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Classic Telescopes

Telescopes from an era gone by. The place to discuss older telescopes. Antiques, flea market finds, and scopes from grandpa's attic. From the 1780's to the mid-1990's - refractors, reflectors, and early SCT's. Discussing all aspects of restoring, collecting, and observing with older scopes. Discussion of 25-year-old scopes still in production is OK but please don't post newer examples of those, except for actual side-by-side comparisons to demonstrate detail changes.

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Topic	Stats	Last Post Info
Blues for a Red Telescope Started by The_Vagabond , 11 Nov 2020 classic	12 replies 378 views	The_Vagabond 16 Nov 2020
Question About Unitron 60mm Finderscopes Started by Tom Duncan , 14 Nov 2020	19 replies 318 views	Tom Duncan 16 Nov 2020
Looking for info on Carroll Astronomical Instruments Started by Jim Davis , 14 Nov 2020	18 replies 320 views	Terra Nova 16 Nov 2020
Picked up a Meade ETX-90 (classic) tonight Started by snovak , 13 Aug 2020 beginner, Meade, reflector and 2 more...	19 replies 590 views	latentfuss 15 Nov 2020
Help with a classic toy scope Started by grif 678 , 15 Nov 2020	1 reply 188 views	Russell Smith 15 Nov 2020
A Tasco 132T – An Interesting Journey Started by jgraham , 14 Nov 2020	3 replies 286 views	jgraham 15 Nov 2020
New to me 8” 1940s needing refurb Started by Cato85 , 24 Sep 2020 1 2 3	Hot 54 replies 1,394 views	RichA 15 Nov 2020
Vintage AP Scopes Started by Derek Wong , 01 Oct 2016 1 2 3 10 →	Hot 231 replies 17,788 views	ccwemyss 15 Nov 2020
Antique Telescope Society 2020 Convention Started by oldscope , 12 Nov 2020 classic, equipment, optics and 1 more...	7 replies 371 views	Astrojensen 15 Nov 2020
Greasing a classic C8 mount Started by ANM , 18 Oct 2020	9 replies 297 views	ANM 15 Nov 2020
Classic telescopes gotten at Christmas Started by grif 678 , 13 Nov 2020	15 replies 372 views	Garyth64 15 Nov 2020
French Classics: Manent and Secretan Started by Disciplus55 , 31 Oct 2019 1 2 3 4	Hot 76 replies 2,785 views	Disciplus55 15 Nov 2020
Sears 6344 Project Started by Red Giant , 08 Nov 2020	12 replies 420 views	jcruse64 14 Nov 2020
Need height of taller Vixen Polaris wood tripod Started by patrickt , 11 Nov 2020	12 replies 270 views	patrickt 14 Nov 2020
Miscellany Started by clamchip , 29 Sep 2013 1 2 3 43 →	Hot 1,062 replies 53,986 views	DAVIDG 14 Nov 2020
Which scope has spent more time with you Started by grif 678 , 04 Nov 2020	23 replies 654 views	The_Vagabond 14 Nov 2020
More Edmund Scientific! Started by clamchip , 05 Dec 2015 1 2 3 23 →	Hot 563 replies 30,076 views	25585 14 Nov 2020
A Saturday Tale of Telescope "Found". Started by wfj , 08 Jun 2019 1 2	36 replies 1,718 views	luxo II 14 Nov 2020
Giant Starmaster - To Modify Or No Started by The_Vagabond , 13 Nov 2020 classic	11 replies 259 views	The_Vagabond 14 Nov 2020
For Classic Reflector Fans Started by Bomber Bob , 07 Sep 2020 classic, dob, equipment, optics and 1 more... 1 2 3 4	Hot 94 replies 2,758 views	bjkaras 13 Nov 2020
Has anyone heard from Rolo? Started by Terra Nova , 06 Aug 2020 1 2 3 14 →	Hot 344 replies 14,426 views	Piggyback 13 Nov 2020
Dave Trott: Champion of the Classic Telescope Started by blakestree , 26 Oct 2020	21 replies 999 views	Piggyback 13 Nov 2020
Does Anyone Recognize this Odd Ball? Started by clamchip , 08 Nov 2020 1 2	36 replies 1,023 views	oldscope 13 Nov 2020
5-inch Brashear Telescope found at UCLA in the 1970's Started by sbrewster , 04 Nov 2020 classic, refractor	14 replies 761 views	oldscope 12 Nov 2020
How do you mount your classics? Started by Terra Nova , 01 May 2020 1 2	45 replies 1,358 views	Kasmos 12 Nov 2020
Cave Astrola 8" Cassegrain/Newtonian Started by John Rose , 16 Sep 2020	11 replies 836 views	photomagica 12 Nov 2020
Zeiss Coudé telescope rebfurbish Started by Peter Ceravolo , 14 Jan 2019 1 2 3 17 →	Hot 408 replies 30,906 views	Peter Ceravolo 12 Nov 2020
Celestron C8 Registry Started by Masvingo , 06 Jan 2013 1 2 3 34 →	Hot 839 replies 97,836 views	RSX11M+ 12 Nov 2020
Surprise Zeiss find in my junk drawer Started by Senex Bibax , 11 Nov 2020	1 reply 405 views	Russell Smith 11 Nov 2020
Enersys Cyclon rechargeable lead-acid batteries date code Started by ANM , 11 Nov 2020	0 replies 105 views	ANM 11 Nov 2020
First (second) light Started by arran01 , 07 Nov 2020	6 replies 197 views	Bonco2 11 Nov 2020
Ugh...ANOTHER classic fell in my lap...1981 Meade 2080 Started by mdbradshaw , 15 Jun 2020	18 replies 777 views	Bomber Bob 11 Nov 2020
Criminal Abuse of Astro Equipment Started by Tom Duncan , 09 Nov 2020	23 replies 780 views	Tom Duncan 11 Nov 2020
Tiny Tak Fan Thread Started by Bomber Bob , 09 Sep 2020 classic, equipment, refractor 1 2	44 replies 1,311 views	Terra Nova 10 Nov 2020
Astrosystems of Luton Started by Drumgar , 28 Apr 2020 1 2	28 replies 1,138 views	PETER DREW 10 Nov 2020
Celestron C5 Registry Started by Masvingo , 19 Feb 2015 1 2 3 14 →	Hot 344 replies 27,190 views	SkipW 10 Nov 2020
How to attach a guide scope on Celestron C8? Started by turings.enigma , 08 Nov 2020 accessories, astrophotography and 3 more...	15 replies 273 views	bobzeq25 09 Nov 2020
MEADE LX50 Mak Cassegrain - build in counter weight Started by HoO-Germany , 02 Nov 2020	8 replies 243 views	HoO-Germany 09 Nov 2020
Replacement glass for 1966 Jason porro prism? Started by AnthonyQ , 06 Nov 2020	11 replies 227 views	Russell Smith 08 Nov 2020
Adapting a 60's 'trombone' Tasco ro Sears/RAO focuser DIRECTLY to 1.25, without using the .965 visual back Started by markb , 23 Oct 2019 refractor, eyepieces, ATM	8 replies 648 views	AndresEsteban 08 Nov 2020
1-1/4" Visual Back for Tasco 10TE, 7TE-5 and their clones Started by Tenacious , 21 Apr 2016 1 2	40 replies 3,939 views	AndresEsteban 08 Nov 2020
Pentax Telescopes & Mounts Started by coinboy1 , 22 Aug 2017 1 2 3 5 →	Hot 104 replies 9,365 views	Spyke 08 Nov 2020
Swift 831 has arrived! Started by Spyke , 15 Aug 2019 1 2	27 replies 1,266 views	Spyke 08 Nov 2020
Vintage Orange C8 Finder Bracket Screws Started by 1939Dodge , 06 Nov 2020	2 replies 119 views	1939Dodge 07 Nov 2020
The legend says .... Started by John Rogers , 31 Oct 2020	6 replies 749 views	Thomas_M44 07 Nov 2020
vintage spotter comparisons Started by grif 678 , 07 Nov 2020	2 replies 148 views	clamchip 07 Nov 2020
APM APO ED 25-75x95, good scope? Started by jaroslaw , 07 Nov 2020	0 views	jaroslaw 07 Nov 2020
Portable Battery Pack and Inverter connection Started by J.Moore , 06 Nov 2020	6 replies 204 views	ANM 07 Nov 2020
Found an amazing Carton 30/30 finder Started by Jethro777 , 04 Nov 2020	3 replies 209 views	dave brock 06 Nov 2020
Criterion RV-6 Dynascope - Help Started by GalacticSteve , 23 Aug 2020 1 2	31 replies 850 views	Snaolsp 06 Nov 2020