5446 replies to this topic

[deSitter]

Ok Unitron fans, prepare to feel some envy. I found a great score on eBay for a 4" Unitron + Guidescope w/rings and counterweight rings, seems like it is a Unitron 155 or 160? It was just advertised as "Unitron Telescope" with very few photos or description, none showing the main 4" scope, just a close up of the guidescope label. That and it was only $499 plus shipping, so about $600 total and only coming from one state over. I couldn't resist the Buy it Now button, even just out of curiosity!

 

It arrived in great shape, seller did a good job shipping. Lenses are a little dusty but no scratches, clams or mold. It's missing the solar shaft and screen, counterweight shaft and CW, and only included 2 eyepieces and a diagonal. Only damage is one loose partition (that's being glued down, hence the tape in the photo) and the pinion shaft is a little bent, but both easy fixes. I've got a few Unitron mounts I can put this on in the meantime for some testing. Score!

 

20250426_104930_copy_1254x440.jpg

 

20250426_105149_copy_1035x706.jpg

 

20250426_105342_copy_720x612.jpg

 

Test the 4" and post a report if you have time. Always very curious about these 4"s.

 

-drl

[jragsdale]

Test the 4" and post a report if you have time. Always very curious about these 4"s.

Looks like it has a center zone, which is kinds common, and maybe some edge issues. This was a quick and dirty DPAC since the OTA isn't mounted at the moment.

 

 

Out of collimation too.

 

 

And the front lens cell retainer isn't even, causing off center newton rings:

 

 

And the focuser or baffles are seriously off center:

 

Guess the only way to go is up!

Edited by jragsdale, 27 April 2025 - 12:23 PM.

[RichA]

Inexpensive older Questar on Ebay:

 

https://www.ebay.com...:Bk9SR_aP_oPPZQ

[CHASLX200]

Looks like it has a center zone, which is kinds common, and maybe some edge issues. This was a quick and dirty DPAC since the OTA isn't mounted at the moment.

 

20250427_093426.jpg

 

Out of collimation too.

 

20250427_095038.jpg

 

And the front lens cell retainer isn't even, causing off center newton rings:

 

20250427_102156.jpg

 

And the focuser or baffles are seriously off center:

20250427_112020_copy_312x333.jpg

 

Guess the only way to go is up!

Maybe someone took it apart. My 4" was super good.

[jragsdale]

Maybe someone took it apart. My 4" was super good.

I don't see anymore signs of previous disassembly. The internal baffles though seem a little crude with inconsistent paint. I had to move the rear baffle back about 3 inches until I could see the whole lens from the focal plane.

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[Cavs56]

I picked up the 6 inch Meade reflector today that I won at auction yesterday. Someone said it was a 591? The bad is there is no motor. Everything else is amazing. I am not going to touch the mirrors they just have a little dust on them. All the nuts and bolts on the inside of the tube look new. The tube is the same as my 826. The silver at each end is just tape. The tube has multiple scratches but no dents dings or deterioration. The focuser is metal 1.25 made in Japan. The finder is 6x30 but very nice. Will give a report when I can get it out under the stars. $50 total with fees.

[scottinash]

I picked up the 6 inch Meade reflector today that I won at auction yesterday. Someone said it was a 591? The bad is there is no motor. Everything else is amazing. I am not going to touch the mirrors they just have a little dust on them. All the nuts and bolts on the inside of the tube look new. The tube is the same as my 826. The silver at each end is just tape. The tube has multiple scratches but no dents dings or deterioration. The focuser is metal 1.25 made in Japan. The finder is 6x30 but very nice. Will give a report when I can get it out under the stars. $50 total with fees.

Just in case you haven't seen the post that Ross made about his 591 scope (sorry if this is a repeat...hard to keep up with all the postings).  Seems like you have a rare one and for $50 is amazing!    https://www.cloudyni...cue/?p=13840721

 

Would love for you to share a pic or two.

Edited by scottinash, 28 April 2025 - 06:51 PM.

[Cavs56]

Some pictures 

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[clamchip]

I bought a Meade ETX-125EC yesterday.

It's in intensive care right now, no photos at this time.

The Dec drive has a major problem, I heard a knocking so I removed a cover and the

little motor fell out hanging by a single red wire! Far-Out a BIG project!

This is an early one without the internal aluminum frame work inside the plastic.

After removing the control box I see 09 4 23 written on the back of the cell, anyone

familiar with these markings? it looks like a date code and I understand Orion

briefly made 125's with old tooling after aquiring Meade only theirs were labeled ETX-125AT

model from what I've read. It does have UHTC (Ultra High Transmission Coatings), blue anodized

tube. optical straight-thru finder and no clamchips.

I guess the serial number doesn't help date but the IC's on the RA board have date codes. The 

Dec board says 1998 printed on the board but this could be a copyright, that about when the

ETX-125 came into existence.

Robert

[deSitter]

I bought a Meade ETX-125EC yesterday.

It's in intensive care right now, no photos at this time.

The Dec drive has a major problem, I heard a knocking so I removed a cover and the

little motor fell out hanging by a single red wire! Far-Out a BIG project!

This is an early one without the internal aluminum frame work inside the plastic.

After removing the control box I see 09 4 23 written on the back of the cell, anyone

familiar with these markings? it looks like a date code and I understand Orion

briefly made 125's with old tooling after aquiring Meade only theirs were labeled ETX-125AT

model from what I've read. It does have UHTC (Ultra High Transmission Coatings), blue anodized

tube. optical straight-thru finder and no clamchips.

I guess the serial number doesn't help date but the IC's on the RA board have date codes. The 

Dec board says 1998 printed on the board but this could be a copyright, that about when the

ETX-125 came into existence.

Robert

 

Straight through finder means early. I bought a deforked one a couple of months ago. It was also an EC. Those are turn of the century - mid aughts. Like my 90EC and 105EC, it has the right-angle 8x25 finder. The 105EC was not in the early plastic lineup. It has a very sturdy aluminum base plate and fork arms with roller bearings.

 

Yes almost surely 1998 model - the ICs are an excellent way of dating equipment.

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 30 April 2025 - 11:10 AM.

[brian dewelles]

I bought a Meade ETX-125EC yesterday.

It's in intensive care right now, no photos at this time.

The Dec drive has a major problem, I heard a knocking so I removed a cover and the

little motor fell out hanging by a single red wire! Far-Out a BIG project!

This is an early one without the internal aluminum frame work inside the plastic.

After removing the control box I see 09 4 23 written on the back of the cell, anyone

familiar with these markings? it looks like a date code and I understand Orion

briefly made 125's with old tooling after aquiring Meade only theirs were labeled ETX-125AT

model from what I've read. It does have UHTC (Ultra High Transmission Coatings), blue anodized

tube. optical straight-thru finder and no clamchips.

I guess the serial number doesn't help date but the IC's on the RA board have date codes. The 

Dec board says 1998 printed on the board but this could be a copyright, that about when the

ETX-125 came into existence.

Robert

If you need parts for etx 125 and most any Meade scope, bill at telescope warehouse can usually help. Awhile back I had a etx 90 that needed several parts, he had them and told me how to install them.

[BigC]

That 3" gray edmund reflector gave me my first double star split in the very short time before it was returned due to parental  disapproval (of anything "scientific ").

 

But I am sure that model thrilled many young people. Patience and a steady hand  with even such a basic setup  will show many sky wonders.

[apfever]

That 3" gray edmund reflector gave me my first double star split in the very short time before it was returned due to parental  disapproval (of anything "scientific ").

 

But I am sure that model thrilled many young people. Patience and a steady hand  with even such a basic setup  will show many sky wonders.

You are referring to the 3" Edmund Space Conqueror that started on page 213?  I wouldn't doubt it came in gray or went gray after age and grime. I think they were supposed to be white. I'm trying to get back to white by doing a wrap with original style adhesive film.  It's going to be tricky.  I'm setting up a vacuum system to help suck the wrap on after I apply the wrap into every crevice and divot I can. 

 

Thrill young People? Heck, I'm thrilled now!

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[RichA]

You are referring to the 3" Edmund Space Conqueror that started on page 213?  I wouldn't doubt it came in gray or went gray after age and grime. I think they were supposed to be white. I'm trying to get back to white by doing a wrap with original style adhesive film.  It's going to be tricky.  I'm setting up a vacuum system to help suck the wrap on after I apply the wrap into every crevice and divot I can. 

 

Thrill young People? Heck, I'm thrilled now!

If that tube is covered with vinyl film, you have no alternative, but if it's a finish, you can clean it.  I had a Unitron that had yellowed and it came back.

[apfever]

It's wrapped with a lengthwise overlap seam. I have a string on the scope and will post the work there, or should I say here. 

[clamchip]

I bought an orange C90 today.

It's just the OTA, no visual back. With the orange and brown and gold if you squint just

right it looks like a pineapple. Peering in the front it's all there, this will be a great

project.

This C90 reminds me of the WWII M9 6x30 binocular, built like it was chiseled from a

solid block of granite.

The camera lens style barrel focuser is completely dry, the scope would make a

great rattle for shooing raccoons out of your corn. I wonder if running it dry was intentional

for a dusty environment, it is a C90 Spotter. There is not a molecule of grease on those

threads.

A Meade ETX-90 was also included. De-forked because the drive base and forks were

crushed in shipping. I asked him if he still had the mount for parts, he said no it was

twisted wreckage so he tossed it.

Incredibly the optical tube survived without a scratch but something is banging around

inside I will investigate.  The only evidence I see of the crushing is the eyepiece has

some broken glass but still usable.

 

Robert 

[cavedweller]

The only evidence I see of the crushing is the eyepiece has

some broken glass but still usable.

 

 

Does clamchip have an eyepiece, or does the eyepiece have a clamchip? Maybe both?

[clamchip]

Does clamchip have an eyepiece, or does the eyepiece have a clamchip? Maybe both?

The eyepiece has a clamchip and loose elements, and that's the banging I hear when I shake the telescope.

I watched the ad for this pair of scopes for quite some time. In fact the ad had been up for 2 months. I was

able to resist because of the seller's ad description of the shipping damage. It's amazing just how tough ABS

plastic is. The mount didn't survive it though.

 

Robert

[deSitter]

I bought an orange C90 today.

It's just the OTA, no visual back. With the orange and brown and gold if you squint just

right it looks like a pineapple. Peering in the front it's all there, this will be a great

project.

This C90 reminds me of the WWII M9 6x30 binocular, built like it was chiseled from a

solid block of granite.

The camera lens style barrel focuser is completely dry, the scope would make a

great rattle for shooing raccoons out of your corn. I wonder if running it dry was intentional

for a dusty environment, it is a C90 Spotter. There is not a molecule of grease on those

threads.

A Meade ETX-90 was also included. De-forked because the drive base and forks were

crushed in shipping. I asked him if he still had the mount for parts, he said no it was

twisted wreckage so he tossed it.

Incredibly the optical tube survived without a scratch but something is banging around

inside I will investigate.  The only evidence I see of the crushing is the eyepiece has

some broken glass but still usable.

 

Robert 

 

Those have a tendency for the adhesive ring that holds the upper baffle in place to fail. Mine was loose when I got it. Amazingly, did not smudge/scratch/stick to the main mirror. I just stuck it back where it belongs and it's been fine since. I open it up and push the baffle down hard once every few months, and before each use. That is a wonderful aspect of the scope - you can unscrew the entire mensicus and cell from the tube without changing the collimation by a milli-arcsecond.

 

-drl

[dblstar]

I won an auction for this "antique scope" and was pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be a Merz/Kosmos 68mm f/15 school scope. It is in rough condition but appears complete. It's stamped a Model E and curious about a date of manufacture. Does the script on the lens place it at any certain time of production?

 

 

[dblstar]

...another shot of the Merz

 

[deSitter]

I won an auction for this "antique scope" and was pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be a Merz/Kosmos 68mm f/15 school scope. It is in rough condition but appears complete. It's stamped a Model E and curious about a date of manufacture. Does the script on the lens place it at any certain time of production?

 

IMG_1894.jpeg

 

IMG_1895.jpeg

 

It has to be pretty old! because Georg Merz died in 1867, and the business passed to cousins, and closed in 1903. Merz was an assistant to Fraunhofer himself! So the objective is surely a Fraunhofer.

 

u. is for "und" (and) and S. is for "Söhne", sons. Georg Merz and Sons.

 

I love the word "Fernrohr" (distance tube, literally). It has been replaced by Teleskop. Life is so predictable now

 

That might be a very valuable scope!

 

https://en.wikipedia...wiki/Georg_Merz

 

edit: S. is for Sigmund, one of the sons.

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 09 May 2025 - 08:07 PM.

[Paul Sweeney]

I won an auction for this "antique scope" and was pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be a Merz/Kosmos 68mm f/15 school scope. It is in rough condition but appears complete. It's stamped a Model E and curious about a date of manufacture. Does the script on the lens place it at any certain time of production?

IMG_1894.jpeg

IMG_1895.jpeg

https://www.cloudyni...nich-1860-1870/
Here is a link to a Cloudy Nights thread.

I did a search on the German internet and found very little on Merz, and nothing on a "Modell e", nor on a "Modell c" (notice how an "e" in the other words looks. That made me think that it could be a stylized "c", especially after finding mention of a Modell b, but nothing on a Modell d).

This could be quite a restoration project. From what I have seen, these scopes look great when restored.

[Bomber Bob]

F15 MCT vs F14.4 SCT later this week...

 

 

... the Winner stays for a while.  The Loser goes to JD, my powder-coat guy; who in turn, will gift his Vixen CUSTOM-60M to his granddaughter.  (JD's had more success hooking young people to our hobby than I have.)

 

I want to see if these optics are as good as my ETX-90s.  And, the price was very good, too -- less than I paid for the Kenko SC125L.

 

 

[deSitter]

That is a very late stage ETX, judging by the Meade logo on the front cap. Is it still machined aluminum?

 

-drl