1693 replies to this topic

[CHASLX200]

Some 6x30's are good. This old Meade is very good and this later made 1990's finder is good.

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[pierce]

why are those any better than other 6x30s ?   bet they have the same sort of narrow field of view Ramsden or Kellner eyepieces.   40 degree AFOV divided by 6X gives a 6 degree actual field, it can be darn hard to find your reference stars in that.

[CHASLX200]

why are those any better than other 6x30s ?   bet they have the same sort of narrow field of view Ramsden or Kellner eyepieces.   40 degree AFOV divided by 6X gives a 6 degree actual field, it can be darn hard to find your reference stars in that.

I don't need any stars. Just center a planet and i am done.

[mdowns]

This is the c8 registry thread folks. Please keep your comments focused on the thread's topic.

[Brisby2]

Serial number 359.

 How do I get this mirror out? Remove caulk and it should come out right? 
I’m new to this so I’m learning as I go. Also where might I find parts? I’m missing the finder and might need a secondary mirror replacement. I need a schematic for the collimator on the secondary. Primary too for that matter.

 Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

Tricolor ugly C8!! I love those things.

 

I don't think you have to remove the silicon. Remove that metal baffle stop ring (the gray C-ring) and the strip the focuser assembly on the back until you can push and pull the primary by hand. Once you remove the baffle stop, you should be able to slide the primary mirror out of there. Though, I think it comes out with part of the tube. 

[Jeff L]

What needs to be done with this secondary? That discoloring is in not on the glass.

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[pierce]

looks like it needs to be realuminized.   usually secondaries get done with the primaries as doing both is virtually the same effort as doing just the primary.

[Astrophoche]

Point of order! This is a registration thread is it not?  Starting a new thread to discuss this project would be of great benefit to others because it could be put in a topic that is related to restoring old scopes. 

[CHASLX200]

What needs to be done with this secondary? That discoloring is in not on the glass.

Normal for the Meades back in the early 80's. I don't remember hearing about it much for Celestron.

[nexstar11]

Off topic a little.

A local college called us and ask we look at their scope. Any idea of age of this scope?

anyone have an owners manual?

 

Celestron 14 Schmidt Telescope. 3910mm – f/11 efl 154 in., Celestron International Torrance Calif. Serial Number 1381

 

I would do a star test after collimation and cooldown to see how good the optics are. Mid 1980s scopes are rumored to have been hit and miss due to large volumes of scopes being put out by Celestron around Comet Haley time frame. Could only be a rumor though.

[RSX11M+]

Serial number 359.

 How do I get this mirror out? Remove caulk and it should come out right? 
I’m new to this so I’m learning as I go. Also where might I find parts? I’m missing the finder and might need a secondary mirror replacement. I need a schematic for the collimator on the secondary. Primary too for that matter.

 Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome, and thanks  for registering   You've already received some good help from members, so I'll try to fill in the blanks, at the risk of some redundancy.

 

Your serial number and photos establish that you have a 1971 vintage Velvetone Tri-Color Sandcast Celestron C8. You should know these early models have some collector value, and ordinarily we would not advocate full disassembly or refinishing them. Yours, given some optics issues, would benefit from some work.

 

Please be cautious when attributing diagrams and procedures from other manufacturers as applying to your scope. Because of it's extreme age, even some Celestron C8 information and guidance may be of limited value.

 

One such example regards the mount for your secondary mirror, which is 4-screw and metallic not 3 or plastic. Others apply to parts like gaskets, paint colors, and powering.

 

You have begun a fun and fulfilling experience, and will be best assisted in the forums by starting your own thread in one of the vintage help forums.

 

Other questions you've posed about finders, while appropriate here in so far as original authenticity, have already been answered. Further inquiries of this nature we can continue to answer, but as much as w'd like to help, general knowledge assistance  is best served elsewhere.

 

Once again, thank you for registering.

[msinc]

Hello from Maryland.....first post. I would like to "register" my C8+. This was actually my father's telescope that my sister and I put together and bought for him in the mid 90's. He passed away in 2004 and it has been mine ever since. It hasn't really been used much. If I remember correctly, it was purchased new from Ritz Camera in the Annapolis Mall {Parole}. I cannot give an exact year, but I believe it was 1994 and I also believe it was late July. This was a birthday gift and his was 4-Aug. I had it at my cabin in the mountains of Virginia for the last several years as there is practically no light pollution there. Just brought it back this weekend and plan to start up using it again. I have a lot of questions, but will post them in the correct spot. 

Edited by msinc, 28 May 2024 - 06:41 AM.

[Jeff L]

I got another one. My next door neighbor gave it to me for work that I have been doing.

#4143  8.

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Edited by Jeff L, 02 June 2024 - 03:49 PM.

[Frankastro]

 Hello,

 

Please find my old C8 from France. Ref : 175 767

An elderly person gave me these telescopes. I do not know the purchase dates.

 

 

And the serial number :

 

 

 

Probably 1977 ?

 

This person also gave me a C14 

 

Frank

Edited by Frankastro, 11 June 2024 - 03:02 PM.

[Brisby2]

I've got two more C8s to add to the registry!

 

Orange tube C8 #804100. Had a messed up focuser but I was able to source some parts for it and repair it. Comes with the wedge and tripod and trunk case as well, but also had to source a power cable. 

 

Black tube Celestar C8 #895490. Just picked up this one in a bundle with the wedgepod, no handbox unfortunately. I believe this is the earlier Celestar with no PEC.

 

Edited by Brisby2, 11 June 2024 - 06:37 PM.

[pierce]

...

Black tube Celestar C8 #895490. Just picked up this one in a bundle with the wedgepod, no handbox unfortunately. I believe this is the earlier Celestar with no PEC.

 

 

the hand controller just controls the clock drive, -RA stops it, +RA doubles it, its pretty useless.   I can see in your pic, you don't have the DEC screw motor, so +/- DEC does nothing.

[Brisby2]

the hand controller just controls the clock drive, -RA stops it, +RA doubles it, its pretty useless.   I can see in your pic, you don't have the DEC screw motor, so +/- DEC does nothing.

I know, it would just be nice to have though for sake of completion. I do also have a declination motor on hand somewhere. I think it's a Meade though so it may not work.

[Eric Greene]

The C8 that Brisby2 mentioned above is now at its new home in Durham, NC.

 

This is my third C8 since buying my first in 1977.  Sold that one in Atlanta a few years later, then bought another one around 1989.  That one moved to Ohio with me where it was deforked and mounted on an Ioptron CEM45.  Sold off all my gear including the C8, the Ioptron mount, and my 16" StarMaster with a Zambuto mirror.   Alas, I never noted the serial numbers of the 2 previous C8s.  

 

The new scope has the serial number mentioned by Brisby2 - Orange tube C8 #804100.

 

Wife says I'm much happier with a telescope I can handle at the age of 78.  I quite agree with her!

[Mr Magoo]

Is there an updated registry document somewhere to be found? 

[flyboyu777]

Just got this today. . . . .I believe it's an early 80's?  Never seen this finderscope before. . . .

 

 

 

SN 820973

 

Paperwork Bling:

 

 

Edited by flyboyu777, 28 July 2024 - 02:22 PM.

[RSX11M+]

 

Just got this today. . . . .I believe it's an early 80's?  Never seen this finderscope before. . . .

 

SN 820973

 

I believe you have a Super C8, with a fairly typical finder for that model.

 

I suggest that perhaps the diagonal on your main OTA originally belonged to the finder. If this is correct, swapping the diagonal in for the extension tube presently in the finder should allow the eyepiece to focus.

 

It would also match then pretty closely with catalog photos of the model.

 

By serial number, 1982 would be an excellent guess. We have very few optics numbers [distinct from unit serial number] for scopes in this era of production, so further refinement of manufacture date is difficult.

 

However, Celestron lore has it that the Super C8 was only in production for 2 years when it was "replaced" by the Super C8 Plus, which yours definitely is not. So, that's about as close as we can get.

 

Your example appears "mint" and having all the contemporary literature is great to see, especially the Optics Cert - who's Numbers could be matched to those from the scope, should it ever be disassembled to see them. [not recommended] 

 

Thanks for registering a great addition to your stable.

Edited by RSX11M+, 28 July 2024 - 06:30 PM.

[Kasmos]

I believe you have a Super C8, with a fairly typical finder for that model.

 

I suggest that perhaps the diagonal on your main OTA originally belonged to the finder. If this is correct, swapping the diagonal in for the extension tube presently in the finder should allow the eyepiece to focus.

 

It would also match then pretty closely with catalog photos of the model.

 

By serial number, 1982 would be an excellent guess. We have very few optics numbers [distinct from unit serial number] for scopes in this era of production, so further refinement of manufacture date is difficult.

 

However, Celestron lore has it that the Super C8 was only in production for 2 years when it was "replaced" by the Super C8 Plus, which yours definitely is not. So, that's about as close as we can get.

 

Your example appears "mint" and having all the contemporary literature is great to see, especially the Optics Cert - who's Numbers could be matched to those from the scope, should it ever be disassembled to see them. [not recommended] 

 

Thanks for registering a great addition to your stable.

Uncle Rods Used SCT Buyers Guide says the Super C8 was first advertised July 1983. I have that issue so I think it's right and I don't believe Celestron ever offered a black C8 until that year.

 

The paper work flyboyu777 shows includes catalogs from two years, '82 and '83. The one in color with the Celestron Girl is from '83 and it has the Super C8 in it. The two Black and White catalogs to the left of it are from '82 and they do not feature a Super C8 and other than the telephoto models no black scopes.

[RSX11M+]

Uncle Rods Used SCT Buyers Guide says the Super C8 was first advertised July 1983. I have that issue so I think it's right and I don't believe Celestron ever offered a black C8 until that year.

 

The paper work flyboyu777 shows includes catalogs from two years, '82 and '83. The one in color with the Celestron Girl is from '83 and it has the Super C8 in it. The two Black and White catalogs to the left of it are from '82 and they do not feature a Super C8 and other than the telephoto models no black scopes.

I can always count on you for a lively discussion, so let's - 

 

In researching this question I always consult Unc's guide too. While he does in fact, as you say, put the introduction of the Super C8 in 1983 by virtue of when it was first advertised, there is other evidence to suggest this date can be taken as "an in-production by date" rather than commencement.

 

The registry includes 819066 as a Black Tube Super C8 with subsequent serial numbers attributed to 1982.

 

I do agree that presence of a 1983 catalog tends to move the date for this particular unit, but I could not read that, nor did I recognize that cover.

 

We also have an instance registered of a Super C8 Plus 827441 in October of 1984 [evidenced by receipt] and it is not the first. 

 

So, 1984 minus 2 being 1982, I set the lower bound for 820973 "production date" in 1982.

 

However, it is debatable, and further refinement is difficult. The presence of a 1983 catalog has weight, at least as evidence of a "sold by date". 

 

The only other clues we might access would be A Motor Date, and other Optics numbers. [of which we have none at this time] As we have seen in other cases - there is some date-smear for these as well, so the issue would remain in debate even with these.

 

Thanks again for your guardianship. I do think the discourse helps readers of the thread see more deeply into the subject and appreciate the factors and difficulty of date assignment.

Edited by RSX11M+, 28 July 2024 - 09:07 PM.

[RSX11M+]

 

Just got this today. . . . .I believe it's an early 80's?  Never seen this finderscope before. . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

SN 820973

I should have commented before...

 

To my knowledge, this is the first posting of a Double-CAT telescope to the registry.

 

Congratulations!

Edited by RSX11M+, 29 July 2024 - 04:41 AM.

[CHASLX200]

I loved them tripods from 1984.  But the locks are known to break.