8923 replies to this topic

[DocFinance]

I figured there was a better solution - I saw a bidding war for an LAR a few weeks ago that went quickly north of $50 (ended up at almost $80, amazing)  I figured I did OK after the bidding up that was happening back in April and May (when I was trying to put together a travel scope).  We'll see.

 

i wanted to get a C90 because my ETX is just so dainty - I'd be afraid to carry it on a trip.  I know how Celestron engineered things in the old days, though.  I used to carry my orange C5 in the trunk of my car a couple of months a year (I'd never do that in TX).  My manual ETX is beautiful, but it just feels fragile, even off of the mount.

 

Tile Guy, from the backdrop, I finally get it after all this time.

Edited by DocFinance, 10 August 2014 - 04:12 PM.

[AstroPhys]

The new Tasco arrived today!

 

I just ran across this very similar Selsi Shot shell scope.

 

http://www.ebay.com/...=item233ee9494e

[DocFinance]

I've been observing with this spotter for a while now and it is absolutely stunning.
I have a feeling if I see a B&L telescope for sale I'm going to think very VERY seriously about buying it!

Yep, I have one of those too.  Excellent optics.  But no diagonal makes it hard on the neck.  I managed to find a few eyepieces for it, for using it at the range.  Same eyepieces as a Bushnell Spacemaster.

 

Edit:  I even use mine on a vintage Tilt-All too.  I don't have the pipe-clamp mount, though - I've adapted a Swift tabletop tripod and use that head on the big one when I need to.  Good old Velcro strap to hold it together.

 

Now that I think of it, I pamper that BalScope more than I pamper my astro stuff.  Always have.  It certainly has a nicer case than anything else I have.

 

The eyepieces were sheer luck.  I got it with the standard range 20x eyepiece, which has good eye relief but nothing else.  Then I found a 15 at a local SC store chain that was being bought out by Wolf Camera, just by chance.  Then the others (20x and 60x) I got from one of the old supply houses in CT that advertised in S&T all the time.  For B&L eyepieces the ad said "Call" so I did.  I think I paid almost nothing for them, but they are all amazing. One is actually a Spacemaster EP, but it's identical to the other.  If I had a bino mount that would be perfect.

Edited by DocFinance, 10 August 2014 - 05:55 PM.

[clamchip]

 

I've been observing with this spotter for a while now and it is absolutely stunning.
I have a feeling if I see a B&L telescope for sale I'm going to think very VERY seriously about buying it!

Yep, I have one of those too.  Excellent optics.  But no diagonal makes it hard on the neck.  I managed to find a few eyepieces for it, for using it at the range.  Same eyepieces as a Bushnell Spacemaster.

 

Oh I love that BALscope. It is shatteringly good. I use it every day. It is superb at everything. Except for astronomy because like you say hard on the neck. But it excels at astronomy too, the field is wonderfully wide and  scalpel sharp and zero false color.

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Edited by actionhac, 10 August 2014 - 04:45 PM.

[Chuck Hards]

I take it that BALscope means Bausch And Lomb scope, right?  I've seen the name applied to several different styles of B&L spotter, so I assume it's just a generic term for a B&L spotter instead of specific model.

[DocFinance]

I take it that BALscope means Bausch And Lomb scope, right?  I've seen the name applied to several different styles of B&L spotter, so I assume it's just a generic term for a B&L spotter instead of specific model.

I thought it was the proper name - the BalScope Ten is a 10x model, and the big one is a BalScope 60.  I don't have any paperwork on mine, though.  Maybe the ones on eBay at $599 BIN have docs.

[clamchip]

This model was  called a "BALscope".

At some point this model was called a "BALscope Sr." and a that time Bausch & Lomb was also making a "BALscope Jr." a drawtube spotting telescope.

B&L also made the BALscope Zoom 60mm 15X-60X.

[DocFinance]

And there was one that came with the turret head on the prism case.  Or maybe that was an upgrade.

 

just looked through ebay again, and it looks like this was the Balscope Sr.

 

see page 3 of this pdf

http://www.gunsmagaz...ssues/G0156.pdf

 

 

 

Edited by DocFinance, 11 August 2014 - 03:49 PM.

[clamchip]

This BALscope Zoom was purchased by my wife's grandpa in the early 60's and has survived all the generations of kids growing up,  and salt spray at our family cabin. It is mechanically and optically  still like new..

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Edited by actionhac, 13 August 2014 - 12:21 AM.

[DocFinance]

I figured there was a better solution - I saw a bidding war for an LAR a few weeks ago that went quickly north of $50 (ended up at almost $80, amazing)  I figured I did OK after the bidding up that was happening back in April and May (when I was trying to put together a travel scope).  We'll see.

 

i wanted to get a C90 because my ETX is just so dainty - I'd be afraid to carry it on a trip.  I know how Celestron engineered things in the old days, though.  I used to carry my orange C5 in the trunk of my car a couple of months a year (I'd never do that in TX).  My manual ETX is beautiful, but it just feels fragile, even off of the mount.

 

Tile Guy, from the backdrop, I finally get it after all this time.

Tile Guy had an LAR for auction today, the final was $90 with shipping.  Judas Priest!

[Jim Curry]

Picture yourself at the controls.... 4" 155c (motor not mounted in pic)

[Terra Nova]

Wow Jim, that is a beautiful scope! Most folks don't realize how big a 4" Unitron is until they see a person standing next to one. Welcome to the 4" Unitron club. You kept mum on that one! 

[starman876]

Nice unitron.  Love this 4"  unitrons. Terra is absolutely correct.  No one has a clue of the size of a 152 until you see the pictures with someone standing next to one.  They are not a scope for people with back trouble.

[Terra Nova]

So true!

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Edited by terraclarke, 16 August 2014 - 08:56 AM.

[Jim Curry]

So true!

Terra:

Your earlier comment was correct, the mount is taller than a G11.  I'm doing too much traveling to mess with this so it'll be a library queen for awhile.

As you have stated and Johann alludes to, these are pretty heavy setups.  You must be in wicked shape to hand carry that out the basement door.

 

Jim

[Terra Nova]

Hi Jim,

 

its a multi-stage process:

 

1. Remove OTA, then counterweights

 

2. Collapse tripod and carry it and mount out the door and to the backyard observing pad and setup tripod and mount outside. (This process is so much easier and les risky with the heavy chain spreader I made for the tripod that is attached with eye hook screws and carabiners.)

 

3. Bring out counterweights, tray, eyepiece box and OTA, put on a) tray, b) counterweights, then c) OTA.

 

The entire process can be done and set up for viewing in 15 minutes. 

[Jim Curry]

The head and legs are still quite handful. Chain is a great idea!  The tray is only useful when setting up on a level surface.

This rig doesn't have a scratch anywhere except on the protective rings mounted on the guide scope.

Jim

 

 

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[fjs]

Went off-topic, sorry Dan.

 

Edited by fjs, 16 August 2014 - 07:15 PM.

[fjs]

I don't have it yet. It doesn't come until Wednesday.   "new telescope"

 

I'm nearly 60 and still fidget and pace around like some kid awaiting Christmas or birthday presents.

[madeline]

I don't have it yet. It doesn't come until Wednesday.   "new telescope"

 

I'm nearly 60 and still fidget and pace around like some kid awaiting Christmas or birthday presents.

 

That's a nice scope.   I have the same one although missing alot of parts.  I only have the OTA, mount and tripod.

[midnitexplorer]

Heres my "score-O-the day" picked up locally.  Towa 76mm x 600 Cat.  Very smooth but needs collimating.  A great deal at $30cdn .

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[madeline]

Heres my "score-O-the day" picked up locally.  Towa 76mm x 600 Cat.  Very smooth but needs collimating.  A great deal at $30cdn .

 

 

Nice score on the Towa

[pdxmoon]

Picture yourself at the controls.... 4" 155c (motor not mounted in pic)CAM00260s.jpg

 

Wow--and I thought my 142 was big!  That's an incredible beauty, Jim. I don't think I could fit it in my house!

[Terra Nova]

The head and legs are still quite handful. Chain is a great idea!  The tray is only useful when setting up on a level surface.

This rig doesn't have a scratch anywhere except on the protective rings mounted on the guide scope.

Jim

 

Like yours Jim, mine also barely clears the beam ceiling where I keep it here in a corner next to the French doors waiting ready to go out for observing.

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Edited by terraclarke, 17 August 2014 - 12:09 PM.

[Chuck Hards]

I figured there was a better solution - I saw a bidding war for an LAR a few weeks ago that went quickly north of $50 (ended up at almost $80, amazing)  I figured I did OK after the bidding up that was happening back in April and May (when I was trying to put together a travel scope).  We'll see.

 

 

The current Celestron prime-focus T-adapter fits my orange-tube C-90.  Just got one from High Point Scientific, Celestron #93635-A T-Adapter MAK.  

 

The threaded ring gets a bit snug before it bottoms-out, but it does tighten down all the way.  Another way to attach a camera without relying on a .965" barrel and the setscrew.