256 replies to this topic

[Bomber Bob]

Chris (Kasmos) inspired this thread, so y'all can blame him, and not me...

 

If you have a Classic Mizar Scope, let's see your pictures.  This includes the blue-tube scopes that Mizar made for Meade.  I sold my 2045 Astro, but in 2019 I started swapping out my Vixen Polaris mounts for the Mizar AR-1 models:

 

 

I acquired both rigs in pieces.  I didn't know Mizar made a short tripod until Tom posted his ad (thanks again, Tom!).  All I need is one more MMD-II drive system, and they'll be 100% complete...

[CharlieB]

Absolutely the very worst optics I've ever had the privilege to own.  Mizar Corona 40/800.  Null Ronchigram is not real clear, but it shows the quality of the objective.  Even f/20 didn't help this one.

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[Bomber Bob]

Is that the one with the plastic lens cell?  I remember seeing something similar on either GW or eBay -- glad I didn't buy it!

[CharlieB]

Yes, pretty much all plastic except for the drawtube.  Good plastic, though.  The whole scope probably weighs less than four pounds.  You chose well not to buy it.

[Marcus Roman]

 

Mizar FA80, f7,5, fluorite doublet multicoated, year 1983.

Edited by Marcus Roman, 27 January 2020 - 02:13 AM.

[Kasmos]

Well if I'm to blame for this thread then I may as well post mine.

 

 

I dig the name and the style of the sticker.

 

This mount is a bit smaller than a Vixen Super Polaris so it will probably be usefull for some of my 60mm OTAs.

Mizar like Vixen designates it as a SP. Could that also stand for Super Polaris?

And yes it has a finder in the polar axis.

 

The original eyepiece container was a cool included item.

Is Lustro'ware an off the self brand (in Japan), like Tupperware?

 

These photos are as found and they don't really show just how rough the scope actually is.

Cosmetically it's the worse condition scope that I've bought.

Thankfully the tube had no dents, but overall it was very dirty with tons tube scratches with much of the hardware being rusty.

 

Between working on other scopes and other personal duties I've been slowly cleaning it up.

I'll probably post it's own thread documenting the process.

Edited by Kasmos, 27 January 2020 - 04:04 AM.

[apfever]

oh wow, that was original Tupperware type stuff?  dang

[Kasmos]

oh wow, that was original Tupperware type stuff?  dang

Yes it is.

I love stuff like this.

[Bomber Bob]

Well if I'm to blame for this thread then I may as well post mine.

 

Well, I did use inspired in that opening sentence -- but blame grabs more attention (gotta go for the "clicks" ya know!).  And, look!  Thanks to your response, we've seen a rare Mizar accessory case.  I had no idea these even existed.  So, did MIZAR copy Vixen, or vice versa with the Tupperware container?

 

It's a nit-noid, but I like the way Mizar crimped the metal collar on the flexible slo-mo cables, while Vixen just used glue to hold the springs in -- one of my Vixen Custom mount cables came apart.  The Mizar cables are more durable.  It's a little thing, but those can add up when you're observing.  I'm gonna tap a small hold in the collar, and use a tiny grub screw on the broken one.

[Kasmos]

Well if I'm to blame for this thread then I may as well post mine.

 

Well, I did use inspired in that opening sentence -- but blame grabs more attention (gotta go for the "clicks" ya know!).  And, look!  Thanks to your response, we've seen a rare Mizar accessory case.  I had no idea these even existed.  So, did MIZAR copy Vixen, or vice versa with the Tupperware container?

 

It's a nit-noid, but I like the way Mizar crimped the metal collar on the flexible slo-mo cables, while Vixen just used glue to hold the springs in -- one of my Vixen Custom mount cables came apart.  The Mizar cables are more durable.  It's a little thing, but those can add up when you're observing.  I'm gonna tap a small hold in the collar, and use a tiny grub screw on the broken one.

You are aware you used both terms in the opening sentence?

 

"Chris (Kasmos) inspired this thread, so y'all can blame him, and not me..."

 

So how could I resist?

 

On the Tupperware subject.

Who knows?

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the other Japanese companies also included them and we're just not aware of it.

 

Another thing related to copying each other.

As I mention in my first post, Mizar called the mount on my scope an SP. 

Edited by Kasmos, 28 January 2020 - 02:54 PM.

[Bomber Bob]

I'm corn-fuzed.  My mount on the tall tripod looks almost identical, yet it's an AR-1.  The mount on the shortpod I assumed was also an AR-1, but it has the same DEC collar as your SP -- and the few Model 120SL kits that I've seen...  Maybe it was known back then as the AR-1 "Super Polaris"?  I need to find some 1980s Mizar catalogs.

[Kasmos]

I'm corn-fuzed.  My mount on the tall tripod looks almost identical, yet it's an AR-1.  The mount on the shortpod I assumed was also an AR-1, but it has the same DEC collar as your SP -- and the few Model 120SL kits that I've seen...  Maybe it was known back then as the AR-1 "Super Polaris"?  I need to find some 1980s Mizar catalogs.

The AR-1 is larger. When you bought the mount from Goodwill many of it's details lead me to think it is a SP. Somewhere I thought I saw both mounts with drawings in the same catalog but now I can only find the SP drawing in the 1988 below.

http://yumarin7.saku...n/Mizar1988.pdf

 

This link shows both SP and AR model telescopes but the images aren't great.

https://wiki.telesco...ies_Catalog.pdf

 

It appears there's lots of confusion between the two mounts.

 

Here's a CNs link to a AR80 where the owner incorrectly identified the mount was a SP, but in the very last post he corrects himself.

https://www.cloudyni...w-mizar-ar-80r/

 

Here's a link to a video showing a SP

https://www.youtube....h?v=ICNraBc2WBY

Edited by Kasmos, 29 January 2020 - 12:36 AM.

[Kasmos]

I just found this photo I posted in the finds thread last Sept.

It appears I found it in a 1981catalog on the Japanese Vintage Telescope's catalog data pavillion,

but there is no '81 catalog posted there now. 

Maybe thats the catalog that I was thinking of?

 

 

 

 

[beanerds]

My Mizar 80mm f1200 refractor OTA thats going to get a refurb very soon this gives very good views with basically zero CA taking 200x well . The .965 eyepieces that I got with this are of very good quality .

I got given this OTA as it was going to the land fill !!!! some people aye ? .

 

And here is my sweet Mizar EQ mount under a modern 100mm f9 APO , this mount is every bit as good as my Vixen SP's ( I have 2 ) especially perched on top of the sturdy Celestron 2 inch SS tripod .

 

I like this combo a lot .

 

Beanerds.

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[Bomber Bob]

Thanks Y'all!!   Looking at these posts, my first Mizar is an SP on the tall wood tripod, and 100% original & complete.  The mount on the ShortPod is an AR-1 -- I should've known because it's heavier / beefier -- it carries an RV-6 with no trouble.  It was missing the tripod hub, but I adapted a Vixen to carry it.

 

BIF:  In my 2 photos, that's the same SP mount, just on the 2 different Mizar tripods.  A previous owner adapted that ADM saddle to it.  I'm adding a large plate to the AR-1 for the 6" Newts.

Edited by Bomber Bob, 29 January 2020 - 06:53 AM.

[Kasmos]

Thanks Y'all!!   Looking at these posts, my first Mizar is an SP on the tall wood tripod, and 100% original & complete.  The mount on the ShortPod is an AR-1 -- I should've known because it's heavier / beefier -- it carries an RV-6 with no trouble.  It was missing the tripod hub, but I adapted a Vixen to carry it.

 

BIF:  In my 2 photos, that's the same SP mount, just on the 2 different Mizar tripods.  A previous owner adapted that ADM saddle to it.  I'm adding a large plate to the AR-1 for the 6" Newts.

I originally thought your second mount looked like mine, but when I saw the first post I thought I was mistaken. Now we're all cleared up.

 

Anyway, as you've probaly seen Mizar did sell some 80mm scopes riding on the SP and it seems like a fairly solid mount so hopefully you'll find it suitable for some of your lighter scopes.

 

[Bomber Bob]

My Mizar SP carries all my 4" & smaller scopes.  But, the Dakin 4" F10 & Edmund 4" F15 kits are casual / visual only -- too shaky for high-power planetary.  (That's where the Tak EM-1S takes over.)  The AR-1 carries my 6" Newts well, but the 8" F6 is too heavy for it.

 

IOW:  Very good mounts -- or I wouldn't have swapped my Polaris EQs for these Mizar.

[apfever]

Here's My Mizar/Meade model 320.  This is an 80mm about F8 or so as I recall.  Like New In Original Box, LNIOB? Thanks to this thread, I'll have this one on hold as group option when I get grouped.  I'll also even try to get it out of the box and set up.  This has to be the highest, furthest back storage of any box in the basement. 

 

Here are some of the Mizar brand Mizar 68mm F1000.  Might as well just pic these like the 320 in the box unless I get them all set up for a side by side comparison. This one can also go into group clearing option. 

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[apfever]

ok so the Mizar brand Mizar.  

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[apfever]

oh ota.

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[mfalls]

My son's Hino Mizar P100. Nice performer optically and mechanically. Purchased from JW.

[Bomber Bob]

My son's Hino Mizar P100. Nice performer optically and mechanically. Purchased from JW.

HinoMizarP100.jpg

Ain't she sweet?  I knew I'd regret parting with her after JD's powder coat, but the RV-6 kinda pushed her out (and my Meade 826 would've for sure!).  Mizar did everything right on that one.  I miss that helical focuser!

 

BIF:  I went through my P-100 pix, and no mirror markings.  A "COC" stamp would've been great, but no joy.

Edited by Bomber Bob, 29 January 2020 - 09:26 PM.

[Bomber Bob]

How could I forget this one?  My 1980s Bushnell Banner 1000:

 

 

I think these were sold before Meade dropped Towa, and went with Mizar for the 2045 SCT, and all those blue-tube refractors.

 

Best thing about this re-branded Mizar -- the EQ mount with polar scope + optional Quartz Drive with battery pack & hand controller.

[beanerds]

Yes the Mizar mounts are very good , well made , smooth and have their own look ,,,,, on that look it's a real shame that some chineese manufacturers copied these sweet mounts and totally fudged it , EQ3.2 or something as silly like that !  ( the un educated sadly don't know any better  ) ! and thats a shame  .

 

Synta did a much better job copying the SP with the CG4 ( EQ3 ) and GP with the EQ5 ,, yes the Mizar copies are below poor ! ,, horrible actually ! and belong in the ' hobby killer ' basket .

 

The real Mizar's when done right are super sexy , in a ' Steam Punk ' kinda way like mine seen here under my wife's 90mm f10 Saxon .

 

Beanerds.

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Edited by beanerds, 30 January 2020 - 06:16 AM.

[Bomber Bob]

I saw a Meade-branded Mizar SP on eBay yesterday -- LXD something-something.  So, my quest for a 2nd battery driven clock drive has another avenue.  Trying to find an original Mizar MMD system is... tough!  For now, my ShortPod is strictly for casual observing with my 6" F4 Newt.  Not a bad combo -- a super-smooth super star-sweeper.

 

(And the Bushnell Banner series drive would also work, but we definitely don't see those often.)

 

BIF:  beanerds has a Model Number on the label, AR-80R -- which I think must mean the original mount was an AR-1 vs. the SP -- while the 2 SP-68Ms do not.  I'm Registering them that way, so it must be true...

Edited by Bomber Bob, 30 January 2020 - 06:17 PM.