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Are classics being held on to and taken care of ( hope so )

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#51 Josephus Miller

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Posted 23 October 2024 - 01:36 PM

I'm holding onto mine, in particular my vintage orange tube C8, which I adore. Where else could I get a scope of that size with no digital bells and whistles (which I hate), but that tracks, and which is all metal (secondary assembly notwithstanding) for 500 smackeroos? It provides a great, unmediated viewing experience. And it comes with its own footlocker! My only modern concession is that I've replaced the old straight through finder with a modern synta-style shoe so I can use modern finders. That's totally reversable, though.

 

IMG_5136.jpg

 

I will also add that it held collimation perfectly through a cross-country move, which frankly floored me. 

 

I'm on the young end of the hobby (though my gradeschool aged kids think I'm a dinosaur) and I don't see replacing this as my main scope anytime soon (unless I can find an orange tube C11...hmm.gif)


Edited by Josephus Miller, 23 October 2024 - 01:37 PM.

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#52 Senex Bibax

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Posted 24 October 2024 - 09:11 AM

That first one looks just like my Tasco 7TE, same mount and everything. Found mine at a yard sale this summer a couple of blocks from my house. Nobody seemed interested in it so.. mine.

Relating this to the forum topic, this one is not being held, I sold it yesterday afternoon.



#53 Chucky

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Posted 27 October 2024 - 08:10 AM

Recently found this 1974 vintage C8 in a dumpster.  I've cleaned up the optics.  Purchased a 2 inch Celestron adapter (was happy the threads worked out!).  Installed a 60mm finder.  Replaced many screws/bolts with stainless.  Excellent optics.  Need to get or make a dew shield.  

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Edited by Chucky, 27 October 2024 - 08:11 AM.

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#54 Cavs56

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Posted 27 October 2024 - 11:34 AM

Great find my son has mine now.



#55 grif 678

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Posted 27 October 2024 - 12:43 PM

Recently found this 1974 vintage C8 in a dumpster.  I've cleaned up the optics.  Purchased a 2 inch Celestron adapter (was happy the threads worked out!).  Installed a 60mm finder.  Replaced many screws/bolts with stainless.  Excellent optics.  Need to get or make a dew shield.  

Who in the world would put a scope like that in a dumpster, must have been drunk or worse.



#56 deSitter

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Posted 27 October 2024 - 12:50 PM

Who in the world would put a scope like that in a dumpster, must have been drunk or worse.

People don't know - probably judge a scope by weight and length. Who knows how many treasures are in landfills?

 

-drl



#57 CHASLX200

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Posted 27 October 2024 - 01:04 PM

Who in the world would put a scope like that in a dumpster, must have been drunk or worse.

They never would in FL. Must be in Cali.



#58 Chucky

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Posted 27 October 2024 - 01:20 PM

Central Ohio Chas.

#59 CHASLX200

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Posted 27 October 2024 - 01:29 PM

Central Ohio Chas.

That state gets way more action than FL


Edited by CHASLX200, 27 October 2024 - 03:58 PM.


#60 CarolinaBanker

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Posted 27 October 2024 - 03:36 PM

I think a big issue is going to be people not thinning the collection out early enough and not having an obvious successor. I inherited a lot from a relative, he knew I loved astronomy and no one in the family minded me taking it. If you don’t have a loved one or friend who is happy to take it, I think there are a few options.

  1. Start thinning out the collection over time, selling off what you don’t or can no longer use. This is probably financially optimal since most people here know what they have and are in touch with what’s realistic.
  2. Prepare a valuation and instructions for loved ones, understand that what is financially optimal (selling items individually) may not be what’s optimal for them.
  3. Donate to a charity, but I’d be leery unless they have a great plan for how they’ll use the equipment and how they’ll do so sustainably. Far too many schools are happy to get a telescope, but can’t support its use over the long haul.

Selfishly I hope people choose option 1, I love taking my classics out under starlight or moonlight and keeping them in use. The grand irony is they are perfect travel scopes. Neither the Meade nor the Cometron take up much room so I try and bring them when I go to my in laws. My father in law really likes the Cometron so I may surprise him one year with one or something similar.


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#61 Chuck2

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Posted 27 October 2024 - 05:50 PM

I sold 3 of my bigger, heavier classics (see signature) due to arthritis of the spine; all are still in use. I kept, and have maintained, my 40 year old C-90 Astro Maksutov. I’ve disassembled and re-lubed the internal focus barrel threads and drive gears after the factory grease dried up.


My baby Mak has seen me through numerous reconstructive back surgeries. With 6 month painful recoveries, limited mobility and difficulty lifting even 15lbs., this little scope has been a hobby lifesaver.

 

The compact C-90 transports easily, especially when I’m too tired to lug out my heavier scopes at 3am for a quick peek.  For a little scope, Lunar and Planetary views up to 170x have great contrast, sharpness and zero CA.

 

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