5857 replies to this topic

[jragsdale]

I think I have the "AP-itis"... 

 

This just showed up on my doorstep overnighted from Japan.

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[ericb760]

I think I have the "AP-itis"... 

 

This just showed up on my doorstep overnighted from Japan.

"Overnighted" sounds incredibly expensive...

[jragsdale]

"Overnighted" sounds incredibly expensive...

I don't even know how it's possible. From a suburb in Japan, to their hub, fly to Memphis, fly to Boise, several hops and then delivered like 26 hours later.

 

But it arrived safe and sound. The AP155 f/7 recently advertised here on CN. Better condition than described, just a gorgeous scope. I emailed AP and they said it was made in 1994. Solar views were exceptional. Waiting for darkness to come to see what she can do!

 

 

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Edited by jragsdale, 19 June 2025 - 09:40 PM.

[Kefka1138]

Beautiful! Congrats!

[John Rogers]

I think I have the "AP-itis"... 

 

This just showed up on my doorstep overnighted from Japan.

Wow!  And congratulations!

[RichA]

"Overnighted" sounds incredibly expensive...

With a scope like that, you should never, ever leave it in the shipping chain with a cheap, slow service.  More chance for damage, more chance of loss.  Fedex 2 day or something similar.  Anyone who has ever been silly enough to go "by boat" is looking at 7-9 WEEKS delivery, for example.  But it is cheap.

[RichA]

I've never had one of these f6 C5 OTAs.  This was Celestron attempting to enter the photographic market, in-part.  I've had at least a dozen regular f10 C5s.  Should be interesting to play with.

 

 

 

 

[R Botero]

I think I have the "AP-itis"... 

 

This just showed up on my doorstep overnighted from Japan.

Congratulations!!  I recognise that decal from my own dewshield!  Take care of it because AP are running low on their stock for them....after 30+ years!  The flattener that came with it is fantastic.  It will correct a medium format camera all the way out to the corners - even with the new small pixels of modern CMOS cameras.    I use it still.   I refurbished my AP in 2013; yours looks to be in top shape.  Yours has the old flat white paint - Corvette White is the reference (RAL001 in Europe) as provided by AP.

 

Roberto

[CHASLX200]

I don't even know how it's possible. From a suburb in Japan, to their hub, fly to Memphis, fly to Boise, several hops and then delivered like 26 hours later.

 

But it arrived safe and sound. The AP155 f/7 recently advertised here on CN. Better condition than described, just a gorgeous scope. I emailed AP and they said it was made in 1994. Solar views were exceptional. Waiting for darkness to come to see what she can do!

Must have been on a fast jet.  Crank that thing up to 450x on Sat and see how it is. That would be a fun side by side with my 8" Zambuto.

[starman876]

Must have been on a fast jet.  Crank that thing up to 450x on Sat and see how it is. That would be a fun side by side with my 8" Zambuto.

here is where the Zambuto do to the secondary  obstruction looses out to a 6" scope.   That AP is when it all started to click as far as sharpness and color correction.   Maybe a 10 or 12" Zambuto would be better, but it still is not the same as looking through a high end refractor which I notice you are still attracted to

[starman876]

I don't even know how it's possible. From a suburb in Japan, to their hub, fly to Memphis, fly to Boise, several hops and then delivered like 26 hours later.

 

But it arrived safe and sound. The AP155 f/7 recently advertised here on CN. Better condition than described, just a gorgeous scope. I emailed AP and they said it was made in 1994. Solar views were exceptional. Waiting for darkness to come to see what she can do!

OMG what a beautiful scope.  The views should be outstanding.  If the early 6" AP I had could provide the views it did I can only imagine what views the one you have can provide.  

[CHASLX200]

here is where the Zambuto do to the secondary  obstruction looses out to a 6" scope.   That AP is when it all started to click as far as sharpness and color correction.   Maybe a 10 or 12" Zambuto would be better, but it still is not the same as looking through a high end refractor which I notice you are still attracted to

Naw.  The AP will win on pure snap chap as most should know. But the 8" can dig a little deeper at high power on the planets.  If you remember i had two 6" ED's and my first 826 at the same time.  The 826 would win out on pure detail on Jup at 450x while the ED's showed the moons of Jup as sharper disk at 450x.. The AP would be better for low power sweeping as well my man.    Bomber Bob will tell ya the same thing as he has my first 826 and he did a side by side with his 6" ED.  The 8" can dig down deeper and show more color on Jup.

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[Cavs56]

2 day UPS shipping is usually the least expensive for items this length. It’s not inexpensive just least expensive. What does it matter for a telescope of that quality it’s a small percentage of the price and it arrives safely.

[starman876]

Naw.  The AP will win on pure snap chap as most should know. But the 8" can dig a little deeper at high power on the planets.  If you remember i had two 6" ED's and my first 826 at the same time.  The 826 would win out on pure detail on Jup at 450x while the ED's showed the moons of Jup as sharper disk at 450x.. The AP would be better for low power sweeping as well my man.    Bomber Bob will tell ya the same thing as he has my first 826 and he did a side by side with his 6" ED.  The 8" can dig down deeper and show more color on Jup.

big difference between the lower cost ED scopes you had and the AP EDFS.  Even my non ED AP beat out those cheap ED scopes from China.  I had both the 6" ED from China and the AP non ED 6" and the difference was easy to see.  Even the DPAC show the large difference in the results.   

 

[starman876]

2 day UPS shipping is usually the least expensive for items this length. It’s not inexpensive just least expensive. What does it matter for a telescope of that quality it’s a small percentage of the price and it arrives safely.

excellent point. You want the good stuff the big boys play with the shipping costs should not matter.  

[flyboyu777]

"I've never had one of these f6 C5 OTAs.  This was Celestron attempting to enter the photographic market, in-part.  I've had at least a dozen regular f10 C5s.  Should be interesting to play with."

 

I have one of those-I bought it from the swap meet at the Texas Star Party one year.  Cost me a whole $100!  Nice OTA. . . . 

 

[starman876]

"I've never had one of these f6 C5 OTAs.  This was Celestron attempting to enter the photographic market, in-part.  I've had at least a dozen regular f10 C5s.  Should be interesting to play with."

 

I have one of those-I bought it from the swap meet at the Texas Star Party one year.  Cost me a whole $100!  Nice OTA. . . . 

 

looks like a really nice scope

[jragsdale]

With a scope like that, you should never, ever leave it in the shipping chain with a cheap, slow service.  More chance for damage, more chance of loss.  Fedex 2 day or something similar.  Anyone who has ever been silly enough to go "by boat" is looking at 7-9 WEEKS delivery, for example.  But it is cheap.

Yeah, I think this is really good advice. The faster the shipping, the less time the shipper has to accidentally do something to it. Less transfers. I'd give the seller of this scope 6 stars if I could. The lens is dang near flawless, other than a few tiny chips on the rear inside of the dew shield (so not even visible when the scope is assembled), this scope could pass as brand new. For a scope from 1994 that's just unbelievable!

[RichA]

Yeah, I think this is really good advice. The faster the shipping, the less time the shipper has to accidentally do something to it. Less transfers. I'd give the seller of this scope 6 stars if I could. The lens is dang near flawless, other than a few tiny chips on the rear inside of the dew shield (so not even visible when the scope is assembled), this scope could pass as brand new. For a scope from 1994 that's just unbelievable!

Most, tend to take care of these scopes, which is obviously good for the aftermarket.  Contrast that to some of the SCTs we've seen that look like they were left in a basement or garage or even a backyard for years.  Which they had been.

[jkmccarthy]

[...] I'd give the seller of this scope 6 stars if I could. The lens is dang near flawless, other than a few tiny chips on the rear inside of the dew shield (so not even visible when the scope is assembled), this scope could pass as brand new. For a scope from 1994 that's just unbelievable!

Congrats Jordan!   And James700 (the seller) was true to his word and shipped it with documentation that it was Made-in-USA so import duties / tariffs were avoided?  Kudos to him in that case.

 

From past experience, I agree that James700 merits 6 stars --- a most helpful CN member indeed! 

 

Cheers,

 

       -- Jim

[CHASLX200]

big difference between the lower cost ED scopes you had and the AP EDFS.  Even my non ED AP beat out those cheap ED scopes from China.  I had both the 6" ED from China and the AP non ED 6" and the difference was easy to see.  Even the DPAC show the large difference in the results.   

 

ap 61.jpg

That pic hurts my head fred as it is sideways. Hope the thing don't slam down and go thunk without a weight.

[starman876]

That pic hurts my head fred as it is sideways. Hope the thing don't slam down and go thunk without a weight.

nope. The counterweight bar on the 1200  is pretty heavy.   It was also balanced real well.  

[Terra Nova]

1960

Not when it’s noted to be 62mm. I agree with Johann, it’s mid-1950s.

[bobhen]

Must have been on a fast jet.  Crank that thing up to 450x on Sat and see how it is. That would be a fun side by side with my 8" Zambuto.

Had one. In very good seeing, it will do more than 450x on Saturn and stay razor sharp.

 

Bob

[CHASLX200]

Not when it’s noted to be 62mm. I agree with Johann, it’s mid-1950s.

I changed the date kate later on.