14 replies to this topic

[VVObserve]

Just thought I would share a photo of my 10" Cave mirror. 

 

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Cave Optical Co #M716119
f/7  70 1/2" FL Feb 23 1971

 

I removed the mirror for cleaning but the light for a picture revealed a rather thin coating with far too many holes.

 

Getting ready to ship for re-coating now.

Going price for enhanced aluminum...$200 plus shipping.

Gotta take care of this 53 year old beauty.

 

Anyone have information on the Cave Optical Co serial # system and mirror engravings?

 

 

 

[jragsdale]

Check out this thread for Cave mirror info: 

https://www.cloudyni...irror-registry/

[TOMDEY]

My older Cave mirror was (and is!) absolutely spectacular... perfect correction and smooth center to edge. I've heard that some later Cave mirrors were ~meh~ --- but I don't recall how much younger.    Tom

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Edited by TOMDEY, 30 September 2024 - 05:22 PM.

[VVObserve]

And here is a photo of the 10" f/7 Cave Astrola Newtonian Reflector.

 

 

[VVObserve]

My older Cave mirror was (and is!) absolutely spectacular... perfect correction and smooth center to edge. I've heard that some later Cave mirrors were ~meh~ --- but I don't recall how much younger.    Tom

I have not tested this mirror but the scope performs very well.

I may run a Foucalt Test after the re-coating.

[TOMDEY]

My Astrola is this model and vintage, but with an even beefier mount! --- >>>

 

Word of the day --- "beefier" >>>

 

beef·y
/ˈbēfē/
adjective
comparative adjective: beefier
1.
informal
muscular or robust.
"he shrugged his beefy shoulders"
Similar:
muscular brawny hefty burly strapping well built thickset solid strong powerful heavy robust sturdy stocky
2.
tasting like beef. ~

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[tim53]

I always thought the best caption for those Cave ads with the guy in the shop coat holding the HC and staring up at the telescope would be "Now what?"

[deSitter]

I always thought the best caption for those Cave ads with the guy in the shop coat holding the HC and staring up at the telescope would be "Now what?"

"Wait a minute - that's not Polaris!"

 

-drl

[azure1961p]

I LOVED their catalog in the 70s.  I had no idea their short focus newts needed correction (Paracorr) I was just enamored.

 

Pete 

[PiSigma]

Just thought I would share a photo of my 10" Cave mirror. 

 

Cave Optical 10%22 f:7.jpeg​

Cave Optical Co #M716119
f/7  70 1/2" FL Feb 23 1971

 

I removed the mirror for cleaning but the light for a picture revealed a rather thin coating with far too many holes.

 

Getting ready to ship for re-coating now.

Going price for enhanced aluminum...$200 plus shipping.

Gotta take care of this 53 year old beauty.

 

Anyone have information on the Cave Optical Co serial # system and mirror engravings?

I have added your mirror to the Cave Mirror Registry. Just in time for one of my usual quarterly updates. Thank you for the addition.

[VVObserve]

I have added your mirror to the Cave Mirror Registry. Just in time for one of my usual quarterly updates. Thank you for the addition.

It appears to be a deluxe model as the OTA has the set of rotating rings which is a very nice feature...although I rarely rotate the tube.

 

Thanks for adding this 10" Cave Astrola to the Cave Mirror Registry!

 

I purchased the scope on eBay about 15 years ago.

[VVObserve]

My Astrola is this model and vintage, but with an even beefier mount! --- >>>

 

 

My 12 1/2 inch Cave is a humble Standard Model.  The tube attached to the mount with steel straps. A strap  broke when the scope tipped over in my slanty back yard.  This was my motivation to build a proper roll off roof to protect my Caves.

 

8" Cassegrain / Newtonian Model with Astrola Mount purchased from Company Seven in the 1980's

The Cassegrain mirror does not seem to have any engraving.

I will photo and post that mirror soon since it is also out for cleaning.

 

10" Deluxe Model Newtonian with a chromed Astrola Mount modified with a Byers gear.

Now in the Cave Mirror Registry, yah!

 

12 1/2" Standard Model with Astrola Mount

I have never had this mirror out.  Bought from a chap in Ohio.

However I am in the process of removing this mirror too for a good look see and maybe a cleaning.

I will post this mirror too.

 

TOMDEY, that is one LOADED scope!

I bow in awe.

Edited by VVObserve, 05 October 2024 - 07:54 PM.

[VVObserve]

Photos of 12 1/2" Cave Mirror 

 

No engraving on side of mirror.

 

LS    EO engraved on back.

 

 

 

 

[VVObserve]

Photos of Cave 8" Cassegrain Mirror from my Newtonian/Cassegrain Astrola telescope pictured below.

 

No engraving on side of mirror

#4 written on back in pencil.

 

 

 

Is there a story behind  Cave Mirrors with no engraving?

 

I do believe the 12 1/2" and 8" mirrors in my Cave Optical Company Astrola scopes are the original mirrors...but no Cave engravings evident on the mirrors.

Edited by VVObserve, 06 October 2024 - 03:43 PM.

[deSitter]

Photos of Cave 8" Cassegrain Mirror from my Newtonian/Cassegrain Astrola telescope pictured below.

 

No engraving on side of mirror

#4 written on back in pencil.

 

Cave 8%22 Cass.jpeg

 

Cave8%22Cassegrain.jpeg

Cave Astrola Newtonian Cassegrain.jpeg

 

Is there a story behind  Cave Mirrors with no engraving?

 

I do believe the 12 1/2" and 8" mirrors in my Cave Optical Company Astrola scopes are the original mirrors...but no Cave engravings evident on the mirrors.

I heard here that the Cassegrain optics for later Caves were made by Coulter Optical.

 

-drl