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Classic Edmund Astroscan 2001 SERIAL NUMBER REGISTRY -- Add Your Info Here

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#1 DLuders

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Posted 14 April 2018 - 04:37 PM

Owners of the original, classic Astroscan 2001 (not the modern Astroscan Millenium) often wonder when their telescope was made.  I was challenged by Terra Clarke to create an Edmund Astroscan 2001 telescope Serial Number Registry.  I spent a few hours looking through old Cloudy Nights posts, and compiled the list below.  Please look at your Astroscan 2001 and add to the information:  wink.gif   

 

1.  Look inside through the front optical window of the Astroscan 2001 -- you can see a handwritten number on a sticker near the base of the focusing tube.  That is the Serial Number.  Note the color of the sticker.  

 

2.  Look at the bolt holes in the sides of the red ABS tube (where the carrying strap is secured) -- the place of manufacture is printed in the plastic, underneath the metal strap clips.  It should say "Made in USA" or "Japan".  Early Astroscan 2001s may not have any identification, but are assumed to be Made in the USA.  

 

3.  If you know the original date on which your telescope was ordered or shipped (through receipts, dates on original shipping boxes, etc.), that would indicate the approximate age of the Astroscan 2001.  This is the most valuable information to help determine the age of your telescope.  You can make an educated guess if you don't know exactly.  hmm.gif

 

Here's the list so far -- read further down this topic to see updates to this Serial Number Registry (as more information comes in from Astroscan 2001 owners).  You can also download the current spreadsheet from this website without having to go to the last post in this topic:   https://1drv.ms/x/s!...TxbqxZ77p6XWXdU

 

Astroscan2001.JPG    Astroscan Serial Number Sticker.JPG

 

RegistryPic01.JPG


Edited by DLuders, 15 April 2018 - 01:53 AM.

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#2 clamchip

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Posted 14 April 2018 - 07:24 PM

Mine is a white oval sticker, 286550

No place of manufacture around the strap screw holes, or anywhere.

 

Robert



#3 apfever

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Posted 14 April 2018 - 08:17 PM

general good link

 

my #751

 

try the above links.  You have taken on one of the most massive prolific production scopes, to far exceed the Cave Mirror registry.  Good luck.



#4 DLuders

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 01:52 AM

Here is an update that incorporates the above information.  Going forward, you can download the current spreadsheet from here without going to the last post in this topic:  https://1drv.ms/x/s!...TxbqxZ77p6XWXdU

 

RegistryPic02.JPG

 

 


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#5 redbaron12

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 07:52 AM

Just checked mine.  White sticker 8744996 and Made in Japan.  I actually have the original receipt from Adorama dated 12/13/87 at which time I paid $239.95 and $29.95 for the 12mm RKE eyepiece.

 

Mike


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#6 Richard O'Neill

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 11:09 AM

47957 White USA

 

I've read that Astroscan's primary mirrors were produced with spherical surfaces and then coated in such a way as to produce a parabolic reflective surface. While that is possible I question the validity of that assertion. Can anyone confirm?

 

Richard


Edited by Richard O'Neill, 15 April 2018 - 11:59 AM.


#7 DLuders

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 11:13 AM

I've read that Astroscan's primary mirrors were produced with spherical surfaces and then coated in such a way as to produce a parabolic reflective surface. While that is possible I question the validity of that assertion. Can anyone confirm?

 

Richard

 https://en.wikipedia.../wiki/Astroscan

 

See this Cloudy Nights Forum topic:  https://www.cloudyni...need-some-help/


Edited by DLuders, 15 April 2018 - 04:08 PM.


#8 Nick Will

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 11:17 AM

On mine...er.. grandson says it’s his:

White oval sticker 20086 

no made in USA anywhere but it says Barrington NJ on the badge over the secondary holder



#9 Richard O'Neill

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 12:12 PM

 A bit of history left out of the Wiki/Astroscan article: Years ago Norm Sperling told me his suggested name for the little red pot bellied telescope was 'Pregnascope'. wink.gif  Apparently Edmund preferred something more etherial. 


Edited by Richard O'Neill, 15 April 2018 - 12:18 PM.

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#10 qoware

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 12:13 PM

Orange label #43525, made in USA, purchased January, 1994 from Pocono Mountain Optics.



#11 Gianluca9999

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 01:45 PM

Mine n. 5027

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#12 DLuders

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 02:33 PM

Keep 'em coming!  I've updated the spreadsheet (linked in the original post) to further expand the list.  smile.gif   There is a new column for the "Original Purchase Price" (if known).

 

@ Gianluca9999:  What is the color of the sticker that the Serial Number is written on?  Is your Astroscan 2001 "Made in USA"?  Do you know when it was originally shipped or invoiced?

 

RegistryPic05.JPG     RegistryPic06.JPG


Edited by DLuders, 15 April 2018 - 05:32 PM.

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#13 clamchip

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 08:09 PM

I'd be interesting to know when the focuser tube switched from chrome (early) to 

black.

 

Robert



#14 apfever

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Posted 15 April 2018 - 11:06 PM

12880, white oval sticker

original owner thinks 1978

 

came with early black upper barrel 28mm with "RKE" engraved

came with way cool booklet I didn't have

came with original shipping box with labels and stamps - no date I could find yet.



#15 DLuders

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Posted 16 April 2018 - 04:28 AM

@ apfever:  Did your Astroscan 2001 come with a "Made in USA" stamp around the carrying strap bolt holes, or are there no identifying manufacturer marks at all there?  


Edited by DLuders, 16 April 2018 - 04:30 AM.


#16 Gianluca9999

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Posted 16 April 2018 - 05:50 AM

Color of sticker white

No place of manufacture.

I dont'know when it was originally shipped in Italy.



#17 apfever

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Posted 16 April 2018 - 08:59 AM

@ apfever:  Did your Astroscan 2001 come with a "Made in USA" stamp around the carrying strap bolt holes, or are there no identifying manufacturer marks at all there?  

No place of manufacture.  The astroscan started with no place of manufacture cast around the bolt holes. I believe the "Made in Japan" casting was the first time, when Edmund was too far behind in orders and increased production by going to Japan. The "Made in USA" casting was only done when production was returned to USA, IIRC.  Also, some of the mirrors were parabolized by building a layered coating on a spherical mirror. This was done some time after production started when Edmund became swamped with orders. It was faster to use the layered coating approach. I don't know of any one getting a narrow time line on the layered mirrors, rough at best. I've heard the under layers were some special more permanent type coating that had better resistance to stripping, but that is hearsay. If such a mirror is completely stripped, it will lose it's figure. I can't confirm anything on time line or 'stripability' of the layered mirrors. However, I HAVE heard of them being stripped and found to be spherical. Some serious searches should find first hand experience with that, but such a search would be at your time/risk.


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#18 apfever

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Posted 16 April 2018 - 09:05 AM

8845426, white square label

"MADE IN JAPAN" cast around bolt holes

black draw tube

no idea of time or price



#19 DLuders

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Posted 22 April 2018 - 08:32 AM

I'd be interesting to know when the focuser tube switched from chrome (early) to black.

 

Robert

I added some "Notes" to the spreadsheet to show what the Focuser Tube was coated with (chrome or black paint).  It seems that the switch from Chrome to Black occurred around 1980 or so. 

 

Here's what the Registry spreadsheet looks like now; you can download it from the hyperlink in the original post.

 

RegistryPic07.JPG   RegistryPic08.JPG


Edited by DLuders, 22 April 2018 - 08:34 AM.

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#20 PeriodicTrends

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Posted 22 April 2018 - 10:43 AM

I have two Astroscans that I have access to. I don't know the purchase date in either one.

First one has a blue and a white sticker, but the white sticker had the number 26149, nut says 8-Molly Jack nut, black focuser tube, Barrington, USA on the secondary.

Second one has the same setup only 22666

#21 Eric P

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Posted 22 April 2018 - 11:32 AM

I have #520 



#22 Marc-Andre

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Posted 22 April 2018 - 11:43 AM

I have #41474 on an orange sticker made in USA.  I'm not the first owner and don't know the original sale year.  I bought it Oct 2015.  The focus tube is black.  It's possibly a future gift for my 4 yo granddaughter along with a complete EP set dependent on her interest shown thru shared use.  I'll be making an oak cabinet similar to those containing microscopes.


Edited by Marc-Andre, 22 April 2018 - 11:49 AM.


#23 DLuders

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Posted 22 April 2018 - 12:01 PM

I have #520 

OK, but is there a manufacturer's stamp in the side which says "Made in USA", or is there nothing by the carrying strap bolt holes?  Is the focuser tube Chromed?



#24 Eric P

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Posted 22 April 2018 - 12:11 PM

There is no stamp or any indication of where it was manufactured. Chromed barrel, Anchor Optical strap hooks and gray/silver base.



#25 DLuders

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Posted 28 April 2018 - 04:28 AM

The Registry list is getting longer and more complete -- keep the information coming!  smile.gif    If you can, please relay as much data in the various columns shown below as you can.  You can download the list from    https://1drv.ms/x/s!...TxbqxZ77p6XWXdU

 

RegistryPic09.JPG RegistryPic10.JPG   


Edited by DLuders, 28 April 2018 - 04:28 AM.



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