424 replies to this topic

[mpsteidle]

I always use PayPal they protect you from shipping damage.

Paypal has saved me on more than one occasion from fraud, never had any issue getting my funds back.

[tim53]

Huge equatorial mount of unknown make, very interesting. 6" x 18" saddle plate, 220 lbs total. Some Tak-like features. Huge RA gear. What is this?

 

https://zenmarket.jp...ode=b1133896742

 

-drl

My bet is that that IS a TAK mount, probably from the late 70s or early 80s, though I haven't been able to find one like it. It's been repainted, but things like the green knobs are typical Tak (match those on my 1985 Em-1 mount and epsilon 130).  Looks like it's been well used, but still looks serviceable.  it also looks like it *might* be a bit bigger than an NJP (another wonderful mount), but hard to be sure.  So many other parts scream takahashi, too.  Particularly the pier and legs.  My em-500 has a very heavy pier (about 6" diameter thick wall spun steel) with cast iron legs that look just like those pictured.  too bad it's across the big pond (but I have a nice old em-500 and an NJP anyway).

-Tim.

 

The mount is a UJI Tentai Seiki.   I agree with Tim it has several attributes of the early Takahshi mounts.

 

Details here:  https://yumarin7.sak...kan/Uji1983.pdf

That is so cool!  If I didn't already have a few excellent Tak mounts, I'd be seriously considering that.  Even at $2k for shipping, that might not be a bad deal at all.

 

[Last time I checked, a new EM-500 head, no pier or tripod, was about $15K.  I paid $4K for mine a decade or more ago, but it wasn't goto and dates back to the early 90s.  I've since added a Sitech controller to it, and it lives in my observatory with 2 or 3 telescopes and a few cameras riding on it without breaking a sweat.]

 

-Tim.

[laixiaolue]

https://www.facebook...788114601466877

 

The price is a little high, but I really like the orange finderscope.

 

 

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[CHASLX200]

That is so cool!  If I didn't already have a few excellent Tak mounts, I'd be seriously considering that.  Even at $2k for shipping, that might not be a bad deal at all.

 

[Last time I checked, a new EM-500 head, no pier or tripod, was about $15K.  I paid $4K for mine a decade or more ago, but it wasn't goto and dates back to the early 90s.  I've since added a Sitech controller to it, and it lives in my observatory with 2 or 3 telescopes and a few cameras riding on it without breaking a sweat.]

 

-Tim.

15k is insane. I would go 4k for a old gray non GO-TO NJP-160.

[CHASLX200]

https://www.facebook...788114601466877

 

The price is a little high, but I really like the orange finderscope.

BACK WHEN THEY HAD REAL FINDERS. 550 is ok if it freaky sharp.

[cavedweller]

https://www.facebook...788114601466877

 

The price is a little high, but I really like the orange finderscope.

 

Whole lot going on in San Jose lately.

[m0bius]

Whole lot going on in San Jose lately.

 

Do you know the way to San Jose?
Reach out for me.
One Less Bell to Answer.

 

[Bye Burt]

 

PS. I never really cared for the music, but it was instrumental. 

[deSitter]

Would you recommend using a debit/credit card or Paypal? I'm inclined to use Paypal but the website says that CC/Debit cards are "recommended".

Paypal debit card is a great "firewall". You add to it at your own discretion from whatever source.

 

-drl

[jkmccarthy]

Huge equatorial mount of unknown make, very interesting. 6" x 18" saddle plate, 220 lbs total. Some Tak-like features. Huge RA gear. What is this?

 

https://zenmarket.jp...ode=b1133896742

 

-drl

 

My bet is that that IS a TAK mount, probably from the late 70s or early 80s, though I haven't been able to find one like it. It's been repainted, but things like the green knobs are typical Tak (match those on my 1985 Em-1 mount and epsilon 130).  Looks like it's been well used, but still looks serviceable.  it also looks like it *might* be a bit bigger than an NJP (another wonderful mount), but hard to be sure.  So many other parts scream takahashi, too.  Particularly the pier and legs.  My em-500 has a very heavy pier (about 6" diameter thick wall spun steel) with cast iron legs that look just like those pictured.  too bad it's across the big pond (but I have a nice old em-500 and an NJP anyway).

-Tim.

 

The mount is a UJI Tentai Seiki.   I agree with Tim it has several attributes of the early Takahshi mounts.

 

Details here:  https://yumarin7.sak...kan/Uji1983.pdf

Thanks PawPaw for solving the mystery!  What most impressed me from the ZenMarket photos was the tapered roller bearings up inside the R.A. housing (and presumably inside the Decl. axis housing as well).

 

drl's Question:   What is this ?

my initial Ans:    At 220lbs, very heavy!
 

... but it's nice to know the real answer : - )

 

Clear Skies,

 

        -- Jim

[tim53]

15k is insane. I would go 4k for a old gray non GO-TO NJP-160.

$4K for an NJP with Temma 2 is a reasonably good deal.  The EM-500 is a much bigger mount.  More like an AP 900 or even 1100 mount head in size and payload.  Head alone weighs 90 pounds without the counterweight shaft.  My Pier is 80 pounds.  Cast iron legs no doubt add quite a bit more.  I put it on a Bisque pier in my observatory.  Had help getting the head onto the pier, and hope not to need to take it off anytime soon. 

 

My bad.  A new one with Temma 3 is just over $13K, if you can find one in north america.

[CHASLX200]

$4K for an NJP with Temma 2 is a reasonably good deal.  The EM-500 is a much bigger mount.  More like an AP 900 or even 1100 mount head in size and payload.  Head alone weighs 90 pounds without the counterweight shaft.  My Pier is 80 pounds.  Cast iron legs no doubt add quite a bit more.  I put it on a Bisque pier in my observatory.  Had help getting the head onto the pier, and hope not to need to take it off anytime soon. 

 

My bad.  A new one with Temma 3 is just over $13K, if you can find one in north america.

I only want the gray version with SLO- MO's and would pay more for that. Gray looked so much better. I am never gonna pay more than 4k for any mount unless a 5" Unitron mount.

Edited by CHASLX200, 28 April 2024 - 04:36 PM.

[abe]

https://www.facebook...788114601466877

 

The price is a little high, but I really like the orange finderscope.

Here's another oddball orange Celestron C8 finder scope.  
​https://zenmarket.jp...Code=1106124183

Also, the OTA has a large Celestron logo on the side.  Are these variations something that Celestron did for other non-US markets or do you think they are aftermarket modifications?

 

[CHASLX200]

Here's another oddball orange Celestron C8 finder scope.  
​https://zenmarket.jp...Code=1106124183

Also, the OTA has a large Celestron logo on the side.  Are these variations something that Celestron did for other non-US markets or do you think they are aftermarket modifications?

 

Tacky is you ask me having big letters like that. odd finder.

[jkmccarthy]

Here's another oddball orange Celestron C8 finder scope.  
​https://zenmarket.jp...Code=1106124183

Also, the OTA has a large Celestron logo on the side.  Are these variations something that Celestron did for other non-US markets or do you think they are aftermarket modifications?

 

The large "oddball" finder appears to be a Celestron-orange version of the Vixen-sage-green finder on Sean's classic Vixen 80M (for Chas:  M = "medium" f/ratio, in this case F=910mm so f/11.4 ... other common Vixen model number suffixes are L = "long" f/ratio, S = "short" f/ratio, and SS = "super short" f/ratio) that was discussed some time ago in the Vintage Finds thread ...

 

https://www.cloudyni...6#entry12232521

 

and more recently in the 'work on your classic scope/mount today' thread:

 

https://www.cloudyni...3#entry12430976

 

Given the history of Celestron / Vixen collaborations, I'd guess the orange one is a genuine Vixen / Celestron offering (noteworthy, I think, that you spotted it on ZenMarket), rather than someone's aftermarket modification.

 

        -- Jim

Edited by jkmccarthy, 28 April 2024 - 06:01 PM.

[flywing1]

A trio of C8s

 

1998 Celestron Celestar 8" in Damascus, MD, $695

 

https://www.facebook...449220927577668

 

C8 with Byers drive in Mt Airy, MD, $549

 

https://www.facebook...397108903738623

 

Celestron 8 Telescope 1983 Production Year on a pier in Fredericksburg, VA, $999

 

https://www.facebook...424686743567608

[CHASLX200]

A trio of C8s

 

1998 Celestron Celestar 8" in Damascus, MD, $695

 

https://www.facebook...449220927577668

 

C8 with Byers drive in Mt Airy, MD, $549

 

https://www.facebook...397108903738623

 

Celestron 8 Telescope 1983 Production Year on a pier in Fredericksburg, VA, $999

 

https://www.facebook...424686743567608

All high priced. Not sure what door i would pick. anyone could be freaky sharp.

[Linn]

Here's another oddball orange Celestron C8 finder scope.  
​https://zenmarket.jp...Code=1106124183

Also, the OTA has a large Celestron logo on the side.  Are these variations something that Celestron did for other non-US markets or do you think they are aftermarket modifications?

 

Looking at the photo of the rear of the OTA and looking at the relationship of the size of the visual back and the back plate, I think it is smaller than a C8. 
 

[John Rogers]

A classic Meade 2120 with an impressive array of eyepieces (4000 UWA, SWA's etc) and accessories:
​https://bend.craigsl...7731223431.html

 

 

I would take the finder and eyepieces.

I saw this advertisement before I left for the eclipse.  I was surprised that it was still available three weeks later.  Turns out that it is a circa 1992  "time-capsule"  condition Meade 2120 Premier Model 70H, their top-of-the-line trim model, with all accessories.  He was the original owner who purchased it and then started a business that consumed his free time.  30+ years later, he decided that it was time to let it go.  It came with pristine documentation and original manuals.  It came with a complete set of Series 4000 UWA eyepieces, the 40mm SWA and every series 4000 filter produced.  The CAT computer and Electronic Hand control all function perfectly.

 

[abe]

I saw this advertisement before I left for the eclipse.  I was surprised that it was still available three weeks later.  Turns out that it is a circa 1992  "time-capsule"  condition Meade 2120 Premier Model 70H, their top-of-the-line trim model, with all accessories.  He was the original owner who purchased it and then started a business that consumed his free time.  30+ years later, he decided that it was time to let it go.  It came with pristine documentation and original manuals.  It came with a complete set of Series 4000 UWA eyepieces, the 40mm SWA and every series 4000 filter produced.  The CAT computer and Electronic Hand control all function perfectly.

 

1992_Meade_Premier_2120-70H_2.JPEG

I'm glad that it worked out.   That is one fine looking setup along with a very nice eyepiece collection.  The CAT is pretty uncommon and seems to be one of not very many push-to options for Meade telescopes.  Nice.

[CHASLX200]

I saw this advertisement before I left for the eclipse.  I was surprised that it was still available three weeks later.  Turns out that it is a circa 1992  "time-capsule"  condition Meade 2120 Premier Model 70H, their top-of-the-line trim model, with all accessories.  He was the original owner who purchased it and then started a business that consumed his free time.  30+ years later, he decided that it was time to let it go.  It came with pristine documentation and original manuals.  It came with a complete set of Series 4000 UWA eyepieces, the 40mm SWA and every series 4000 filter produced.  The CAT computer and Electronic Hand control all function perfectly.

 

1992_Meade_Premier_2120-70H_2.JPEG

I need that finder.

[starman876]

I saw this advertisement before I left for the eclipse.  I was surprised that it was still available three weeks later.  Turns out that it is a circa 1992  "time-capsule"  condition Meade 2120 Premier Model 70H, their top-of-the-line trim model, with all accessories.  He was the original owner who purchased it and then started a business that consumed his free time.  30+ years later, he decided that it was time to let it go.  It came with pristine documentation and original manuals.  It came with a complete set of Series 4000 UWA eyepieces, the 40mm SWA and every series 4000 filter produced.  The CAT computer and Electronic Hand control all function perfectly.

 

1992_Meade_Premier_2120-70H_2.JPEG

Wow, it has the meade auto finder system.   Those were great fun. Push to GOTO.   I bought one and put it on the 10" meade I used to have.  Great fun. 

[flyboyu777]

I'm glad that it worked out.   That is one fine looking setup along with a very nice eyepiece collection.  The CAT is pretty uncommon and seems to be one of not very many push-to options for Meade telescopes.  Nice.

This era was a good one for Meade-I always liked these SCT's, even if the 10" forks were a little "twisty".  I had an LX-6 and an LX -100, besides the LX-200 12" which was an excellent performer!

 

Why I sold some of the scopes I once owned is an ongoing mystery to me. . . . . .

[kauzuak]

C8 OTA, beautiful brown/orange, this appears to have never been forked. 80s? 70s?

 

https://zenmarket.jp...ode=c1133774918

 

-drl

It was part of a C8-SPC package as shown in the catalog image earlier in thread.  I always found it interesting that  JP and US mount and OTA colors were different.  I would have thought it would have been cheaper easier to keep them all the same.

[abe]

Wow, it has the meade auto finder system.   Those were great fun. Push to GOTO.   I bought one and put it on the 10" meade I used to have.  Great fun. 

I love the idea of push-to navigation and have rather a dislike for GOTO.  Now that our skies are so light polluted that we can't see guide stars, decent push-to options could breathe new life into the hoards of unused vintage telescopes, which tend to be superior mechanically.

I was hoping that after the success of Celestron's StarSense Explorer, push-to systems might proliferate and there might be decent options available for older scopes, but that never seemed to materialize, possibly because it's not in the financial interests of any large manufacturers to improve older scopes. 

I was thinking of trying out AstroHopper on a piggyback mounted phone, but (a) it doesn't do plate solving and (b) the phone mounts seem a bit kludgy so I'm not sure how well that would work.

Anyhow, your Meade + CAT computer seems kind of ideal for visual use.  Congrats.

[mpsteidle]

I love the idea of push-to navigation and have rather a dislike for GOTO.

I have the similar Celestron Astromaster system for my Celestar 8 and it's a blast to use.  It help enough that finding targets in my light-polluted skies is no longer a chore, but is still manual enough that i get to enjoy manipulating the scope.  Big fan of Push-To.