37 replies to this topic

[Joe Bergeron]

Behold, one of the prettiest scopes I ever owned, obtained from Don Yeier in a trade. Alas, I sold it during a period of no money, or it would be my favorite ornament today. 

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[UT_JimW]

Nice!

[Terra Nova]

I always thought they were quite beautiful. I also loved the paired Unitron az and eq mounts.

[ram812]

It's a shame to have to hawk our kit in hard times... what a beautiful instrument though😁! I'd have bought it if the price was right.

CS, Ralph

[wrvond]

Had I known, I probably would have bought it even if the price were wrong.

[Bonco2]

What a beautiful match with the Unitron mount.  

[Jae]

Stunning scope setup !

 

I acquired the same ota in mint condition later in life when I could afford to, then an unused EQ mount for it, plus an Alt-Az mount with the counterweight.  I need to set it up and post some pictures.  I will be letting it, as well as many others from my collection go when I can get around to it.  Probably sometime next year. 

 

I too lived in upstate NY and went to see Don to buy his seeing is believing scope.  That was before these Brandon 94's were offered.

Edited by Jae, 10 December 2021 - 06:51 PM.

[pbealo]

Behold, one of the prettiest scopes I ever owned, obtained from Don Yeier in a trade. Alas, I sold it during a period of no money, or it would be my favorite ornament today. 

Did it come with the finder??

 

I like my wood tube prototype version, but my tube is a tad too long to allow 2" mirrr diagonal use.

[CHASLX200]

I had one back in 2003.

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[Jae]

Did it come with the finder??

 

I like my wood tube prototype version, but my tube is a tad too long to allow 2" mirrr diagonal use.

I have one that came with the exact same finder

[Joe Bergeron]

Did it come with the finder??

 

I like my wood tube prototype version, but my tube is a tad too long to allow 2" mirrr diagonal use.

Yes, it came with the finder (after I bugged Don about it long enough). However, I'm sorry to say it was garbage. Stars were horrid, hideous shapes, so bad the limiting magnitude was reduced to the point where it was about useless. Worst optics I ever saw. If I had it today I'd see if it was assembled incorrectly or something.

 

I do miss that scope though, crappy finder or no.

[Don W]

I  have two of them, one is in great shape and includes the original carry case.

 

 

And the other is restoration project.

 

[Joe Bergeron]

Same slightly goofy case I had. Looks like it’s time for new foam. 

[rcwolpert]

Behold, one of the prettiest scopes I ever owned, obtained from Don Yeier in a trade. Alas, I sold it during a period of no money, or it would be my favorite ornament today. 

Joe, that’s a beautiful scope! Congrats!

 

Bob

[pbealo]

I would love to find the 5" version of that! Or the old AP 5" f8 Starfire.

Not that I NEED either!

Peter

[Terra Nova]

I would love to find the 5" version of that! Or the old AP 5" f8 Starfire.

Not that I NEED either!

Peter

Not that that’s ever stopped me from buying!

[Jae]

I would love to find the 5" version of that! Or the old AP 5" f8 Starfire.

Not that I NEED either!

Peter

Should I tempt you ?

[pbealo]

Should I tempt you ?

Please!!

 

PM me!!!!

[Jae]

Please!!

 

PM me!!!!

Will do.

 

https://youtu.be/cKjhgd30Fhc

 

Around the 13 min mark, picture of my two Brandon 94’s and later in the video my lightweight 94, then my 130 is shown.  On loan to Ed so he could showcase them.

Edited by Jae, 13 December 2021 - 02:30 AM.

[CHASLX200]

I would guess a 130 would go for 3.5k today used.

Edited by CHASLX200, 14 December 2021 - 06:48 AM.

[Stew44]

My 94mm Brandon (with early 92mm lens ring) is my smaller aperture APO.  A truly fine example of Roland's hand pushing the glass.  The 130 I once owned was the only lens I ever saw of his with a defect (zone about two thirds out from center on star test).  Still it was an amazing telescope.  Either would allow most enjoyable stargazing.  Fun to see the attributes of the 94 still inspiring and motivating to get out and observe.  Nice evening here in Denver for doing so.  Hmmm...

[bobhen]

Still have the late 80s brochure.

 

Always loved the look of these refractors, especially on the alt/az mounts.

 

The only reason I didn’t get either one was because in 1989 I ordered an Astro-Physics 152 F9 triplet refractor.

 

Later I ordered a University Optics 80mm “kit” refractor that also sourced Unitron parts, including the focuser, which I thought was pretty decent for the time.

 

Bob

 

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[CHASLX200]

The Unitron looks were the best of any scope.

[sdedalus83]

I  have two of them, one is in great shape

I remember that one, wish I could buy it back now that I have both a 3” feathertouch and a CFL.

Edited by sdedalus83, 14 December 2021 - 10:23 PM.

[Don H]

I picked up my 94mm Brandon OTA when they had a special sale (50% off) sometime around 2000 or so. As I recall, they included the rings and 2" 1/20th wave diagonal for $1050. The day it arrived I was quite happy to see it was absolutely perfect in all regards. It arrived with the Unitron alt/az mount, which I hadn't even ordered (or paid for). I sent the mount back, as I had an eq mount to use, and I felt too guilty to just keep it and not say anything. But it sure fit the scope nicely. Of all the scopes I built, owned or sold, the Brandon is the one I wish I had kept maybe more than any other. Plus, I wish I would have just sent the money in and kept the mount. I had a friend with an original TV Genesis (101) and we set up side by side a few times. I seem to remember the Brandon may have had a slight edge in color correction, although it was f/7 and the TV was f/5. I ended up selling the 94mm to a friend and turned around and picked up a 16" Meade DS on an eq mount. I used that 16" for a while until I finished my own 16" mirror and truss scope, which was the first of many more that I would make...

Edited by Don H, 16 December 2021 - 03:12 PM.