239 replies to this topic

[jragsdale]

interesting minty looking carton 72mm f5.8 spotting scope at a tempting price.  i want to guess it is early 1980s.  limited internet research indicates the adlerscope design used mirrors instead of prisms to erect the image.  that is intriguing.  

 

https://www.ebay.com...iMAAOSw1JphDB8u

Sounds like it's well priced...

 

https://www.birdforu...pe-80mm.337257/

[flywing1]

Two Unitrons in Jefferson, WI

 

D60mm F 900mm

https://www.proxibid...444864#topoflot

 

(D75mm F 1200mm ? )

https://www.proxibid...444863#topoflot

 

I wonder whether the mounts are swapped..

[jkmccarthy]

Longfellow refractor OTA of unknown origin and specs, in wood case, in need of much TLC -- a long "project scope", anyone ?

 

https://zenmarket.jp...ode=n1059040453

 

Inside Diameter of dewshield appears to be ~ 145mm ... so objective lens diameter possibly around 5-inches or so ?

 

Overall length cited as 1.67m (but likely includes dewshield?) ... making OTA maybe f/11 to f/12 or so ?  (Else ~ f/13 if 1.67m measured from objective to focus).

 

Plenty of dust and fungus on the objective lens, but not the worst we've seen.  Lens cell has push-pull pairs of screws for collimation.

 

Finder scope has ~ 50mm aperture, and is possibly around f/10 or so (again subtracting its dewshield length from total length exhibited on tape measure).

 

7.7Kg (17 lbs.) is the weight of the OTA + finder scope alone, excluding the wood case -- hence shipping weight will be more.

 

Note VAT (value added tax) of 10% charged on top of winning bid amount.   Seller estimates shipping within Japan (to Zen-Market in Osaka) at 4,895 yen (US $37).  Consult "HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?" tool on right edge of screen for Zen's estimate of overseas shipping cost to you.

Edited by jkmccarthy, 02 August 2022 - 04:19 PM.

[Bomber Bob]

IF that blue is original... used & abused WELTBLICK (Nihon-Seiko)...

 

Thank the Lord for my outstanding C80, or I'd be gettin' this Duo-Scope...  Mizar 80M + GT-68 + EQ Head:  https://zenmarket.jp...ode=v1058858536

 

Very Cool Very HOT Accessory...  GOTO Optical Solar Prominence Adapter:   https://zenmarket.jp...ode=u1058816967    AND    GOTO Herschel Wedge:  https://zenmarket.jp...ode=r1057289499

 

Totally Tubular -- For Sure For Sure!   Carton Aluminum Tripod Legs:  https://zenmarket.jp...ode=n1059223792

 

Tall Nifty Fifty...  EIKOW (Towa) ST-500 AZ Kit IOB:  https://zenmarket.jp...ode=e1056244764

 

Kenko A80 AZ Kit:  https://zenmarket.jp...ode=k1059419043

 

It's my Bushnell Banner OTA on an alt/az mount rather than NES.  Mine had an average lens, but the OTA is prettier than the pictures, and this kit would make a fine display.

Edited by Bomber Bob, 02 August 2022 - 05:01 PM.

[Terra Nova]

Two Unitrons in Jefferson, WI

 

D60mm F 900mm

https://www.proxibid...444864#topoflot

 

(D75mm F 1200mm ? )

https://www.proxibid...444863#topoflot

 

I wonder whether the mounts are swapped..

That looks right (they’re switched). It’s all in a haphazard jumble! 

Edited by Terra Nova, 02 August 2022 - 06:56 PM.

[Terra Nova]

IF that blue is original... used & abused WELTBLICK (Nihon-Seiko)...

 

The blue doesn’t look original. It’s chipped, scraped, and pealing and white is showing through from underneath. Anyway, none of it looks Nihon-Seiko (Unitron) to me.

Edited by Terra Nova, 02 August 2022 - 06:00 PM.

[Terra Nova]

 

 

Totally Tubular -- For Sure For Sure!   Carton Aluminum Tripod Legs:  https://zenmarket.jp...ode=n1059223792

 

 

That’s is interesting! Those legs look just like the ones for the Sears 6344 (SYW) except they are all brushed aluminum while the upper member of the Sears are black. I’m thinking both Carton and SYW got them from the same third-party source. Unless there’s some connection between Carton and SYW we don’t know about.

[CHASLX200]

It looks to be the place. It’s all in a haphazard jumble! 

Looks to be around 1963 on the 3" with the white dust cover.

[BigC]

Does anyone else notice lately a  more higher quality telescopes on Shopgoodwill, craigslist,etc.  ?

[CHASLX200]

Does anyone else notice lately a  more higher quality telescopes on Shopgoodwill, craigslist,etc.  ?

Not on my local CL. Most are junk scopes and most of the run of the mill scopes are priced at 3 times the avg cost.

[semlin]

Longfellow refractor OTA of unknown origin and specs, in wood case, in need of much TLC -- a long "project scope", anyone ?

 

https://zenmarket.jp...ode=n1059040453

 

Inside Diameter of dewshield appears to be ~ 145mm ... so objective lens diameter possibly around 5-inches or so ?

 

Overall length cited as 1.67m (but likely includes dewshield?) ... making OTA maybe f/11 to f/12 or so ?  (Else ~ f/13 if 1.67m measured from objective to focus).

 

Plenty of dust and fungus on the objective lens, but not the worst we've seen.  Lens cell has push-pull pairs of screws for collimation.

 

Finder scope has ~ 50mm aperture, and is possibly around f/10 or so (again subtracting its dewshield length from total length exhibited on tape measure).

 

7.7Kg (17 lbs.) is the weight of the OTA + finder scope alone, excluding the wood case -- hence shipping weight will be more.

 

Note VAT (value added tax) of 10% charged on top of winning bid amount.   Seller estimates shipping within Japan (to Zen-Market in Osaka) at 4,895 yen (US $37).  Consult "HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?" tool on right edge of screen for Zen's estimate of overseas shipping cost to you.

if i can figure out how to zen market, i will bid on this.

 

i "think" it's an rao r102 aka tasco 20te.  it's missing the drawtube, but otherwise it matches up pretty closely as to guidescope, guidescope ring style and location and the oversized cell and dewcap.  i suspect it was used as a guidescope for a bigger scope and painted to match and is the same colour as the guidescope underneath.

 

but i've been wrong before.  recently.

 

[DreamWeaver]

If that’s the photo in the add, it’s not their 20TE.  That one belongs to CN member “Mike Cee”.  That is a picture of it in his old observatory.  He has since moved to a new house.

[semlin]

If that’s the photo in the add, it’s not their 20TE.  That one belongs to CN member “Mike Cee”.  That is a picture of it in his old observatory.  He has since moved to a new house.

yes, sorry, i just linked to photos of a 20te with guidescope to compare to the ad photos.  here is the ad photo.  

https://template.afi...e3a129b33fc.jpg

Edited by semlin, 02 August 2022 - 07:56 PM.

[Jae]

if i can figure out how to zen market, i will bid on this.

 

i "think" it's an rao r102 aka tasco 20te.  it's missing the drawtube, but otherwise it matches up pretty closely as to guidescope, guidescope ring style and location and the oversized cell and dewcap.  i suspect it was used as a guidescope for a bigger scope and painted to match and is the same colour as the guidescope underneath.

 

but i've been wrong before.  recently.

 

It looks like same as the 20TE picture you posted, perhaps your picture has a line in the focus knob down the middle but the one on Zen does not.  The finder looks same. Someone painted it blue ?

[AstroKerr]

Longfellow refractor OTA of unknown origin and specs, in wood case, in need of much TLC -- a long "project scope", anyone ?

 

troublemaker... pffft!

 

added:

If it is missing a drawtube, Sem, well, I'm happy! One less scope to chase, one less mystery, one less explanation to Sybs (still haven't unpacked Zen boxes from end of May). Yay, Sem! 

Edited by AstroKerr, 02 August 2022 - 09:08 PM.

[Kasmos]

While it certainly looks like a RAO, it's lens cell, finder mounts, and focuser is different than the others on CNs and AsrtoMart.

The finder brackets on the others look taller and have a third mounting tab in their center.

[norvegicus]

I think I see the visual back, so the drawtube is there, the focuser is just all the way in.

 

[jkmccarthy]

Longfellow refractor OTA of unknown origin and specs, in wood case, in need of much TLC -- a long "project scope", anyone ?

 

https://zenmarket.jp...ode=n1059040453

 

Inside Diameter of dewshield appears to be ~ 145mm ... so objective lens diameter possibly around 5-inches or so ?

 

Overall length cited as 1.67m (but likely includes dewshield?) ... making OTA maybe f/11 to f/12 or so ?  (Else ~ f/13 if 1.67m measured from objective to focus).

 

Plenty of dust and fungus on the objective lens, but not the worst we've seen.  Lens cell has push-pull pairs of screws for collimation.

 

Finder scope has ~ 50mm aperture, and is possibly around f/10 or so (again subtracting its dewshield length from total length exhibited on tape measure).

 

7.7Kg (17 lbs.) is the weight of the OTA + finder scope alone, excluding the wood case -- hence shipping weight will be more.

 

Note VAT (value added tax) of 10% charged on top of winning bid amount.   Seller estimates shipping within Japan (to Zen-Market in Osaka) at 4,895 yen (US $37).  Consult "HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?" tool on right edge of screen for Zen's estimate of overseas shipping cost to you.

So if I grossly overestimated the aperture diameter, my apologies !   The 20TE's objective is reported as 108mm  (https://www.cloudyni...20te/?p=6862163)

 

Semlin -- Have you attempted to estimate overseas shipping cost ?   I just took a stab assuming wood case weighs at least as much as the OTA (hence >15Kg to maybe 20Kg net weight?).   I recently weighed a Zen-Market reinforced shipping box and found that mine (dimensions 117cm x 50cm x 23cm) weighed 5.7Kg (or 12.5 lbs) with just bubblewrap and crumpled paper inside.   If length needed for this scope is (say) 180cm, then a 180/117 = 1.54x multiplier on the box weight is needed, assuming the girth of 2 x (50cm + 23cm) could still accommodate the wood case for this scope ... so possibly ~ 8.8 Kg just for Zen's reinforced box, and at least 24 Kg  (maybe as much as 30 Kg ?) total for the Zen-Market parcel.   The Zen shipping calculator gives a UPS shipping cost estimate of $281 for a parcel weighing 30Kg with dimensions 180cm x 50cm x 25cm ... and as I recall AstroKerr once emphasizing, this puts you in the domain where volume trumps weight ... cost is the same even if (in this case) the weight goes all the way up to 45 Kg.   But increasing length or girth (either dimension) adds significantly to the cost ... rerunning the calculator for L=190cm, cost goes to $345, and with L=190cm and H=30cm (raised from 25cm) the UPS shipping cost goes to $420.

 

Good Luck !

 

       -- Jim

Edited by jkmccarthy, 02 August 2022 - 08:58 PM.

[AstroKerr]

I got an estimate for 20kg 220 and 250 size parcels - UPS $136 & $160, FedEx $239 & $309. @ 25kg, regardless of size, $160 & $310, @ 30kg $190 & $367,  size didn't matter again. The listing mentions a 220 size thru Sagawa for In Country - Zen would beef it up a bit.

 

The OTA dewshield is ~150mm, putting the cell to retracted focuser length around 1350mm... plus focuser travel? f=1400~1500? Someone will find out...

Edited by AstroKerr, 02 August 2022 - 10:46 PM.

[semlin]

I think I see the visual back, so the drawtube is there, the focuser is just all the way in.

 

Screen Shot 2022-08-02 at 9.31.19 PM.png

that is the focuser tube and has about 7cm of travel from another photo.  what looks like the visual back is circa 2" and there should be a second slide drawtube inside it which ultimately attaches to the vb.  it may be there based on one photo, but i am not sure.  definitely the visual back is not there.  if missing i think it will be more than the 1.5" diam.from a 10te, but i have the advantage that my r73 has a similar oversized draw tube set up.  so if it is missing i am hoping i will have the correct parts to work from.

 

the bigger gamble is the state of the objective i think.  there is definitely advanced fungus.  hopefully nothing that has etched the glass.

[jkmccarthy]

I thought this photo was most informative regarding what the end of the rack-and-pinion focuser tube looks like -- definitely there's an end-fitting attached, and if not an interior drawtube (?), then at least a set of female threads (??) possibly for attaching a visual back ?   Or do you think the brass annulus is a compression ring meant to surround an interior drawtube that is MIA ?

 

Edited by jkmccarthy, 02 August 2022 - 10:04 PM.

[semlin]

While it certainly looks like a RAO, it's lens cell, finder mounts, and focuser is different than the others on CNs and AsrtoMart.

The finder brackets on the others look taller and have a third mounting tab in their center.

ok, good points.  i am still bidding but maybe it is an syw ae-106 although the cell should be labelled.?

 

http://www.amateuras...81600/index.htm

 

agreed that there is a third mount screwhole hole/tab perpendicular to the finder bracket on a 20te.  this one is lacking that tab.  it is, however, a large ladder bracket, whereas the not small 40mm bracket on my r73 is a solid post.

 

ae106 has a ladder bracket but no tab.

 

agreed that the cell body is different.  the outer flange is deeper on the astromart 20te.  same for an ae-106 which uses phillips head screws.  here is a 20te

 

 

and there is a rounded lip or bulge on the 20te focuser right where it joins the ota which is not present on this scope.  the focuser looks more like an ae-106.

 

i can see rao using a different finder bracket over time, but the changes to focuser and objective are less likely.  the phillips screws for collimation could be replacements or indicative of a later build.

 

looking closely i can see the screw holes for a smaller finder where it would be on an r102, and you can also see white paint under the blue.  the guidescope remains a very close match down to the focus wheels.  the objective dust cap is a dead ringer for my rao dust caps.

 

so if not an r102 we are back to a 4" f15 longfellow residing in japan with drawtube style, overall design and proportions very close to an r102 and an unmarked cell just like an r102.   the d=108mm also fits nicely with the 1670mm length, which would make a 102mm or 100mm an f16.  so an ae-106 sounds attractive.

[RichA]

That hazy Tak FC-76 was up back in May or Jun, I believe. I'm still tempted,

The lens is trash.  Unless you can get a lens for it, for under say $700 (unlikely) it makes no sense to get it.

[jragsdale]

Monolux (HOC?) - 4380 (60/910) - $300 (too much) in Baltimore, MD

https://baltimore.cr...7516669524.html

 

Brandon Vernonscope 80 - $275 in Hereford, AZ

https://tucson.craig...7516637663.html

 

Bushnell Sky Chief Jr mount - $40 in Santa Cruz, CA

https://www.facebook...886260118112823

[Kasmos]

Monolux (HOC?) - 4380 (60/910) - $300 (too much) in Baltimore, MD

https://baltimore.cr...7516669524.html

 

Brandon Vernonscope 80 - $275 in Hereford, AZ

https://tucson.craig...7516637663.html

 

Bushnell Sky Chief Jr mount - $40 in Santa Cruz, CA

https://www.facebook...886260118112823

The BV is very cool,

and that Jr mount could potentially help more than a few folks out with broken mounts.