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Vintage Telescope Finds

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#5101 Bomber Bob

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Posted 22 January 2025 - 05:21 PM

Two 3" F7 Achromatics...  BORG K10-76AB vs. MIZAR GT-80S:

 

BORG K10-76AB vs Mizar GT-80S S02.jpg BORG K10-76AB vs Mizar GT-80S S04.jpg

 

BORG is about half the weight, has those flexible modular tube sections, and a 4-slot eyepiece turret with quality rectangular mirror diagonal.  

 

MIZAR is traditional, beefy (TAK'ish hardware & weight), and has that high quality look & feel.

 

Both scopes can use 2" accessories.  Both have rack & pinion focusers (Mizar is smoother).  Both have coated optics.

 

BORG uses a cemented doublet.  Mizar is a standard air-spaced.

 

The Views:  Very Good low-power / wide-field from both.  Mizar has less CA at mid & higher powers.

 

 


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#5102 clamchip

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 04:40 PM

I bought a Jason 80mm today. I watched it on offerup for 25 days and then I gave in. Is that gave in or

cave in. Ok I did the gave in and my wife caved in when she saw the size of the wood case!

The last time I brought home a Jason 80mm it was a REAL kit ! completely disassembled! right down

to all the missing screws! (see my top photo)

This one today is a time capsule and is why I bought it. I don't see anything missing and all the parts

and pieces are still in the original plastic wrap. I was thinking this telescope would really be fun to use

right out of the case with only what was supplied with the telescope. Another reason why I bought it.

See how easy it is to talk yourself into buying a telescope. I made the right decision.

Robert

 

Towa 003.JPG

IMG_3067.JPG

IMG_3068.JPG


Edited by clamchip, 01 February 2025 - 04:41 PM.

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#5103 clamchip

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Posted 01 February 2025 - 07:35 PM

My new Jason has a silver oval JTII with red lettering with a number 7.

That places the date of manufacture 1973-1977. I'm not sure what the 7 represents.

The kit is complete except for the two knurled screws that hold the finder mount to 

the tube.

The tray light does not have batteries in it so nice and free of corrosion.

No clamchips, I repeat no clamchips!  

There must be at least a million pieces to this kit. I can't believe the Japanese could

afford to continue selling kits like this well into the seventies. I think the wood case

was a early casualty of cost cutting because my other basket case 324 came in a

cardboard box.

 

Robert


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#5104 deSitter

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 11:22 AM

I bought a Jason 80mm today. I watched it on offerup for 25 days and then I gave in. Is that gave in or

cave in. Ok I did the gave in and my wife caved in when she saw the size of the wood case!

The last time I brought home a Jason 80mm it was a REAL kit ! completely disassembled! right down

to all the missing screws! (see my top photo)

This one today is a time capsule and is why I bought it. I don't see anything missing and all the parts

and pieces are still in the original plastic wrap. I was thinking this telescope would really be fun to use

right out of the case with only what was supplied with the telescope. Another reason why I bought it.

See how easy it is to talk yourself into buying a telescope. I made the right decision.

Robert

 

attachicon.gif Towa 003.JPG

attachicon.gif IMG_3067.JPG

attachicon.gif IMG_3068.JPG

Is it the common Towa 80/1200mm with a Jason brand?

 

-drl



#5105 clamchip

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 11:41 AM

Is it the common Towa 80/1200mm with a Jason brand?

 

-drl

Yes it is, Towa model 339.

It may be early production because it has a wood case, silver aluminum focuser knobs, and it has

a serial number. The JTII inspection sticker style places production 1973 to 1976.

 

Robert


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#5106 kjkrum

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 01:28 PM

attachicon.gif IMG_3068.JPG

What's in the booooooox?
 



#5107 clamchip

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 01:44 PM

What's in the booooooox?
 

It's an observatory in a box, everything you need except batteries for the tray light.

 

Robert


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#5108 98105dude

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Posted 02 February 2025 - 09:41 PM

Good for you. Last time I checked, YOLO.



#5109 kjkrum

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Posted 03 February 2025 - 11:02 AM

It's an observatory in a box, everything you need except batteries for the tray light.

Looking forward to seeing it set up.


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#5110 Bungee

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Posted Yesterday, 05:10 PM

Well, I've been being good lately, but I found an offer I couldn't refuse locally on marketplace. Meade 310, mostly clean, had to repair the focuser pinion, optics seem perfect. A nice addition to a diverse collection.

 

20250206 154832
 
Came with a bonus.
 
20250206 155051
20250206 155134

 


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#5111 flyboyu777

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Posted Yesterday, 05:49 PM

 

Well, I've been being good lately, but I found an offer I couldn't refuse locally on marketplace. Meade 310, mostly clean, had to repair the focuser pinion, optics seem perfect. A nice addition to a diverse collection.

 

 
 
Came with a bonus.
 
 
 

 

 

The RKE's are a very nice bonus!  Nice find.


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#5112 Bomber Bob

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Posted Yesterday, 06:03 PM

Congrats on that Blue-Tube MIZAR!  These never show up around here.  (Lurv my C80P, but I'd like a SxS contest, anyway.)


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#5113 Bungee

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Posted Yesterday, 08:36 PM

It popped up on a Tuesday in Springfield, and it just happened I was going to be in town that Friday. I assured them I would show and asked to please contact me before selling to anyone else. The asking price was pennies on the dollar. They held it for me despite other interested parties, so I gave them double the money. There was only one picture in the add and no mention of accessories. I didn't realize what was in the bag until later.

 

The eyepiece already paid off. I used it in my C8 to see Jupiter's spot. Haven't been able to do that before.


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#5114 deSitter

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Posted Yesterday, 11:24 PM

It popped up on a Tuesday in Springfield, and it just happened I was going to be in town that Friday. I assured them I would show and asked to please contact me before selling to anyone else. The asking price was pennies on the dollar. They held it for me despite other interested parties, so I gave them double the money. There was only one picture in the add and no mention of accessories. I didn't realize what was in the bag until later.

 

The eyepiece already paid off. I used it in my C8 to see Jupiter's spot. Haven't been able to do that before.

Those scopes reflect the Meade ethos of good optics first. I love them!

 

-drl


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#5115 Bomber Bob

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Posted Today, 10:17 AM

I've tried to run-down what company made the 1980s & earlier MIZAR optics.  I suspect Mizar used the same as Vixen, but... IDK.  Mizars are popular in Japan, but I'm not sure if that's because the company emulated Takahashi (hardware / weight), or has more to do with optics...  I admire both companies:  Outstanding products... for when you won't / can't fork over $$$$$ for Pentax or Takahashi.


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