184 replies to this topic

[DouglasPaul]

I wonder who made this one? Looks like Towa, but no makers mark.

 

https://stockton.cra...7452084594.html

Edited by DouglasPaul, 28 March 2022 - 07:20 AM.

[Kasmos]

I wonder who made this one? Looks like Towa, but no makers mark.

 

https://stockton.cra...7452084594.html

I almost posted that one in the ads finds. It's a DK and is very similar to many of the Celestrons sold as Cometrons. Depending on the year and model the Cometrons can vary quite a bit in their components and focal lengths.

 

While this one is likely a 900mm it has the same focuser, objective cell, finder, and alt-az mount.

 

Similar DKs were also sold by several well known and not so well known brands.

Edited by Kasmos, 28 March 2022 - 11:39 PM.

[nato]

           Most of these small refractors have great optics. I wish I had kept the "SWIFT"  I purchased 20 some years ago at a local pawn shop, it came with one of those wooden cases and if I recall two eyepieces, low and high power, also the standard moon and sun filters.(do not use the Sun ones) , but I sold it for $40.00 to the son of a club member, and he got much pleasure and use with it before they moved away several years ago. Nate Goodman (Nato). Salt Lake, Utah.

[Kasmos]

The SYW CA-60 alt-az telescope is a very uncommon 60/800mm telescope. 

I've only seen a handful of them online with only about 3 ever coming up for sale.

 

Most of them are strangely branded as Carton

 

With it's beautiful fully geared and enclosed mount plus a 30mm finder

it's nice a step up from the SYW made 60/700mm Mayflower 814s and Manons

 

I wonder why more brands didn't import them?

My guess, it was almost as costly as a 60/900mm EQ model and the Towa AT2 was just economically a cheaper model to offer.

 

For more details see link below, but ignore post #3, since it's a completely unrelated scope

 

https://www.cloudyni...a-60-refractor/

 

BTW, Carton later called some of their 60/910mm EQ mounted scopes a CA-60

Edited by Kasmos, 11 June 2022 - 03:03 PM.

[Terra Nova]

Lovely outfit!

[walter a]

I have a Galaxy branded model.

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[semlin]

I have a Galaxy branded model.

very nice scope and interesting to have both syw/tjk diamond export marks.  tjk is well known in binoculars as oriental trading company/toyo jitsugyo, which was the largest japanese export agent for binoculars, and eventually the main supplier to bushnell superseding kowa and fuji.  they did make their own binoculars but a lot of binoculars marked tjk in a diamond also have jb/je numbers indicating someone else made and assembled them.

 

and in binocular terms, any logo in a diamond is considered the exporter mark, not necessarily the maker or assembler.

 

not sure where that leaves us as regards syw.  i wonder if we will ever figure these things out.

[Kasmos]

Here's couple of more SYW 60/800s with links to their postings below them

 

One is branded as Yosco

 

https://www.cloudyni...1600/?p=5446017

 

And another as Perfex

https://www.cloudyni...1600/?p=6435845

 

No TJK mark on either of them but the Perfex has a serial number.

Edited by Kasmos, 12 June 2022 - 02:20 PM.

[barbie]

My recently acquired 60x800mm refractor was made by Southwest Precision Instruments in Japan.

[jragsdale]

My recently acquired 60x800mm refractor was made by Southwest Precision Instruments in Japan.

SPI was a just an export brand name, not a manufacturer. Yours is most likely an older Towa, like most of the ones described here. Can't wait for pics!

[barbie]

I've had older Towa's in the past and foolishly sold them to help finance bigger scopes. Not anymore!! This SPI is staying with me!!

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[Kasmos]

The thread on a Swift 819 reminded me that Swift once offered a 60/800mm model that very much fit in with the Asahi and Old Towa AT2 style scopes. I only know of 4-5 of them and really can't quite decide if they are from before or after the 838, 839, 831 series.

 

I lean towards before since it's accessories and box layout reminds me of my '58 Sky Chief...

 

...which also does not store the tripod in the OTA's wood box.

 

It features Towa AT2/Asahi style knobs but with a stepped focuser casting and no makers mark.

 

 

 

 

Here's some links to two others:

 

https://www.cloudyni...ge-scope-saved/

 

https://www.cloudyni...8838-swift-820/

 

[semlin]

this one just kind of fell into my lap today.  an "i-8".  seems to be complete in box except for the finder and finder mount.

 

 

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[Terra Nova]

The thread on a Swift 819 reminded me that Swift once offered a 60/800mm model that very much fit in with the Asahi and Old Towa AT2 style scopes. I only know of 4-5 of them and really can't quite decide if they are from before or after the 838, 839, 831 series.

 

820-in Box copy.jpg

I lean towards before since it's accessories and box layout reminds me of my '58 Sky Chief...

 

820-Tripod Box copy.jpg

...which also does not store the tripod in the OTA's wood box.

 

SW820-6 Focuser.jpg

It features Towa AT2/Asahi style knobs but with a stepped focuser casting and no makers mark.

 

SW820-4 copy.jpg

 

SW820-5 copy.jpg

 

SW820-3 copy.jpg

 

Here's some links to two others:

 

https://www.cloudyni...ge-scope-saved/

 

https://www.cloudyni...8838-swift-820/

Look earlier to me. (Predate 83x series)

[Grava T]

I'll add a couple more classics to the post. My Jupiter scope is my favourite 60mm of all time. The Carton was nice also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Grava T]

There's an Asahi Pentax 60mm f/800 on heebay right now. I highly recommend this telescope but I think the price is a bit steep.

 

https://www.ebay.ca/...cfff596be|iid:1

[jragsdale]

There's an Asahi Pentax 60mm f/800 on heebay right now. I highly recommend this telescope but I think the price is a bit steep.

 

https://www.ebay.ca/...cfff596be|iid:1

Wow, that's a crazy price. And the legs aren't even original. Look like from an 80s Firstscope 80.

[Grava T]

Wow, that's a crazy price. And the legs aren't even original. Look like from an 80s Firstscope 80.

Yes I believe you’re right. They look like legs from a Vixen Polaris mount. 

[jragsdale]

Adding this listing of a Tasco AT2 found on FB marketplace here: https://www.facebook...489973969888356

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[Kasmos]

I also thought that would be a good one to post, but links to ads, not so much since they expire as this thread goes on.

 

Anyway, it brings up a few issues to it's features and condition.

 

Features:

It's an old one since it has the metal strap stops for the lid

Engraved focuser and marked as a 62mm

The focuser knobs looks like the ones on very early Unitrons

The instructions show a chrome finder, and also do not show a tray

 

Condition issues:

The lower screw to hold the focuser looks replaced.

One of the lid stop straps is broken

The finder and it's mount appears to be missing

No sign of the altitude control.

The objectice is placed on the OTA backwards

It also has a large washer under the mount pivot on the side of the tube which might be a owner modification.

Edited by Kasmos, 31 December 2022 - 09:44 PM.

[jragsdale]

Good find on those things! I think I see part of the chrome finder right next to the mount.

 

And I posted the pics knowing that the link might eventually die.

[Kasmos]

Good find on those things! I think I see part of the chrome finder right next to the mount.

 

I'm pretty certain that's the porro prism.

 

On another note, here's one branded as a Kalimar T-6.

It's from another FaceBook ad and it's too bad they didn't include a photo of the focuser.

A Kalimar T-7 (60/900mm) was discussed in the ad thread the other day and other than these two,

good luck finding one.

 

Considering the box layout, the objective cell, the finder and tripod legs, I'd roughly date it from about 1957-58

 

This one is unique in that it has a packing guide inside the upper lid.

I'm not sure if any of them posted to date had this feature?

It also looks to have a place for the tray which is likely missing.

 

 

 

It was advertised as a Kalimar but the only evidence we have are the instructions.

They also show a diagram but the mount is shown separate which doesn't match the lid diagram.

It looks to be a tool for ID'ing the parts for assembly instead of for storage.

 

Edit: While the lid diagram shows sliding legs, the ones shown in the instructions are the older style folding legs.

Edited by Kasmos, 01 January 2023 - 12:50 AM.

[Kasmos]

I have about 24 bookmarks for the many different branded Towa AT2s and ET1 telescopes that have their own threads.

But formally when looking for scopes for this thread, somehow I missed this one.

It's significant since it's a self branded Towa and feature by feature it's exactly like the scope Towa used for their 1961-62 product sheet.

That product sheet was posted at the top of page two of this thread.

 https://www.cloudyni...-em/?p=11645786

 

For more details on the above scope here's the link to it's thread

https://www.cloudyni...ssical-one-but/

Edited by Kasmos, 07 June 2023 - 02:47 PM.

[Defenderslideguitar]

Let's reboot this more comprehensive thread  re 60 mm scopes

 this thread has got a lot in it and lots going for it  thanks  BB

[6642]

On an online sales site in France a beautiful Telescope model CA-60
It is in very good condition (like new ) and complete
It’s really a beautiful Refractor

Pascal