445 replies to this topic

[Steve_M_M]

Just for fun I decided to go through and gather up some information on Japanese symbols so it is all in one place. We have had various discussions on symbols and tags, but I could not find one that was all inclusive. Some of this goes all the way back to the start of the Classic Forum on CN. You are all probably in possession of better pictures on some of these, so please add them to update the post. Also, as you can see, some of these are still not classified by me. I could have easily missed a post or two, so if you know what Circle M (maybe Mizar) is for example, please let us know.

It is going to take me an hour or so to get all these posted, and I am going to do them somewhat alphabetically. I will post a few distributors symbols and we can add more if you all like.

Let’s get started…

Here is Circle A-Astro Optical

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

More Astro Optical Symbols

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

I will get to the Royals later....

APL-Apollo Labs or Apollo Business and Industry-Mostly on Bushnell and Mayflower brands, Did show up on a Jason Saturn.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

AvA-Takahashi...the unknown quiet Tak Mostly on Swift brands.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

I saw a circle B once. I think it was Pentax. Anyone have a picture?

[Steve_M_M]

C.O.C Carton Optical

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Diamond BOL-Mostly on Bushnell There has been much discussion about this one, but I could find no clear authority on the manufacturer.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Ok, so I am a bit out of order

Upside down Y-Eikow. Seem to be all over. I have seen Eikow on many brands both well known and not.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Another Eikow for fun.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Circle K-This one I have a lot of trouble with. Before CN, I had a circle K telescope that had a manual with it, for the telescope, that was Vixen. Vixen was Koyu before Vixen. I believe those Vixen employees came from another optical house, just can't remember which one. Then came a bunch of peopple insisting Circle K was Pentax. Now, Circle K is Kenko. But KOL, King Optical, is also Circle K. So, make up your own mind. Here are some circle K's.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Circle K on OKKK scope

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Circle K on King and link to King, KOL, on Hiroki's site.

King Manual

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

One more Circle K

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Circle M-No clear decision on manufacturer. Is it Mizar? Seems to be mostly on eyepieces and mostly Celestron.

Edit: Confirmation from Japan friends is that Circle M is Mizar.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Oh Shoot, I forgot Clint's favorite. H.O.C. Hino Optical.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Royal Astro...you guys all know these. Seemingly the most coveted and also seem to be on most brands. Looks like TOWA took them out as the brands with Royal transitioned to TOWA.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

More Royal-with SPI, Southern Precision Instruments

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Royal with Lafayette-Top of the line Lafayette is the Arcturus, if you see one, buy it. Gigantic awesome scope.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

And the Tasco Royal prior to changing to TOWA

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Next up is TOWA. I think we have all seen TOWA, circle T. It's everywhere.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

This next one is one of my favorites. SYW, Yamamoto. You know, I think this is where the Vixen employees went to.

These are on a lot of Mayflowers and many other brands. There must have been some stiff competition, or collaboration, between Yamamoto and Royal. You see a lot of scopes with the same brand as SYW or Royal, seemingly during the same time period.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

One of my Mayflowers...

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Circle V-Vixen. The crazy part is determine the reason or dating for Circle V vs Double Circle V vs No Circle V vs Whatever Circle V. That is for another discussion that I believe Bill Rose has covered.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

Now, a couple impostors. First Circle W. Anyone know where this comes from?

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Steve_M_M]

And the, Diamond Z-Zanzutsu (sp?)

Circle Z is better than most anything you can buy today, but IMHO inferior to Royal, Yamamoto, Eikow, etc.

Attached Thumbnails

•