324 replies to this topic

[Jae]

Takahashi TSC-225 SCT (Aperture: 229mm (9") f Ratio: f/12 Focal Length: 2700mm) with illuminated 7x50 finder, tripod and case - $3800

 

https://astromart.co...how/tsc-225-sct

I recall many moons ago Robin Casady said most could not tell the difference between his TSC-225 and an AP180 f9 but subtle differences were there in low contrast detail if looked hard enough.  

 

I think my C9.25 and an AP180 f9 differences would jump out, not subtle at all.  I mean my C9.25 held it’s own against a Mewlon 210 but the contrast in the Mewlon was definitely greater.  I would have kept the Mewlon if not for the dang spikes.  If I wasn’t in downsizing mode, the TSC-225 would be mine.  Having said that a good used C14 can be had for less.  I no longer was interested in an AP or TEC 180 after my C14.

Edited by Jae, 17 May 2025 - 11:08 AM.

[MillennialFalcon]

Zoomar Reflectar F/8 Mak Military Telescope - $1,500 $3,000 (Astoria, OR)

https://www.facebook...e4-2ea199a5d29a

 

Vintage celestron C 60 telescope - $100 (Clovis, CA)

https://www.facebook...e4-2ea199a5d29a

 

Vintage Meade Refractor Telescope - $40 (San Leandro, CA)

https://www.facebook...e4-2ea199a5d29a

 

Telescope- Mayflower 62mm refractor telescope with case - $100 $200 (Auburn, WA)

https://www.facebook...e4-2ea199a5d29a

[abe]

Zoomar Reflectar F/8 Mak Military Telescope - $1,500 $3,000 (Astoria, OR)

https://www.facebook...e4-2ea199a5d29a

 

What's the deal with these Zoomar military surplus mirror lenses?   They always seem to show up at astronomical prices and in uncommon configurations (check out the central obstruction on these):
https://www.leitz-au...Lot/AI-24-29274

Would these have any value for astronomical or photographic use or are they purely an anachronism?

Edited by abe, 17 May 2025 - 01:21 PM.

[MillennialFalcon]

World War 2 Era Wollensak telescope - $2,000 (Spokane Valley, WA)

https://www.facebook...e4-2ea199a5d29a

 

Old telescope, Stellar 60/910 Japan - $30 (Ferndale, WA)

https://www.facebook...e4-2ea199a5d29a

[DouglasPaul]

World War 2 Era Wollensak telescope - $2,000 (Spokane Valley, WA)

https://www.facebook...e4-2ea199a5d29a

 

Old telescope, Stellar 60/910 Japan - $30 (Ferndale, WA)

https://www.facebook...e4-2ea199a5d29a

Does anyone know who the circle K or R makers stamp on that Stellar scope is and if they're considered good or bad?

[Littlegreenman]

"Vintage Focal Telescope & Metal Tripod Cat Not Include” on eBay. "Cat" refers to a felis catus, a small 4 legged mammal often kept as a pet, as opposed to a catadioptic telescope. The felis catus photobombed the photo session.

 

The scope is only $25 with low shipping fees. I admit I am more interested in the felis catus. But the scope looks nice.

 

https://www.ebay.com...:Bk9SR4ignP7bZQ

[jiari]

Shrine manon apl 60mm 700mm, denty, but otherwise looks clean.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335964587703

[k5apl]

Mike W

I don't see the GOTO ad as a scam.

The seller can ask any amount that he wants to.

The seller is selling a scarce item that is more desirable than run of the mill telescopes (to some)

The seller is up-front about the different mount and defects

The seller is paying for packing and handling and shipping of 3 'heavy" boxes.......could run hundreds+ dollars

The seller has a good rating of previous CN transactions (I looked)

The seller is selling other high quality pieces currently (not one and done)

 

And, since I don't know what he has invested in the GOTO, and what he will net after shipping, and possibly negotiating the asking price, I also wonder what sort of profit he will make.  But, that is his business.

BTW I don't know him- we are not friends.

YMMV

Wes

[deSitter]

Made in Taiwan Autostar 494. Need a new display? Only $35, worth a roll of the dice. The display module works in both the 494 and the 495/7 -  assuming it has the right number of pins for your 497.. DAVIDG or OzAndrewJ will know.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116606024493

 

Also a more-or-less new ETX90-EC. The peel-off plastic cover on the display window is still intact. IIRC the scope came with a #492 (no display) but the #497 was an option. The AT model came with a #497 standard. This EC model inlcudes the #497 option. $330

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226740240202

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, Yesterday, 12:50 AM.

[Cloudy~Knight]

 

Also a more-or-less new ETX90-EC. The peel-off plastic cover on the display window is still intact. IIRC the scope came with a #492 (no display) but the #497 was an option. The AT model came with a #497 standard. This EC model inlcudes the #497 option. $330

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226740240202

 

-drl

These come up all the time on SGW, many in as new condition for half that price. The main thing to watch out for is that more often than not, the ETX gets put away with the batteries still in the battery compartment. Years later the batteries will have leaked (guaranteed to happen) which always ruins the battery terminals rendering the battery compartment  useless. External power supply will then be the only way to power the scope.

 

Always ask the seller to provide a clear photo of the opened battery compartment for your inspection. I've found SGW to be very cooperative in this regard.

[Cloudy~Knight]

14" Meade LX850 ACF OTA - $3500

https://www.cloudyni...0-acf-ota-only/

 

1971 Criterion RV-8 - $550

https://www.cloudyni...criterion-rv-8/

[CHASLX200]

14" Meade LX850 ACF OTA - $3500

https://www.cloudyni...0-acf-ota-only/

 

1971 Criterion RV-8 - $550

https://www.cloudyni...criterion-rv-8/

Mount is way too small for that 8" as i had one.

[jiari]

I knew that when I said it.  So, if it were a 60mm the price would be waaay to high, and as a 3" it is just to high.  It looks like an ATCO 1254, its mount was inadequate too.

How about $200 OBO?  Ad updated.  Not my ad.

[cavedweller]

Orion SkyView Pro Mount with dual-axis drives. $100 PUO in Santa Cruz, CA

 

https://www.cloudyni...al-axis-drives/

 

I like mine because it has manual slow-motion knobs, but not stable enough for the 120mm achro I had on it. Works great for an AT80ED, but I just bought a LXD85 for that one.

[Sean Cunneen]

Hey everybody, lets not forget this is the classics forum, so the scopes need to be classic scopes. Posting stuff that is only kinda old won't cut it... If it has a digital display, it probably doesn't belong here. 

 

Sean 

[CHASLX200]

Hey everybody, lets not forget this is the classics forum, so the scopes need to be classic scopes. Posting stuff that is only kinda old won't cut it... If it has a digital display, it probably doesn't belong here. 

 

Sean 

We need a real set date as what really counts as classic.  Is it 20 years or 25 years or 30 years or 40+ years? Make it a sticky mickey if that is ok. 

[Defenderslideguitar]

I thought is was 25 plus?

[Jay_Reynolds_Freeman]

We need a real set date as what really counts as classic.  Is it 20 years or 25 years or 30 years or 40+ years? Make it a sticky mickey if that is ok. 

Agreed. The official description of what this forum is supposed to be about mentions "to the mid 1990s" and also mentions "25-year-old-scopes still in production". Is a telescope bought new in the year 2000 a classic or is it not?

 

Clear sky ...
 

[CHASLX200]

Agreed. The official description of what this forum is supposed to be about mentions "to the mid 1990s" and also mentions "25-year-old-scopes still in production". Is a telescope bought new in the year 2000 a classic or is it not?

 

Clear sky ...
 

One person's classic could be 10 years and another 20 and on and on. I posted a thread on my 2004 made 110mm Tech by heck and it got locked.

[RichA]

If I recall right Meade sold 2 versions of the Giant Field Tripod. Both used the same hardware, but the legs on the later version were shorter. I have the older tall version and it’s a beast! It now serves as the tripod for my 6” f/15 Jaegers.

The Super Giant Field Tripod was short.

[Jay_Reynolds_Freeman]

One person's classic could be 10 years and another 20 and on and on. I posted a thread on my 2004 made 110mm Tech by heck and it got locked.

I might suggest that a classic telescope is one older than I am, but there wouldn't be much discussion in this forum if that went through ...

 

Clear sky ...

[RichA]

One person's classic could be 10 years and another 20 and on and on. I posted a thread on my 2004 made 110mm Tech by heck and it got locked.

It's more practical to contain the thread to older scopes, but there are some scopes of limited production and notable features that could be considered "instant classics." 

[Kefka1138]

We have a classic car licence plate program in my state. All cars 20 years old or older are eligible. Very odd feeling seeing an unimpressive 2005 Honda Civic with a classic car plate, but it is what it is.

I think it speaks volumes that our mind produces an image of a Unitron, but that 2005 Celestron might make the cut too... Blah, but it is what it is. Nostalgia is potent but reality is somewhat diluted.

[Russell Smith]

I was born at the end of 1959. I'm a classic.
IIRC the definition at the beginning of our classics threads state 25 years as qualified.

[deSitter]

The Super Giant Field Tripod was short.

 

I checked in the Meade 1997 catalog - the LXD and LX200 tripods were the same, other than one having threaded holes in the hub to take a wedge. The standard and giant tripods were 30-44" and 40-50" respectively.

 

-drl