31 replies to this topic

[Mike E.]

…………………….  People were not better-off  then except for the fact they didn't have to devote 20% of their income to electronic junk like phones and (inevitably) the service costs for them all.

Funny, this brought back a memory of an occasion when my mother got upset because one of the phone bills back then was over $4.oo    

Edited by Mike E., 08 January 2021 - 04:41 AM.

[oldmanastro]

If I was 16 a Fender Stratocaster and an  old Chevy would have competed for my small savings.

Guido     we are so happy that Sears 6336 is where it belongs in your hands forever.... nice pic   My wife Diane just said it is so nice that you appreciate it

 

I was 16 in 69 and a set of four wheels was priority #1. It came two years later in the form of a old Dodge Dart that had seen better days but for me it was like a DeTomaso Pantera. I remember carrying the Sonotube for my 6" Edmund mirror based reflector in that car. 

 

The 6336 occupies the position of most cherished telescope with the 60mm f/11 and 2535 76mm f/16, my first and second telescopes. No Unitrons or Questars could take their place.

[jsiska]

Pretend you could go back to 1966, and you were 16 years old, and were given $300 to spend as you like on a telescope, what would you buy. I would have to say I would buy the 3 inch unitron on the altaz mount. The 76mm Sears would also be a good choice, but I do not prefer equatorial mounts, like the easy to use altaz ones much better. Being only 16 years old, I would probably stay out all night, night after night, with a scope like that in my hands.

In 1966, I actually was 16 years old, well for at least for the month of January I was. In 1962, I wanted to get a 7TE; however, there was no way for me to save up enough money to get a 7TE; consequently, I purchased a less expensive 9TE. By 1966, at the same store I still admired the 7TE type telescopes, except by then it was upgraded to the 7TE-5. Now I had the money to purchase the 7TE-5 but in my mind I thought the difference between the 7TE and the 7TE-5 wasn't great enough to justify the great increase in the price of the 1966 7TE-5 from what the 7TE could be purchased for just four years earlier. I actually was given $300 in 1966 but didn't buy a telescope, I use the money for flying lessons instead.

Edited by jsiska, 08 January 2021 - 04:20 PM.

[Terra Nova]

A 4” Edmund equatorial refractor and a clock drive!

[mdowns]

To all here.Let's keep our post in line with the thread please.  Most have, but some have been wandering.        Michael

[caveguy]

Rv6,edmund6” cave6”

Edited by caveguy, 09 January 2021 - 02:26 AM.

[bobhen]

In 1966, $300 would be like $2,400 today. As a 14-year-old, that kind of money was out of the question.

 

For Christmas in 1965, I got a Sears refractor. That Sears 60mm refractor was $49 or around $400 today.

 

If I did have $300 to spend back then “and know what I know now” it would be the Edmund 4” refractor. I almost bought one in 1978  – and should have.

 

Bob