80 replies to this topic

[Granite Glasser]

As the proud owner and die-hard user of a TeleVue Ranger (produced at some point in the mid-1990s), I am curious as to which TeleVue refractors are now considered to be classic telescopes.

 

Here is my list of what I would categorize as a classic TeleVue:

 

TeleVue MPT 

TV Oracle

TV Genesis

TV Genesis SDF

TV Renaissance  

TV Pronto

TV Ranger

TV 101 ?

TV 140 ?

Early Edition TV-85 ?

 

Curious to entertain your opinions regarding classic and/or vintage TeleVue scopes. 

 

And ALWAYS eager to see pics of your "classic" TeleVue scopes!

 

PEACE!

 

 

 

 

 

[Andrea Salati]

102

[Wolfwatcher]

Ditto (f8.6) 102.

[TOMDEY]

I still love and use my very early F/5 Genesis. I remember ordering it directly from Televue the moment the 1st advertisement appeared. I think the price was something like $2500 way back then... and well worth it. The serial # is #1010 which I speculate may have been the 10th one produced? This agreement from a previous CN discussion >>>    Tom

 

"The ask Al forum, before taken off TV website, mentioned this from a customer question. The answer given was somewhat vauge, but the TV Genesis I use to own with serial # 1001 was questioned by the previous owner. Al replied on that forum it was probably the first # released to the public, BUT, there were probably prototypes before that #. Some lore out on the web has mentioned that Al keeps the first off each first production. But who knows." ~

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Bill Jensen]

The Bizzaro comes to mind. 

https://www.televue....ating Guide.pdf

[Cotts]

My original T.V. Genesis.  Pic is from 1991.   The mount is a Losmandy GM 100, drives in both axes  (no slewing, just tracking) but target acquisition was via actual engraved setting circles.  Guide scope is the scope my parents gave me for my 9th birthday - Rodenstein 60mm f/11. 100% hand guiding with reticle eyepiece.  And a Telrad on top.  

 

 

Dave

 

 

[CHASLX200]

Never had one.

[oregonstargazer]

I just acquired through a successful trade a classic TV-102 apochromatic refractor. It did not have the original clamshell mounting bracket but instead had a substitute non-Tele Vue double ring system, which I may or may not use. In my collection of classic telescopes and parts I have several vintage Unitron 4-inch cradles/saddles (and a Unitron Model 150 altazimuth mounting with wooden tripod). The inside diameter of the Unitron cradle with green felt is measured at 4.25-inches, which is about a quarter of an inch larger in diameter than the Tele Vue telescope tube. A very simple question: how can I increase the inside diameter of the Unitron cradle to hold the TV-102 securely so that it won't slide? I don't want to disturb the green felt or severely modify the Unitron part in any way. I also don't want to glue! additional fabric or felt directly onto the existing Unitron felt or remove/tear the integral green felt from the body of the cradle.

 

Thanks, Diane

[Wolfwatcher]

I just acquired through a successful trade a classic TV-102 apochromatic refractor. It did not have the original clamshell mounting bracket but instead had a substitute non-Tele Vue double ring system, which I may or may not use. In my collection of classic telescopes and parts I have several vintage Unitron 4-inch cradles/saddles (and a Unitron Model 150 altazimuth mounting with wooden tripod). The inside diameter of the Unitron cradle with green felt is measured at 4.25-inches, which is about a quarter of an inch larger in diameter than the Tele Vue telescope tube. A very simple question: how can I increase the inside diameter of the Unitron cradle to hold the TV-102 securely so that it won't slide? I don't want to disturb the green felt or severely modify the Unitron part in any way. I also don't want to glue! additional fabric or felt directly onto the existing Unitron felt or remove/tear the integral green felt from the body of the cradle.

 

Thanks, Diane

In the past I have used window weather stripping with no adhesive. A bit tricky to put it in place over the felt, but the friction caused by the felt can hold it a bit until you clamp down the rings. Sold at hardware stores in various widths and thicknesses, and of different materials. I used a foam type stripping. You just have to do some trial and error, but if there is no adhesive, there won't be any damage to the original felt. You can do a ring at a time and at least get one ring somewhat secure before doing the other. Discuss what you're doing with someone at the hardware store to see the varieties of materials. And try to get a width more narrow then the rings, because when you clamp down, it will spread.

 

Jett

[Don W]

1. Genesis f/5

2. Ranger

3. Pronto

4. TV-85

5. TV-102i

6. Genesis SDF (only one I still have)

[RichA]

Never had one.

Never had a Genesis, but I did have an SDF.  Good scope.  Till I got an FS-102.

[CHASLX200]

Never had a Genesis, but I did have an SDF.  Good scope.  Till I got an FS-102.

Tv scopes never cross my mind when jumping. Would like a 127 but Ouch on the price.

[bobhen]

My original T.V. Genesis.  Pic is from 1991.   The mount is a Losmandy GM 100, drives in both axes  (no slewing, just tracking) but target acquisition was via actual engraved setting circles.  Guide scope is the scope my parents gave me for my 9th birthday - Rodenstein 60mm f/11. 100% hand guiding with reticle eyepiece.  And a Telrad on top.  

 

IMG_0052 (3).jpeg

 

Dave

I also had a Genesis F5 refractor. I liked the scope but its low power, wide field capability was somewhat limited at my light polluted location. I took the scope to some dark sky locations and the Genesis really came through under a dark sky. The lunar planetary performance in my sample was very good. But not as good as later versions of course. 

 

I also had a Losmandy GM 100. And to this day, that mount remains one of my all-time favorite mounts. No bells and  whistles but solid machining and with a large load capacity. And also kind of stunning in metallic blue. 

 

Bob 

[CHASLX200]

I also had a Genesis F5 refractor. I liked the scope but its low power, wide field capability was somewhat limited at my light polluted location. I took the scope to some dark sky locations and the Genesis really came through under a dark sky. The lunar planetary performance in my sample was very good. But not as good as later versions of course. 

 

I also had a Losmandy GM 100. And to this day, that mount remains one of my all-time favorite mounts. No bells and  whistles but solid machining and with a large load capacity. And also kind of stunning in metallic blue. 

 

Bob 

It would be fun in a mag 7 sky and a 21mm Ethos.

[Bonco2]

I love my Genesis f 5.  Stunning wide field performance and high power views. Best of both worlds. For me it has always been

a classic and one of my favorits.   Bonco 2

[Terra Nova]

As the proud owner and die-hard user of a TeleVue Ranger (produced at some point in the mid-1990s), I am curious as to which TeleVue refractors are now considered to be classic telescopes.

 

Here is my list of what I would categorize as a classic TeleVue:

 

TeleVue MPT 

TV Oracle

TV Genesis

TV Genesis SDF

TV Renaissance  

TV Pronto

TV Ranger

TV 101 ?

TV 140 ?

Early Edition TV-85 ?

 

Curious to entertain your opinions regarding classic and/or vintage TeleVue scopes. 

 

And ALWAYS eager to see pics of your "classic" TeleVue scopes!

 

PEACE!

Don’t forget the TV102!

[Terra Nova]

1. Genesis f/5

2. Ranger

3. Pronto

4. TV-85

5. TV-102i

6. Genesis SDF (only one I still have)

I loved my SDF! I had it for five years and used it LOTS. Swore I would never sell it but things change, yet life goes on. It’s gone now along with the Pronto but both are happily remembered.

[Don W]

My friend, who prefers to remain anonymous, sold me the Genesis SDF he used for imaging.

 

His pictures graced S&T and Astronomy magazines for years! 
 

No CCD cameras, just hours of RGBL and stacking in the darkroom.

[alnitak22]

I have a 1997 vintage Ranger and a 2000 vintage TV85. Both Evergreen and both classics! And still perform like the day I got them.

[BillinBallard]

TV Pronto…as Ed Ting said, “Everyone  should own a Pronto.”

 

TV Genesis F5…If it was good enough for Stephen O’Meara, it’s good enough for me.

 

I still have, and use both.

Edited by BillinBallard, 15 February 2025 - 07:27 PM.

[JohnH]

As the proud owner and die-hard user of a TeleVue Ranger (produced at some point in the mid-1990s), I am curious as to which TeleVue refractors are now considered to be classic telescopes.

Here is my list of what I would categorize as a classic TeleVue:

TeleVue MPT
TV Oracle
TV Genesis
TV Genesis SDF
TV Renaissance
TV Pronto
TV Ranger
TV 101 ?
TV 140 ?
Early Edition TV-85 ?

Curious to entertain your opinions regarding classic and/or vintage TeleVue scopes.

And ALWAYS eager to see pics of your "classic" TeleVue scopes!

PEACE!

Still looking for an MPT myself

[Defenderslideguitar]

I  had the TV Oracle    loved it.  cemented triplet    great heavy duty build and feel.,   Sold it eventually to fund other purchases      then  had a chance to buy it back and I did,,,

 

Finally, sold it again along with the Vixen 80mmFL  to fund a special Red "F " model  Tak FC 76 

I had them all together for a day or so before sending the Oracle to its new owner   and the Vixen80FL went to one of us here

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by Defenderslideguitar, 16 February 2025 - 03:31 PM.

[Defenderslideguitar]

My TV Genesis quest  several years ago took me around a bit     I wanted the Genesis SDF model   Had to have one these great  wide flat field scopes        then I just missed on here in the classified and I was bummed....   Undaunted, the search continued. Then a great TV NP101  (with an awesome backstory) popped up for sale 45 minutes away in Westchester......I was on it.    Not the Genesis SDF I was looking for but arguably better....came with hard case  and a soft case    and a Feather touch focuser and the original focuser with the serial number from TV on it, came with the clam shell and a set of rings on Losmandy mounts     very versatile.

 

A great 4-inch scope these T V 'S are.  Really good on high power and planets and the Wide Flat field aspect is wonderful    Pop in the hand grenade aka the Nagler 31mm     and Oh my gosh...........

Edited by Defenderslideguitar, 16 February 2025 - 03:48 PM.

[CHASLX200]

I only want the 127.

[alnitak22]

I  had the TV Oracle    loved it.  cemented triplet    great heavy duty build and feel.,   Sold it eventually to fund other purchases      then  had a chance to buy it back and I did,,,

 

Finally, sold it again along with the Vixen 80mmFL  to fund a special Red "F " model  Tak FC 76 

I had them all together for a day or so before sending the Oracle to its new owner   and the Vixen80FL went to one of us here

Nice trio!