64 replies to this topic

[starman876]

Unitron killer.  Oh no.  Was it an SCT

[Kasmos]

Unitron killer.  Oh no.  Was it an SCT

Don't start it!

[Bomber Bob]

Unitron killer.  Oh no.  Was it an SCT

Well... so far, my 1976 C5 can't beat either my 1964 AO 76mm or that 1950s Uni 142...

 

 

Not too bad, though:

 

Edited by Bomber Bob, 19 August 2020 - 03:32 PM.

[Terra Nova]

Well... so far, my 1976 C5 can't beat either my 1964 AO 76mm or that 1950s Uni 142...

 

Sears 6336 - Jupiter (GRS) 20170514V06A64S99.jpgUnitron 142 - Jupiter (GRS) 20180607V06A64R51.jpg

 

Not too bad, though:

 

C5 - Jupiter (GRS) 20180609V04R11.jpg

That’s why I sold my minty little C5 Astro. So how did your 1964 AO 76mm do against that 80mm Vixen Fluorite you had? None of my long 75 to 80mm achros (Unitron, Sears/SYW, Goto, or Vixen) could come close to my Tak FC-76.

[Bomber Bob]

So how did your 1964 AO 76mm do against that 80mm Vixen Fluorite you had?

 

Honestly... that FL80S was the superior refractor.  But... I liked the way the AO presented double stars; and, it's a prettier display scope.  It was my AT102ED that made the Vixen redundant -- not my AO.

 

I haven't read a bad post by any other FL80S owner, either.

[Terra Nova]

So how did your 1964 AO 76mm do against that 80mm Vixen Fluorite you had?

 

Honestly... that FL80S was the superior refractor.  But... I liked the way the AO presented double stars; and, it's a prettier display scope.  It was my AT102ED that made the Vixen redundant -- not my AO.

 

I haven't read a bad post by any other FL80S owner, either.

Exactly as I would have surmised. Thanks JW.

[Bomber Bob]

IIRC, there have been a few Tak vs Vixen 3" F8 fluorite SxS's (Rolo did one??), and they were draws -- no significant optical performance differences.  IDK... I'd have to see it myself.  I can't imagine any other 50mm fluorite presenting Jupiter & Saturn the way my FC-50 does.  (And I'm definitely not a Tak Fan-Boy.)

 

On Topic:  Comparing the DPAC patterns of all my 3" refractors -- AO x 2 (F16 & F12), Meade, Mogey, Unitron, & Vixen -- the 142's pattern most resembled the Taiwan-made Meade 390.  Not an insult, as the 390 turned out to be a better than average achro once I got the focuser stiffened / centered.

[VictorMG]

I had a 75mm unitron, but my f15 80mm Atco is definitely better, very sharp images.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by VictorMG, 10 November 2021 - 01:07 AM.

[Defenderslideguitar]

Victor   congrats on both the Unitron and the Atco  f 15     very nice     both keepers  would you say?

 

Have not had the pleasure of the  look through an Atco 3 inch sounds great though.

 

I see this thread is rebooted and eventually  talked about the Vixen 80mm fl   vs the Unitron 3 inch although  the OP started with RAO Unitron killer ?

 

 

 

 

 

Love my Unitron 140 circa 1958     the 1962-64 era Sears 6336 on the pedestal was every bit as sharp    honestly perhaps a hair sharper  on the tiniest detail      the pedestal was great and somewhat rare but a toe stubber in the family room      the Unitron build quality was an edge for Unitron        the Sears 6336 is with Guido now in San Juan  helping to complete his life long collection gap

 

The Vixen 80mmfl  was super    good looking too    it has this ability to stay razor sharp as power keeps on increasing   not exactly a fair fight  for the Vixen to compete against the longfellow Unitron and Sears three inchers     the Vixen was fluorite  and was a stunner     only sold it     to pick up the Tak FC -76  circa 1992     every bit as sharp and  the Tak is exquisite as well     if the member/ friend here in the classics ever decides to part with my old Vixen I am on it....although it would be superfluous with the Tak FC 76    having said that   Meanwhile   a wonderful gap filler between the Tak FC -76 and the Vixen C-102fl would be the Vixen 90 mm fl         yes that would work    

 

Back  to OP topic       the Tasco 10te   rao  was wonderful  btw     

Edited by Defenderslideguitar, 10 November 2021 - 06:23 PM.

[barbie]

I really love my vintage Towa 339 80mm f15 refractor. It takes very high magnification well and presents razor sharp images with excellent contrast on the moon & planets. It splits double stars beautifully as well and looks cool!! It's very comparable to many Unitron 76mm scopes I've looked through!! After years of many small, faster apos, I've come back to the long focus achromat and I'm glad I did so!! They are classic and fun to observe with!!

Edited by barbie, 10 November 2021 - 12:54 PM.

[VictorMG]

That’s why I sold my minty little C5 Astro. So how did your 1964 AO 76mm do against that 80mm Vixen Fluorite you had? None of my long 75 to 80mm achros (Unitron, Sears/SYW, Goto, or Vixen) could come close to my Tak FC-76.

I have a 80 mm atco that does better than my 1975 c5. Now my c10s, as I have a few, will blow away almost any comparable scope and even larger scopes. 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by VictorMG, 10 November 2021 - 02:56 PM.

[VictorMG]

Does anyone have any ideal on a motor drive for this Atco  80 mm?

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by VictorMG, 10 November 2021 - 05:32 PM.

[Bonco2]

Recent comparisons of my Tasco 80mm f/15 (Carton Lens) and my Unitron  75mm viewing Jupiter and Saturn, I'd call it a draw.

Bill 

[photiost]

Generally, you have a better chance getting a good 75mm Unitron objective than with the 60mm Unitrons. 

 

The objective on my 75mm Polarex is truly excellent.

.

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

Edited by photiost, 13 November 2021 - 12:48 AM.

[barbie]

Bill, I've pretty much come to the same conclusion comparing my long focus achromat to present day apos that I've had!! Don't get me wrong, the apos were beautiful scopes but I feel more justified in owning the 80mm f15 Towa and 90mm f14 Meade ETX90, both of which have excellent optics and mechanics and better suit my current observing needs without having a lot of money tied up in either!! As hard as I've tried to look for it, neither scope has any false color that I can detect(visually) and both have extremely nice and well corrected optics!!

Edited by barbie, 12 November 2021 - 04:35 PM.

[VictorMG]

Bill, I've pretty much come to the same conclusion comparing my long focus achromat to present day apos that I've had!! Don't get me wrong, the apos were beautiful scopes but I feel more justified in owning the 80mm f15 Towa and 90mm f14 Meade ETX90, both of which have excellent optics and mechanics and better suit my current observing needs without having a lot of money tied up in either!! As hard as I've tried to look for it, neither scope has any false color that I can detect(visually) and both have extremely nice and well corrected optics!!

I fully agree. Apos, IMHO are a waist of money. My 12.5", f6 parks blew away any apo, that dared to challenge it. Even at 720x, the parks kept a clear, colorful image, showing much more detail. Astro physics 7", f9 could not compete with the renowned Parks optics. Newtonian reflectors even are superior to the CDK's, only having a size disadvantage. Then again, The Classical Cassegrain is probably the best all around design, imho. Hubble and other space telescopes are Classical cassegrains.

[CHASLX200]

Big super well made Newts will always win in super steady seeing.

[barbie]

The road to apochromatism has many different routes.

A big reflector under my typically average seeing is not an option I would even remotely consider at my stage in life. My last big Newtonian was a 1968 Cave Astrola 10"f7 and that was over 15 years ago when I was MUCH younger and healthier!! It was a terrific instrument that would indeed blow any smaller apo out of the water but alas, the ravages of time have taken their toll on me so now I just enjoy my small scopes and what they CAN show me!!!

Edited by barbie, 13 November 2021 - 03:45 PM.

[VictorMG]

The road to apochromatism has many different routes.
A big reflector under my typically average seeing is not an option I would even remotely consider at my stage in life. My last big Newtonian was a 1968 Cave Astrola 10"f7 and that was over 15 years ago when I was MUCH younger and healthier!! It was a terrific instrument that would indeed blow any smaller apo out of the water but alas, the ravages of time have taken their toll on me so now I just enjoy my small scopes and what they CAN show me!!!

I've owned a 10" f7 astrola and a 12.5" f6 astrola, but Parks was in a league of its own, hands down the best. I agree, larger Newtonians are more suited for a permanent dwelling place, as an observatory.

Edited by VictorMG, 13 November 2021 - 11:52 PM.

[Colin exraaf]

I bought this Royal Astro 76mm f/16 home a few days ago and it required some TLC to bring her back to her former glory .....!!

 

It has some scratches along the tube ( no dents thankfully ) ....the Focuser needs to be taken apart to cleaned also and adjusted.

 

I'll post some photos to show how this will go, along the way.

 

Overall, this Scope is worthy of restoration and has a very,very nice Lens.

 

 

 

Aussie Col.....

 

 

 

 

[Colin exraaf]

The Tube is getting a work over today ....!!

 

 

 

Aussie Col...

[Colin exraaf]

Focuser gets a turn ....

 

 

Aussie Col...

 

 

[Colin exraaf]

More of Focuser.....

 

 

Col..

 

 

[Colin exraaf]

Tube is painted and finished.......

 

 

Col...

 

 

[Colin exraaf]

Almost there .....only the Dew Shield and Finder to do ....!!

 

 

Col...