Tasco .965" 1.5x barlow image erector Towa of Japan NO PLASTIC

This here is a 1968-72 years Tasco (Towa of Japan) .965-inch 1.5x Erecting Eye Piece. It will come with its original set screw for holding a .965-inch eyepiece of your choice.

 

In truth, this is an image erector with a built in 1.5x barlow. It is interesting because the old telescope manuals that had these erectors listed as stock equipment call them "1.5 Erecting eye piece". On the label of the unit itself, it is stated as "Magnification 1.5X Erects Image". 

In either case, they mean the exact same thing; that by incorporating this into the telescope's focuser, the image will be 1.5 times magnified over the magnification given by the eyepiece alone, and that the image will be upright. 

 

So if you use this in a 50mm refractor with a focal length of 600mm, and then use a 20mm eyepiece along with it, your magnified view will be exactly 45x (power). 

 

A 20mm at 600mm is 30x. Multiply that by 1.5x and you get 45x.

 

Works with:  .965-inch refractor focusers

Will hold:  .965-inch eyepieces

Materials:  milled aluminum and brass, optical glass

Total length:  9.75-inches

Weight:  4 ounces

 

When using this it is important to consider a few things:

 

1) This image erector will not work with rich field refractors; those models who's focal ratio is less than f/10. It will be highly likely the focuser will not have enough draw to achieve focus. It was included on Tasco refractors between 50mm to 80mm of aperture with a focal ratio between f/11 to f/14.

 

2)  This image erector was made BEFORE modern eyepieces became standard. Huygens and Kellners and Ramsdens will work best with it. I have used orthoscopics as well. Plossls and modified kellners (achromats) have not been tested to see if they will cooperate with the optical format. So there is a possibility if you are using more advanced eyepiece designs that the image will not come to focus. Different eyepieces come to different points of focus when used on the same telescope.

 

3) This image erector WILL NOT work with reflectors and most maksutovs. I have used it once in an orange C5 as it was an f/10 and had enough focus adjustment to give an image.

 

The concept of the image erector is around still to this day, though they are vastly cheaply made of polyvinyl and/or polyurethane plastics that are easily damaged and can flex when hot; loosening the alignment of the internal elements. And at that point, I have found the late 1990s Tascos, Bushnells, K-mart, Jason Empire, and National Geographic refractors that had these, their erectors had plastic lenses.

So know that this is a very good quality product that is made of solid metal.

This is in collector's condition and shows minimal use for its 50+ years in age. The lower chrome barrel is in excellent, shiny condition with some set screw marks, but nothing unattractive. The long black body is in excellent condition with even color throughout and having no deep scratches, punctures, dents of severity. There are a few hairline marks, but as the photos show, again, nothing distracting. The label is original and shiny clean. The top visual adapter ring with set screw is in near mint condition.The internal optics are very good condition, but not great, due to internal dust. It will work as it is, but for optimal resolution and performance, it will need these lenses cleaned. It will require skill as disassembly must be performed to reach the internal lens arrangements.”

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