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Can’t find an 80mm classic….. Anywhere!

Started by ScopeJunkie , Dec 04 2021 11:15 PM
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168 replies to this topic

#101 PawPaw

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Posted 16 December 2021 - 09:47 AM

BALANCE!!  You can slightly engage the axis knobs, but they can score the shafts.  My Edmund EQ had the original leather washers, and when those were lubed-up, just swapping eyepieces was scary -- the LONG scope would swing around & bop! me...

I have the same early version mount that Bob had and I agree completely.  I do use my Edmund clock drive both the early and later version.  The later version drive has a slo-motion cam when properly adjusted gives around 15 min of manual tracking.  The declination axis on the gray mounts had a slo-motion tangent that could be added as well.  

 

Don


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#102 Kasmos

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Posted 16 December 2021 - 03:02 PM

I think I prefer gears. 

The old push to driven mounts work better than you'd think. My Cave mounted Jaegers was my first GEM and I never gave it any thought (didn't know any better too wink.png  ). There's a cool feeling to pushing a long well balanced scope that you have to experience to understand. You just lightly lock the DEC and when adjusted right the clutch will hold the RA fine. When an object is centered I flick the switch on the drive corrector to turn on the motor. To correct any drift, you either adjust the speed on the corrector's hand control (fast or slow button )or a small nudge is all it takes. IMHO, a driven mount like this is nicer to use than a geared one without a drive. Of course a manual tangent Dec control would be kind of nice to add.

 

Jaegers-Studio.jpg

Gratuitous photo of a cousin of the Edmunds.


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#103 DouglasPaul

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Posted 16 December 2021 - 03:54 PM

The old push to driven mounts work better than you'd think. My Cave mounted Jaegers was my first GEM and I never gave it any thought (didn't know any better too wink.png  ). There's a cool feeling to pushing a long well balanced scope that you have to experience to understand. You just lightly lock the DEC and when adjusted right the clutch will hold the RA fine. When an object is centered I flick the switch on the drive corrector to turn on the motor. To correct any drift, you either adjust the speed on the corrector's hand control (fast or slow button )or a small nudge is all it takes. IMHO, a driven mount like this is nicer to use than a geared one without a drive. Of course a manual tangent Dec control would be kind of nice to add.

 

attachicon.gifJaegers-Studio.jpg

Gratuitous photo of a cousin of the Edmunds.

One more thing on the list of things I have yet to do.


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#104 barbie

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Posted 16 December 2021 - 05:00 PM

Different kind of mount here(altaz) but I don't have slow motion controls. I use push to all the time to keep objects in the field of view of my vintage Towa 80mm f15 refractor. Both axes have smooth, nonstick Teflon bearings with adjustable friction control. I have no problems keeping the moon,planets, & brighter doubles in the eyepiece at 200x. A very slight nudge is all I need when I want to center something. Not really a hassle for me as I'm very much at home with an EQ or push to altazimuth mount. Aside from a frequent moon photo, I'm a 97% visual observer nowadays. Will probably eventually get a tracking EQ mount again someday. My 3.1" f15 is about as big as I care to go at this point in my life.


Edited by barbie, 16 December 2021 - 05:14 PM.

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#105 photiost

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Posted 16 December 2021 - 05:38 PM

Yes in its original configuration once the scope is properly balanced you just gently nudge it along ...very smooth even at higher magnification.

 

I have used it with the EQ6-Pro and it rides rock solid ... with the additional benefit of the EQ6 Goto/Tracking capabilities. 

 

Also works well with the Super Polaris mount with dual axis drives ...


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#106 Kasmos

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Posted 16 December 2021 - 06:07 PM

My OTA is about 12 lbs so I was actually wondering how it would work/feel on my Super Polaris hmm.gif


#107 photiost

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Posted 16 December 2021 - 11:19 PM

I have used it on the SP mount (Mars opposition) and it worked well with the dual axis drives ... the only issue is if it is windy it gets shaky due to the long OTA ,

 

Also the mount is "short" so the eyepiece is closer to the ground for observing high objects.  


#108 rweisberg

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Posted 17 December 2021 - 08:35 AM

Sometimes you just get lucky.

Got this July 2020. $45.00

I got mine just like this for $50, but it included a Televue 2.5x barlow (Japan) and a Celestron 18mm eyepiece (Japan).  Love it

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#109 photiost

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Posted 17 December 2021 - 09:13 AM

I got mine just like this for $50, but it included a Televue 2.5x barlow (Japan) and a Celestron 18mm eyepiece (Japan).  Love it

Amazing deals !!


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#110 barbie

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Posted 17 December 2021 - 09:17 PM

I was extremely fortunate to have found my vintage 80mm f15 refractor o.t.a. right here in the CN classifieds!!!


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#111 ScopeJunkie

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 12:50 PM

My luck stinks...

 

I had a nice 80mm Vixen on  Zen, but I cancelled the bid right before it ended, because I thought I'd found a good one locally.  The "brass plated Meade 300" from Telescope Warehouse finally got delivered today, but it's a complete dud.  I'm gonna return it. 

The brass finish is really rough looking.  There's not a single bit of black paint on the inside of the optical tube (When the previous owner brass plated it, the flat black paint on the inside was never replaced).  Lastly, the focuser is messed up (bent focus knob spindle and a bad spot in the rack & pinion).

 

Needless to say, I'm very disappointed ☹️


#112 sdedalus83

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 01:17 PM

This one looks nice.


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#113 ScopeJunkie

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 01:18 PM

If anyone knows of a GOOD 80mm for sale or trade, please let me know.


#114 ScopeJunkie

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 01:23 PM

Thanks sdedalus83, but I'm gonna try finding one in the US if I can.  I'm a little paranoid after getting this stinker.  If I order one from Japan and it ends up being bad, I can only imagine the trouble and cost that would be involved with returning it.


#115 norvegicus

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 02:44 PM

Be patient, one will show up here or SGW or somewhere.  I got a really nice Selsi (made by APL) 80/910 here on CN for cheap last year.


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#116 norvegicus

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 02:50 PM

Zane has two nice 76mm scopes for sale. 

 

https://astromart.co...rs-76mm-f15-ota

 

https://astromart.co...sco-10te-524951


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#117 Kasmos

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 02:55 PM

You forgot to mention he can contact Zane thru CN.

 

https://www.cloudyni...54779-augustus/


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#118 ScopeJunkie

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 04:03 PM

Thanks guys.  I sent him a message through Facebook messenger 


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#119 Bomber Bob

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 04:07 PM

Zane has two nice 76mm scopes for sale. 

 

https://astromart.co...rs-76mm-f15-ota

 

https://astromart.co...sco-10te-524951

That orphan Sears OTA is a very good deal!


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#120 ScopeJunkie

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 04:10 PM

Is it?  I was gonna inquire about his Tasco, but if the other OTA is better, let me know and I'll ask him about that one instead


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#121 ScopeJunkie

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 04:12 PM

I've got a few mounts/tripods, so just an OTA is fine with me


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#122 Bomber Bob

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 04:12 PM

At $110, you really can't go wrong.


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#123 sdedalus83

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 04:14 PM

I’d get the Sears since shipping will be much cheaper, you’re probably never going to use the original mount, and it’s already modified to use 1.25” accessories.


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#124 norvegicus

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 04:43 PM

It's not a better scope, it's a better deal.  The Tasco is a really nice scope.


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#125 ScopeJunkie

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Posted 23 December 2021 - 04:47 PM

I'm actually within driving distance to him in Tucson.  I'm currently staying with a buddy in Phoenix for the winter


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