353 replies to this topic

[SandyHouTex]

Celestron 102mm fluorite on Facebook at noticeably high price, probably because of the Moolite focuser and superfluous stepper motor.

 

https://www.facebook...44-96702bfb802b

Is that "Moolite" focuser for all the cows out there?

[SandyHouTex]

Evidently since they're no longer being made used Questar prices are going to go up, up, up:

 

https://astromart.co...estar-with-pg-i

 

1991 standard Questar for $4250.

[deSitter]

Is that "Moolite" focuser for all the cows out there?

 

They are very nice units! I have two, one on my 5" ED, but purple - ugh The standalone dumb stepper motor is also very nice. It was an add-on pre-covid, but I think Moonlite now sell only integrated motorized versions. A mechanical wonder for sure.

 

-drl

[Bomber Bob]

Takahashi TEEGUL-60 w/ Finder & Tripod:   https://zenmarket.jp...ode=e1179963117

 

BIN   $425.

[DouglasPaul]

If this sells at that price I may post mine for sale, lol.

 

"Rare Parks/JSO Jovian-4 SCT"

https://www.cloudyni...cessories-case/

[RichA]

Vixen compound scope.  The table-top mount with this scope in my opinion is the best (most functional) ever made.  Smooth as can be, with a counterweight on the handle!  I used it for a Questar OTA, an ETX90 and a small fluorite refractor.

 

https://www.ebay.com...mCondition=3000

[RichA]

Yes, it's a Meade 7mm RG ortho...in disguise.  Same barrel thread as the Meade eyepiece.

 

https://www.ebay.com...mCondition=3000

[deSitter]

Vixen compound scope.  The table-top mount with this scope in my opinion is the best (most functional) ever made.  Smooth as can be, with a counterweight on the handle!  I used it for a Questar OTA, an ETX90 and a small fluorite refractor.

 

https://www.ebay.com...mCondition=3000

 

The tripod on my Pentax J60c is a fully functional miniature photo tripod and very well made. No weight, just a wide stance.

 

-drl

[RichA]

Ebay.  Meade Newtonian and a weird looking old refractor:

 

https://www.ebay.com...mCondition=7000

[CHASLX200]

No Meade Newt that i ever saw like that,

[RichA]

Old Meade 8 in SCT OTA with the dreaded MCSO group (Ebay):  Interestingly, I don't see any issues with the secondary though I can't see all of it, but I do see issues with the corrector coating.

 

https://www.ebay.com...mCondition=7000

[Brent Campbell]

Two Vixen Custom 90 M on Ebay.

 

https://www.ebay.com...:Bk9SR-zpod7BZQ
 

 

 

https://www.ebay.com...:Bk9SR-zpod7BZQ

[Garyth64]

Ebay.  Meade Newtonian and a weird looking old refractor:

 

https://www.ebay.com...mCondition=7000

That refractor is a rare one.  HOC 76mm x 1400mm.  It has that large wheel that turns to bring things into focus.  I comes with a good size finder, but the brackets are broken in the photo.

The reflector may be an Astrola.

The ad says that a 90mm Mak is for sale, but I don't see a Mak in any of the pictures.

Edited by Garyth64, 06 April 2025 - 08:50 PM.

[deSitter]

That refractor is a rare one.  (I can recall its name or manufacturer).  It has that large wheel that turns to bring things into focus.  I comes with a good size finder, but the brackets are broken in the photo.

 

Lafayette Arcturus I think it was called, it was a medium f/l 76/900mm or the like. I think there was also an f/18 model 76/1400mm with the ship's wheel focuser. I may be imagining that. It was Astro-Optical so typical great images.

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 06 April 2025 - 08:46 PM.

[deSitter]

Ebay.  Meade Newtonian and a weird looking old refractor:

 

https://www.ebay.com...mCondition=7000

 

This was discussed a couple of times, I think it's Parks. The refractor seems to be a Parks branded Astro-Optical refractor, same as the Lafayette Arcturus I think. The finder brackets for the 40mm side scope are broken.

 

Not sure about Parks but who knows. 

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 06 April 2025 - 08:54 PM.

[Garyth64]

This was discussed a couple of times, I think it's Parks. The refractor seems to be a Parks branded Astro-Optical refractor, same as the Lafayette Arcturus I think. The finder brackets for the 40mm side scope are broken.

 

Not sure about Parks but who knows. 

 

-drl

Yes, it was discussed before. There are always reposts. 

Edited by Garyth64, 07 April 2025 - 09:38 AM.

[cavedweller]

This was discussed a couple of times, I think it's Parks. The refractor seems to be a Parks branded Astro-Optical refractor, same as the Lafayette Arcturus I think. The finder brackets for the 40mm side scope are broken.

 

Not sure about Parks but who knows. 

 

-drl

 

You folks keep bringing this up reminding me that I missed my chance to grab it.

[Brent Campbell]

Another one from the same seller as the Vixen 90ms.  A vixen 60L.

 

 

https://www.ebay.com...490.c101224.m-1

[strdst]

Lafayette Arcturus I think it was called, it was a medium f/l 76/900mm or the like. I think there was also an f/18 model 76/1400mm with the ship's wheel focuser. I may be imagining that. It was Astro-Optical so typical great images.

 

-drl

I have one of each. Arcturus is a Lafayette 76 X 910 (R.A.) My other "big wheel keeps on turnin'" is the Royal Astro Optical 76 X 1400. Not imagining. See my avatar  

[SandyHouTex]

Ebay.  Meade Newtonian and a weird looking old refractor:

 

https://www.ebay.com...mCondition=7000

So if you look at the second mirror pic, it's not being held by the mirror holder and looks to be resting against the tube itself.  There's also some cardboard shims in the middle, for what reason I have no idea.  I would guess you'll need a new mirror if you buy it, and it's not a 90mm "Mak-cass".  It's a Newt.

[YourNotSirius]

This was discussed a couple of times, I think it's Parks. The refractor seems to be a Parks branded Astro-Optical refractor, same as the Lafayette Arcturus I think. The finder brackets for the 40mm side scope are broken.

 

Not sure about Parks but who knows. 

 

-drl

I am actually happy as a clam at high tide that it is on the other side of the Universe from us! That's ONE that my old man hasn't a snowball's chance in Hell of dragging home! Yippee!

 

Q

[Bomber Bob]

Yes, it was discussed before. There are always reposts. 

Did Parks import any of the ASTRO or Yamamoto (SYW) Newtonians?  I put one of those LN-6E Focusers on my RV-6 -- a definite upgrade!  Some of the SYW versions are 2-piece:  Curved 4-bolt Base, plus R&P that caps it, and rotates w/ locking thumbscrew.

 

I don't see the ASTRO's primary mirror side Access Door...

 

Or, did a previous owner make several modifications to an Astrola??  Too bad it's way out west -- would be worth a R/L visit...

[Defenderslideguitar]

Celestron 102mm fluorite on Facebook at noticeably high price, probably because of the Moonlite focuser and superfluous stepper motor.

 

https://www.facebook...44-96702bfb802b

Yes  this price seems high   by maybe 1000.00 or more

Mine is outstanding in my humble view    I did ad the Moonlight as the only needed add on   I do not have or need that motor   mine is F 8.8       Sweet

[deSitter]

Did Parks import any of the ASTRO or Yamamoto (SYW) Newtonians?  I put one of those LN-6E Focusers on my RV-6 -- a definite upgrade!  Some of the SYW versions are 2-piece:  Curved 4-bolt Base, plus R&P that caps it, and rotates w/ locking thumbscrew.

 

I don't see the ASTRO's primary mirror side Access Door...

 

Or, did a previous owner make several modifications to an Astrola??  Too bad it's way out west -- would be worth a R/L visit...

 

Parks scopes had Japanese accessory fittings. You could buy that type of focuser in the Astro-Optical catalog. This scope obviously has Japanese fittings and it has the Parks style end rings. And the tube is beautiful. High quality fiberglass tubes - their specialty. The rotating rings do not look Meade or Cave. Sort of a process of elimination.

 

Definitely not a A-O OTA. Those had cast aluminum black rings that matched the mount finish I think. Optica b/c also sold the same Japanese sourced accessories. So it could be home built.

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 07 April 2025 - 03:40 PM.

[Garyth64]

Did Parks import any of the ASTRO or Yamamoto (SYW) Newtonians?  I put one of those LN-6E Focusers on my RV-6 -- a definite upgrade!  Some of the SYW versions are 2-piece:  Curved 4-bolt Base, plus R&P that caps it, and rotates w/ locking thumbscrew.

 

I don't see the ASTRO's primary mirror side Access Door...

 

Or, did a previous owner make several modifications to an Astrola??  Too bad it's way out west -- would be worth a R/L visit...

I only suggested Astrola, because it was on the finder.  I know an Astrola finder could have been added at sometime in the scopes life, but there's not much there to go on.