· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article 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 You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Classic Telescopes Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Gil V member Reged: 09/09/12 Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion       #5545873 - 11/29/12 05:21 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I sent a lengthy (14 page) article about my time as a Criterion employee (1978-1985). Anyone know how long it takes for articles to get approved? I think the forum regulars might really enjoy it. Thanks, Gil Post Extras:       tim53 Postmaster Reged: 12/17/04 Loc: Highland Park, CA Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Gil V]       #5545912 - 11/29/12 05:59 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I look forward to it!! Can you post snippets of your experiences there? We'd love to hear about them! -Tim. Post Extras:       Masvingo sage Reged: 01/10/12 Loc: Ayrshire, Scotland Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: tim53]       #5545940 - 11/29/12 06:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Me too! Hope your article is up soon. James Post Extras:       Gil V member Reged: 09/09/12 Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Masvingo]       #5545997 - 11/29/12 06:41 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm optimistic, but haven't got confirmation E-mail yet. I included half a dozen photos of the shop. Post Extras:       orion61 Vendor(Clear Edge Optical) Reged: 10/20/07 Loc: NW Iowa BURRRR Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Gil V]       #5546036 - 11/29/12 07:02 PM Attachment (39 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Gill, I'm also looking forward to reading it, Mark Swanson told me you were doing it. BTW I love my MINT 1976 Criterion Dynamax DX6. it has Great Optics Post Extras:       Ducky62 professor emeritus Reged: 10/31/10 Loc: The ATL Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: orion61]       #5546130 - 11/29/12 07:43 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Wow. Can't wait to read it. Post Extras:       Gil V member Reged: 09/09/12 Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Ducky62]       #5546227 - 11/29/12 08:50 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That's a nice looking 6" scope, there. Those scopes have a near focus of like 10 feet - long distance microscopes!! Post Extras:       apfever Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/13/08 Loc: Colorado Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Gil V]       #5546234 - 11/29/12 08:56 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Super! one 10", 3 RV-6 (I think), Dynamax8, shelf of the eyepieces (still missing 3 or so), some accessories, and looking forward to the article. Post Extras:       mdowns Pooh-Bah Reged: 06/12/10 Loc: Englewood,FL Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Gil V]       #5546252 - 11/29/12 09:08 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Gil, Like all other responders I'm really looking forward to reading your thoughts and comments.A couple of years ago I submitted a review that showed up a few weeks later.Hopefully we'll see yours soon! Post Extras:       Gil V member Reged: 09/09/12 Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: mdowns]       #5546260 - 11/29/12 09:13 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The article may not answer the types of questions that you may have, but when it gets published, if anything comes to mind, just ask. Post Extras:       albert1 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/01/07 Loc: Southern New Jersey Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Gil V]       #5546442 - 11/29/12 11:24 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm looking forward to it too Gil. Glad to have you here. I'm sure a few questions will be coming your way. Post Extras:       BGeoghegan super member Reged: 03/22/10 Loc: Eastern CT Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: albert1]       #5546974 - 11/30/12 11:01 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Gil, Very much looking forward to your article. If you post a few paragraphs here I'm sure you'll find some eager readers. I'd be curious about how things were inside Criterion during the change of owners and the West Hartford vs. East Hartford facilities. Bob G, Tolland, CT Post Extras:       Gil V member Reged: 09/09/12 Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: BGeoghegan]       #5546986 - 11/30/12 11:10 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That's exactly what my piece is about - from the point of view of an enthusiast, what my impression of the sale of the company was like. Along with as many details as I could remember about optical and mechanical fabrication. Got the Cloudy Nights E-mail confirmation this morning, so I'm optimistic about publication. The group here was my target audience - so this is the best place for posting of the piece. Edited by Gil V (11/30/12 11:13 AM) Post Extras:       Jason H. Pooh-Bah Reged: 11/23/07 Loc: Central Florida Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Gil V]       #5547043 - 11/30/12 11:52 AM Attachment (25 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That should be fun to read! Did you hear some interesting history of the early years too? (that would also be fascinating to me.) Regards, Jason H. Post Extras:       Jim Curry Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/29/07 Loc: STL Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Gil V]       #5547758 - 11/30/12 07:39 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   You were there a little after my time. I was there around 1968 as a 13 year old to get my first scope with my dad. Talk about a candy store for geeks. Scopes, mirrors, machine tools, shop smells. Ahh! Jim Post Extras:       BRisley Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/04/06 Loc: SW Florida Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Jim Curry]       #5548961 - 12/01/12 03:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Gil, now I know why you asked. I actually used a Golden Pyramid Tripod for my C-8 once it was out of the observatory. I really like it (only issues I had was lat adj, but a turnbuckle handles that and a spreader that broke one spur and I replaced it with one from a Celestron tripod when I got back into things.) and recently picked up another in very good condition. Can't wait to see the article. Brian Post Extras:       highfnum Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/06/06 Loc: NE USA Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: BRisley]       #5549184 - 12/01/12 06:18 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Can't wait I have. 4 inch reflector 8 inch Schmidt Post Extras:       orion61 Vendor(Clear Edge Optical) Reged: 10/20/07 Loc: NW Iowa BURRRR Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: highfnum]       #5549288 - 12/01/12 07:27 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I wonder if it went through? They usually process them quicker than this, You might want to re-submit it. Or at least PM a Moderator to nudge the process along. I love the Index card story... Post Extras:       Gil V member Reged: 09/09/12 Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: orion61]       #5549391 - 12/01/12 08:58 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Are you referring to how we kept a record of each scope's optical performance on index cards? How did you hear about that? Post Extras:       jezz member Reged: 02/25/12 Loc: Utah Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Gil V]       #5550841 - 12/02/12 07:01 PM Attachment (18 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi, new member here. Can't wait to read your article! I have a B&L Criterion 4000 that rewards me with razor sharp images - after aligning the secondary mirror and collimating it - definately a keeper. Bern Post Extras:       greedyshark sage Reged: 10/31/05 Loc: 3rd Rock Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: jezz]       #5551014 - 12/02/12 08:50 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Looking forward to the read. I own both the RV-6 and RV-8...their optics are unreal. Charles Post Extras:       Masvingo sage Reged: 01/10/12 Loc: Ayrshire, Scotland Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: jezz]       #5560579 - 12/08/12 09:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Gil's article is finally up! Off for a good read now. Post Extras:       tim53 Postmaster Reged: 12/17/04 Loc: Highland Park, CA Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Masvingo]       #5560932 - 12/08/12 01:57 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Excellent article!!! -Tim. Post Extras:       desertrefugee Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/06/07 Loc: Arizona Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: tim53]       #5561285 - 12/08/12 06:03 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Nice to hear their story - from an insider. I have only one Criterion product - a 4" Dynascope. While produced before Gil's time there, I can almost imagine that the shop didn't change much. Thanks for the story, Gil! Post Extras:       dgreyson sage Reged: 11/06/12 Loc: South Carolina Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: jezz]       #5561442 - 12/08/12 08:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Interesting article. It's a shame this sort of thing is no longer economically viable, America could use more mom and pop enterprises but it's all overseas now. I have a 4000 and its a usable scope. Ive always wanted to buy a decent tripid with a wedge for it but I cant bring myself to spend the money on it as it seemed a silly investment all things considered. Post Extras:       Mr Magoo Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/05/05 Loc: Franklin, Indiana Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Gil V]       #5561513 - 12/08/12 09:08 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thank you Gil. I love my RV-6 and my RV-8. Post Extras:       Bonco Post Laureate Reged: 04/17/06 Loc: Florida Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Mr Magoo]       #5561572 - 12/08/12 10:01 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Bought my RV6 around 1960, can't remember exactly. Took it out tonight and had a fantastic view of Jupiter as one of it's moons was occulted. Loved the article about the shop. As a young kid I figured a bunch of engineers in white lab coats were building these fabulous instruments. Interesting to learn the reality. Thanks, Bill Post Extras:       albert1 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/01/07 Loc: Southern New Jersey Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: Bonco]       #5561800 - 12/09/12 01:43 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Nice job Gil - thanks for that. Loved the article and photos. Excellent look into the past at a once great American company. I always imagined it a much larger facility. How many RV6's do you think Criterion got off the line? Post Extras:       highfnum Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/06/06 Loc: NE USA Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: albert1]       #5562378 - 12/09/12 12:34 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   "I always imagined it a much larger facility" me to - kinda like a GM car factory! Post Extras:       DAVIDG Post Laureate Reged: 12/02/04 Loc: Hockessin, De Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: highfnum]       #5562826 - 12/09/12 05:27 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Gil, It was interesting to read that Criterion made it's own mirrors since many times it has been reported that UPCO made the them and Criterion purchased them from them. I bought a numner of spare parts at Stellafane from the former employee you mentioned in the article. Could you discribe more about how the optical testing was done with artifical star made by using a laser ? What did you look for in the image ? - Dave Post Extras:       Gil V member Reged: 09/09/12 Re: Wrote a lengthy article about Criterion [Re: DAVIDG]       #5562855 - 12/09/12 05:49 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   With the assembly bench and a 4mm eyepiece, we could exanine the airy disk and first refraction ring at focus. We did buy the occassional RV-8 mirror from Upco, but the RV-6 and Dynamax 4, 6 and 8 mirrors were all made in house. Not sure how often we sourced RV-8 primaries, we hardly ever shipped them. Well less than 5% of the Newtonians I built were for RV-8's when I was in that area. Edited by Gil V (12/09/12 05:54 PM) Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 18 registered and 20 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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