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Unitron 3-inch (Model 142) on craigslist

Started by habsburg8 , Oct 25 2006 01:04 PM

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33 replies to this topic

#1 habsburg8

Surveyor 1

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 01:04 PM

While browsing the advertisements on the New Hampshire craigslist, I happened to notice an advertisement listed on 10/07/06 for a vintage Unitron 3-inch f/16 equatorial refractor (if anyone can link directly to that ad please help!). The ad number is sale--217273790. The ad mentions that:

UNITRON 3 INCH Equatorial Refractor Telescope (Model 142) --$1250

"In perfect condition! We purchased it in 1992 and have used it perhaps a dozen times. It's an excellent instrument, but because we rarely use it, it has functioned more as a beautiful piece of art in my living room...."

Unitron refractors are hard-to-beat as far as quality goes. I am surprised that Unitron was still selling these 3-inch units as late as 1992. My guess is that they were new "old" stock. Has anyone from our group personally inspected that instrument? How does it differ, if at all, from the older 1960s or '70s instruments? [NOTE: I am not the seller of the telescope--I only noticed the advertisement on craigslist.]

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#2 Steve_M_M

Soyuz

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 05:28 PM

http://nh.craigslist.../217273790.html

looks to be in good condition, but the one...distant picture is hard to tell. Of course, there was an auction for a poor condition 3" with some access. on ebay for $975 with no bidders (220037425767)

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#3 Jae

Apollo

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 06:16 PM

Well, that's pretty close to where I live....of course I have a 142 mount but no OTA. I'll have to think about this one.....like I need another scope :o :lol:

Jae

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#4 droid

rocketman

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 06:47 PM

Jae ; yeah you need another one, really lol.you can always sell it at income tax time next year. :wron:

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#5 droid

rocketman

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 06:50 PM

is that really worth that kinda money????? way out of my budget.
I think some one is counting on the name to make him rich, lol.

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#6 Jae

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 06:58 PM

Ya know, it probably can't outperform my Towa 80 which is a fraction of what that is......

I guess it's the collector aspect of it that makes it worth that much. I'll bet it can get that much for it easily if he put it on wider distribution AND it's as perfect as they say. Where's Lenny ?....he's been hanging around the Unitron yahoo site and is in the know.

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#7 Jae

Apollo

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 07:05 PM

Andy,
I have to say that the only Unitron I've look through is a 60mm and it was pretty darn impressive. On the other hand it was impressive compared to other 60mm scope of the same or similar era. Sadly, the Televue 60mm will outperform a Unitron in my humble opinion, if only because it has better multi-coatings, resulting in an overall brighter image.

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#8 droid

rocketman

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 07:28 PM

you know for thta kind of money you could buy a 12 inch orion dob complete with the object locating system, and still have some left over for an extra ep or two.
I have always loved unitrons ,but at that price, noway hosey

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#9 trainsktg

Fly Me to the Moon

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 07:44 PM

I paid 1/4 that for my 3" f16 Tasco...tripod sucks but the optics are top notch. I think that Unitron's price is too pricey for a 3" scope.

Keith (now if it were a Zeiss :cool:

)

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#10 Jae

Apollo

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Posted 25 October 2006 - 08:18 PM

It's settled then......it's too pricey for all of us.
I'll take a pass.
:grin:

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#11 Awesomelenny

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 11:52 AM

Peek a boo, here I am!!! LOL!!!

The only reason the Unitron telescopes are so doggone expensive, believe me is not necessarily the name, but I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the focuser, mount and tripod. All of it was so well made and stable as heck!
I have my 4 inch Unitron Model 160 in my observatory alongside my 12" Meade. I got it all set up and aligned. The thing is a real charmer. I have used it and will probably use it mostly for solar white light and lunar observations. As for DSO's listen, aperture rules. PERIOD.
But the solidity of the Unitron is really hard to beat. I am convinced. The other very nice feature is that awesome Unihex rotary eyepiece. I just cannot understand why that doesn't go well today. I foret who the manufacturer is, but I know that in the Sky & Telescope magazine there is the rotary eyepiece holder today that handles all 1.25" eyepieces but the price is truly astronomical.
Right now I am keeping my Unitron for a while and enjoy it as both a collectors item as well as a functional instrument. It was just last weekend that I messed with it by putting my Mintron b&w video camera on it and displayed M5 and M57 on the b&w 12" tv monitor in my observatory. IMPRESSIVE!

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#12 droid

rocketman

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 04:35 PM

Lenny ; I agree with everything you say about the unitron, I finally got my wife to let me have some of the income tax next year to buy a new scope, only ther second time in nearly 20 years thats happened,lol. And I just cant imagine dropping over 1000 on a 3 inch refractor.
I have yet to decide what Im gonna buy, but thats a differant topic ,lol.

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#13 Bonco

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 04:37 PM

I'm in love...It's the Unitron that I want, but I'm not able to buy another scope right now.
Bonco

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#14 Jae

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 05:16 PM

Lenny.....what's it worth ??

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#15 Jae

Apollo

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 05:17 PM

and another pic

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#16 Jae

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Posted 26 October 2006 - 05:32 PM

I asked for some more photos ......when they arrive I'll post them. Then maybe someone can chime it to answer John's original question.

Jae

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#17 JWW

Apollo

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Posted 02 November 2006 - 11:10 PM

Hello,

I purchased the Unitron model 142. It arrived a couple of days ago packaged in an extremely professional manner, just as promised. It is without a doubt in pristine condition (did I say pristine). <grin> Everything looks as if it had never been used. I spoke with the seller on the telephone several times and she insisted that it was in perfect condition and she was not kidding. Not even a speck of dust, amazing!

It came with a price list from Jalleria (or Galleria) Optics in Holbrook New York. All the literature it came with is in perfect condition too. I am having trouble making out the font for the dealership that is “stamped” on the price catalogue but it is probably Galleria Optics. The price list catalogue is dated February 1992. It is full of Unitron products. Only 1 page of 8 is dedicated to Unitron telescopes. The 3” Equatorial Refractor is listed as $1,950. Accessories for the scopes are not listed in this catalogue but could be requested, according to the catalogue.

So, to answer your question, it looks like new old stock.
-JW:>)

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#18 JWW

Apollo

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Posted 02 November 2006 - 11:11 PM

and another ...

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#19 JWW

Apollo

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Posted 02 November 2006 - 11:11 PM

... last one ...

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#20 JWW

Apollo

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Posted 02 November 2006 - 11:16 PM

Oops,

I should mention that I did not assemble everything, that's why it doesn't appear to be complete but it is. Some of the components had never been opened. It even had the cardboard box with the wrapping paper for the counter weight.

Sweeeeet,
-JW: