80 replies to this topic

[deSitter]

Rangers and Prontos show some color.  It's not the end of the world...

 

Jon

It's the edge of the world

 

-drl

[starman876]

Chas:

 

That number seems to be going up exponentially.  It was not that long ago it was 300.  Then it was 1000.., 

 

10K scopes is 1 new scope a day for 27 years.

 

Jon

I agree, that number seems to go up at an unbelievable rate.  

[CHASLX200]

I don't have much interest in small boutique scopes - I like my proletarian ETXes and royal Astro-Optical scopes But the one Televue scope that really appeals is the NP-127. Something about the Petzval design - that took some good optical and mechanical work to perfect. I would love to read a comparo with ED and APO designs. The Petzval scope is something like f/5. Just about a perfect wide-field sweeper. Not sure how much of an upgrade from a 127ED it would be. I can get a 5mm exit pupil already at f/9.

 

-drl

It is more a low power sweeper scope so i would need dark skies. I had a Nero 120mm vixen already.

[Terra Nova]

I would love it if there were digital setting circles or even a goto upgrade kit for the Gibraltar altaz mount.

 

-Tim.

There was. I had it. It was called TeleVue SkyTour. Encoders and a handset.

[Terra Nova]

My (previous) Pronto on the TV Panoramic Mount and ash wood tripod:

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Edited by Terra Nova, 23 February 2025 - 11:04 AM.

[Terra Nova]

My (previous) Genesis SDF on TV Gibralter mount and ash wood tripod:

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[Terra Nova]

My current and only TeleVue (not a classic) TV60 on a Wimberlay gimbal mount:

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[Steve C.]

Me and Pronto, 17 years ago.

[gabeeg]

It's funny, it seems everyone (not just in this thread) that has had a Tele Vue scope at some point and sold it always says that it was one of their favorite scopes, or wish they would not have sold it, or is looking to buy another some day.   I had an original Tele Vue Genesis for years and only upgraded because I got a great deal on a Genesis SDF (which I have had for decades now...and finally put a Feather Touch dual speed adapter on last year, highly recommended).   Since I am currently visual only, I can see purchasing a light bucket someday...but I do not see selling the SDF until I get a great deal on a 127

[Terra Nova]

It's funny, it seems everyone (not just in this thread) that has had a Tele Vue scope at some point and sold it always says that it was one of their favorite scopes, or wish they would not have sold it, or is looking to buy another some day.   I had an original Tele Vue Genesis for years and only upgraded because I got a great deal on a Genesis SDF (which I have had for decades now...and finally put a Feather Touch dual speed adapter on last year, highly recommended).   Since I am currently visual only, I can see purchasing a light bucket someday...but I do not see selling the SDF until I get a great deal on a 127

I loved my Genesis SDF and the TV Gibralter tripod. I only sold it because I wanted something of the same F.L. but more compact, in a smaller soft case, and with a more compact mount. I replaced it with my AT90CFT with a Nitrotech 608 on a carbon fiber tripod. Same with my Pronto. It got replaced with an AT80EDT, (same F.L. As the Pronto).

[joew94th]

I've owned a Tele Vue Renaissance since about 1987 (I think). I have the Gibraltar mount and a Mead equatorial mount for it. Sadly, it's been in my attic for the past 20 years as the light pollution around my home prohibits a lot of viewing. Things are looking up though as I'm in the process of moving to Baja, 35 miles from the nearest town. Plenty of dark skies ahead,.

[Bomber Bob]

What do Y'all think of the NP101is??  A used one was on my short list (4) of 4" APOs before I bought my FC-100.  That's the closest I've come to buying a TV scope.  But... I lurv the eyepieces!

[LDW47]

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!

I love my 2002 NP101, every night.

[LDW47]

Chas:

 

That number seems to be going up exponentially.  It was not that long ago it was 300.  Then it was 1000.., 

 

10K scopes is 1 new scope a day for 27 years.

 

Jon

When you've got it spend it.

[oregonstargazer]

I have a newly acquired (original TV-102) apochromat that is a near match in construction to Tele Vue's TV-101. But there are several important differences. The metal tube used on the TV-102 is surprisingly lighter than that of the TV-101, and of course the optical configuration is not Petzval. I just received in the mail a beautiful pair of Parallax mounting rings from CN member Sean. Can't wait to try them out! Thanks Sean! 

 

Diane

[25585]

I guess i am officially wanting a PiFinder

 

Pretty amazing report. I still want to see big red coordinates displayed on the mount or telescope itself! It seems like that should be pretty easy to pull off with dedicated wireless connections (like a keyboard or mouse).

 

It would also be nice to have conversion to say Epoch 1950.0 so you could use the coordinates in Burnham or the like directly. Maybe that is already happening. I keep threatening to make something useful if only to me.

 

-drl

Same here. But choosing right, left or flat....

 

I am fond of my bought-new F5 Genesis, my Renaissance 102 & Renaissance 85 all which I regard as classics. My most used is a modern green 85, with the TV FT focuser.

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Edited by 25585, 17 March 2025 - 06:25 PM.

[Lentini]

I got lucky finding an Oracle when I hadn't been looking for one. It scratched an itch from my younger years when I'd drool over the Ranger and Pronto photos in the magazines.
 
The small but sturdy Oracle is amazing. The triplet takes magnification much better than I would have imagined. Sharp as all get out, and worthy for grab n go views of planets.
 
Mine is the vintage without a flat spot to mount a finder. At the moment I have a Rigel Quickfinder zip-tied to the tube while I contemplate a more permanent solution.

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Edited by Lentini, 18 March 2025 - 12:38 PM.

[rksturm]

I got lucky finding an Oracle when I hadn't been looking for one. It scratched an itch from my younger years when I'd drool over the Ranger and Pronto photos in the magazines.
 
The small but sturdy Oracle is amazing. The triplet takes magnification much better than I would have imagined. Sharp as all get out, and worthy for grab n go views of planets.

I didn't realize that Tele Vue had made a triplet in the early days.  Maybe they should try it again.

 

- Bob S.

[Mike W]

Televue Ranger-sold

Televue Oracle -sold

Televue Genesis-sold

Televue Genesis SDF- sold

Televue 102, bought and sold twice! Never should have sold!!!

[PKDfan]

Rarest ??

Perhaps the original Pronto 70mm F/6.4(iirc). My most precious brochure.

R.I.P. Pronto stolen after half a dozen views.

EDIT
May that person not rot in hell but suffer the fate God decides.


CSS
Lance

Edited by PKDfan, 18 March 2025 - 08:51 PM.

[Jon Isaacs]

When you've got it spend it.

 

I think the.numbers are exaggerated.. that's the point.

 

Jon

[Jon Isaacs]

Televue Ranger-sold

Televue Oracle -sold

Televue Genesis-sold

Televue Genesis SDF- sold

Televue 102, bought and sold twice! Never should have sold!!!

 

Some rough numbers:

 

Pronto  2002-2006 Sold to Atilla Danko

NP-101 2010-

Ranger  2020-2021 Given to friend

Ranger  2024-  Not sure how long I'll keep it. I'm liking my AT-70ED.

 

Jon

[Kasmos]

Pronto 70mm.jpg

 

Rarest ??

 

Perhaps the original Pronto 70mm F/6.4(iirc). My most precious brochure.

 

R.I.P. Pronto stolen after half a dozen views. May that person rot in hell.

 

 

CSS

Lance

I use to think telescope people were better than that, but was naive. 

[Lentini]

Rarest ??

 

Perhaps the original Pronto 70mm F/6.4(iirc). My most precious brochure.

 

R.I.P. Pronto stolen after half a dozen views. May that person rot in hell.

 

 

CSS

Lance

Ugh, that’s the worst.

[PKDfan]

I use to think telescope people were better than that, but was naive.

Yup its bad i'll edit Thanks. It HURT BAD. I went through 3months of hospital from a drunk driver and a druggie stole it.

Peace.

CSS
Lance