6345 (or was it 6543?) on eBay recently because of its rarity and good reputation.
So what makes one of these classics of interest to you, and which ones do you wish you could find? Which are you happy to own? Not looking for a fight or a definitive answer, I'm just raising a topic for conversation over this strange midweek holiday here in the states.
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CharlieB
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/11/07
Loc: Southern NH
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Larry Geary]
#5301118 - 07/03/12 07:01 PM
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For me, there are lots of reasons I collect these refractors (and reflectors). One is that I like to see how far something can be pushed. As a ham radio operator, I have never used more than one watt of power and I have worked many, many counties with that. Sure, I could run a kilowatt and make it easy, but where is the challenge? I have had scopes up to 12", but now, I prefer a 3" refractor at most and really like the 60mm and smaller scope. Yes, I will haul out a bigger scope at times, but not often. When I have run out of things to see with a small scope, then I'll sell them all and get out of the hobby.
Another reason is just plain nostalgia. I grew up in a family that was not well off, so my first scope was a $9.95 Tasco 2TE (and that was a lot of money for my folks in the early 60s). Old ads, magazines and catalogs set the imagination reeling with the thought of ever owning a 6" f/8 Edmund reflector. I can now find and use these scopes.
I am never actively looking for any particular scope. When one I think would be fun to play with, I'll try to buy it. I recently found ann Optica b/c 4" reflector with a pedestal mount and motor drive. Is it the best 4" scope I've ever used? No - but it sure is fun to play with and looks like a telescope should from the 60s. My favorite scope (for now) is my 60x910 Monolux 4380. Very sharp optics and a very smooth mount.
I suppose if there is one scope I'd really like to find, it would be one of the 60mm f/20 scopes. It's a scope of remarkable beauty and rarity.
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clintwhitman
Caveman
Reged: 01/01/07
Loc: CALI SoEasyACavemanCanSlewIt
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Larry Geary]
#5301802 - 07/04/12 06:32 AM Attachment (55 downloads)
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Here is the holy grail Nikon 5 CM, Sort of reminds me of a Hallicrafter's Model S-77 I used to run. The little scope that Could.
Clint
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PJ Anway
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/04/03
Loc: North Coast
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Larry Geary]
#5302090 - 07/04/12 11:33 AM
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I'm not a large collector, but have a couple that I cherish, particularly my Telementor I. I went through four other Telementors before finding the one I have. All had great optics, but I wanted the very model I coveted back when I first got into the hobby. I also wanted one that I could keep original, not even adding new paint. I know it was being picky and severely limited my choices, especially when you consider most were handled by scores of school-age children, but that's what I wanted. As time went by, I picked up others along the way to remind me of why I kept searching and put out feelers eveywhere to assist the quest. Finally one paid off. A individual from Germany (not APM) told me he could get a Telementor I in like-new condition. It never saw a school room, being purchsed new by the owner. After some negotiation he came through and the search was over. To me, it's a one-of-a-kind piece of history and a childhood memory all wrapped up into one. And it's a fine and special piece of optics to boot. After all, how many scopes go by a single name - Telementor.
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akman1955
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/07/09
Loc: Alaska, USA
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: PJ Anway]
#5302205 - 07/04/12 12:56 PM Attachment (63 downloads)
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 my favorite unitron 
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dawziecat
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/20/10
Loc: Rural Nova Scotia
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: akman1955]
#5302522 - 07/04/12 03:54 PM
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My first was a doozy, a Unitron 4" 152. It's the "Holy Grail" for me.
I sold/traded mine away in 1972 or so, after getting it as a gift from my parents in 1960.
So, for me, the entire "Classic" thing is strictly nostalgia.
I don't think I'd want it back but I get a pang every time I see an image like John posted immediately before this post.
It's beautiful . . . to me at least.
Edited by dawziecat (07/04/12 03:56 PM)
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Larry Geary
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/24/06
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: akman1955]
#5302524 - 07/04/12 03:55 PM
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Quote:
my favorite unitron
Which model/size is that? I always admired Unitrons, but I never became an aficionado and don't fully understand all the parts and bits. Thus I don't really deserve to have one. They should be in the hands of someone who can fully appreciate them. Maybe someday I'll be one of them.
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Bonco
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/17/06
Loc: Florida
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Larry Geary]
#5302552 - 07/04/12 04:14 PM Attachment (42 downloads)
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The two I enjoy the most are the Polarex model 142 and the Unitron model 128. I had to get another Polarex lens for the 142 before I was happy with it. Now I think it might have the best optics of all my telescopes. These two are a joy to use with perfectly matched quality mounts sturdy tripods and very pleasing to the eye. They are both prominently displayed in the house and the wifey is fine with that as she appreciates their beauty. Bill
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gelkin
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/22/10
Loc: Western, MD.
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Bonco]
#5302946 - 07/04/12 09:39 PM Attachment (41 downloads)
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For me when you look up telescope in the dictionary there should be a picture of a Unitron. So satisfying either looking through or at them. Just beautiful. Mine are always set up ready to go out. The 4" takes a couple trips 
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sgorton99
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/30/08
Loc: Wisconsin, Madison
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: gelkin]
#5302955 - 07/04/12 09:45 PM Attachment (39 downloads)
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My favorite Unitron! Still looking for that 4" Uni...
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 Dan /schechter
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/21/06
Loc: Long Beach, Calif.
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: gelkin]
#5302963 - 07/04/12 09:53 PM Attachment (42 downloads)
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I agree with the Unitron guys. They are the kings from the "Classic" period. The Unitron 160 with the weight driven drive is a wonder to look at and thru. I`m sure Preston will agree that it is mesmerizing watching the governor on the weight drive whirl around without causing the telescope to vibrate.
Cheers,
Dan
Cheers,
Dan
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Dan /schechter
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/21/06
Loc: Long Beach, Calif.
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Dan /schechter]
#5302965 - 07/04/12 09:54 PM Attachment (36 downloads)
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with the weight drive
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Dan /schechter
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/21/06
Loc: Long Beach, Calif.
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Dan /schechter]
#5302972 - 07/04/12 09:56 PM Attachment (29 downloads)
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The 65mm Nippon Kogaku`s are cool as well
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davela
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/19/06
Loc: Pasadena, CA, USA
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Dan /schechter]
#5303220 - 07/05/12 02:13 AM
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The "Holy Grail" might actually be the Nikon 4" EQ. I seem to recall that one was sold on Astromart about 10 years ago. I have some product literature somewhere on this item somewhere that I'll try to get it scanned and posted.
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Larry Geary
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/24/06
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: davela]
#5303480 - 07/05/12 10:02 AM
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Quote:
The "Holy Grail" might actually be the Nikon 4" EQ. I seem to recall that one was sold on Astromart about 10 years ago. I have some product literature somewhere on this item somewhere that I'll try to get it scanned and posted.
I don't seek the Holy Grail so much as I want to separate the organic wheat from the chaff. What is worth owning and what is only so-so?
I agree that the Unitrons are top drawer mechanically and aesthetically, but weren't the lenses much more variable in quality, to put it diplomatically?
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amicus sidera
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/14/11
Loc: East of the Sun, West of the M...
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Larry Geary]
#5303512 - 07/05/12 10:27 AM
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I know I'm getting to be Mr. Edmund Scientific around here ... but let's not forget the fine Edmund Scientific 3" and 4" achromatic refractors, both the pre-mid-1970's models with Japanese lenses and the later red-tube models with lenses made by Edmund.
Incidentally, I have it on good authority that, contrary to some speculation, the Japanese supplier of Edmund's lenses from the 1950's to about 1975 was not the same firm who made lenses for Unitron.
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Loc: Conneaut, Ohio
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: amicus sidera]
#5303624 - 07/05/12 11:38 AM
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Meade 4 inch photo equatorial
Any of the Unitrons , zeisses , gotos
Early model Tascos, with theyre royal astro optical lenses
Lately Carton seems to be becoming collectible too.
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clintwhitman
Caveman
Reged: 01/01/07
Loc: CALI SoEasyACavemanCanSlewIt
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: Dan /schechter]
#5303634 - 07/05/12 11:41 AM Attachment (31 downloads)
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Well I didn't mean to start the "holy grail war". These are all great telescopes. And defining the holy Grail is going to depend on what your personal tastes are at the time you go to grab a telescope from your over stuffed collection.
 
For most this decision will depend on what scope your lucky enough to find while out there collecting, more so than what you would actually like to find.
Some guys like Dan (and certain unnamed individuals) have so darn many cool scopes it must be dizzying to figure out what one to grab or to pour your holy wine into.
For me I like them all and usually if I find one like this its the coolest scope ever. They all have something cool and different about them.
(aveman
PS I hope you find your holy grail telescope today while rummaging around at a garage sale.
Edited by clintwhitman (07/05/12 11:45 AM)
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akman1955
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/07/09
Loc: Alaska, USA
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: clintwhitman]
#5304152 - 07/05/12 06:22 PM
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Clint, lenny, must go bigger,preston smith ect, all got me restarted in unitrons as i looked at all of the ones they had /have..remember where you started clint and you sparked other uninuts like me Ahh the days before 'pearl" took center stage. Also the one i pictured mr leary is a 75mm photo EQ model. I cant remember model number tho...john
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akman1955
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/07/09
Loc: Alaska, USA
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Re: Desirable Classic Refractors 4" and Under
[Re: gelkin]
#5304154 - 07/05/12 06:23 PM
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Gerald..absolutly beautiful!!! looks like 'my three son's"
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