633 replies to this topic

[SandyHouTex]

The Q market remains strong despite everything. 

Only for those of us who know that the market has changed.

 

About 5 years ago I bought a Questar which was complete and had all the parts included.  I immediately sent it back to Questar for a refurb and bought a full aperature solar filter.  So it's worth around 3 grand.

 

I now could not do that.

[SandyHouTex]

Monster Meade Newtonian, 12.5" f/6 RG, $1000. These scopes almost always have good mirrors it seems. This is a good deal.

 

https://astromart.co...h-f6-with-mount

 

-drl

Those eq shafts look to be about an inch.  Is that the typical size for a RG?

[CHASLX200]

Since Meade is gone, I think we can allow these discontinued eyepieces. Meade HD60 complete set. They are long eye relief and one of my happiest new purchases. Very happy with them. This is a good buy.

 

From 25mm to 4.5mm in 6 steps. They work great in fast scopes.

 

https://astromart.co...e-set-with-case

 

-drl

Them HD eyepieces were soft at the field edge in fast scopes. Had em and never cared for them.

[deSitter]

Those eq shafts look to be about an inch.  Is that the typical size for a RG?

They are 1.5", which is fine for visual use.

 

-drl

[CHASLX200]

Those eq shafts look to be about an inch.  Is that the typical size for a RG?

1.5" and step up better than Cave mounts. Still way too sloppy for a big brute 12.5" Newt. 8" is fine on it.

[deSitter]

Them HD eyepieces were soft at the field edge in fast scopes. Had em and never cared for them.

Coma. They work fine in my f/4.5 even without the Paracorr, but are sharp to the edge with it. it's a 6-element design, with a front Barlow like wide field designs. I'm sure Televue Radians are very similar.

 

-drl

[CHASLX200]

Coma. They work fine in my f/4.5 even without the Paracorr, but are sharp to the edge with it. it's a 6-element design, with a front Barlow like wide field designs. I'm sure Televue Radians are very similar.

 

-drl

I use a Paracorr so no coma.  They were nothing like the smooth side 4000's from 1987.

[deSitter]

I use a Paracorr so no coma.  They were nothing like the smooth side 4000's from 1987.

Not the Plossls Chas. There was a set of Series 5000 Plossls with the same red color scheme. Not the same design. R-A-D-I-A-N. So-called because the field of view is 1 radian, more or less. A radian is 57.3 degrees. On a circle of radius R, the part of the circle corresponding to 1 radian has length R. The purpose of the design is to have consistent long eye relief instead of an enormous field with a tight and unforgiving eye position. They succeed admirably. In use they are like long orthoscopics.

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 03 December 2024 - 07:32 PM.

[Macguyver909]

Monster Meade Newtonian, 12.5" f/6 RG, $1000. These scopes almost always have good mirrors it seems. This is a good deal.

 

https://astromart.co...h-f6-with-mount

 

-drl

Where's this one located please? 

[RichA]

So here's a 4 inch aportmaster yamamoto for someone with deep pockets:

 

https://astromart.co...r-108mm-f1600mm

 

It's 108mm with a focal length of 1600mm for $4000.  It includes the pedestal and mount.  Buyer is willing to ship from New Zealand.  (Where is Old Zealand, or just Zealand?)

Doesn't have the refinement of the 4 inch EQ Unitron which would come in at a similar price. 

[RichA]

Only for those of us who know that the market has changed.

 

About 5 years ago I bought a Questar which was complete and had all the parts included.  I immediately sent it back to Questar for a refurb and bought a full aperature solar filter.  So it's worth around 3 grand.

 

I now could not do that.

The one on Shopgoodwill went for $2800, it was in what looked like very nice condition, but was (as far as I could tell) just the scope, no case, accessories, etc.

[cavedweller]

Where's this one located please? 

Hauppauge, NY - US

[RichA]

Here's another "reflector" Teegul:

 

https://www.ebay.com...CXG4D5JJ5ZDWJPG

I remember when they were released.  Designed to be an introductory scope to the Tak line.  Nice build, as usual, somewhat unusual design.

[CHASLX200]

Not the Plossls Chas. There was a set of Series 5000 Plossls with the same red color scheme. Not the same design. R-A-D-I-A-N. So-called because the field of view is 1 radian, more or less. A radian is 57.3 degrees. On a circle of radius R, the part of the circle corresponding to 1 radian has length R. The purpose of the design is to have consistent long eye relief instead of an enormous field with a tight and unforgiving eye position. They succeed admirably. In use they are like long orthoscopics.

 

-drl

I'm not talking about a Radian, I am talking about how bad the HD60's were. Not sure why you are bringing a Radian into this?

[deSitter]

I'm not talking about a Radian, I am talking about how bad the HD60's were. Not sure why you are bringing a Radian into this?

Similar eyepiece with similar intent and performance. Similar optical problems have similar optical solutions.

 

You seem to have bad luck with gear. There are many reviews and they are positive. But nothing can shake your preconceptions.

 

-drl

[Macguyver909]

Hauppauge, NY - US

Thank you, unfortunately to far away... But that would be a great scope to roll out of the garage every now and again.

[apfever]

Monster Meade Newtonian, 12.5" f/6 RG, $1000. These scopes almost always have good mirrors it seems. This is a good deal.

 

https://astromart.co...h-f6-with-mount

 

-drl

 

Those eq shafts look to be about an inch.  Is that the typical size for a RG?

 

 

They are 1.5", which is fine for visual use.

 

-drl

 

1.5" and step up better than Cave mounts. Still way too sloppy for a big brute 12.5" Newt. 8" is fine on it.

They are 1.5" shafts.

I'm in there somewhere.  I put a 12.5" with rot rings on the MRG and it will work for a viewing or in a pinch but not what you want to do regularly. Use a 14" tube instead of 16", do away with the official rotating rings and use felt lined regulars, a primary cell for a 14" tube will be much lighter.  It can work on the MRG for nice nights. 

The MRG can handle a lot more than an 8".  A 10" is a piece of cake.   

[starfinder123123]

OH, the humanity!

 

https://www.facebook...b0-22807b71f924

I just bought one of these for my nephew to observe the Moon. Maybe I should tell him to make it into a lamp and turn a profit.

[Marc-Andre]

They are 1.5" shafts.

I'm in there somewhere.  I put a 12.5" with rot rings on the MRG and it will work for a viewing or in a pinch but not what you want to do regularly. Use a 14" tube instead of 16", do away with the official rotating rings and use felt lined regulars, a primary cell for a 14" tube will be much lighter.  It can work on the MRG for nice nights. 

The MRG can handle a lot more than an 8".  A 10" is a piece of cake.   

My 10" rides nice on that mount.

[jkmccarthy]

Vixen SATURN RP 150L (D=150mm, F=1300mm) ... 6-inch f/8.67 Newtonian Reflector on a worm-driven equatorial mount + pedestal, on ZenMarket:

 

https://zenmarket.jp...ode=m1163338288

 

No photos to indicate the condition of the mirror coatings, and it's not obvious that a polar-axis alignment scope is present (also no counterweight shaft?) --- and shipping cost will no doubt be quite high --- but its exterior is in nice condition, and viewing the seller's photos on-line is 'free'.   In the image-viewing pop-up window, right click and "open image in a new tab" to access the 1200-pixel-size versions for a closer look ....

 

       -- Jim

Edited by jkmccarthy, 03 December 2024 - 10:26 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Similar eyepiece with similar intent and performance. Similar optical problems have similar optical solutions.

 

You seem to have bad luck with gear. There are many reviews and they are positive. But nothing can shake your preconceptions.

 

-drl

When you have had as much as i have you will get duds bud.  I mean come on around a 1000 scopes and 1000's of eyepieces. Anyone would know not everything is perfect and my eyes can't deal with any bending of the FOV like FC and Coma at all. Look at the TV Wide Fields like i love. They are great at F/10 and up but not so hot at sub F/6.

[starman876]

When you have had as much as i have you will get duds bud.  I mean come on around a 1000 scopes and 1000's of eyepieces. Anyone would know not everything is perfect and my eyes can't deal with any bending of the FOV like FC and Coma at all. Look at the TV Wide Fields like i love. They are great at F/10 and up but not so hot at sub F/6.

wow 1000 scopes.  if you have been doing this for 40 years that is 25 scopes a year.  Or a new scope every 2 weeks.   You have been a busy man, 

[jragsdale]

wow 1000 scopes.  if you have been doing this for 40 years that is 25 scopes a year.  Or a new scope every 2 weeks.   You have been a busy man, 

I know, that's crazy! Wish he had a list of em all, that would make for some interesting reading. I have a list going on all the one's I've owned, I'm at 210 in 9 years (23/year) and that seems like a crazy pace.

[starman876]

I know, that's crazy! Wish he had a list of em all, that would make for some interesting reading. I have a list going on all the one's I've owned, I'm at 210 in 9 years (23/year) and that seems like a crazy pace.

that is a lot of scopes in such a short time.   Even though I used to buy scopes at a very good pace I do not think I ever bought a scope every 2 weeks.   For a while it was a scope a month, but I stopped doing that when I ran out of room.  Only problem I have is that I sell very few of them.   However, as I get older it becomes a requirement to start selling more.  Only problem is I do not have the energy I once had.   I might just start putting them up in local auctions.  

[Bill Jensen]

Black tube C-8 in southern VA  $25.00

 

Seller indicates it belonged to her father. 

 

https://www.facebook...cd-b9207ca7d439