544 replies to this topic

[abe]

Hi.

This may seem overly pedantic, but I thought I might point out that the C5 registry current contains three varieties of orange tube models, when there were at least 6 variations:

Type 1) Tricolour Velvetone finish, 6" diameter base, tan colored sand-cast forks.
approx. 1st quarter of 1972

Type 2) Orange tube changed to smooth finish, forks changed to dark brown / grey.
approx. 2nd quarter of 1973

Type 3) Declination circles changed to pointed star shapes, die-cast.
approx. 2nd quarter of 1976

Type 4) Forks changed to die-cast ribbed style with no holes, drive base changed from 6" to 8" diameter.
approx. 3rd quarter of 1976

Type 5) Front tube ring changed to wide grey outset style with screw fasteners, OTA changed to pebble finish with die-cast rear cell.
approx. 4th quarter of 1976

Type 6) Changed to 5xxxxx style serial numbers, plastic secondary holder with 3 screws, serial number moved from base to secondary housing. 
approx. 3rd quarter of 1979

 

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Edited by abe, 08 May 2024 - 12:46 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Hi.

This may seem overly pedantic, but I thought I might point out that the C5 registry current contains three varieties of orange tube models, when there were at least 6 variations:

Type 1) Tricolour Velvetone finish, 6" diameter base, tan colored sand-cast forks.

Type 2) Orange tube changed to smooth finish, forks changed to dark brown / grey.

Type 3) Declination circles changed to pointed star shapes, die-cast.

Type 4) Forks changed to die-cast ribbed style with no holes, drive base changed from 6" to 8" diameter.

Type 5) Front tube ring changed to wide grey outset style with screw fasteners, OTA changed to pebble finish with die-cast rear cell.

Type 6) Changed to 5xxxxx style serial numbers, plastic secondary holder with 3 screws, serial number moved from base to secondary housing. 

 

Don't forget the rare all black C5 made in the mid 80's. 

[abe]

Don't forget the rare all black C5 made in the mid 80's. 

I was just listing the orange tube ones.   There are at least a half-dozen more C5 variations (and almost certainly many more, depending upon what you count as unique):

Type 7) Super C5, shiny black tube

approx. 1990
 

Type 8) C5+, white tube, single arm fork mount, 9V battery driven
approx. 4th quarter of 1992

Type 9) C5+, white tube, single arm fork mount, drive base with silver top plate, AC powered
approx 1994?

 

Type 10) Nextar 5, silver-grey tube
approx. early 2000s

Type 11) C5 equatorial, CG-4 mount, black tube, orange lettering
approx. 2005 (Celestron acquired by Synta)
 

Type 12) Nextar 5SE, orange tube
approx. early 2020s?

[RSX11M+]

Hi.

This may seem overly pedantic, but I thought I might point out that the C5 registry current contains three varieties of orange tube models, when there were at least 6 variations:

Type 1) Tricolour Velvetone finish, 6" diameter base, tan colored sand-cast forks.
approx. 1st quarter of 1972

Type 2) Orange tube changed to smooth finish, forks changed to dark brown / grey.
approx. 2nd quarter of 1973

Type 3) Declination circles changed to pointed star shapes, die-cast.
approx. 2nd quarter of 1976

Type 4) Forks changed to die-cast ribbed style with no holes, drive base changed from 6" to 8" diameter.
approx. 3rd quarter of 1976

Type 5) Front tube ring changed to wide grey outset style with screw fasteners, OTA changed to pebble finish with die-cast rear cell.
approx. 4th quarter of 1976

Type 6) Changed to 5xxxxx style serial numbers, plastic secondary holder with 3 screws, serial number moved from base to secondary housing. 
approx. 3rd quarter of 1979

 

 

Wow, that's an excellent pictorial history of the model. It would have served to help new owners self appreciate their scopes with almost no words. The features even apply to the history of C8s to an extent, albeit with different dates.

 

I may quote your work in future. Thank you - 

 

 

I was just listing the orange tube ones.   There are at least a half-dozen more C5 variations (and almost certainly many more, depending upon what you count as unique):

Type 7) Super C5, shiny black tube

approx. 1990
 

Type 8) C5+, white tube, single arm fork mount, 9V battery driven
approx. 4th quarter of 1992

Type 9) C5+, white tube, single arm fork mount, drive base with silver top plate, AC powered
approx 1994?

 

Type 10) Nextar 5, silver-grey tube
approx. early 2000s

Type 11) C5 equatorial, CG-4 mount, black tube, orange lettering
approx. 2005 (Celestron acquired by Synta)
 

Type 12) Nextar 5SE, orange tube
approx. early 2020s?

...any possibility of another pictorial essay on these?

Edited by RSX11M+, 13 May 2024 - 04:17 AM.

[Dartguy]

And there were also a couple of Black C5 Telephotos.  750mm and 1200mm, I believe.  I have the shorter one.

[abe]

Wow, that's an excellent pictorial history of the model. It would have served to help new owners self appreciate their scopes with almost no words. The features even apply to the history of C8s to an extent, albeit with different dates.

 

I may quote your work in future. Thank you - 

 

 

...any possibility of another pictorial essay on these?

Yes, sure.  I'll see what I can put together.   More knowledgeable CN members will probably need to help with release dates and I'll probably miss a few things but I'll give it a try.

Edited by abe, 14 May 2024 - 02:01 AM.

[RSX11M+]

... More knowledgeable CN members will probably need to help with release dates and I'll probably miss a few things but I'll give it a try.

... just you try and stop em!

[GeneDiG]

When was the black tube C5 with the short Vixen dovetail and Starbright released?

[Erik Bakker]

I was just listing the orange tube ones.   There are at least a half-dozen more C5 variations (and almost certainly many more, depending upon what you count as unique):

Type 7) Super C5, shiny black tube

approx. 1990
 

Type 8) C5+, white tube, single arm fork mount, 9V battery driven
approx. 4th quarter of 1992

Type 9) C5+, white tube, single arm fork mount, drive base with silver top plate, AC powered
approx 1994?

 

Type 10) Nextar 5, silver-grey tube
approx. early 2000s

Type 11) C5 equatorial, CG-4 mount, black tube, orange lettering
approx. 2005 (Celestron acquired by Synta)
 

Type 12) Nextar 5SE, orange tube
approx. early 2020s?

Type 7, the black tube Super C5 Plus was from the late 1983/1984 era, not the 1990’s.

 

Production was ceased prior to the 1986 Comet Halley appearance, to allocate more production capacity to the more profitable C8, that also was in much higher demand.

[DogOnPot]

I have an older black and white C5, but it doesn't have a serial number on it for some reason. I wonder if my grandfather, who originally owned it, took it off. It seems strange considering he kept the original manual for it.

[astrotorben]

Hi C5´vers

 

Is the registry still being maintained?

 

 

I ask as I have some info for the registry

 

 

Kind regards

 

 

Torben Ask

[RSX11M+]

Hi C5´vers

 

Is the registry still being maintained?

 

 

I ask as I have some info for the registry

 

 

Kind regards

 

 

Torben Ask

 

Yes, We're still alive.

[JimC88]

I have an oldie.    Serial number 88.       A friend of mine gave this to me about ten years ago.   He bought it second hand in about 1975.     It came with the tripod, wedge, and a few Celestron eyepieces but not the "visual back".   I turned one on my lathe which doubles as a camera adapter.     That is why it is silver.     Eventually I'll get an old Celestron visual back.    The scope came with the grey finder, which appears owner made.   In the 70's we knew a lot of telescope makers, so I'll ask.       

 

 

 

 

 

 

                

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[davidmcgo]

Nice scope!  I seem to remember Tuthill selling a finder that looked like that before he did the tapered red or orange plastic jobs.  Lots of grey PVC in his stuff.

 

Dave

[John Scherer]

Picked up a very nice, very clean C5 from another C/N member today, Thanks Tom!  SN: 433467, so 4th qtr of 1977.  Very happy to have this scope in such great shape.
 
John

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[RSX11M+]

Picked up a very nice, very clean C5 from another C/N member today, Thanks Tom!  SN: 433467, so 4th qtr of 1977.  Very happy to have this scope in such great shape.
 
John

That is a beautiful example of a die-cast era scope, including it's original 4-screw secondary holder and I imagine the RA base's power chord connector is on the mounting face / bottom.

 

I would like to ask a question though - it's a matter of jealousy. That finder is of a modern type, and it's mount perfectly suits the scope. Can you identify it and possibly a purchase source?

 

I bought a couple similar types, but the mounts were not appropriate. 

 

Thank you for registering, and best of luck to you both -

[John Scherer]

RSX-11;

 

Thanks.  It really is a beautiful scope. I've also got the wedge and orginal finder, and the power port is indeed on the bottom of the base.  Its got a bit more backlash that I think I need to address but other than that, its pretty much mint.

 

The finder is the Stellarvue MRF Red Dot Finder and the base is the Stellarvue F002 Finder Base.  I've attached some more detailed photos of it.

 

Quick question, RSX-11, is that in reference to the DEC OS?  If so, we have something else in common!

 

-John

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[RSX11M+]

RSX-11;

 

Thanks.  It really is a beautiful scope. I've also got the wedge and orginal finder, and the power port is indeed on the bottom of the base.  Its got a bit more backlash that I think I need to address but other than that, its pretty much mint.

 

The finder is the Stellarvue MRF Red Dot Finder and the base is the Stellarvue F002 Finder Base.  I've attached some more detailed photos of it.

 

Quick question, RSX-11, is that in reference to the DEC OS?  If so, we have something else in common!

 

-John

Thanks for the finder feedback.

 

...and "yes" DEC OS from ancient times. After PDP-10 DOS - I did a lot of development work on RSX based systems, and moved to M-Plus in the early days to utilize 11/70 hardware features in software. I still dabble to keep my hand in.

 

BTW - I failed to mention your correct interpretation of manufacture date.

 

RA assembly backlash can be minimized by loosening and tweaking one of the motors slightly [I think your base has two?] but other than that, there's little help for the RA side backlash. The DEC can be helped by making sure there's no play in the adjustment of the DEC screw on the fork arm. [see reverse side locknut] These are frequently neglected cleaning and lube points on these older models.

 

As for main mirror, manipulating the grease to free mirror movement is about all you can do without disassembly. [not recommend] They do flop a little, so most use a microfine crayford for focus instead. There is a back-focus sweet-spot but it only becomes apparent in wide field applications or with large sensor cameras. Something to be aware of.

 

Start your own thread in Classic Scopes or one of the Imaging forums for "real" help.

 

Thanks again for posting -

Edited by RSX11M+, 08 August 2024 - 02:33 PM.

[John Scherer]

RSX, 

 

Quick question for you.  are modern Celestron SCT accessories suppose work on these older C5 scopes?  I've got a Celestron visual back and a Celestron focal reducer and nether will completely screw onto the threads of the scope.

 

 

Wow, quite the DEC history you have.  My DEC experience is much less glamours.  Sometime around late 77 or so (while in Jr, High), I discovered  our local university had a very well equipped computer science department.  At the time I was using the newly released Apple II and well on my way to a healthy computer addiction.  I spent countless hours, and entire weekends at the computer center, discovering a Dec PDP-8, various PDP-11's, and a VAX 11/780 system, gaining access to theses systems as I found them.   And those were in addition to the IBM Mainframes.  It was a wonderful time that lasted until 1981 when I graduated high school and went into the Army.  When I got out of the army, I returned to that school and enrolled in a computer science program and got to use some Dec MicroVAX systems and the IBM 3090 the school had along with VM/CMS BITNET/RELAY.  So much fun, and I met people that I'm still friends with to this day.

 

I've wanted to have my own running PDP-11 system but had to settle for the PiDP/11, raspberry pi based PDP-11 hardware/software emulator.  There is a guy on Youtube, Dave's Garage, who has many real Dec PDP-11 systems and is documenting his adventures in getting them working and on the internet.  Its pretty fun watching and living vicariously through him 

[CHASLX200]

They all worked with my 6 C5's.

[Bob Hayes]

Here's the score for this week, found on my local FaceBook Market Place.

I stole this entire rig for $60. The guy marked it down from $100 the day before. I didn't need it but..............................

[flyboyu777]

Here's the score for this week, found on my local FaceBook Market Place.

I stole this entire rig for $60. The guy marked it down from $100 the day before. I didn't need it but..............................

That is super-nice!  Congrats!!

[abe]

Here's the score for this week, found on my local FaceBook Market Place.

I stole this entire rig for $60. The guy marked it down from $100 the day before. I didn't need it but..............................

So it was real!!   Nice score.   Such a lovely scope.  

In the original listing, it looked like it was missing the R.A. slow motion know but in your photos everything looks present.   Did you need to do any little bit of touch-up maintenance once you got the scope?   Did you have to go on a road trip to get it or did you get extra lucky and have it appear nearby?

[GUS.K]

They all worked with my 6 C5's.

Were they all diecast C5's? My 2 sandcast C5's and C8's have slightly different threads than my diecast celestrons, the visual back and focal reducers will only go on about two threads, I've tried numerous focal reducers, two Celestrons, a Japanese and Chinese made as well as three Meade ones, two original and a recent one as well as numerous visual backs. All fit on the diecast models with no problem.

[CHASLX200]

Were they all diecast C5's? My 2 sandcast C5's and C8's have slightly different threads than my diecast celestrons, the visual back and focal reducers will only go on about two threads, I've tried numerous focal reducers, two Celestrons, a Japanese and Chinese made as well as three Meade ones, two original and a recent one as well as numerous visual backs. All fit on the diecast models with no problem.

I have had every C5 but a tri color and the one arm deal and could use newer stuff in them.  Never used FR's on a SCT.