82 replies to this topic

[rolo]

Here's an interesting Canon Fluorite lens production video. Its for their super telephoto but very interesting.

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=p7hs6DiMoWQ

[Defenderslideguitar]

Bob  

when I get chance  I will scan the C-102 owner's manual  and send it via email to all who would like a copy

 

All the best

Barry

[Terra Nova]

Yes  Orion st80     sounds like what I need for the wide field short tube  easy travel refractor   They never seem very expensive but finding the older ones can be more difficult
After NEAF   or I mean after I recover from buying stuff at NEAF       I can see myself keeping an eye out for one

No need to wait!

https://www.cloudyni...-ads/?p=9234660

Your welcome!

[rolo]

Another superb Celestron Vixen fluorite classic! The C70 Fluorite!

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[CHASLX200]

Another superb Celestron Vixen fluorite classic! The C70 Fluorite!

I almost jumped on one way back in the day.  Never seen many for sale.

[memento]

Think the 70s are the rarest ones, right? There was 55 - 70 - 80 - 100. I always went ooooh and aaaah when I saw them in the price lists as a kid

[Mountaineer370]

Another superb Celestron Vixen fluorite classic! The C70 Fluorite!

Oh, my.  I would so love to find one of those for sale!  I have a little niche in aperture range between 60mm and 85mm that that would fill nicely.

[Mountaineer370]

Think the 70s are the rarest ones, right? There was 55 - 70 - 80 - 100. I always went ooooh and aaaah when I saw them in the price lists as a kid

I'm pretty sure there was a 90mm?  I seem to recall reading a review of it where the reviewer said it may be even better than the 102mm.

[memento]

I'm pretty sure there was a 90mm?  I seem to recall reading a review of it where the reviewer said it may be even better than the 102mm.

Yes you are absolutely right, I stand corrected: Vixen FL 90S

[Mountaineer370]

Well, now I'm curious, especially since this thread is about the Celestron-branded fluorites, specifically.  I know Vixen manufactured fluorite refractors that were sold under their own name, and also rebranded as Celestron and Orion.  How many different apertures did the Celestrons come in?  The 102mm, of course, and the 90mm, and I'm just learning there was a 70mm, based on rolo's photo above.  Any others?  The only 55mm or 80mm ones I'm familiar with are the actual Vixen models.  I've tried looking this up, but Google seems confused by my search parameters.  I'm sure there are people here who know.

[CHASLX200]

Well, now I'm curious, especially since this thread is about the Celestron-branded fluorites, specifically.  I know Vixen manufactured fluorite refractors that were sold under their own name, and also rebranded as Celestron and Orion.  How many different apertures did the Celestrons come in?  The 102mm, of course, and the 90mm, and I'm just learning there was a 70mm, based on rolo's photo above.  Any others?  The only 55mm or 80mm ones I'm familiar with are the actual Vixen models.  I've tried looking this up, but Google seems confused by my search parameters.  I'm sure there are people here who know.

I just know of the 80mm and 102mm for the achros and then there were the 102F and the 70mm , 80mm and 90mm Fluorites.  Celestron also sold some 60mm that i guess were Vixen also. Then Orion went all out in the early to mid 90's with the Orion- Vixen stuff and OTA's and all the nice versions of SP mounts and DX's all that jazz.

[memento]

There was definitely a glossy black Celestron Fluorite 55S as well. So if there also were Celeston Fluorite 70, 80, 90 and 102S, it seems just the same lineup as the Vixens to me.

[Littlegreenman]

I had a 90mm Vixen/ Celestron fluorite. I bought it well used. Great scope. Eventually I sold it. Another check in my list of dumb moves!

Orion also sold a Vixen 90mm fluorite, in white with green trim. I don't know if the optics were the same. The Orion 4" and 90 mm fluorites came with a 1.25" visual back but a 2" visual back was also available.

Tele Vue took over as the Vixen importer for a few years. I think it was between Celestron and Orion

Going way back to the late 1970's? Vixen made some smaller fluorite refractors. I seem to remember they were triplets, sized 70 and 80mm. Celestron sold them in Celestron orange.

[Etrsi_645]

I have a C102F. It came with the Super Polaris mount and was purchased from Astronomics..

[Etrsi_645]

Back in 1991/92 or thereabouts, S&T did a review of 4? refractors, and gave this one very high marks... And that is why I bought this one..

Edited by Etrsi_645, 28 March 2019 - 11:46 AM.

[bob midiri]

Back in 1991/92 or thereabouts, S&T did a review of 4? refractors, and gave this one very high marks... And that is why I bought this one..

Yep I remember that review, main reason why I searched for one myself and eventually got the keeper!!

[Defenderslideguitar]

Hi     just a quick update... I have the original manual in my hands now as I had misplaced it  in a telescope case of all places .....  but I have it at work and I will scan it. I can also send paper copies regular mail as well..     And I have the review where this scope came out on top   from the original owner of my C-102fl and I will ad that to the file.

 

ANYONE can have a copy just email me  here    

 

Barry

Edited by Defenderslideguitar, 23 April 2019 - 07:31 PM.

[ltha]

I have a wonderful C102F I got years ago from Rolo. He said it was a stunning performer and he was absolutely right! It has taken a bit of a beating since arriving here as it has been in the field more often than all the other scopes I own combined. Such a light package with the SP mount. I added a Moonlight dual-speed focuser, and bought a Herschel wedge. Here it is at the 2017 total eclipse with my friend Andy at the controls:

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[ltha]

Another picture of the C102F with Oleg (left) an amateur astronomer from Ukraine, and Sasha an Astrophysicist from Russia by way of Cyprus. The scope was out at night as well giving many people their first look at Saturn among other things thanks to Andy conducting sky tours!

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Edited by ltha, 23 April 2019 - 08:55 PM.

[photiost]

Another superb Celestron Vixen fluorite classic! The C70 Fluorite!

My goodness Rolo ... looks like you had the entire Celestron Vixen fluorite line !!

 

One of our members still has the black Celestron f/8.8 version and the optics on that sample are exceptional.

[Dan /schechter]

I acquired a black C102f at  RTMC in the early 1990's. Celestron had a tent there and was breaking it down to go home when a salesman I knew gave me a offer I could not refuse. They did not want to pack it up and take it back to Torrance. A superb performer on a SP mount. I foolishly sold the mount, but still own the C102F. I bought a case from Astro-Physics and did an inelegant job of lining it with foam, but the telescope is well protected and still performs like it should.

 

It is one of the scopes in my collection I hope to never sell.

 

Dan

[peleuba]

I have owned several samples of the three main flavors of this telescope - the Celestron branded black C102F and white Vixen and later Orion versions.  Optically they were all extremely good with a few being simply excellent.  

 

The black C102F's seemed to be the most cosmetically challenged.  I would take the telescope apart, clean the lens have a local autobody shop repair the dents/dings and repaint the OTA.  I would almost always upgrade the focuser with a black 2-speed Moonlite model.  Before Celestron was purchased by Synta, they were extremely generous in sending me several sets of the orange decals for the black F/8.8 models.  Once refurbed, I often sold these at loss on AstroMart - its a hobby, not an vehicle for investment.  I was glad to get them into peoples hands who liked them as much as I.  

 

My favorite sample is a white version that Orion imported in the early 2000's.  I purchased it directly from Orion in, I think, 2000 or 2001 with the Vixen GP Mount.  I used it/loved it and in circa 2002 sold it to a good friend who is local to me.  I have always missed that telescope and last year was finally able to purchase it back.  Optically, its the best one I have ever owned.  My friend did a Roddier test on it and I did some testing in double pass with an autocollimation flat.

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Edited by peleuba, 24 April 2019 - 08:51 PM.

[Steve Allison]

Beautiful optic!

[Defenderslideguitar]

I too  like the white version best.....Wish I had the Orion version   it is lovely 

But I also love the Vixen white with that Vixen green/gray color trim is my favorite    and if so    I would love to match it with the Vixen GP mount with that sweet Vixen Green/gray trim

 

But optically I could not sell the black 102fl.  I added the Moonlite and it was a great improvement

I  will sayThat I was told that Celestron was supposedly pretty selective on their C-102fl telescopes from Vixen......

 

btw    I am scanning the manual tomorrow for anyone else who might want it

[Defenderslideguitar]

Hello

 

I finally scanned the Celestron Manual and I will email it to you if you send your email address

 

 

 

 It is actually called  the Celestron Refractor Instruction Manual. It is 73 pages  and I have added The Astronomics celestron refractor print out and the Astronomy test four medium aperture refractors article.

 

 It covers four refractors  copy write  1990

The First Scope 80

The SP-C80

SP-C-102

SP-C102F

 

all the best

 

Barry