42 replies to this topic

[Steve_M_M]

This telescope has been on my bucket list for about 6 years when I saw the first one posted here.  I have not seen one since although someone may have posted one in the extensive "telescope finds" list that I find hard to sort through rather than separate postings.  I was lucky to be bored a few days ago and searched "telescope" in the St Loius CL and found this one listed as just that, telescope.

 

The build date on this one is March 1988.  It's Russian so the build quality is excellent.  The box is very nicely made and sports the original all wood inserts. The mount is very sturdy.  The Alt/Az locks are adjustable for just the right amount of tension.  The slow motions controls work great.  The focuser is unbelievably smooth.  The mirror is supported by a push pull cell.The kit sports a high quality 15mm eyepiece giving 33x, a barlow to 88x, and an extension to make 133x.

 

After 2 nights of testing the optics, I put the quality of this mirror in the magical category.  I only have had one other small reflector in that category (6" Nishimura).  The views are simply amazing.  I am a happy camper!

 

Here are some pictures...

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Edited by Steve_M_M, 13 September 2015 - 02:27 PM.

[Steve_M_M]

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[Steve_M_M]

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[Andy Howie]

Snap !!

 

 Magnificent tiny, tank like build with great optics. I have one just as yours. ie: Battleship Grey and fitted baltic birchwood case.

 Sometime back, I did a side by side with my Carton 60/1000 and it gave as good views as that lovely frac. That is a huge compliment to the Tal as my Carton has cracking, sharp optics.

 As with all Tal R&P focusers, if you grip the left side focuser knob and loosen/tighten the right side knob, you can alter the tension of the racking to suit. If kept in good working order, freshly greased etc, these focusers are buttery smooth.

 You can experiment with microscope ep's and Harry Siebert makes an eyepiece(and sleeves) especially for the Alcor.

 

 Love my Alcor.

[Steve_M_M]

Hi Andy,

 

That's a neat feature.  Thank you.  It was yours and Grendel's post from years back that started me on the lookout for this telescope.  Based on the original picture in the ad, I would have never known.

 

I bought this from the original owner who worked for the US Dept of State.  He worked in Russia and had left over rubles he needed to spend as he could not bring them into the US.  So he bought this telescope.

[Terra Nova]

Very cool Steve. It almost has a sort of early Telementor aura about it.

[Andy Howie]

..............I bought this from the original owner who worked for the US Dept of State.  He worked in Russia and had left over rubles he needed to spend as he could not bring them into the US.  So he bought this telescope.

 Wow. Nothing like a bit a bit of back story history on a scope. How cool

 

Do you have the user booklet in english? I should have a pdf of it. Let me know if you want me to upload it?

[Terra Nova]

A somewhat later (late 90s) model is on Craigslist this weekend. It's southeast of Columbus OH, about 90 miles north of me, but at $230.00 for an 80mm Newtonian, it seemed a bit too high to provoke my interest. Pics show styrofoam inserts on this one and it comes with 6 filters as part of the standard package along with the two eyepieces and the (Barlow) lens. Anyway, here it is:

http://columbus.crai...5218239308.html

Edited by terraclarke, 13 September 2015 - 04:32 PM.

[Andy Howie]

A somewhat later (late 90s) model is on Craigslist this weekend. It's southeast of Columbus OH, about 90 miles north of me, but at $230.00 for an 80mm Newtonian, it seemed a bit too high to provoke my interest. Pics show styrofoam inserts on this one and I don't see the pier elements. Anyway, here it is:

http://columbus.crai...5218239308.html

 

Ahha, Terra.

 That is the Alcor's bigger brother, the 'Tal-M'. 80mm F6.6 with super clever built in finder and dual purpose eq or alt/az mount. They sometimes can be found on ebay over here. Usually you can pick up a good example for less than £100(approx $150?)

 

Lovely range of pics on flickr, here ... https://www.flickr.c...in/photostream/

[Terra Nova]

The mount is cool. It's an equatorial! Rather odd but neat!

[Andy Howie]

yeah, you can set it up in eq mode or alt/az.

 

I got mine for £20 from a dealer as it was missing the eq/alt-az head. Bought some 100mm o/d rings, so I could use the ota on my Helix mfg grab n go head.

 

 

I use the M's VERY solid pedestal for all my grab n go stuff. Heavy solid aluminium. About 60mm(~2.5") o/d & wall thickness of about 1/2" thick. My battleship grey paint was flaking badly, so the above pic is after I'd stripped it and before I buffed it up.

 

Great fun setup.

Edited by Andy Howie, 13 September 2015 - 05:04 PM.

[SpaceConqueror3]

Very cool telescope. Never heard of that one before this post.

[Rich (RLTYS)]

Neat little scope. LOL. 

 

Rich (RLTYS)

[Sasa]

Steve, great find. If I remember the old times well, the mentioned bigger brother's name was Mizar. I know of only one friend from youth who was lucky to get hand on this reflector. For majority of us, even this was out of our reach.

[grendel]

Excellent, I hope yours performs as well as mine, I have found some binocular eyepieces will also fit straight in, or microscope eyepieces, I just love the way that with the eyepiece extension and barlow you can get a variety of magnifications from the one eyepiece.

Grendel

[Terra Nova]

The bigger one in Columbus seems to still be available. I thought about it but didn't get it. I thought they wanted to much but you might be able to dicker the price down to $160.00? I wasn't inclined though as I am not really into reflectors and I am picking up that really cool To-Ho Eikow 115mm F11 next month.

[Steve_M_M]

If it wasn't a 6 hour drive for me, I would be starting a collection of Tal telescopes.

[TOM KIEHL]

The bigger one in Columbus seems to still be available. I thought about it but didn't get it. I thought they wanted to much but you might be able to dicker the price down to $160.00? I wasn't inclined though as I am not really into reflectors and I am picking up that really cool To-Ho Eikow 115mm F11 next month.

Did you read this ?    http://www.cloudynig...-newtonian-r924

[Terra Nova]

Not until you posted it Tom. The Tal is an interesting scope but it is not for me. I have gotten rid of all the Russian scopes in my collection. I doubt there will be another.

[rolo]

I have the same exact scope. Its been boxed in my garage for a decade! I remember the optics being quite good but at 65mm (if I recall) its about as useful as a 60mm refractor so in the box it lives.

 

I had completely forgotten that I even had it, I think its time to get rid of...

[Steve_M_M]

Having now had this scope out for the past 4 nights of clear skies, I can honestly say there is something special about the optics.  I would take another view through it.....and then sell it

[catboat]

Congrats, Steve.  Great find.  And you’ve got the nifty soviet screwdriver and artist’s brush.  I’ve been hankering for one of these for years -- (I blame Grendel and Andy H.   )   Enjoy it!

[Nave]

Wait.

When did you leave California?

Also, what's the dimensions on the box, if you please?

[Andy Howie]

Box is 573mm x 355mm x 170mm (22.6" x 14" x 6.7")
Weighs in at 13kg (28.7 lb) . Later models might be lighter, slightly, due to the polystyrene interior. More modern sliding push fit pedestal pieces 'may' also be lighter duty than the older threaded type?

Out of box, my scope all set up on the scales, weighs in at close to 7kg (15.4 lb)

 

Andy

[Steve_M_M]

Moved out of CA last year.  It's been good for the pocketbook as there are no classic scopes for sale in Springfield, IL.  LOL

 

This scope is going to get a lot of use.  Easy to transport, all in one package, 3 varying powers, easy to set up and move, acts like an N.K. 65mm.....all is good.