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Criterion RV-8 Dynascope: rough, but rockin'

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108 replies to this topic

#51 starman876

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Posted 22 February 2021 - 07:05 PM

Do show us.  Post a link to a video of the Moon with your 60 mm that is the same scale and resolution as mine.  Or post an image of the Moon, Jupiter or Saturn with your 60 millimeter that are the same or better than any of the above I've posted, or any of the following of MY BEST EVER CRITERION RV-8 PLANET IMAGES with point-n-shoot cameras (which I also posted in Solar System imaging forum here on CN years ago when I did them.)  The Moon images are not stacks, but single frames, I left them noisy and didn't do noise removal on purpose to preserve details.     

 

attachicon.gifMVI_0147redover.jpg attachicon.gifSaturnApril17CanonA590.png

 

attachicon.gifMOONIMG_0668TWO.JPG

 

attachicon.gifMOONIMG_0755POUND.jpg

you do have some very nice images on your web site.waytogo.gif


Edited by starman876, 22 February 2021 - 07:05 PM.

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#52 jimifanwing

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Posted 23 February 2021 - 10:54 PM

I bought a “rough but rockin” Dynascope 8 about 9 years ago. It was pretty corroded, but mirror coating was decent and the clock drive worked after a shot of WD40. I totally disassembled and rebuilt the beast. Great planetary views and so cool looking. You got a awesome telescope there!

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#53 terrapin

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Posted 23 February 2021 - 11:26 PM

I bought a “rough but rockin” Dynascope 8 about 9 years ago. It was pretty corroded, but mirror coating was decent and the clock drive worked after a shot of WD40. I totally disassembled and rebuilt the beast. Great planetary views and so cool looking. You got a awesome telescope there!

 

Fantastic looking scope. Great job!



#54 jimifanwing

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Posted 24 February 2021 - 09:04 AM

Thanks. I was very lucky, it just popped up on the local CL.

#55 ccwemyss

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Posted 24 February 2021 - 11:24 AM

There was one on CL here a couple of years ago, but it was too big for a student loaner, and when those are all home, my wife give me a hard time about how they fill my basement space. But it was still very tempting. They have such a beautiful classic design. 

 

My understanding is that the 8" Dynascope is f8, whereas the RV8 is f7. As Dave has noted, the Criterion mirrors he's tested have been spheres, even though they were advertised as parabolic. But I wonder if any of these less common f8s were parabolized? I saw one on AM where the owner found it to be a sphere, and did the correction himself. 

 

Chip W. 



#56 Jason H.

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Posted 24 February 2021 - 02:37 PM

My RV-8 is f/8.125 (not f/7.)  It's the one in the middle.

 

smDSC00697.jpg

 

 

 

 

There was one on CL here a couple of years ago, but it was too big for a student loaner, and when those are all home, my wife give me a hard time about how they fill my basement space. But it was still very tempting. They have such a beautiful classic design. 

 

My understanding is that the 8" Dynascope is f8, whereas the RV8 is f7. As Dave has noted, the Criterion mirrors he's tested have been spheres, even though they were advertised as parabolic. But I wonder if any of these less common f8s were parabolized? I saw one on AM where the owner found it to be a sphere, and did the correction himself. 

 

Chip W. 

 


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#57 ccwemyss

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Posted 24 February 2021 - 08:54 PM

Interesting. I checked Phil Harrington's collection of ads, which show the Dynascope 8 as f8 and the RV8 as f7. But then they also assert that all of their mirrors are parabolized. So maybe the ad copy was just being optimistic. 

 

Chip W. 


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#58 CHASLX200

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Posted 25 February 2021 - 06:37 AM

My RV-8 is f/8.125 (not f/7.)  It's the one in the middle.

 

attachicon.gifsmDSC00697.jpg

I want it back if you ever sell it.


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#59 Don07tncav

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Posted 25 February 2021 - 07:26 AM

Picked this one up for $60 and have rewired it along with rebuilding the clutch. Really enjoying the scope. This is the after photo.

 

AAAsmall after.JPG

 

Looks like I was laying on my side for this photo or there was an issue with earth's gravity field.


Edited by Don07tncav, 25 February 2021 - 08:17 AM.

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#60 jelloptic

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Posted 25 February 2021 - 07:37 PM

Nice restoration there, jimifanwing (post #52). Your scope has all the options... clock drive, large setting circles.

 

Question: in your second picture, (out standing in your field)... is your bell pier resting on the ground, or is there a cement pad not visible?

Q2:  do you have the tripod within the pier?

Q3:  is your secondary spider a "figure 8" , as opposed to 4 radial vanes?

 

Again, nice scope, I'm envious, except for its weight (too heavy for me to lug around).

 

regards,   kbl



#61 jimifanwing

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Posted 25 February 2021 - 10:22 PM

Thanks, it was a bit of work. Pedestal was just on the ground. Tripod is within (which is so cool), I had to make new legs. Spider is the two hoop style.

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#62 Gil V

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Posted 27 February 2021 - 09:57 AM

One of my regrets of my time at the plant is that we no longer made deluxe Dynascopes. I think those were only made in the Hartford plant, and I started there after they had moved to West Hartford.

But I did end up with the guts from a 12-1/2” f/6 model, which I built into a dob.

Edited by Gil V, 27 February 2021 - 09:59 AM.

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#63 Bob Hayes

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Posted 30 September 2024 - 05:33 PM

I found an old RV-8 locally that is really rough and I'm toying with a restoration. My issue is all the optics are gone and the guy is asking $350.

Is it worth it? I'm thinking $150 and I'll make it an 8" f/6. Seems the f/8 mirrors are hard to find.

 


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#64 deSitter

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Posted 01 October 2024 - 10:29 AM

 

I found an old RV-8 locally that is really rough and I'm toying with a restoration. My issue is all the optics are gone and the guy is asking $350.

Is it worth it? I'm thinking $150 and I'll make it an 8" f/6. Seems the f/8 mirrors are hard to find.

 
 
 
 

 

 

Not an RV-8, this is a full "Custom" Dynascope. No idea about the price, but it's one of my favorite ever classic scopes if restored and fitted with new optics.

 

-drl



#65 YourNotSirius

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Posted 01 October 2024 - 10:46 AM

I'd go up to $200 for that particular model. Then, keep your eyes open for a used F/8 mirror. I would NOT reduce it to a f/6 by cutting down the tube! That is basically sacrilege in the telescope community. Those were not common and well worth restoring. Provided you are willing and able to do the work properly. In the long run, no one will ever know that the mirror isn't original, if you don't tell them. LOL

 

FWIW

 

Q


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#66 ccwemyss

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Posted 01 October 2024 - 01:55 PM

There's an 8" f7.5 in the classifieds right now. Looking to trade for another mirror, but worth an inquiry.

 

Chip W. 


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#67 Bill Griffith

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Posted 02 October 2024 - 09:51 AM

Bob Hayes,

 

That is a Criterion DeLuxe you have procured  Nice find!

 

The two DeLuxes scopes that I'm the temporary custodian of have the best serialization of any telescope (my opinion).   The 6.00" S/N 658069. This is a 6.00" built 1958 S/N 069.  The 8.00" is  S/N 861379   This is an 8.00" built in 1961  S/N 379.  The serial numbers are stamped on the OTA and the mount.

 

Thanks

Bill


Edited by Bill Griffith, 02 October 2024 - 10:24 AM.

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#68 apfever

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Posted 02 October 2024 - 10:16 AM

I would go between 200 and 300 without the optics, but I am motivated since I have the 4.25" (two of them), 6", and 10".  My 6" is the full OTA substitution onto an RV-6 mount, done by the factory when they were short OTA for the RVs. My 6" also came with the heavier rings which is a rare inclusion for the substitutes.

 

I'd buy that 8" from you in a heartbeat if you'd sell it.

 

PLEASE don't cut the tube down for a shorter F ratio mirror, NO need to.  You can keep the tube stock length and put a faster mirror further up inside. This would only require some new holes - smaller ouch.


Edited by apfever, 02 October 2024 - 10:19 AM.

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#69 azure1961p

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Posted 03 October 2024 - 04:41 PM

Good news is, this can buff up like a Jewell.

 

Pete



#70 scopeboy42

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Posted 03 October 2024 - 07:42 PM

Nothing like those really big setting circles. Wish they would make a comeback. But yeah, I am a little old school.



#71 YourNotSirius

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Posted 07 October 2024 - 01:36 PM

Nothing like those really big setting circles. Wish they would make a comeback. But yeah, I am a little old school.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm..... Marketing opportunity, maybe? It's not too difficult to make them as long as one is not wanting them made from cast metal.

 

Q



#72 deSitter

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Posted 07 October 2024 - 03:13 PM

Hmmmmmmmmmmm..... Marketing opportunity, maybe? It's not too difficult to make them as long as one is not wanting them made from cast metal.

 

Q

The spoked setting circles are magnificent. Just about the most perfect thing in telescope land.

 

-drl



#73 jgraham

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Posted 07 October 2024 - 03:39 PM

You might ask in the ATM forum or post a wanted ad in the Classifieds. 8" f/8 mirrors do show up occasionally. I bought an 8" f/8 Edmunds mirror set from the Classifieds last year.

#74 Bob Hayes

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Posted 25 October 2024 - 02:22 PM

Well, I picked her up today. A tad ruff but I had to have it. It's going to be a lot of work. Mirrors and focuser are gone but the guy that had it says he'll keep looking. He's cleaning out an estate and sold it to me. I have no idea how to date the serial #. 

 
 

 


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#75 nykaver

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Posted 26 October 2024 - 03:55 AM

Is that the one on FB in Rochester? Very tempting but a 10 hr round trip for me. DM me if you need optics, I may have a lead.


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