5857 replies to this topic

[m0bius]

Inside, looks really good overall. (rumors 'no float glass' and 'print through' abound in my skull)

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Edited by m0bius, 25 August 2024 - 12:46 PM.

[Kasmos]

(rubbing hands) I got the Motz!

 

11 inches of the good stuff I hope.

 

I'm curious to know if any of you kind folks can add some details about dates or model (It's an Ultima 11 of course).

I've noticed that the fork and wedge seem different from many photos posted in the archives. Perhaps cast?

 

And yeah, I know the Telrad is backwards. This, plus a few other clues, makes me scratch my head and wonder if the previous user actually used it.

I was looking at some S&Ts the other day and it looks like Celestron annouced the Ultima 11 (back cover) June of '91.

[m0bius]

Thanks for the clue. I'll start a new thread ...

 

Hmm. Here's the first paragraph of that June 91 S&T:

 

"Since the introduction of this superb telescope in September 1989, there have been few follow-up ads. Why? The Ultima 11 was received with an unprecedented demand that far exceeded our most optimistic projections. Since then our manufacturing capacity has been doubled and redoubled so that now we can offer this instrument for timely delivery."

[Kasmos]

Thanks for the clue. I'll start a new thread ...

 

Hmm. Here's the first paragraph of that June 91 S&T:

 

"Since the introduction of this superb telescope in September 1989, there have been few follow-up ads. Why? The Ultima 11 was received with an unprecedented demand that far exceeded our most optimistic projections. Since then our manufacturing capacity has been doubled and redoubled so that now we can offer this instrument for timely delivery."

I was just out looking at some S&Ts and the C11 Ultima ad (I saw on line) from '91 mislead me. So far the earliest ad I've seen for them being announced was on the Nov. 89 back cover of an issue I actually have. Taking in account the delay for publishing, that would jive closely with an introduction of Sept. '89.

 

Sorry for the mistake

Edited by Kasmos, 25 August 2024 - 06:12 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Looks like a 1993 U C11 . The 11 is maxing out the U mount. It was solid with the 8.

[ericb760]

(rubbing hands) I got the Motz!

 

11 inches of the good stuff I hope.

 

I'm curious to know if any of you kind folks can add some details about dates or model (It's an Ultima 11 of course).

I've noticed that the fork and wedge seem different from many photos posted in the archives. Perhaps cast?

 

And yeah, I know the Telrad is backwards. This, plus a few other clues, makes me scratch my head and wonder if the previous user actually used it.

Though the base says "Ultima", to me it looks more like the Celestar, which debuted in 1996, according to Uncle Rod.

[badback]

MEADE 277

 

This pic below wasn't shown in the original ad but was added afterwards. I saw it, thought it only came

with the camera mount and didn't have the rest of its original pieces. So, I wasn't interested, A bit Later I

took another look-see after ericb760 posted this, now dead, ad: https://www.cloudyni...ads/?p=13616597

 

 

  Surprise, Surprise! It was still available.  So...it was out the door for the Dinkerscope score.

   Hmmm, I was curious about what was in that lovely blue box? Figured I'd soon find out.  

                It also came with another unmentioned, unexpected optical goodie. JOY.

 

   EGADS, another one. Just what I need. NOT!                NOW that's an optical goodie. Vixen caps?

 

 

The "DINK" was very complete and everything was in "bitchen" condition. Old Hippie here.

 

[ericb760]

MEADE 277

Meade 277x.JPG

 

This pic below wasn't shown in the original ad but was added afterwards. I saw it, thought it only came

with the camera mount and didn't have the rest of its original pieces. So, I wasn't interested, A bit Later I

took another look-see after ericb760 posted this, now dead, ad: https://www.cloudyni...ads/?p=13616597

 

Meade 277 01xx.jpg

 

  Surprise, Surprise! It was still available.  So...it was out the door for the Dinkerscope score.

   Hmmm, I was curious about what was in that lovely blue box? Figured I'd soon find out.  

                It also came with another unmentioned, unexpected optical goodie. JOY.

 

   EGADS, another one. Just what I need. NOT!                NOW that's an optical goodie. Vixen caps?

 

DSC06312xb.JPG DSC06311xc.JPG

 

The "DINK" was very complete and everything was in "bitchen" condition. Old Hippie here.

 

DSC06306xxx.JPG

That Meade EP is worth three times what you paid for the scope. I believe it is a Research Grade based on what looks like an aluminum barrel. Good score!

Edited by ericb760, 26 August 2024 - 02:06 AM.

[ericb760]

Having learned not to discount garage sales after scoring my C4.5 awhile back, I decide to stop at one in my neighborhood this weekend. It was divided into three sections: tools, clothes, and toys. Upon looking at the "toys" table I spied a familiar name and went to take a look. To my surprise it was a Tasco 9VR complete in its original box, but no price was evident. I asked the lady how much she wanted for the "toy" telescope, and she replied "$5.00". "I'll take it", I replied. Upon returning home with it I discovered that it was even better than I could have hoped. Everything was there, including adapters to attach a camera. The glass is pristine, as well as the suitcase container. So much so that I doubt it has ever been used more than a few times. This score goes well with my Meade #227, which cost me nearly 25x more.
 

 

 

 

 

 

[mfalls]

Maybe fate has brought you THE GOOD ONE.

 

Man these are beautiful scopes!

 

-drl

One of my favorite scopes, have 5 OTA's but funny I have always thought they are ugly. Big newts on equatorial mounts I think look good. 

[Kasmos]

 

Having learned not to discount garage sales after scoring my C4.5 awhile back, I decide to stop at one in my neighborhood this weekend. It was divided into three sections: tools, clothes, and toys. Upon looking at the "toys" table I spied a familiar name and went to take a look. To my surprise it was a Tasco 9VR complete in its original box, but no price was evident. I asked the lady how much she wanted for the "toy" telescope, and she replied "$5.00". "I'll take it", I replied. Upon returning home with it I discovered that it was even better than I could have hoped. Everything was there, including adapters to attach a camera. The glass is pristine, as well as the suitcase container. So much so that I doubt it has ever been used more than a few times. This score goes well with my Meade #227, which cost me nearly 25x more.
 

That's quite the score 

As you probably know, the 9VR is the same scopes as the Celestron Cometron 62 I believe (?) you were looking at on SGW, and no fighting with b***k to get it!  

Edited by Kasmos, 27 August 2024 - 04:45 PM.

[flyboyu777]

Made an offer on this one-a cousin to another Sears 60mm I have-I think it was a fair price with reasonable shipping costs-looks to be in great condition just like the 3445 I have now:

 

 

 It's cousin:

 

[clamchip]

Telescopes have a habit of following me home.  Someone donated these to our club and the club didn't want them. I rescued them from going to the dumpster!  First is a Criterion Dynamax 8 with a focuser issue. Next is a Criterion B&L 4000 4" SCT.  Both need a good cleaning, and I don't need either one. The B&L came with 2 Criterion eyepieces.

Dynamax.jpg

B & L 4000.jpg screws on to

Tonight I had a chance to set up the B&L 4000 Alan gave me.

He also included a tripod with a unknown head on top and he and I were scratching our own heads over it when

he gave it to me. It turns out it's the wedge for the B&L 4000!

The tripod is a rather unusual Celestron with a telescoping tube in the middle and the B&L wedge screws on to it.

What's great is you can easily unlock the telescoping tube and raise the wedge/scope to any height from seated

observing to standing in the blink of an eye. The tripod also has telescoping legs but requires you remove the

telescope to make height adjustments.

The B&L 4000 is actually a Dynamax 4. I have only seen one DX4 over the years and it's a pretty scope with

it's anodized blue tube. When B&L bought Criterion it became the 4000.

Robert

 

[deSitter]

Picked this up a few weeks ago - as I wrote elsewhere the mechanics are wonderful but the optics were not. I replaced the cemented f/5 objective by an air-space 60/360mm f/6 from AliExpress. Initial tests are very good. At this f/ratio there is almost no color, even on branches against the sky. This is focused at infinity. I had a 60/300mm in my stuff that was too short. Here, there is one 1" spacer and the Borg shorty Vixen adapter. I can use a porro prism straight through or a right-angle roof prism as well, or a standard diagonal. But this is destined for sweeping with my 32mm and 40mm Plossls for 11x 6mm exit pupil or 9x 7mm exit pupil. So this becomes a fine spotter as well as astronomically ready and takes all my 1.25" accessories. A little later I will finally get to try my new Herschel wedge!

 

The lens came with a well-made thin metal spacer. Hard to believe they can sell these good achromats for $30. It arrived very well wrapped and spotlessly clean. The coatings are standard MgF2 on both elements. There is also a green coating option but I wanted the original look.

 

I will probably buy a 60/400mm next for one of my cut-down click-zoomers which is my main super finder. It's very fun to install a brand new objective

 

-drl

 

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[Bomber Bob]

Headed to The Swamp...   1990s BORG K10-76AB F6.6:

 

 

My first BORG.  Wanna test the 4-slot eyepiece turret, the eyepieces, and the modular system / options...

 

BORG History:   https://kenkoglobal....ml#rec458186492

 

"The name BORG (bōgu) is a combination of the Japanese words 望遠鏡 bōenkyō (telescope) and 道具 dōgu (tool). I.e., BORG is your telescopic tool."

 

With all the makers & brands long gone, pretty cool to see both BORG and Kenko / Tokina (Global Distributors) still hanging in there!

Edited by Bomber Bob, 31 August 2024 - 10:16 AM.

[jragsdale]

"The name BORG (bōgu) is a combination of the Japanese words 望遠鏡 bōenkyō (telescope) and 道具 dōgu (tool). I.e., BORG is your telescopic tool."

Congrats on the find! You will certainly have one of the most unique Japanese scope collections out of any of us Americans.

 

That's so interesting about the name BORG, how they got BORG out of BOGU I have no idea. Even the Japanese pronunciation of BORG would be closer to BORUGU, with the U's not being strongly pronounced and the R pronounced more like a D. So I'm confused on the name, haha. Definitely post your findings when you get it!

[CHASLX200]

Headed to The Swamp...   1990s BORG K10-76AB F6.6:

 

BORG K10-76AB AS01 - IOB (LS FL).jpg

 

My first BORG.  Wanna test the 4-slot eyepiece turret, the eyepieces, and the modular system / options...

 

BORG History:   https://kenkoglobal....ml#rec458186492

 

"The name BORG (bōgu) is a combination of the Japanese words 望遠鏡 bōenkyō (telescope) and 道具 dōgu (tool). I.e., BORG is your telescopic tool."

 

With all the makers & brands long gone, pretty cool to see both BORG and Kenko / Tokina (Global Distributors) still hanging in there!

Never tried that brand man.

[deSitter]

Congrats on the find! You will certainly have one of the most unique Japanese scope collections out of any of us Americans.

 

That's so interesting about the name BORG, how they got BORG out of BOGU I have no idea. Even the Japanese pronunciation of BORG would be closer to BORUGU, with the U's not being strongly pronounced and the R pronounced more like a D. So I'm confused on the name, haha. Definitely post your findings when you get it!

I think in Japanese, the R sound is just one of their consonants that isn't like ours. Man I have to start learning that language. What a task!

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=wnkl-v1LZ7I

 

-drl

[deSitter]

Never tried that brand man.

It's very much system level stuff, arranged and marketed more like photography equipment.

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 31 August 2024 - 10:59 AM.

[Bomber Bob]

BORG seems to get mixed reviews here...  I recall an owner replacing a 71FL with an FC-76.  I'll keep an open mind, but this 76 ACH will have to be a cut above to best my older Mizar GT-80S F7.  But unlike the GT, the BORG has a ton of options - like swapping the lens for a 90FL - a fluorite RFT... now that's something!

 

Just me, but it was great to confirm the partnership between BORG & Kenko.  I suspected it with that excellent KDS-63 / 800.  Loved that helical focuser!  I could see my Tak FC-76 lens on this BORG tube, with a swappable helical / R&P + turret...  Why, the possibilities are dang near endless!

 

BIF:  I updated the Registry with this BORG History info.  Similar info on APL / Vixen would be much appreciated.  (The way these URLs die, it might be worth it to link a text file to the spreadsheet with all this background info, too.)

[Bomber Bob]

It's very much system level stuff, arranged and marketing more like photography equipment.

 

-drl

I thought that, too... But, BORG has an Astronomy division with ED & fluorite scopes; and, Kenko still markets their popular SkyMemo camera tracking platforms AND binoculars.  From a cursory read, it appears Tokina is K's photographic lens brand.

 

If you shake a stick on ZEN, you'll hit either a SkyMemo, or Kenko Big Binoculars...  Used prices for the latter can be downright BB-level economical...

 

BIF:  BORG sourced their first fluorites from Canon Optron - same as TAK.

Edited by Bomber Bob, 31 August 2024 - 11:05 AM.

[clamchip]

It took me 30 minutes to find a place to set my 50mm spotting scope down in my hobby room upstairs.

A bus driver probably figures she or he can keep letting people on the bus because there are passengers

getting off the bus, but I haven't had anyone get off my bus in quite sometime.

I love it so much, don't you?

 

Robert

[Terra Nova]

Telescopes have a habit of following me home.  Someone donated these to our club and the club didn't want them. I rescued them from going to the dumpster!  First is a Criterion Dynamax 8 with a focuser issue. Next is a Criterion B&L 4000 4" SCT.  Both need a good cleaning, and I don't need either one. The B&L came with 2 Criterion eyepieces.
Dynamax.jpg
B & L 4000.jpg

 
My brother has had one of those B&L 4000s for nearly fifty years. It was his high school graduation gift from my parents. It’s one of the better ones and gives nice views. He’s kept it all these years despite his having a Questar Duplex, a C9.25 and a host of other telescopes including a couple of UNITRON 4” refractors (one being the big 166). I believe he still takes it out and uses it occassionally.

Edited by Terra Nova, 01 September 2024 - 09:51 AM.

[clamchip]

The B&L 4000 is really quite nice.

It has a case labeled "Bausch & Lomb Criterion 4000 Telescope System" and everything you need is

included in this easy to carry and stow case, it's much like a fat briefcase.

The only time you notice anything amiss is during critical star testing, and if I didn't know better I'd blame

it on atmospheric conditions. 

 

Robert

[98105dude]

You can do that - but only if it's a Magic Bus!