48 replies to this topic

[James52]

I have felt compelled and driven to write a small article about the all American Vernonscope Brandon Orthoscopic eyepieces. This is simply because I fell in love with these oculars over a good number of years, and I have come to the sad realization from a present day UK perspective, that so little seems to be known about them on a world scale - certainly in light of new up and coming professional and amateur astronomers alike.

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[Astrojensen]

That has got to be the longest title of a CN article ever. 

 

But the collection is super amazing!   Fantastic! 

 

 

Clear skies!
Thomas, Denmark

Edited by Astrojensen, 01 April 2018 - 11:31 AM.

[scngc7317]

that is the problem with the all American Vernonscope Brandon Orthoscopic eyepieces new up and coming amateur and professional astronomers around the world endeavour to get familiar with the all American Vernonscope Brandon. 

     By the time you set up the telescope and get familiar, its time for a nap!  ..

Edited by scngc7317, 01 April 2018 - 11:47 AM.

[junomike]

Wow, quite the collection (and history to go with it).

[HARRISON SCOPES]

Well done James, an excellent article and superb collection I have had the privilege of seeing many times,

[leveye]

Amazing collection. Congrats. I love my one 32mm.

Edited by leveye, 01 April 2018 - 12:29 PM.

[Richard O'Neill]

Alternate title: A Brandon Love Story

[SandyHouTex]

Unbelievable.  A certifiably museum collection of Brandon history.

[coopman]

Thank you for the great article and pics.   

[Dave1066]

Brilliant article 

[rogeriomagellan]

Speechless. Great pictures. That Vernonscope 94mm f/7 apo refractor is really nice looking. 

[Mike E.]

Thank you for this wonderful article James. I love my Brandon Binoviewer and sets of eyepieces, and hope that I will have the opportunity to visit and see your collection at a future star party.

[Esso2112]

Excellent history and a beautiful collection. Timely for me as well, as I just picked up a set of the brass Brandon’s and was curious about the age.

[James52]

My understanding from Don was that the brass Brandon sets were made in 1970 and the later set made in the 80's.  I would say if you have been lucky enough to obtain the brass Dakin Barlow then please hang on to it.  I believe there was only around 50 of these made by Don and his father in their workshop in Candor.  In any case, the fact you've been able to obtain these brass Brandon's is a wonderful thing.  They are incredibly rare and I hope you really enjoy using them as much as I enjoy using mine.

[ratnamaravind]

Worthy collection.

[James52]

Well done James, an excellent article and superb collection I have had the privilege of seeing many times,

Ed Harrison of Harrison Telescopes UK (Ted to his friends) was responsible for my professional set-up which has been a long term project.  This has only recently come to a conclusion early this year with the purchase of the Sky-watcher EQ8 which works brilliantly.  As such it has enabled me to now better utilize my Brandon's and many of the Vernonscope products.  A huge thanks to Ted and Harrison Telescopes Ltd UK. You've helped bring my dream to a realisation......you're an absolute star (forgive the pun!)

[James52]

If anyone out there is fortunate enough to have the EQ8 mount accompanied with the pier tripod, but like me not fortunate enough to have an observatory - you may be interested in the following.  I was looking to get a dolly for the pier tripod to counteract this problem to some extent. I further recognized I had no place to hold accessories (namely some of my Vernonscope wooden case`s and loose accessories.)  Brian of Astroparts based in the UK was recommended to help me resolve this problem by basically making a full circular wrap-around storage tray secured around the central pier of the EQ8.  If anyone finds themselves in this situation, please contact Brian as I know he has a limited number left.  

[Esso2112]

My understanding from Don was that the brass Brandon sets were made in 1970 and the later set made in the 80's.  I would say if you have been lucky enough to obtain the brass Dakin Barlow then please hang on to it.  I believe there was only around 50 of these made by Don and his father in their workshop in Candor.  In any case, the fact you've been able to obtain these brass Brandon's is a wonderful thing.  They are incredibly rare and I hope you really enjoy using them as much as I enjoy using mine.

The brass set I have does have the Dakin Barlow plus the 5 eyepieces and the red caps.  

[James52]

The brass set I have does have the Dakin Barlow plus the 5 eyepieces and the red caps.  

Aside from the fact you have a wonderful set of oculars, you also have a great investment. I would strongly advise you hold onto them, i discovered a while ago that a set of these Brandon brass oculars with the Barlow sold for $2500. I m sure these brass ocular sets will in time just keeping going up in value. Don said in a piece of promotional advertisement for this ocular set, that  he and others regarded them as the  best in the world. I would have to say he really wasn’t kidding, they truly are, absolutely exquisite.

[Esso2112]

Actually, they are arriving tomorrow. The foam in the case degraded and has stuck to the barrels.  Luckily, the caps were kept on and the glass looks good.  A very gentle cleaning and the foam should come off fairly easy.  I'm just going to take it slow and easy.  For a tad over $600, I felt it was worth trying to save them given their rarity. 

[James52]

Just a thought that could make your life easier. If you contact Liz at Vernonscope LLC, she can strip the oculars down inclusive of lens`s and give them a full clean. Also, I`m sure she can have the foam in the case replaced. 

[Esso2112]

James. I’ll know the condition tonight and see how bad it really is. Sending them to Liz is a great idea and may be what’s required. At a minimum, I’ll try to get some new foam from her for the wood case.

[Esso2112]

The brass Brandon's arrived safely.  The box is pretty much toast. The eyepieces, however cleaned up beautifully.  The optics were spotless. Tha Dakin Barlow needs a little more on the finish with a high quality brass cleaner, but again the optics are crystal clear.  Turned out to be an excellent deal for what I paid.  

[James52]

The brass Brandon's arrived safely.  The box is pretty much toast. The eyepieces, however cleaned up beautifully.  The optics were spotless. Tha Dakin Barlow needs a little more on the finish with a high quality brass cleaner, but again the optics are crystal clear.  Turned out to be an excellent deal for what I paid.  

 

Fantastic! Liz can provide new cases.

[PeriodicTrends]

This article rocks! How fun!