Telescope Reviews: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian

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Equipment Discussions >> Classic Telescopes

Pages: 1

old_frankland
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/28/05

Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

Optica b/c 3" Newtonian
#5558415 - 12/06/12 10:43 PM

I bought this 3" Newtonian new from Optica b/c, Oakland CA back in 1969. The instrument is made entirely of metal, there is not a piece of plastic on it. And, actually has pretty decent optics.

Does anyone know who actually produced this telescope?

http://www.lafterhall.com/3_inch_reflector_001.jpg

http://www.lafterhall.com/3_inch_reflector_002.jpg

Thanks.

Post Extras:

trainsktg
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/23/05

Loc: Pacific Northwest

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: old_frankland]
#5558574 - 12/07/12 12:52 AM

I believe most of Optica's EPs, filters etc came from Japan, and that scope looks more Japanese of that era than American...

Nice scope

.

Keith

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Ducky62
professor emeritus

Reged: 10/31/10

Loc: The ATL

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: trainsktg]
#5558587 - 12/07/12 01:13 AM

Royal Astro?

Post Extras:

CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: old_frankland]
#5558784 - 12/07/12 08:03 AM Attachment (14 downloads)

It's a Royal Astro LN-3E. You can find it in this catalog:

http://geogdata.csun.edu/~voltaire/classics/royal/Royal-Astro-Optical-Catalog...

Without the ability to rotate the tube, the focuser can be in some pretty awkward positions. In any case, it's a rare scope. If you ever want to part with it, let me know. I have its bigger brother, the LN-4E. The tube cap and focuser are identical to yours. It's a very nice 4" f/10.

Post Extras:

CharlieB
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/11/07

Loc: Southern NH

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5558811 - 12/07/12 08:20 AM

It's also listed as the M1000 in the 1968 Optica b/c catalog.

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old_frankland
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/28/05

Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5559242 - 12/07/12 12:43 PM

Awesome; guys! Thanks for the info.

Post Extras:

old_frankland
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/28/05

Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: CharlieB]
#5559251 - 12/07/12 12:53 PM

Quote:

It's a Royal Astro LN-3E. You can find it in this catalog:

http://geogdata.csun.edu/~voltaire/classics/royal/Royal-Astro-Optical-Catalog...

Without the ability to rotate the tube, the focuser can be in some pretty awkward positions. In any case, it's a rare scope. If you ever want to part with it, let me know. I have its bigger brother, the LN-4E. The tube cap and focuser are identical to yours. It's a very nice 4" f/10.

This is most enlightening. I had often wondered who manufactured the Optcal b/c instruments and hardware. For many years there was a 108 refractor and 8" reflector on display in the store. Sure enough, there they are in the catalog. Thanks!

Post Extras:

tim53
Postmaster

Reged: 12/17/04

Loc: Highland Park, CA

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: old_frankland]
#5559270 - 12/07/12 01:05 PM

Wow! It would be interesting to know what happened to the showroom scopes. I've never seen one of the Japanese 8" Newts in the USA.

Tim

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mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: old_frankland]
#5559311 - 12/07/12 01:36 PM Attachment (11 downloads)

Well Jimbo speaking of the "108" here is the Tasco brand of the Optica b/c 108mm x 1600mm next to a Selsi 80mm. This is a slightly newer model than the one on page 3. It has an improved clam shell, motor housing, slightly thicker CW's and different positions on the sliding tube weight bracket's locations.

Mike

Edited by mikey cee (12/07/12 01:45 PM)

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mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: mikey cee]
#5559315 - 12/07/12 01:38 PM Attachment (13 downloads)

Close up of the pedigree!

Mike

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mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: mikey cee]
#5559335 - 12/07/12 01:48 PM Attachment (12 downloads)

Different angle.

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greju
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/13/05

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: mikey cee]
#5559353 - 12/07/12 01:59 PM

Quote:

Different angle.

Ok Mikey, the last picture did it. I know you are proud of your scopes as you should be. We all are.

But how can you possibly link your last three pictures to the OP's thread?

Post Extras:

mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: greju]
#5559655 - 12/07/12 05:36 PM

It's easy the OP "started" it by mentioning the "108" as having been on floor display at Optica's store. Blame him he's the trouble maker. I'm totally without fault here IMHO.

So thought he might like to see one after all these years. He's in the stages of remembering the good ole' days I guess. You know the wise guy I am...I like to help people remember.

Mike

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greju
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/13/05

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: mikey cee]
#5559936 - 12/07/12 08:39 PM

Good enough!

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old_frankland
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/28/05

Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: mikey cee]
#5560718 - 12/08/12 11:23 AM

Quote:

Well Jimbo speaking of the "108" here is the Tasco brand of the Optica b/c 108mm x 1600mm next to a Selsi 80mm. This is a slightly newer model than the one on page 3. It has an improved clam shell, motor housing, slightly thicker CW's and different positions on the sliding tube weight bracket's locations. Mike

This is interesting. How are the Royal-Astro and Tasco lines associated? Who actually built the scopes?

Funny how Tasco always comes up when looking back at mid-20th century scopes.....and, yeah, my first scope was a Tasco...60mm alt/az, 1962.

Thanks.

Post Extras:

mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new

[Re: old_frankland]
#5560951 - 12/08/12 02:11 PM Attachment (9 downloads)

James.....All I know is that everyone here believes that Royal-Astro did the actual assembly of the scopes in Japan. Also apparent is that they outsourced some of their optics and a few other items. That most likely is their plant and offices on the cover of their catalogue. Towa later bought them out then Towa went belly up a few years back. We believe that Horiguchi and Carton were just a few of the sub contractors in the optics end. Tasco, Sears and Optica b/c etc. etc. were strictly importers. That's all I really can ad. A pic of the 108mm lens here was said to have been made by Horiguchi. I can't argue this one way or the other. All I'm really sure of is that it can't be topped!

Mike

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mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: Optica b/c 3" Newtonian new